Movies like The Irony of Life (2024)
The best movies like The Irony of Life (2024) are Better Living Through Chemistry (2014), A Dog Year (2009) and SubUrbia (1997). If The Irony of Life hooked you with its drama and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedDave Chappelle: The Age of Spin (2017)7.6/10 from 306 votes
- NewestDeep Cover (2025)Released 2025
- In GermanContra (2020)Also in German
Better Living Through Chemistry (2014)
A straight-laced pharmacist's uneventful life spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a trophy wife customer who takes him on a joyride involving sex, drugs and possibly murder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisA Dog Year (2009)
Jon Katz is close to burnout. He's a writer with writer's block; his wife has left for her sister's because he's emotionally distant; he rarely answers his phone. A kennel sends him a border collie that's undisciplined because of abuse. Despite a series of mishaps, Jon decides to keep trying with the dog, and he rents a dilapidated farm house to give the dog room to run. A local handyman refers Jon to a woman who might be able to help him train the dog. Reluctantly, Jon gives her a try. Is the dog the problem, or the owner?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSubUrbia (1997)
A group of suburban teenagers try to support each other through the difficult task of becoming adults.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMy Own Love Song (2010)
A wheelchair-bound singer and her best friend embark on a roadtrip to Memphis.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYoung Adult (2011)
A divorced writer from the Midwest returns to her hometown to reconnect with an old flame, who's now married with a family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisContra (2020)
With his uncouth manner, Professor Pohl doesn’t enjoy the best reputation at the university where he works. To make matters worse, he makes a racist remark when student Naima arrives late for his lecture. Unfortunately for him, a video of his verbal outburst spreads like wildfire on the Internet, and the university’s president, Lambrecht, is called to deal with the incident. But Pohl is not dismissed. Instead, he is put to the task of helping Naima prepare for an important debating competition. The lecturer and the student could not be more different, yet they are thrown together to work as a team.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFatherhood (2021)
A widowed new dad copes with doubts, fears, heartache and dirty diapers as he sets out to raise his daughter on his own. Inspired by a true story.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGoodbye Berlin (2016)
Maik, a fourteen-year-old teenager, sets out on a road trip during summertime with Tschick, a new classmate, in a stolen car. The two share life changing experiences during the eventful journey.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChloe and Theo (2015)
A young woman, Chloe, living by her wits on the streets of New York City, has a chance meeting with a wise Inuit Eskimo, Theo, who was sent to New York by his elders to provide a message to the people of the world – We either change our destructive was or be destroyed by them. Chloe, who has been searching for something to believe in, becomes inspired by Theo and , with the help of a kind lawyer, Monica, the three of them present Theo’s story to the United Nations in hopes of creating a better future for all of us.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisDon't Think Twice (2016)
An improv group deals with several crises, including the loss of their lease and one member hitting the big time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBerlin Blues (2003)
In October 1989, the part of the West Berlin borough of Kreuzberg called SO 36, had been largely shut off by the Wall from the rest of the city for 28 years. A lethargic sub-culture of students, artists, bohemians and barflys had flourished among crumbling buildings. Part of that microcosm is barkeeper Frank, semi-formally called 'Herr Lehmann' by friends and patrons. He hangs out drinking, sports utter disregard for anything beyond SO 36 and lazily pursues an affair with cook Katrin. His lifestyle is gradually disturbed, when his parents show up for a visit, things go awry with Katrin and his best friend Karl starts to act strange. Meanwhile, political turmoil mounts on the other side of the Wall.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDave Chappelle: The Age of Spin (2017)
Comedy icon Dave Chappelle makes his triumphant return to the screen with a pair of blistering, fresh stand-up specials. Filmed at The Palladium in Los Angeles, California, in March 2016.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTaylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis (2020)
Comedian Taylor Tomlinson is halfway through her 20s — and she's over it. From dating losers to a failed engagement, she takes aim at her life choices.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHow to Irritate People (1969)
A pre-Monty Python mockumentary, written by and presented by John Cleese, that provides tips on learning how to irritate people.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAziz Ansari: Buried Alive (2013)
Standup comedian Aziz Ansari ("Parks and Recreation") headlines his third standup special, where he shares his uniquely hilarious perspective on fears of adulthood, babies, marriage, and more. Ansari's look at life on the cusp of 30 years old is smart, unfiltered, and hysterical.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011)
Experience the show that quickly became a national phenomenon. Get an up-close and personal look at Kevin back in Philly where he began his journey to become one of the funniest comedians of all time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJim Gaffigan: Beyond the Pale (2006)
The affable, towheaded comic demonstrates his hysterical brand of self-effacing comedy and deadpan delivery at two sold-out shows at Chicago's Vic Theater. It's OK to laugh at this pale white guy...'cause nobody's laughing at Jim Gaffigan harder than Jim Gaffigan!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisChris Rock: Tamborine (2018)
Chris Rock takes the stage for his first comedy special in 10 years, filled with searing observations on fatherhood, infidelity and American politics.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChris Rock: Kill the Messenger (2008)
An HBO special edited from three performances from Chris Rock's 2008 comedy tour: London (dark suit, dark shirt), Johannesburg (black suit, white shirt) and New York (shiny jacket). Topics include the ongoing presidential campaign, the possibility of a black president, George W. Bush, gas prices, low-paid jobs, ringtones and bottled water, sex, relationships and the correct use of the n-word
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEddie Murphy: Delirious (1983)
Taped live and in concert at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. in August, 1983, Eddie Murphy: Delirious captures Eddie Murphy's wild and outrageous stand-up comedy act, which he performed in New York and eighteen other cities across the U.S. to standing-room-only audiences. Eddie's comedy was groundbreaking, completely new, razor sharp and definitely funny.Eddie Murphy pontificates in his own vulgarly hilarious fashion on everything from bizarre sexual fantasies to reliving the family barbecue, and is peppered with Eddie's one-of-a-kind wit. Laugh along as Eddie reminiscences of hot childhood days and the ice cream man intermixed with classic vocal parodies of top American entertainers.Experience Eddie Murphy at his best, live and red hot! Delirious! Uncensored and Uncut!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMan on the Moon (1999)
The story of the life and career of eccentric avant-garde comedian, Andy Kaufman.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAnything Else (2003)
Jerry Falk, an aspiring writer in New York, falls in love at first sight with a free-spirited young woman named Amanda. He has heard the phrase that life is like "anything else," but soon he finds that life with the unpredictable Amanda isn't like anything else at all.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Funny Farm (1983)
The laughs are nonstop as a gang of ambitious young comics strives to make it in the exciting world of stand-up comedy at the famous comedy club in L.A., The Funny Farm. These budding comedy stars are as crazy offstage as they are on: Miguel, America s funniest illegal alien ; Miles, who can t decide if he s a black comic or a comic who happens to be black; Bruce, whose manic act borders on insanity; and Peter, the intense political satirist. The Funny Farm is a hilarious and insightful look into those who live the lives of comedians.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & comedy
Jimmy Della Valle: It's Just A Jimmyism (2016)
Jimmy Della Valle is an Italian-Irish American Comedian and Actor from New York. Jimmy's rapid-fire stand-up comedy special is about his dysfunctional family, two scratch minimum Latina wife and cat Marvin, all-in poker playing gambling life, and mafia streetwise unique point of view. Jimmy's TV/film credits: The Sopranos, Without a Trace, America's Got Talent, Conan, Comedy Central, Rivers 9.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Michael McIntyre: Live & Laughing (2008)
Acclaimed stand-up comedian Michael McIntyre delivers a hilarious performance to a receptive crowd at London's Hammersmith Apollo.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Ethics of Ambiguity (2023)
Two best friends and failing comedians are about to give up their dreams when they win the lottery. But telling the wrong people gets them in a world of trouble.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Man of the Year (2006)
The irreverent host of a political satire talk show decides to run for president to mock the political system and expose corruption in Washington. What begins as a publicity stunt quickly gathers unexpected momentum as his message resonates with frustrated voters.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeep Cover (2025)
Kat is an improv comedy teacher beginning to question if she’s missed her shot at success. When an undercover cop offers her the role of a lifetime, she recruits two of her students to infiltrate London’s gangland by impersonating dangerous criminals.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAbbuzze! Der Badesalz-Film (1996)
The film mainly consists of various, often grotesque episodes. There is also a frame story from which the episodes are derived. However, the connection between the frame story and the episodes is very weak. Many episodes revolve around surveillance and security. In the frame story, insurance agent Erich and Richard are stuck together in an elevator that is unusually large for an apartment building (about 3x3 meters). While Erich wants to get out as quickly as possible, Richard isn't actually in any hurry, as he seems to live in the elevator.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
TIRULLIPA SHOW - NAVIO WS ONBOARD (2021)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Irony of Life?
The closest matches to The Irony of Life are Better Living Through Chemistry (2014), A Dog Year (2009) and SubUrbia (1997). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Irony of Life?
Start with Better Living Through Chemistry (2014), the closest match to The Irony of Life.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Irony of Life?
Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin (2017), rated 7.6/10 by 306 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Irony of Life?
Deep Cover (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there German movies like The Irony of Life?
Yes: Contra (2020), Goodbye Berlin (2016) and Berlin Blues (2003).
How are movies similar to The Irony of Life chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Irony of Life, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.