Abbott and Costello Movies: Essential Films
This list is a curated selection of Abbott and Costello's finest work, spanning their peak years and showcasing the full range of their comedic talents. The watch order includes their breakout hit, their most critically acclaimed pure comedy, their most famous monster encounter, and examples of their mastery across different subgenres.
This selection is fantastic for those who want to experience the duo's greatest achievements without committing to the complete 36-film anthology.
There are 3 other watch orders available – see the links up above.
Buck Privates
Two petty con artists accidentally enlist in the Army while fleeing the police, only to find their pursuer has become their drill instructor. Meanwhile, a wealthy recruit and his former chauffeur compete for the affections of the same woman in this classic Abbott and Costello military comedy.
Hold That Ghost
Two bumbling service station attendants inherit a gangster's fortune but get stranded in a spooky house with mysterious strangers while trying to claim their windfall.
Who Done It?
Two bumbling soda fountain workers aspire to write radio mystery shows, but when they visit a radio station to pitch their ideas, they become embroiled in a real murder mystery when the station owner is killed during a live broadcast.
The Naughty Nineties
Abbott and Costello star as a ham actor and his bumbling sidekick who try to help a kindly riverboat captain reclaim his Mississippi showboat from crooked gamblers in this 1890s-set comedy.
The Time of Their Lives
Two ghosts from the Revolutionary War era return to 20th century New England to clear their names by finding a letter from George Washington that would prove their innocence after being wrongly branded as traitors.
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein
Baggage handlers Bud and Lou accidentally encounter classic movie monsters including Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula, and the Wolf Man in this comedy horror crossover.
Related Film Series
Other Film Series
Alvin and the Chipmunks
A family franchise following the musical adventures of three singing chipmunks across both animated and live-action formats spanning nearly three decades.
Critters
Horror-comedy franchise about small, ravenous alien creatures called Crites terrorizing Earth, featuring a complete four-film story arc and a later soft reboot.
Evil Dead
A horror franchise following the battle against ancient evil forces unleashed by the Necronomicon, spanning from Sam Raimi's original trilogy to modern entries.
Laurel and Hardy
The legendary comedy duo's collection of standalone feature films spanning from 1931 to 1951.
Road to...
Classic Hollywood buddy comedy series starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope as they embark on adventures in exotic locations, with Dorothy Lamour as their frequent co-star.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
A horror franchise following the cannibalistic Sawyer family and their chainsaw-wielding member Leatherface across multiple timelines, reboots, and alternate continuities.