‘One of the funniest comedies of all time’ now streaming on Netflix

One of the most influential comedies of all time is now available to stream on Netflix in the UK.

Starring Steve Carell as unlucky-in-love Andy Stitzer, it launched countless imitators and propelled its frontman to leading man status.

Released in 2005, The 40-Year-Old Virgin became an instant hit with audiences and film critics alike.

Over 20 years on from its release, and it’s still considered to be a classic of the genre.

Director Judd Apatow went on to make follow-ups Knocked Up, This is 40, Funny People, and Superbad, but many will tell you The 40-Year-Old Virgin remains his greatest achievement.

The film is now streaming on Netflix, allowing audiences to dig in and fall in love all over again.

Itself halfway to 40 years old, the film still enjoys an overwhelmingly fresh score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Those who recognise its importance include GQ, which described it as ‘the most influential comedy in a decade’ back in 2015.

Meanwhile, Empire called it ‘delightfully disgusting,’ with Variety also praising its consistent ‘belly laughs.’

Wider audiences largely agreed with critical opinion, with Rotten Tomatoes user Blake-N calling it ‘one of the funniest comedies of the 2000s.’

Diane S went a step further, describing it as ‘one of the funniest movies of all time,’ while Spencer H said that it was a ‘masterclass in comedy.’

However, the film has been met with some backlash, with audiences at the time describing some of its humour as ‘homophobic.’

This includes a lengthy exchange between Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen’s characters in which the pair accuse each other of being ‘gay’ for, among other things, enjoying Maid in Manhattan and liking Coldplay.

These comments didn’t get past writer and director Apatow, who was quizzed on the film’s screenplay in an interview last year.

‘It was all done with a very positive spirit,’ he told The Hollywood Reporter.

‘Looking back, it’s hard to know if we would do it again. There’s just no way to be sure about that. I felt like all of the comments were meant as compliments.’

Rogen also reflected upon the film’s ‘you know how I know you’re gay’ scene, telling GQ that he regretted how its banter had been taken.

He told the publication: he said: ‘I think if you actually care, then it’s easy. We do not want people to feel bad when they’re watching our movies.

‘I’ve had people come up to me and be like, “That made me feel like s**t when I was in the movie theater and everyone was laughing about that.”

‘Like the “How I know you’re gay” thing”, it’s something people have been like, “It’s not fun to be in the theater when people are laughing at that, knowing what they’re probably actually laughing at.”

‘And I don’t want anyone to have that experience watching our movies.’

Some of its humour might not hold up, but… well, we can’t all be so lucky to age as gracefully as Paul Rudd.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin is streaming now on Netflix.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.