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Best Howard Zieff Movies
11th Nov 2025
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Howard Zieff, a master of gentle humor and heartwarming stories, carved a unique path in Hollywood, gifting audiences with films that celebrated everyday life and the quirks of the human spirit. His ability to blend comedy with genuine emotion made his movies resonate deeply with viewers, often leaving them with a warm, comforting feeling. This list explores some of his most beloved works, each showcasing his distinct talent for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary and creating memorable characters we could all relate to. Now, it's your turn to join the conversation! Using the interactive drag-and-drop feature, reorder the titles below to reflect your personal ranking of the best Howard Zieff movies. Which films hold a special place in your heart? Feel free to rearrange the list to reflect your own unique appreciation for Zieff's cinematic contributions and share your preferences with other fans.
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#8.
The Main Event (1979)
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"The Main Event" (1979) is a charming underdog comedy directed by Howard Zieff, showcasing his signature blend of quirky characters and heartwarming sentimentality. Hillary Kramer, a perfume tycoon brilliantly portrayed, finds herself financially ruined by a crooked accountant. Her only remaining valuable asset? A struggling boxer, Kid Natural (Eddie Scanlon), acquired as a tax write-off. Against his will, she ropes him into a boxing match, viewing him as her ticket back to prosperity. Eddie, more comfortable behind the wheel of a car than in a boxing ring, is terrified by the prospect, creating hilarious tension as he reluctantly embraces this unlikely path to riches. This film perfectly encapsulates what makes Zieff's work so endearing. The deadpan humor, the well-developed characters who are simultaneously flawed and lovable, and the ultimately optimistic narrative arc are all hallmarks of Zieff's directorial style. While he helmed numerous successful projects, "The Main Event" showcases his knack for creating engaging comedic situations with a gentle, humanistic touch, avoiding cynicism and celebrating the unexpected triumphs of ordinary people. Its winning combination of heartwarming story and laugh-out-loud moments firmly places it among Zieff's best.
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My Girl (1991)
#11.0My Girl (1991) is a coming-of-age dramedy following the precocious and death-obsessed Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky). Vada navigates the complexities of pre-adolescence against the backdrop of her father's funeral home, the recent loss of her mother, and an unexpected burgeoning romance with her summer school English teacher. Her complicated relationship with her best friend, Thomas J. (Macaulay Culkin), who suffers from a myriad of allergies, adds another layer to her already emotionally charged world. The arrival of Shelly DeLuca (Jamie Lee Curtis), a vibrant and attractive woman who captures her father's attention, throws Vada's already fragile equilibrium into further disarray, setting the stage for poignant and humorous encounters. This film showcases Howard Zieff's masterful ability to blend humor and heart, a hallmark of his best work. Zieff perfectly captures the awkwardness and emotional intensity of childhood, using Vada's unique perspective on death and life to explore themes of grief, friendship, and first love. The film's delicate balance of comedic moments and genuinely affecting drama, along with its memorable cast and endearing characters, solidify *My Girl* as a quintessential example of Zieff's talent for crafting sensitive and engaging stories that resonate deeply with audiences of all ages, earning its place amongst his finest films.
House Calls (1978)
#22.0"House Calls" (1978), a comedic gem directed by Howard Zieff, showcases his masterful blend of heartwarming humor and poignant drama. The film follows Charley, a recently widowed surgeon grappling with grief and loneliness. His romantic life becomes a chaotic series of misadventures with a parade of unsuitable women, forming the backbone of the film's uproarious comedic situations. This tragicomic journey, however, culminates in a genuinely affecting encounter with Ann, a woman who unexpectedly challenges and captivates him, demonstrating Zieff's deft handling of both comedic timing and genuine emotional depth. The film’s success lies not just in its witty script and strong performances, but in Zieff’s ability to seamlessly weave laughter and pathos together. "House Calls" deserves a place among Zieff's best because it perfectly encapsulates his directorial style. He avoids sentimentality, instead opting for a naturalistic, observational approach that allows the characters and their relationships to unfold organically. The film’s humor is never cruel, but rather springs from relatable situations and well-developed characters. Zieff's expert direction ensures the film's comedic moments never overshadow its emotional core, creating a balanced and deeply satisfying viewing experience that remains both funny and touching, a signature of his best work. This blend of wit and emotional resonance firmly establishes "House Calls" as a high point in his filmography.
The Dream Team (1989)
#33.0The Dream Team (1989) is a wildly chaotic and hilarious black comedy featuring an ensemble cast of quirky characters. This morning they were playing ping-pong in the hospital rec room. Now they're lost in New York and framed for murder. This was never covered in group therapy. The film follows a group of mentally ill patients who escape their psychiatric hospital and become embroiled in a bizarre series of misadventures in the Big Apple. Their individual eccentricities collide with the unpredictable realities of city life, resulting in a series of laugh-out-loud moments and surprisingly touching connections. Howard Zieff’s directorial prowess is on full display in *The Dream Team*. His signature blend of quirky humor and surprisingly heartfelt moments shines through, showcasing his talent for creating memorable characters and weaving together a narrative that's both absurd and endearing. The film's sharp wit, coupled with its genuinely compassionate portrayal of mental illness, sets it apart as a standout example of Zieff's unique comedic sensibility and belongs on any list of his best work. The film’s ensemble acting, led by Christopher Lloyd, is superb and showcases the director's ability to extract phenomenal performances from his cast, a recurring feature in Zieff's celebrated filmography.
Hearts of the West (1975)
#44.0Naive Iowa farm boy Lewis Tater dreams of being a famous Western novelist like Zane Grey. He leaves his idyllic home to attend a writing correspondence course, only to discover the "campus" is a row of postboxes at a deserted Nevada train depot. After escaping a band of con artists who run the scam, Lewis unexpectedly finds himself amidst a real Western movie shoot. This unlikely turn of events propels him into the bizarre world of low-budget filmmaking, working for the struggling Tumbleweed Productions in a silent-era Hollywood parody. The film is a whimsical and charming blend of genres, a quirky adventure that perfectly captures the spirit of youthful naivete colliding with the harsh realities of pursuing one's dreams. "Hearts of the West" belongs on any list of best Howard Zieff movies due to its masterful blend of comedy, satire, and heartfelt sincerity. Zieff's distinctive directorial style, characterized by its gentle wit and keen observation of human nature, is on full display. The film’s perfectly paced screenplay, peppered with laugh-out-loud moments, avoids cynicism while offering a genuinely optimistic outlook. Furthermore, Zieff's ability to elicit strong performances from his cast, particularly from Alan Alda as the endearingly clueless Lewis Tater, is a testament to his directorial skill and contributes significantly to the film's enduring appeal and its rightful place amongst his best work.
Private Benjamin (1980)
#55.0Private Benjamin (1980) follows the hilarious misadventures of Judy Benjamin, a sheltered heiress who impulsively enlists in the army after a disastrous marriage. Expecting a glamorous life of adventure, she quickly finds herself thrust into the harsh realities of basic training, facing grueling physical challenges and clashing personalities. This fish-out-of-water story perfectly showcases Zieff's masterful ability to blend slapstick comedy with genuine heart, creating a film that's both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly poignant. The film's sharp wit and relatable characters ensure its enduring appeal. Private Benjamin's inclusion on a list of "Best Howard Zieff Movies" is justified by its exemplary demonstration of Zieff's signature directorial style. He expertly crafts a comedic narrative with strong female leads, showcasing his talent for eliciting both physical and emotional performances. The film's success lies in its deft balance of humor and pathos, a hallmark of Zieff's work, and its enduring popularity solidifies its place amongst his best-directed features. The film's clever script, coupled with Zieff's skillful direction, results in a timeless comedic classic.
Slither (1973)
#66.0Slither (1973), a darkly comedic thriller, showcases Howard Zieff's masterful blend of offbeat humor and suspense. While searching for a small fortune of embezzled money, an unlikely quartet – an ex-con, a struggling bandleader, his devoted wife, and a quirky drifter – become unwitting targets of a relentless pursuit. Their desperate flight leads them through a bizarre tapestry of locations, from seedy trailer parks and lively bingo halls to mundane laundromats, each setting highlighting the film's unique brand of quirky charm. The escalating tension culminates in a chaotic and unexpectedly funny showdown with a truly unconventional gang of criminals. Slither perfectly exemplifies Zieff's distinctive directorial style, evident in his other acclaimed works. His ability to seamlessly weave together disparate comedic elements with genuine suspense, creating a film that is both hilarious and genuinely thrilling, is on full display. The film's memorable characters, witty dialogue, and unpredictable plot twists are hallmarks of Zieff's talent for crafting offbeat, character-driven narratives, solidifying its place among his best and most uniquely enjoyable films. The movie's blend of genre elements and its consistently surprising trajectory make it a standout example of his distinctive vision.
Unfaithfully Yours (1984)
#77.0Dudley Moore shines in Howard Zieff's darkly comedic masterpiece, *Unfaithfully Yours* (1984). Moore plays a renowned composer consumed by jealousy when he suspects his wife of infidelity. His elaborate, increasingly absurd plan to murder her and frame her lover forms the darkly humorous backbone of the film. Zieff masterfully juxtaposes the composer's meticulously crafted fantasy of the perfect crime with the chaotic, slapstick reality of his increasingly inept attempts, creating a hilarious and insightful exploration of obsession, expectation, and the inherent fallibility of human plans. The film's brilliance lies in its unexpected twists and turns, its sharp wit, and Moore's pitch-perfect performance. *Unfaithfully Yours* deserves its place among the best of Howard Zieff's films due to its sharp satirical wit and clever plotting, hallmarks of Zieff's directorial style. The film showcases Zieff's talent for blending dark humor with insightful social commentary, creating a sophisticated and engaging narrative that remains remarkably relevant. Its blend of farce, suspense, and surprisingly poignant moments elevates it beyond typical comedic fare, showcasing Zieff's ability to craft a film that is both wildly entertaining and intellectually stimulating, much like his other critically acclaimed works. The film’s memorable scenes and quotable dialogue solidify its position as a classic.
The Main Event (1979)
#88.0"The Main Event" (1979) is a charming underdog comedy directed by Howard Zieff, showcasing his signature blend of quirky characters and heartwarming sentimentality. Hillary Kramer, a perfume tycoon brilliantly portrayed, finds herself financially ruined by a crooked accountant. Her only remaining valuable asset? A struggling boxer, Kid Natural (Eddie Scanlon), acquired as a tax write-off. Against his will, she ropes him into a boxing match, viewing him as her ticket back to prosperity. Eddie, more comfortable behind the wheel of a car than in a boxing ring, is terrified by the prospect, creating hilarious tension as he reluctantly embraces this unlikely path to riches. This film perfectly encapsulates what makes Zieff's work so endearing. The deadpan humor, the well-developed characters who are simultaneously flawed and lovable, and the ultimately optimistic narrative arc are all hallmarks of Zieff's directorial style. While he helmed numerous successful projects, "The Main Event" showcases his knack for creating engaging comedic situations with a gentle, humanistic touch, avoiding cynicism and celebrating the unexpected triumphs of ordinary people. Its winning combination of heartwarming story and laugh-out-loud moments firmly places it among Zieff's best.
My Girl 2 (1994)
#99.0My Girl 2 (1994) continues the heartwarming story of Vada Sultenfuss, once again brilliantly portrayed with youthful charm and vulnerability. This sequel finds Vada facing a new challenge: a school assignment that forces her to confront her complicated relationship with her deceased mother. This prompts a journey to Los Angeles to stay with her eccentric Uncle Phil, where she uncovers family secrets and learns more about her heritage. This personal quest for self-discovery forms the emotional core of the film, showcasing Vada's growth and resilience. My Girl 2 rightfully earns its place among Howard Zieff's best films due to its masterful blend of humor and heartfelt emotion, a signature of his directorial style. Zieff perfectly captures the awkwardness and anxieties of adolescence while exploring deeper themes of family, loss, and self-acceptance. The film retains the same witty dialogue and endearing characters that made the original a classic, but expands upon them with a more mature and nuanced narrative. Like his other celebrated works, it skillfully balances lighthearted moments with poignant reflections, creating a film that is both entertaining and deeply moving.
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