Movies like Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants (1996)
The best movies like Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants (1996) are The Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019), Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True (2011) and The Making of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2007). If Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants 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
- NewestEscape Artist (2026)Released 2026
The 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 thisTrevor 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 thisThe Making of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2007)
The making of 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog'.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & comedy
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 thisRichard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982)
Richard Pryor's stand-up act includes his frank discussion about his freebasing addiction, as well as the infamous night on June 9, 1980 that he caught on fire.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 thisJackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5 (2014)
Bad Grandpa .5 gives you a whole new perspective on the world of Irving Zisman with bonus scenes and pranks also featuring Spike Jonze as "Gloria" and Catherine Keener as Irving's wife "Ellie", plus a look at the evolution of Johnny Knoxville's naughty alter-ego, the makeup effects, and a behind-the-scenes peek at the idiocy it takes to make a hidden camera movie in public.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAn Honest Liar (2014)
An Honest Liar tells the incredible story of the world-famous magician, escape artist, and world-renowned enemy of deception, James 'The Amazing' Randi. The film brings to life Randi's intricate investigations that publicly exposed psychics, faith healers, and con-artists with quasi-religious fervor. A master deceiver who came out of the closet at the age of 81, Randi created fictional characters, fake psychics, and even turned his partner of 25 years, Jose Alvarez, into a sham guru named Carlos.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAmerican Pie: Revealed (2004)
Documentary about the making of American Pie (1999), American Pie 2 (2001) and American Wedding (2003).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHome Invasion (1997)
Are you ready for some card tricks? ABC fills the pesky non-Monday Night Football hour with the gregarious Penn Gilette and the silent Teller popping up at malls, schools, private homes and the beach with a dizzying array of sleight-of-hand tricks. For anyone who has ever been left wanting after seeing one of their tricks on David Letterman's show, this is an overflowing bounty. Duo's signature is a constant state of misdirection, flubbing one or more aspects of a trick --- even to the apparent point of death or mutilation --- to make the finale that much more spectacular. They even explain tricks: one with cards so anyone can do it at home and another with cups and balls that, rather than explicate, is an astonishing display of technique. Throughout, Penn combines carnival barking with political soapbox ranting --- subversive, sublime and wildly amusing --- and bolsters the weirdness factor of even the most ordinary trick.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & comedy
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Workaholic Jim Evers and his wife/business partner Sara get a call one night from a mansion owner, Edward Gracey, who wants to sell his house. Once the Evers family arrive at the mansion, a torrential thunderstorm of mysterious origin strands them with the brooding, eccentric Gracey, his mysterious butler, and a variety of residents both seen and unseen.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisKung Fu Hustle (2004)
It's the 1940s, and the notorious Axe Gang terrorizes Shanghai. Small-time criminals Sing and Bone hope to join, but they only manage to make lots of very dangerous enemies. Fortunately for them, kung fu masters and hidden strength can be found in unlikely places. Now they just have to take on the entire Axe Gang.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAsterix the Gaul (1967)
In the year 50 BC, Gaul is occupied by the Romans - nearly. But the small village of Asterix and his friends still resists the Roman legions with the aid of their druid's magic potion, which gives superhuman strength. Learning of this potion, a Roman centurion kidnaps the druid to get the secret formula out of him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJust You and Me, Kid (1979)
George Burns stars as a former vaudevillian who befriends a young runaway, played by 14-year old Brooke Shields, who is being chased by drug dealers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Now You See It... (2005)
While producing a reality TV show, a teenager meets a magician whose powers are real but put him in danger.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisWizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009)
During a family vacation, Alex, a young witch, accidentally casts a curse on her loved ones. To reverse this, she tries to find a magical stone while her brother tries to keep their parents together.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Great Shu Ra Ra Boom (2014)
Two feuding eccentric families with super powers clash when their young sons confront each other after a silly mistake. Meanwhile, the local high school principal has mysterious powers of his own that trump those of the two rival clans. How did this civilian acquire them? Or perhaps a better question, who or what is using him?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Escape Artist (2026)
Director Robert Kolodny draws parallels between the Harry Houdini's conjuring power of sleight of hand and the creative process of hand crafting works of film. Commissioned for the 2026 True/False Film Festival.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Love Potion No. 9 (1992)
Unlucky in love, chemist Paul Matthews visits gypsy Madame Rosa for help. Quickly realizing he is a hopeless nerd, she gifts him with Love Potion No. 8, which makes anyone who wears it irresistible to the opposite sex for four hours. Paul and animal psychologist coworker Diane Farrow decide to test it on themselves. The awkward pair suddenly find themselves alluring to anyone they approach, but soon realize they are most attracted to each other.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants?
The closest matches to Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants are The Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019), Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True (2011) and The Making of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2007). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants?
Start with The Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019), the closest match to Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants.
What is the highest-rated movie like Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants?
John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (2015), rated 7.7/10 by 290 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants?
Escape Artist (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants?
Yes: The Amazing Johnathan Documentary (2019), Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True (2011) and The Making of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2007).
How are movies similar to Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.