Top 10 Funniest Robin Williams Movie Scenes

“The Fisher King” (1991)
Most of us have been on some kind of awkward date. While exploring that universal experience, Robin Williams brings all kinds of humanity to this scene as his character desperately tries to impress a woman during a dinner date. He’s not playing the smoothest guy in the world, but that makes this humorous moment all the more endearing to watch. This trainwreck of a conversation leads to some funny places and even more brilliant physical comedy. To top it all off, the actor finds time to sing and inject the sequence with genuine romance.

“Patch Adams” (1998)
In this movie inspired by a real man, Robin Williams shows that laughter might just be the best medicine. His character, a med school student, visits a children’s ward with very sick patients and brightens their day. He spends much of the film bringing comedy to those that need it, including members of a group therapy session. But it’s the sequence with the kids that truly showcases Williams’ own special magic. It mainly consists of physical gags that don’t require much dialogue to elicit a response. The child actors in the scene were real cancer patients, and seeing Williams bring them so much joy is truly heartwarming.

“Father’s Day” (1997)
Fans of Robin Williams and Billy Crystal will love seeing them together in this classic nineties comedy. For one of the film’s best scenes, the two legends juggle an incapacitated teenager. Williams’ Dale tries to put Scott into the shower, while Crystal’s Jack talks on the phone. Neither goes well as the characters run into several hilarious obstacles. This includes dealing with hotel staff, not to mention trying to prevent Jack’s wife from overhearing the shenanigans in the background. Both comedians elevate this sequence with their stellar timing and commitment. While not the best remembered movie from either star, this adventure allows both leads to embrace the chaos of the moment.

“Bicentennial Man” (1999)
We’ve never considered what it would be like to teach a robot jokes, but we hope it goes something like this scene. “Bicentennial Man” puts Williams into the shoes of an android, and an early scene features this inspired moment about comedy. Influenced by his owner’s explanation of humor, Andrew tries his hand at some rapid-fire jokes … but he clearly doesn’t understand the concepts of timing or cadence. Somehow, hearing all of these lines in quick succession makes them even funnier. How does he draw so many laughs out of a monotone performance?

“Hook” (1991)
Tapping into his inner child, Williams gives his all to this new take on a classic story. His version of Peter Pan struggles to join in on an imaginary feast with the Lost Boys. He then gets into an impressive insult competition with their leader, Rufio. The extremely creative – and often disgusting – jabs and jokes pile up one after the other, with the middle-aged Peter matching the wits and youthful energy of his co-stars. The argument eventually turns into a colorful food fight that all the boys get in on. You can’t look away from this elaborate fantasy sequence, which blends all the wonder and humor you could want from a kids’ movie.

“The Birdcage” (1996)
In order to impress his future in-laws, Armand needs his partner Albert to pass as straight. This prompts a hilarious lesson about getting Nathan Lane’s character to act stereotypically heterosexual. His attempts to alter his movements and act tough all make for funny moments. Williams plays the perfect foil to Lane’s over-the-top performance. There’s also a memorable run-in with toast and a noteworthy John Wayne impression. While Williams isn’t as off-the-wall in this scene as he is in other parts, the legend showcases a slightly more subtle side to his comedic talents. Fans of his more outgoing work will love the dance rehearsal scene, which sees Williams in all of his unhinged glory.

“Good Will Hunting” (1997)
It speaks to the talent of Robin Williams that he can make such a serious movie funny. This scene involves his character describing his wife, but he doesn’t mince words about her nighttime habits. The open and honest discussion involves all sorts of details that draw huge laughs from the patient. The sequence was said to be heavily influenced by Williams’ improvisation, making the humor come alive with spontaneity. He’s clearly a born storyteller who can walk the line between poignant and hilarious. With Matt Damon’s candid reaction to it all, the scene reveals the off-the-cuff brilliance of the veteran performer.

“Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993)
Daniel thinks he has everything figured out – until his court liaison checks up on him. This prompts a hilarious sequence where he has to switch between himself and his alter ego Mrs. Doubtfire. The character is up against a wall when he loses his regular prosthetics and is then forced to make a ridiculous choice to cover his face. His guest is initially freaked out, but eventually comes around to Mrs. Doubtfire’s unusual skincare routine. This movie is packed with gut-busting scenes, including a montage of phone calls that has Sally Field tearing out her hair. And we can’t forget the kitchen disaster that sends a lot more than dinner up in smoke.

“Good Morning Vietnam” (1987)
Williams was given a major opportunity to deliver an amazing lead performance. He also received a chance to bring elements of his stage persona to the silver screen. His turn as wartime DJ Adrian Cronauer establishes the character as a maniac of the airwaves and allows the actor to rant and riff as much as he wants. The character cracks up his fellow staffers with his quick-witted and ingenious non sequiturs, and never more so than in this first broadcast. That opening greeting has become an iconic part of cinema history.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Was Anyone Else Surprised by How Much This Song Rocks?

Williams & the Co-Stars Go Big in a Relentless Gross-Out Comedy Scene

The Comedian Mixes Goofball Energy & Romance in an Underrated Gem

Williams Showcases a Funny Accent & a Hilariously Misguided Attempt at Medicine

“Aladdin” (1992)
Few live-action movies could contain the pure talent of Robin Williams. But his turn as the genie gave him a chance to truly stretch his imagination, and it hardly gets better than his introductory scene. The genie meets the titular hero and unleashes a cavalcade of jokes, references, and one-liners. The routine is a non-stop comedic thrill ride, and you can imagine Williams practically bouncing off the walls of the recording booth as he improvs many of his lines. The brilliant display of versatility then segues into another standout sequence which shows off Williams’ musical prowess. It’s one of the most memorable performances of an incomparable career.