Fish out of water comedy film - Definition and Overview

In a Fish out of water comedy film the main character (or characters) finds himself in an alien environment and this drives most of the humor in the film. One example is men having to dress and live as women to accomplish some goal such as in the films Some Like It Hot (1959) and Tootsie (1982).

Other fish out of water themes and examples

• One gender having to live as the other
  • Some Like It Hot (1959
  • Tootsie (1982)
  • White Chicks (2004)
  • Sorority Boys (2002)
  • The Hot Chick (2002)
• Adult having to live as a kid or vice-versa
  • Big (1988)
  • 13 Going On 30 (2004)
  • Freaky Friday (2003)
  • Never Been Kissed (1999)
• Laid back individual, slacker or rule breaker in a highly structured, "by-the-book," environment or vice-versa
  • Stripes (1981)
  • Police Academy (1984)
  • Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
  • The School of Rock (2003)
  • Sister Act (1992)
• Pampered or spoiled individual in an austere environment or vice-versa
  • Private Benjamin (1980)
  • Overboard (1987)
  • Maid to Order (1987)
  • Crocodile Dundee (1986)
  • City Slickers (1991)
  • Captain Ron (1992)
• Trying to survive in a different socio-economic class
  • Pretty Woman (1990)
  • Trading Places (1983)
  • My Fair Lady (1964)
  • The Princess Diaries (2001)
• Naive or timid individual out in the "big, bad" world
  • Finding Nemo (2003)
  • For Pete's Sake (1974)
  • Elf (2003)

Example Usage of comedy