4. The Muppets (2012)
The Muppets proved to be one of the most enjoyable films of the year thanks to its blend of Oscar winning music and a gleefully fun script. One of Jason Segel's passion projects biggest assets is its consistent and playful breaking of the fourth wall. Plenty of comedies do things like this, but The Muppets does it so uncharacteristically matter of factly that it makes the list. From the start, a playful tone is established with the offhand explanation of Gary and Walter being siblings which carries on throughout. The characters seem completely aware they are part of a film, cracking wise on cinematic rules and smiling while they do so. It particularly delights in playing with the conventions of musicals; as a dance number ends well be treated to a sly reference to the ridiculousness of all the cast bursting into song all of a sudden or later on someone will discuss it in a little aside. The references keep on coming; jokes on the budget, adherence to plot, stereotypical roles and even a great spoof on the map segue in Indiana Jones, all reminding us its a movie world. Its a more sly form of breaking the fourth wall than the rest presented on this list, but the intention is quite clear; a gentle mocking of the long set-in tropes of movies.