How do you spend your time when life feels heavy, boring, or chaotic? You go and hang out with the ladies that help you forget your troubles and laugh until it hurts! Over the last ten years we’ve seen a big rise in strong, funny women in the comedy world that have changed the complexity of comedy. They are fearless, they are stylish, and they show that there are many shapes and sizes and voices in comedy.
From their very own Netflix specials to viral TikTok stars, late-night hosting gig’s to defining roles in your favorite sitcoms, these ladies are successful in all the places they exist. So, here it is, here are the 15 funniest women in the comedy world – currently worthy of a binge!
1. Ali Wong
Ali Wong not only shattered the internet – she shattered stereotypes. When she performed seven months pregnant during her Netflix special Baby Cobra, it was a landmark moment in the world of comedy. Ali’s genuine humor around love, ambition, marriage, Asian family culture, and motherhood is excruciatingly relatable, and completely hilarious. She could be adorable and sweet one moment, then savage and brutal the next. That quality, in and of itself, is what makes her memorable.
2. Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes is, after all, an accomplished veteran of the art; she continues to be one of the sharpest comedians to have ever lived. Whether in stand-up, film, or literature, her comedic timing is unparalleled. She can engage you in any subject- politics, family, social issues, or simple irritations– and have you laughing at things that you never even noticed before. Whether you’re a fan of the traditional spin on comedy or modern attitude with class, this lady is the divine queen.
3. Tig Notaro
Tig Notaro demonstrates that you can be funny without telling loud jokes or with a dramatic delivery. Although her comedy style is more dry and deadpan, it hits differently. Tig created thoughtful stories about personal experiences — like her cancer diagnosis — which are warm and hilarious. She’s gentle and calm, then each time she tells a joke, the audience laughs out loud. Not many comedians can accomplish this.
4. Nicole Byer
Nicole Byer is energy, chaos, and comedy in one. Nicole goes for it on every single show — from Netflix’s Nailed It! to her specials and podcasts — no hesitation. She is loud, confident, expressive, and says what everyone else is thinking but is too shy to say, whether she is “ranting” about relationships, adulthood, food, or living in modern society. Her jokes are brutally honest and hilarious.
5. Kristen Wiig
One of the brightest stars to ever come out of Saturday Night Live, Kristen Wiig is a comedy chameleon. She can play awkward, weird, dramatic, emotional or absolutely insane characters without missing a beat. Her movie Bridesmaids is considered one of the funniest female-led comedies ever made. Kristen doesn’t just tell jokes — she becomes the joke, and we love her for it.
6. Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling is so much more than funny; she is a quite phenomenal writer/creator. Having brought all her shows to life-from The Office and The Mindy Project to Never Have I Ever-her presence in comedy on and off screen is simply impressive. Her humor is laugh-out-loud funny, always smart and sarcastic, and extremely relatable to the viewer both in terms of dating, identity, family, and culture. The comedic persona of Mindy is warm, smart, and brave, fully prepared to break new ground.
7. Iliza Shlesinger
Iliza Shlesinger speaks fast, performs big, and leaves no topic untouched. Dating, feminism, friendships, social media — she calls everything out. Her famous “party goblin” bits and dramatic sound effects make her stand-up sets feel like full performances, not just jokes. If you like comedians who move a mile per minute, Iliza’s specials will keep you hooked.
8. Leslie Jones
Leslie Jones has a personality that fills the entire room. She was a powerhouse on SNL and her stand-up is loud, wild, and full of energy. She makes jokes like she’s your funniest friend yelling across the table — and you can’t help but laugh. Leslie mixes storytelling, physical humor, and pure chaos in the best possible way.
9. Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman has been pushing boundaries since the very beginning. Her comedy can be dark and bold, but always clever. She talks about society, politics, religion, adulthood, and awkward human behavior with a voice that is funny and fearless. You laugh, but you also think — and that’s the magic of Sarah Silverman.
10. Amber Ruffin
If there was a comedic category for “sunshine mixed with sarcasm,” Amber Ruffin would be a leading candidate. As a writer and performer, or live late night TV, that adds some sweetness and light to the delivery, Amber uniquely brings in beauty into comedy. Amber is such a charmer and therefore very funny, while still not diminishing the seriousness of weighty topics. When she is telling stories/jokes, it is a real friend story time experience with descriptions that make you laugh until you can’t breathe.
11. Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper’s short lip-sync videos became a superstition, but her comedy career extended much further with her Netflix special Everything’s Fine proving she is more than a TikTok trend — she is different, clever, observant, and quirky in all the right ways. She used satire and physical comedy to showcase how absurd everything could be. referenced without irony.
12. Chelsea Peretti
In all honesty, Chelsea Peretti could earn her place on this list simply by virtue of her role as Gina Linetti from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Gina will surely become iconic — dramatic, riddled with chaos and self obsessiveness in the most hilarious way possible. But Chelsea’s stand-up and writing prove she has many comedic layers. Her humor is weird, smart, dry and deeply original.
13. Hannah Gadsby
Hannah Gadsby didn’t just perform comedy — she redefined it. Her Netflix special Nanette turned stand-up into art. She mixes humor with emotional storytelling about identity, trauma, and life. She is proof that comedy can be powerful, healing, and still laugh-out-loud funny.
14. Michelle Wolf
Michelle Wolf is sharp, confident, and dangerously funny. Her set at the U.S. White House Correspondents’ Dinner basically set the internet on fire. She calls out hypocrisy, politics, news media, and society with a smile and a punchline. Michelle is not afraid of anyone — and that’s what makes her stand-up thrilling to watch.
15. Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho has been a trailblazer since the 1990s, breaking barriers as one of the first Asian-American women into the mainstream of comedy to talk about culture, sexism, race, mental health, and identity-and made people laugh so hard they cried. She’s made quite an impact in comedy, and her voice is as strong today.
How These Women Changed Comedy
For years, people acted like men owned the comedy world. These women proved otherwise. They brought new stories, new perspectives, new sarcasm, new chaos, new emotions — and audiences loved it. They showed that comedy can be feminine, feminist, outrageous, political, emotional, educational, and absolutely stupid in the best ways.
Where to View Them
- If you’re in the mood for a good comedy binge, you can find most of these women with just a few clicks. You can find some of their best specials on Netflix if you’d like to start there with Ali Wong, Hannah Gadsby, and Iliza Shlesinger.
- If you want something lighter—quick bits, interviews, chaotic stories—YouTube is flooded with great funny clips from Nicole Byer, Sarah Cooper, and Amber Ruffin.
- If you’re looking for old-school or unfiltered comedy, check out Wanda Sykes, Michelle Wolf or Margaret Cho on HBO or Amazon. If you prefer sitcomity-style humor, you already know where to find Mindy Kaling, Kristen Wiig, Chelsea Peretti and Leslie Jones across TV and streaming.
Basically, wherever it is that you typically watch comedy, one of them is there and ready to make you laugh!
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the mood for something a little lighter—quick clips, interviews, chaos—YourTube is chocked full of super funny clips of Nicole Byer, Sarah Cooper, and Amber Ruffin.
If you prefer your comedy a little more old school or unfiltered, check out Wanda Sykes, Michelle Wolf or Margaret Cho on HBO or Amazon. Or maybe your idea of a funny woman in comedy is the traditional sitcom-style way that you find Mindy Kaling, Kristen Wiig, Chelsea Peretti and Leslie Jones scattered throughout your TV streaming. Essentially, wherever you watch comedy, one of them is there and happy to make you laugh!
