As we reach the midpoint of 2020, it’s clear that the new decade has already been a strange one. Many have been turning to movies as a welcome means of escape, and comedy as a genre feels more important than ever. Comedies provide comfort in uncertain times, and some bring more to the table by subverting tropes, utilizing dark humor and adding in surprising and genre-bending elements to leave a longer lasting impression.

For better or (hopefully not) worse, this isn’t a list of average comedies and dramedies. It includes recent dystopian hits (“The Lobster” and “Sorry to Bother You”), tongue-in-cheek cult favorites (“But I’m a Cheerleader” and “Drop Dead Gorgeous”), and even a best picture nominee (The Coen brothers’ “A Single Man”). Horror-comedy is represented (“Mom and Dad,” starring an especially outlandish Nicolas Cage), as are more easygoing Netflix original movies (“Private Life” and “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore”).

Nowadays, a good laugh is worth its weight in gold, and these are no exception, however different they might appear on the surface. And seeing how, in times like this, we’re all quickly becoming well acquainted with the weird, these comedies might not even seem that strange after all.

• The Lobster (2015)

  The premise of “The Lobster” is simple enough: All single members of society are required to check into a hotel in hopes of finding a suitable partner, or else be turned into an animal of their choice once their stay is up. Simple, right? Director Yorgos Lanthimos (“The Favourite”) is known for his dark and absurd style of comedy, and this film might be the best example that his style works for anyone willing to jump down his rabbit hole.

  “The Lobster” is now streaming on Netflix.

• A Serious Man (2009)

  Joel and Ethan Coen have a number of great films, and that includes the nuanced and sometimes overlooked “A Serious Man.” Nominated for best picture at the Oscars, it follows Michael Stuhlbarg as a Jewish college professor and family man whose seemingly average life now has him on the ropes. Full of wry metaphor (and turning out a career best performance from Stuhlbarg), this one sticks around long after the credits roll.

  “A Serious Man” is now streaming on Netflix.

• Sorry to Bother You (2018)

  The fast-paced “Sorry to Bother You” is impressive enough all on its own, and even more impressive as a directorial debut. Boots Riley’s Oakland-set look at the chaotic collapse of society is led by Lakeith Stanfield as an up-and-coming telemarketer who is pressured to use a “white voice” over the phone to excel at his job. As he moves up the corporate ladder, the world around him crumbles into a kind of dystopian hellscape. After this wildly imaginative and unpredictable experience, you might never look at a horse the same way again.

  “Sorry to Bother You” is now streaming on Hulu.

• Mom and Dad (2017)

  With a brisk runtime of about 80 minutes, “Mom and Dad” might be the weirdest pick on this list. Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair star as a mild-mannered couple who, along with the rest of the overworked parents in town, suddenly turn deadly towards their offspring. Completely ridiculous and yet utterly enjoyable, this horror-comedy blends the genres perfectly and features a particularly unhinged performance from Cage. And that alone should be enough of a selling point.

  “Mom and Dad” is now streaming on Hulu.

• Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

  Often regarded as a cult classic with a surprisingly star-studded cast (One of the very first performances from Amy Adams? Anyone?), 1999’s “Drop Dead Gorgeous” is one of a kind. It’s an on-the-nose mockumentary about a small town teenage beauty pageant where the contestants fight tooth and nail for the crown, and not just figuratively. A young Kirsten Dunst leads the cast (Minnesota accent and all) through this inventive nightmare full of fancy gowns, choreographed dance numbers and undercooked seafood. Yum.

  “Drop Dead Gorgeous” is now streaming on HBO Max.

• Blindspotting (2018)

  A truly vital film for the moment, Carlos López Estrada’s directorial debut centers on Daveed Diggs as a parolee in Oakland who witnesses an unjust police shooting while waiting at a red light. With a script full of biting humor, heart and hard truths (written by co-stars Diggs and Rafael Casal), “Blindspotting” is all fun and games until the trauma of racial inequality in America bubbles to the surface.

  “Blindspotting” is now streaming on HBO Max.

• I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017)

  A hidden gem in a sea of Netflix original movies, “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore” is far from the typical fare. Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood play neighbors who team up to track down some stolen silverware and encounter a few hiccups (and violent criminals) along the way. Morbid humor fills up every corner in this pessimistic tale of existential despair that feels all too fitting for the times.

  “I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore” is now streaming on Netflix.

• The Watermelon Woman (1996)

  Cited as the first feature film directed by a black lesbian, “The Watermelon Woman” is a low-budget delight. Cheryl Dunye writes, directs, edits and stars as a video store employee who decides to make a film (yes, within a film) about a black actress from the 30s. Purposeful and accessible, it feels genuine and down to earth, as though Cheryl is a close friend simply showing us her home movies.

  “The Watermelon Woman” is now streaming (and available to watch for free all June) on The Criterion Channel.

• Private Life (2018)

  An airtight script is at the core of writer and director Tamara Jenkins’ comedy-drama about the highs and lows of an aging New York couple (Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giamatti) struggling to become parents by any means necessary. Unconventional and still intimately funny, Hahn especially delivers a grounded performance as the pair bonds with Giamatti’s step-niece (Kayli Carter) and later asks her to carry their child.

  “Private Life” is now streaming on Netflix.

• But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

  A campy satire about a conversion therapy program for teenagers, 1999’s “But I’m a Cheerleader” is widely thought of as a modern staple in LGBTQ+ film. The film bursts with wit as director Jamie Babbit utilizes thoughtfully kitsch set pieces, costumes and dialogue while lead Natasha Lyonne waves her pom poms and falls head over heels for fellow camper Clea DuVall. The result is a saturated romp that’s perfect for pride month.

  “But I’m a Cheerleader” is now streaming on The Criterion Channel.

• Boy (2010)

  Before director Taika Waititi made “Jojo Rabbit” and “Thor: Ragnarok,” he directed some quirky and understated comedies set in his home country of New Zealand. One of them was 2010’s “Boy”, the story of a Michael Jackson-obsessed 11-year-old and his complicated relationship with his father (played by Waititi.) Set in the ’80s and sparkling with offbeat charm, it proves to be as emotional as it is amusing.

  “Boy” is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

• Duck Butter (2018)

  Finding that they’re both disillusioned with romantic relationships, strangers (played fearlessly by Alia Shawkat and Laia Costa) decide on a whim to spend 24 hours together in an attempt to speed through the experience of dating. Experimental and honest in approach, Miguel Arteta’s  “Duck Butter” condenses time into a bite-sized portion, squeezing in the passion, obsession and eventual disdain of a grand love story.

  “Duck Butter” is now streaming on Netflix.

• The One I Love (2014)

  A sci-fi twist is at the beating heart of the off-kilter “The One I Love,” in which a couple (Mark Duplass and Elizabeth Moss) try to mend their strained marriage by going on a secluded retreat only to find that they aren’t alone. Growing increasingly surreal throughout, it acts as a sharp subversion of the typical indie rom-com and successfully keeps us guessing. Choosing this one as a date movie might not be the best idea.

  “The One I Love” is now streaming on Netflix.

• Igby Goes Down (2002)

  Suffering from teen spirit and wanting to be free of his family, their old money and all the baggage that comes with it, Igby (Kieran Culkin) rebels and seeks out independence, often finding trouble instead. Featuring a well known cast and ultra hip early ’00s soundtrack, “Igby Goes Down” is a curious slice of life that stands out from the crowd with its weighty use of realism.

  “Igby Goes Down” is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

• Ingrid Goes West (2017)

  Set in our familiar age of influencer culture and looking at what it does to the mind, “Ingrid Goes West” is an eccentric (and sometimes embarrassing) look at obsession. Aubrey Plaza stars as Ingrid, a lonely girl who grows increasingly fascinated with Elizabeth Olsen’s Taylor, going so far as to follow her across the country in hopes of befriending her. Pitch black in tone and often absurdly uncomfortable, it shines a light on both mental illness and the unflattering realities of fame.

  “Ingrid Goes West” is now streaming on Hulu.