Movies like Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius (1982)
The best movies like Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius (1982) are Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011), Standing Up, Falling Down (2020) and Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023). If Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBo Burnham: Make Happy (2016)8.0/10 from 460 votes
- NewestRicky Gervais: Mortality (2025)Released 2025
Kevin 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
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStanding Up, Falling Down (2020)
An unlikely friendship kindles between a struggling stand-up comedian from L.A. — forced to move back home to Eastern Long Island with his tail between his legs — and a tragically flawed, but charming and charismatic, alcoholic dermatologist. Discovering to be kindred spirits, each helps the other find healing, in addition to the confidence to face the "failures" in their lives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023)
From his onstage tackle to the slap heard round the world, Dave Chappelle lets loose in this freewheeling and unfiltered stand-up comedy special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBo Burnham: What. (2013)
Left brain and right brain duke it out and then belt out a tune in comedian Bo Burnham's quick and clever one-man show. As intelligent as he is lanky, Burnham cynically pokes at pop entertainment while offering unadulterated showmanship of his own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJohn Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018)
John Mulaney relays stories from his childhood and "SNL," eviscerates the value of college and laments getting older in this electric comedy special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSaturday Night Live: The Best of Will Ferrell (2002)
The best skits from Will Ferrell's days on Saturday Night Live 1995-2002
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMr. Saturday Night (1992)
Buddy Young was the comic's comic, beloved by everyone. Now, playing to miniscule crowds in nursing homes, it seems like everybody but Buddy realizes that he should retire. As Buddy looks for work in show business, he realizes that the rest of the world has forgotten the golden days of Buddy Young, and that there just may not be room in the business for an old comic like himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLarry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999)
Mock documentary about Seinfeld writer Larry David featuring contributions from his friends and colleagues. Larry makes a return to stand-up comedy and prepares to film a television special for HBO. This is the original special that gave birth to the long-running award-winning HBO series.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJimmy Carr: Natural Born Killer (2024)
Jimmy Carr refutes the idea that you can't joke about anything these days with his edgy takes on gun control, religion, cancel culture and consent.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRicky Gervais: Mortality (2025)
Ricky Gervais tackles life, death and the state of the world in a brutally honest special that spares no topic, even his own mortality.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMan on the Moon (1999)
The story of the life and career of eccentric avant-garde comedian, Andy Kaufman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBo Burnham: Make Happy (2016)
Combining his trademark wit and self-deprecating humor with original music, Bo Burnham offers up his unique twist on life in this stand-up special about life, death, sexuality, hypocrisy, mental illness and Pringles cans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisJohn Mulaney: Baby J (2023)
A chaotic intervention. An action-packed stay in rehab. After a weird couple of years, John Mulaney comes out swinging in his return to the stage.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRicky Gervais: Armageddon (2023)
Ricky Gervais dishes out controversial takes on political correctness and oversensitivity in a taboo-busting comedy special about the end of humanity.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAnthony Jeselnik: Bones and All (2024)
Anthony Jeselnik celebrates 20 years of delivering boundary-pushing comedy to the masses in this razor-sharp stand-up special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEric Andre: Legalize Everything (2020)
Comedian Eric Andre presents his very first Netflix original stand-up special. Taking the stage in New Orleans, Andre breaks the boundaries of comedy as he critiques the war on drugs, the war on sex, and the war on fart jokes!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKatt Williams: The Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1 (2006)
Comedian Katt Williams (aka Money Mike) showcases his laugh out loud comedic talents in his first ever HBO stand-up comedy DVD taped in front of a live audience. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Williams worked his way up the comedy club ladder before landing key television and film roles that displayed his flashy, sassy, streetwise style.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJohn Mulaney: New in Town (2012)
Stand-up comedian John Mulaney tackles such red-hot topics as quicksand, Motown singers and an elderly man he once met in a bathroom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisBad Trip (2021)
In this hidden-camera prank comedy, two best friends bond on a wild road trip to New York as they pull real people into their raunchy, raucous antics.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius?
The closest matches to Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius are Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011), Standing Up, Falling Down (2020) and Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius?
Start with Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011), the closest match to Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius.
What is the highest-rated movie like Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius?
Bo Burnham: Make Happy (2016), rated 8.0/10 by 460 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius?
Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius?
Yes: Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011), Standing Up, Falling Down (2020) and Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023).
How are movies similar to Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.