In an era where the theatrical comedy landscape is often scrutinized for its perceived decline, a new industry initiative is seeking to prove that the "funny" hasn’t vanished—it is simply waiting in the wings. In association with the prestigious Just For Laughs Montreal and its annual ComedyPRO marketplace, the inaugural edition of The Laugh List has been officially unveiled. This curated selection highlights the ten most promising unproduced comedy screenplays of the year, signaling a concerted effort by industry insiders to revitalize a genre that remains a cornerstone of global entertainment.
The Laugh List arrives as a comedy-centric counterpart to the well-known "Black List," providing a platform for scripts that have garnered significant heat within the development community but have yet to reach the production phase. From satirical takes on historical sports myths to subversive coming-of-age tales, the 2026 selection showcases a diverse array of comedic voices, ranging from unrepresented newcomers to established industry veterans.
The Genesis and Selection Process: A Peer-Reviewed Standard
The creation of The Laugh List was born out of a perceived gap in the Hollywood pipeline. While dramatic and high-concept genre scripts often find their way into the spotlight through various competitions and year-end lists, comedy—a notoriously subjective and difficult genre to "get right"—has lacked a dedicated, executive-backed barometer of quality.
The selection process for the 2026 list was rigorous and designed to ensure industry-wide consensus. A voting body consisting of more than a dozen high-level feature comedy executives from leading production companies was assembled. To maintain the integrity of the selection, the process was conducted in several phases:
- Nomination Phase: Executives nominated an initial pool of 40 unproduced comedy screenplays that had been circulating within the industry.
- Anonymous Review: The nominated scripts were then read anonymously by the voting body to eliminate bias regarding the writers’ previous credits or the attachments already in place.
- Final Vote: The executives voted to determine the final ten scripts that represented the highest potential for both critical acclaim and commercial success.
The resulting list is a blend of scripts in various stages of development. While some have already secured studio backing and high-profile producers, others remain "open" projects, providing a roadmap for agents, managers, and financiers looking for the next big comedic hit.
The 2026 Laugh List: A Deep Dive into the Top 10
The inaugural selection spans a wide spectrum of sub-genres, including mockumentaries, dark comedies, and "stoner" sci-fi. Below is a detailed look at the scripts recognized by the 2026 Laugh List.
1. David Bennet Needs a Friend
- Writers: Jon Eidson & Nick Smith
- Logline: The world’s richest and loneliest man funnels his near-infinite resources into making exactly one friend.
- The Players: Managed by Zack Waxenberg (3 Arts); Produced by Hidden Pictures.
- Analysis: A satirical look at the isolation of extreme wealth, this script taps into the current cultural fascination with the "lonely billionaire" trope, offering a high-concept character study.
2. The Flu Game
- Writers: Ajay Lalani & Anton Vayedjian
- Logline: During the 1997 NBA Finals, four desperate Utah Jazz fans bet their life savings against the Chicago Bulls and hatch an idiotic plan to poison Michael Jordan, accidentally creating the infamous (and very real) “Flu Game.”
- The Players: Represented by Daniel Leap (IAG); Produced by De Line Pictures.
- Analysis: Merging sports history with "idiots-on-a-mission" comedy, this script reimagines one of the most famous moments in basketball history through a lens of chaotic desperation.
3. I’d Like To Speak To Your Manager
- Writer: Gabe Delahaye
- Logline: A man’s simple quest to return a pack of paper towels spirals into an absurd, escalating nightmare of bureaucracy and social etiquette.
- The Players: Represented by Jenny Maryasis (UTA) and Kaplan/Perrone; Produced by FilmNation and Fortunate Jack.
- Analysis: Already gaining significant traction with a FilmNation deal, Delahaye’s script is a biting exploration of modern retail rage and the "Karen" phenomenon from a surrealist perspective.
4. Island Man
- Writer: Jesse Gordon
- Logline: After a doctor survives five years on a deserted island, he returns to find his wife has moved on with a "normal dude" named Jake. The story follows Jake as he tries to compete with a literal war hero.
- The Players: Represented by UTA and Redefine; Produced by Universal, Point Grey (Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg), and Jen D’Angelo.
- Analysis: A clever subversion of the Cast Away trope, this script shifts the perspective to the "other guy," offering a deconstruction of masculinity and the romantic hero archetype.
5. Pistols @ 3:45
- Writers: Kim Seltzer & Aliya Kamalova
- Logline: Two local councilmen are forced into a real-life gun duel after an online feud goes viral, spending the lead-up trying to find a way out without losing face.
- The Players: Produced by Tam Sackman, Abso Lutely, and Neon Heart.
- Analysis: A sharp political mockumentary that satirizes the performative nature of modern politics and the dangers of "clout" culture.
6. Rush
- Writers: Cassidy Alla & Read Masino
- Logline: Two female students go undercover to rush a fraternity to exact revenge on a sexual predator, only to find themselves becoming the stars of the pledge class.
- The Players: Represented by UTA, Mosaic, and Artists First; Produced by Netflix and Berlanti Productions.
- Analysis: A bold, dark comedy that tackles serious themes within the framework of a traditional college "bro" movie, Rush represents a shift toward more socially conscious comedic storytelling.
7. This Could Be Our Night
- Writers: Justin Shipley & Jordan Shipley
- Logline: The release of a "crush list" on the final night of high school sends two best friends on a chaotic mission to a graduation party.
- The Players: Represented by WME and Haven; Produced by Sony.
- Analysis: Sony’s involvement highlights the commercial potential of this script, which seeks to capture the lightning-in-a-bottle energy of teen classics like Superbad.
8. This Planet is Fucking Awesome
- Writer: James Morosini
- Logline: A group of stoner friends find their long-lost buddy on a "party planet" in another dimension and must race to get home before the portal closes.
- The Players: Represented by CAA and Range; Produced by 6th & Idaho (Matt Reeves).
- Analysis: Morosini, known for his unique comedic voice in I Love My Dad, ventures into high-concept sci-fi comedy with this project, backed by Matt Reeves’ production banner.
9. Unt. Erotic Teen Fan Fiction Movie
- Writer: Morgan Lehmann
- Logline: A virgin writing erotic fiction online is forced to collaborate with the school’s star quarterback to maintain her "expert" reputation.
- The Players: Represented by CAA and Untitled; Produced by A24 and Fruit Tree (Emma Stone).
- Analysis: With A24 and Emma Stone’s Fruit Tree attached, this script is one of the most anticipated on the list, promising a sophisticated and subversive take on the teen comedy genre.
10. Witch, Please
- Writer: Michael-Leon Wooley
- Logline: Two Black aspiring "ghost hunters" are accidentally transported back to the 1600s and must defend a woman accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts.
- The Players: Represented by UTA and Bleecker Street Ent.; Produced by Macro and Hartbeat (Kevin Hart).
- Analysis: A genre-bending "fish out of water" comedy that uses a supernatural premise to explore historical racial dynamics with a comedic edge.
Official Responses: Refilling the Pipeline
The launch of The Laugh List has been met with enthusiasm from both the creative and executive branches of the industry. Reg Tigerman, the founder of The Laugh List, addressed the skepticism surrounding the current state of the comedy genre in a statement accompanying the release.
"There is a widespread belief that Hollywood isn’t making enough great comedies anymore, but it’s not due to a lack of great material," Tigerman stated. "We found an incredible depth of funny, original, commercially exciting scripts written by exceptionally talented writers. The challenge isn’t whether the material exists—it’s making sure the best work finds advocates."
Tigerman emphasized that the list’s primary goal is to act as a catalyst for production. "The Laugh List was created to celebrate those writers, encourage executives and producers to keep betting on original comedy, and help refill the pipeline with films audiences will one day quote, revisit, and hopefully experience together in theaters."
The partnership with Just For Laughs Montreal further solidifies the list’s prestige. As the world’s largest comedy festival, Just For Laughs provides a global stage for these writers, connecting them with international distributors and talent during the ComedyPRO marketplace.
Industry Implications: Can Comedy Save the Box Office?
The release of The Laugh List comes at a pivotal moment for the film industry. In recent years, mid-budget comedies—once the bread and butter of the studio system—have largely migrated to streaming platforms. However, the theatrical success of films like Anyone But You and No Hard Feelings has suggested a renewed appetite for the "shared laugh" experience in cinemas.
By highlighting these ten scripts, The Laugh List provides a curated menu for studios looking to return to the comedy business. The diversity of the list—ranging from the indie sensibilities of A24 to the broad, studio-friendly appeal of Sony and Universal projects—suggests that the industry is looking for a variety of ways to bring audiences back.
Furthermore, the inclusion of writers without representation alongside established names like James Morosini and the Shipley brothers indicates a "meritocracy of funny." For the industry, this list serves as a data point, proving that original IP (Intellectual Property) still holds value in a market often dominated by sequels and reboots.
As these ten scripts move toward production, the industry will be watching closely. If even half of these projects reach the screen and find an audience, The Laugh List will have succeeded in its mission: proving that comedy is not only alive but is perhaps the most resilient genre in Hollywood’s arsenal. For now, these ten stories represent the vanguard of a potential comedy resurgence, waiting for the green light to make the world laugh again.
