Movies like The Courage to Stand Up (2025)
The best movies like The Courage to Stand Up (2025) are Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True (2011), Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward (2019) and Kevin Hart: Irresponsible (2019). If The Courage to Stand Up hooked you with its documentary and comedy, 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
- NewestAl Pitcher - Tid för Skratt (2026)Released 2026
Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True (2011)
In the world of stand-up comedy in South Africa, Trevor Noah uses his childhood experiences in a biracial family during apartheid to prepare for his first one-man show.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAnthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward (2019)
Forging his own comedic boundaries, Anthony Jeselnik revels in getting away with saying things others can't in this stand-up special shot in New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 thisThe Original Kings of Comedy (2000)
The house is rockin' and the laughs are rollin' as comedians Steve Harvey (The Steve Harvey Show), D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys), Cedric The Entertainer (The Steve Harvey Show) and Bernie Mac (Life) meet in this riotously comedy summit directed by Spike Lee.
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 thisKevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given (2020)
Kevin Hart serves up laughs and brick oven pizza from the comfort of his home, and dishes on male group chats, sex after 40 and life with COVID-19.
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 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 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 thisJudah Friedlander: America Is the Greatest Country in the United States (2017)
Deadpan comic and self-proclaimed world champion Judah Friedlander performs over several nights in New York, explaining why America is No. 1.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRobin Williams: Live on Broadway (2002)
2002 HBO Stand-up Special starring Robin Williams. Recorded and broadcast live from New York City's Broadway Theater at the culmination of his historic 2002 sold-out tour, this special finds the Oscar-winning actor/writer/comedian returning after 16 years to his stand-up roots to deliver what the Washington Post calls "...in its madcap way, a seminal cultural event."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGeorge Carlin: Playin' with Your Head (1986)
George Carlin is in top form with these stand-up recorded at the Beverly Theater in Los Angeles in 1986. Routines included are "Losing Things," "Charities," "Sports," "Hello and Goodbye," "Battered Plants," "Earrings," and "A Moment of Silence." Also included is a short film entitled "The Envelope" co-starring Vic Tayback.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & comedy
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 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 thisBlue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie (2003)
The comedic stylings of four sort-of famous funnymen are brought to the big screen courtesy of this 2002 documentary.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGeorge Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey? (1988)
George Carlin changes his act by bringing politics into the act, but also talks about the People he can do without, Keeping People Alert, and Cars and Driving part 2.
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 thisThe Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019)
What begins as a documentary following the final tour of a dying magician - "The Amazing Johnathan" - becomes an unexpected and increasingly bizarre journey as the filmmaker struggles to separate truth from illusion.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDef Comedy Jam 25 (2017)
In this special live event, giants of stand-up come together to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Russell Simmons's groundbreaking "Def Comedy Jam."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChristian Fuhlendorff - Det er ligegyldigt hva' andre tænker, ikk'? (2017)
In spring 2016, Christian Fuhlendorff is ready with a new one-man show, “It doesn't matter what others think, right?”, which this time emphasizes fun over an actual theme. But then again, maybe the theme is that it just has to be hilarious!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Isabel Hagen at the Bitter End (2026)
Comedian and violist Isabel Hagen tells sharp jokes about being a musician, anxiety and death, and eventually blending it with classical viola playing.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Kevin Nealon: Loose in the Crotch (2026)
A brilliantly offbeat stand-up special where he dives into everything from skydivers who break the sound barrier to servers who put a little too much finger in your morning coffee. He riffs on the life-changing power of his TOTO bidet, the emotional chaos of texting Uber drivers, runaway Roombas and self check-outs. Kevin hilariously unpacks the loss of his beloved cat—and more importantly, the loss of the perfect jeans he buried with him—along with hospital enema standoffs, stress-eating entire cookie trays, and the deep philosophical question of what food is actually worth bending over for after a certain age. With his signature mix of mellow mischief, sharp observations, and absurd logic,
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust (2017)
In her first comedy special post-health scare, Sarah Silverman shares a mix of fun facts, sad truths and yeah-she-just-went-there moments.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAl Pitcher - Tid för Skratt (2026)
"Time for Laughs" is a classic stand-up show with quick-witted humor, built on Al Pitcher's characteristic interaction with the audience. In these strange times, Al wants to make us laugh at all the typical Swedish phenomena that he still marvels at.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Montreux Fashion Show by Nino Arial (2026)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Cliff Cash: The Long Road (2024)
Two years ago, Comedian Cliff Cash embraced #Vanlife and has been traveling across the country doing hundreds of shows across various venues. "The Long Road," pays a comedic homage to his journeys and the lifestyle he's chosen to live.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Mark Lé Fevre: Heldig (2022)
With the show HELDIG, Mark is on a mission he describes as: “To bring the laughter back when there's sometimes not a hell of a lot to laugh about”. HELDIG is about getting a chance to embrace the bumps in the road instead of always painting the devil on the wall. The idea for the new one-man show HELDIG actually originated in BØVL, where he worked with the moral: “that it doesn't pay to worry, because your greatest fears rarely come true”. As it turned out, this moral had a tragicomic outcome in the comedian's own life. A week after the show premiered on TV, Mark got the news from his doctor that they thought he had cancer. "The human in me was scared, but the comedian in me was deeply impressed by the timing! Two things are certain: 1: I can't wait to get out there with my new show. 2: I don't dare bring a big moral" - says an otherwise fit-for-fight Mark le Fêvre.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Thomas Warberg: Et storslået menneske (2021)
Thomas Warberg is ready in 2021 with his new one-man show “A Magnificent Human”, this time focusing on the many subjective versions of reality that we are confronted with in everyday life. We live in a time where emotions and attitudes trump facts, which can make the world seem rather fictional. Disturbing, but also hilarious, at least when Thomas Warberg reveals reality as he experiences it. And he's right!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Linda P's Sabotagehunger (2021)
It's hard not to prick up your ears when Linda P shares her life story. She has been a slut, tried to distinguish between Linda Petersen and Linda P, suffered from headaches, and given up her wild lifestyle to become "normal" and a so-called "model citizen." BUT... is it really that easy to stay on track and live a quiet life without causing trouble? Has Linda been able to avoid messing up her closest relationships? And what about love? Is it even possible to be in a relationship when you are born a wild child? Look forward to Linda P's fifth one-woman show, where she once again shares herself and her frustrations about her ingrained "fuck-up gene."
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Courage to Stand Up?
The closest matches to The Courage to Stand Up are Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True (2011), Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward (2019) and Kevin Hart: Irresponsible (2019). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Courage to Stand Up?
Start with Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True (2011), the closest match to The Courage to Stand Up.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Courage to Stand Up?
John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (2015), rated 7.7/10 by 290 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Courage to Stand Up?
Al Pitcher - Tid för Skratt (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Courage to Stand Up?
Yes: Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True (2011), Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward (2019) and Kevin Hart: Irresponsible (2019).
How are movies similar to The Courage to Stand Up chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Courage to Stand Up, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.