Movies like Serial Encounters (2023)
The best movies like Serial Encounters (2023) are Dark Shadows: The Collinses - Every Family Has Its Demons (2012), Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016) and Kevin Hart: Irresponsible (2019). If Serial Encounters hooked you with its comedy and documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedJohn Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (2015)7.7/10 from 290 votes
- NewestThe Thrice-Eternal (2026)Released 2026
- In FrenchMossad L'Histoire Secrète d'Israël (2019)Also in French
Dark Shadows: The Collinses - Every Family Has Its Demons (2012)
A Look at the Cast of Dark Shadows (2012)
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & horror
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKevin Hart: What Now? (2016)
Comedian Kevin Hart performs in front of a crowd of 50,000 people at Philadelphia's outdoor venue, Lincoln Financial Field.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKevin Hart: Irresponsible (2019)
Stand-up comedian Kevin Hart talks about his family, travel and a year full of reckless behavior in front of a live sold-out crowd in London.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTrevor Noah: Where Was I (2023)
Trevor Noah riffs on national anthems, derailing a German sightseeing tour and getting roasted in Paris in this comedy special about his world travels.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCall Me Lucky (2015)
An inspiring, triumphant and wickedly funny portrait of one of comedy’s most enigmatic and important figures, CALL ME LUCKY tells the story of Barry Crimmins, a beer-swilling, politically outspoken and whip-smart comic whose efforts in the 70s and 80s fostered the talents of the next generation of standup comedians. But beneath Crimmins’ gruff, hard-drinking, curmudgeonly persona lay an undercurrent of rage stemming from his long-suppressed and horrific abuse as a child – a rage that eventually found its way out of the comedy clubs and television shows and into the political arena.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNorm Macdonald: Nothing Special (2022)
In his final comedy special, Norm Macdonald ponders casinos, cannibalism, living wills and why you have to be ready for whatever life throws your way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAn Evening with Kevin Smith (2002)
Kevin Smith interacts in Q&A sessions throughout various college stops in the USA.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAn Evening with Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder (2006)
In this second Q&A with Kevin Smith he now enters the homes of some of his fans in Toronto and London.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRobin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction (2009)
HBO presents one of the most gifted and revered performers of our time, Academy-Award winning Robin Williams, starring in his fifth exclusive HBO special, taped before a live audience at Washington's Constitution Hall.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJonas Brothers Family Roast (2021)
Kevin, Joe and Nick face down quick wits and deep cuts in this comedy special featuring Pete Davidson, John Legend and more. Hosted by Kenan Thompson.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTropic Thunder: Rain of Madness (2008)
A behind-the-scenes mockumentary of Tropic Thunder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJohn Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (2015)
Armed with boyish charm and a sharp wit, the former "SNL" writer offers sly takes on marriage, his beef with babies and the time he met Bill Clinton.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAziz Ansari: Right Now (2019)
In a comedy special directed by Spike Jonze, Aziz Ansari shares deep personal insights and hilarious takes on wokeness, family and the social climate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisComedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis (2018)
Bruce Willis goes from "Die Hard" to dead on arrival as some of the biggest names in entertainment serve up punches of their own to Hollywood's go-to action star. And with Roast Master Joseph Gordon-Levitt at the helm, nobody is leaving the dais unscathed.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPatton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping (2016)
Patton Oswalt delivers a fresh hour plus of stand-up, covering everything from misery to defeat to hopelessness. It's his most upbeat special to date.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisComedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff (2010)
Time to hassle the Hoff at the rudest, raunchiest television event of the year--The Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff. From running in slo-mo on the beach to inspiring Germany with the power of cheesy pop--it's almost too easy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisComedian (2002)
A look at the work of two stand-up comics, Jerry Seinfeld and a lesser-known newcomer, detailing the effort and frustration behind putting together a successful act and career while living a life on the road.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKevin Hart: Seriously Funny (2010)
Fresh off the heels of appearing in movies like Superhero Movie and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, fast-talking comedian Kevin Hart stars in his second live stand-up performance in Cleveland, Ohio, where he makes fun of everything and everybody - especially himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Comedians of Comedy (2005)
The Comedians of Comedy is an occasional stand-up comedy tour featuring Patton Oswalt, Zach Galifianakis, Brian Posehn and Maria Bamford that was documented in a 2005 film and 2005 Comedy Central television series of the same name, both directed by Michael Blieden.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGeorge Carlin: Complaints & Grievances (2001)
George Carlin performs a hilarious set of never-before released material in "Complaints and Grievances." His 12th HBO special was recorded live at the Beacon Theater in New York City on November 17, 2001. In "Complaints and Grievances," Carlin shamelessly exposes the people and subjects that irritate him the most.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMossad L'Histoire Secrète d'Israël (2019)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Tunnel to Freedom (2021)
13 August 1961: the GDR closes the sector borders in Berlin. The city is divided overnight. Escape to the West becomes more dangerous every day. But on September 14, 1962, exactly one year, one month and one day after the Wall was built, a group of 29 people from the GDR managed to escape spectacularly through a 135-meter tunnel to the West. For more than 4 months, students from West Berlin, including 2 Italians, dug this tunnel. When the tunnel builders ran out of money after only a few meters of digging, they came up with the idea of marketing the escape tunnel. They sell the film rights to the story exclusively to NBC, an American television station.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Imelda (2014)
A year after the death of his paternal grandmother at the age of 101, filmmaker Martin Villeneuve brings her back to life using a special talent.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Dragnet (1987)
LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday -- the equally straight-laced nephew of the famous police sergeant of the same name -- is paired up with a young, freewheeling detective named Pep Streebeck. After investigating some strange robberies at the local zoo and the theft of a stockpile of pornographic magazines, they uncover cult activity in the heart of the city and are hot on the case to figure out who's behind it all.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Thrice-Eternal (2026)
The Mexico City Youth Blind Football Team heads to Aguascalientes for the 2025 CONADE National Para Games, determined to capture a coveted third consecutive title.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
So Help Me God (2018)
Some 20 years ago, two sex workers were murdered in an upper-class Brussels neighborhood. Celebrated Belgian magistrate Anne Gurwez decides to revisit this cold case, pouring over the evidence with the use of new technologies and tracking down then-suspects.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like this(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Tom, greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic, is caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer, suddenly dumps him. He reflects on their 500 days together to try to figure out where their love affair went sour, and in doing so, Tom rediscovers his true passions in life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Diam Diam Era (2020)
The story of the Lim family from Long Long Time Ago, continues in this two-part film series. Conflict grows between Ah Kun and his nephew Shun Fa. Themes of a generation gap between those born in the 1950s and the following generation are explored in their varying reactions to nation-building policies implemented from the 1980s to the present day.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Shooting for Socrates (2014)
Set in Belfast against the backdrop of the 1986 World Cup, Shooting for Socrates tells the story of a momentous time in Northern Ireland's football history through the eyes of players, fans and the media. The film also follows the lives of passionate football supporter Arthur and his son Tommy from East Belfast. The lead up to a momentous day in the life of a young boy (his 10th birthday) mirrors the build up to the big day for the Northern Ireland football team as they play the greatest match of their lives.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The old (2024)
They come from all walks of life and have lived for almost a century. They have lived through the upheavals of history. They are funny, moving and rebellious. They surprise and amaze us. Yet we rarely hear their voices. This film is an invitation to travel across France and meet them: the Old People.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Serial Encounters?
The closest matches to Serial Encounters are Dark Shadows: The Collinses - Every Family Has Its Demons (2012), Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016) and Kevin Hart: Irresponsible (2019). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Serial Encounters?
Start with Dark Shadows: The Collinses - Every Family Has Its Demons (2012), the closest match to Serial Encounters.
What is the highest-rated movie like Serial Encounters?
John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (2015), rated 7.7/10 by 290 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Serial Encounters?
The Thrice-Eternal (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there French movies like Serial Encounters?
Yes: Mossad L'Histoire Secrète d'Israël (2019), Imelda (2014) and So Help Me God (2018).
How are movies similar to Serial Encounters chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Serial Encounters, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.