Movies like Punchline (1988)
The best movies like Punchline (1988) are Standing Up, Falling Down (2020), Somewhere in Queens (2023) and Landline (2017). If Punchline hooked you with its comedy and drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedJohn Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018)7.9/10 from 259 votes
- NewestYedoye Travis: Fatherless Behavior (2026)Released 2026
Standing 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 · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSomewhere in Queens (2023)
Leo and Angela Russo live a simple life in Queens, surrounded by their overbearing Italian-American family. When their son finds success on his high school basketball team, Leo tears the family apart trying to make it happen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLandline (2017)
A teenager living with her sister and parents in Manhattan during the 1990s discovers that her father is having an affair.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCQ (2001)
A young filmmaker in 1960s Paris juggles directing a cheesy sci-fi debacle, directing his own personal art film, coping with his crumbling relationship with his girlfriend, and a new-found infatuation with the sci-fi film's starlet.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisA Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018)
In a life full of triumph and failure, "National Lampoon" co-founder Doug Kenney built a comedy empire, molding pop culture in the 1970s.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFamily Weekend (2013)
A 16-year-old girl takes her parents hostage after they miss her big jump-roping competition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 · both comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisShane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs (2023)
In a rowdy stand-up set, Shane Gillis riffs on his girlfriend's Navy SEAL ex, touring George Washington's house and being bullied by an Australian Goth.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDylan Moran: Like, Totally (2006)
Dylan Moran returns with an all-new stand-up show. Unpredictable, startling, bizarre, elegiac, but above all brilliant and hilariously funny, Moran is a master of comedy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAdam Sandler: Love You (2024)
Adam Sandler hits the stage for a thrillingly unpredictable comedy special featuring songs, jokes, party-crashing dogs and plenty of love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones (2019)
Dave Chappelle takes on gun culture, the opioid crisis and the tidal wave of celebrity scandals in this defiant stand-up special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDave Chappelle: The Closer (2021)
As he closes out his slate of comedy specials, Dave takes the stage to try and set the record straight — and get a few things off his chest.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAdam Sandler: 100% Fresh (2018)
Adam Sandler takes his comical musical musings back out on the road, from comedy clubs to concert halls to one very unsuspecting subway station.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSarah 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: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBill Burr: Drop Dead Years (2025)
In what might be his most personal and introspective hour yet, Bill offers hilarious takes on everything from male sadness to dating advice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAli Wong: Don Wong (2022)
In her third Netflix stand-up special, Ali Wong reveals her wildest fantasies, the challenges of monogamy and how she really feels about single people.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRicky Gervais: Humanity (2018)
In his first special in seven years, Ricky Gervais slings his trademark snark at celebrity, mortality and a society that takes everything personally.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAli Wong: Single Lady (2024)
After a whirlwind couple of years, Ali Wong returns to the stage to dish on the highs, lows and surprises of dating post-divorce.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAziz Ansari: Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening (2010)
Aziz Ansari presents his highly anticipated debut hour long stand-up special. The critically acclaimed stand-up and actor (Parks and Recreation, Funny People) discusses topics ranging from sheets with fraudulent thread counts to the chubbiness of his young cousin Harris. Also included is a special encore performance from Raaaaaaaandy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEddie Murphy Raw (1987)
Eddie Murphy delights, shocks and entertains with dead-on celebrity impersonations, observations on '80s love, sex and marriage, a remembrance of Mom's hamburgers and much more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGumshoe (1971)
A would be private eye gets mixed up in a smuggling case.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDead Air (TBA)
At the funeral of his best friend, a struggling stand-up is confronted with giving a eulogy. Even worse, he has to confront the possibility of not being funny.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & comedy
Catherine Bohart: Again, With Feelings (2026)
Join Catherine Bohart, one of the UK and Ireland’s most exciting stand-up comedians, in her five-star (The Guardian) Edinburgh Comedy Award–nominated hit show Again, With Feelings. This hilariously twisted stand-up comedy special is a second coming-of-age saga reckoning with death-obsessed parents, queer reproduction, and the growing realisation that adulthood, frankly, isn’t living up to expectations.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Élodie Poux : Le syndrome du papillon (2026)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
New India (2025)
In this sharp and unapologetic stand-up special, comedian Kunal Kamra dissects the absurdities of modern-day India with biting satire and fearless political commentary. Tackling topics like hyper-nationalism, media propaganda, and political hypocrisy, Kamra delivers brutally honest punchlines aimed at both leaders and the culture of blind devotion. With viral-worthy bits-including a controversial parody targeting Maharashtra's Deputy CM Eknath Shinde-Kamra walks the line between humor and dissent, sparking both laughter and backlash. Naya Bharat is a bold reflection of a country caught between comedy and chaos.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Bebe's Kids (1992)
When Robin meets the lovely Jamika he thinks he's in heaven. But when he meets her friend Bebe's children, whom she is looking after, he knows he's in hell.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAusten Tayshus - Totally Out Of Control (2005)
Sandy Gutman better know to Australians as Austen Tayshus embarks on a 20 year odyssey from his seminal Australiana to the recent Tsunami's and everything in-between. Totally out of control is your front row ticket to an Austen Tayshus concert in the safety of your own home. Where he just doesn't push the envelope of comedy but totally tears it up with his ranting, raving, lecturing and extorting the truth
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Yedoye Travis: Fatherless Behavior (2026)
Independently shot comedy special featuring comedian Yedoye Travis. Recorded February 22nd, 2025.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Heckler (2007)
HECKLER is a comedic feature documentary exploring the increasingly critical world we live in. After starring in a film that was critically bashed, Jamie Kennedy takes on hecklers and critics and ask some interesting questions of people such as George Lucas, Bill Maher, Mike Ditka, Rob Zombie, Howie Mandel and many more. This fast moving, hilarious documentary pulls no punches as you see an uncensored look at just how nasty and mean the fight is between those in the spotlight and those in the dark.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisLewis Garnham: Hit A Pigeon With His Bike (2024)
With a combination of laid back storytelling and thoughtful observations, Lewis Garnham explores the moments that affect us, define us, and show us who we are. Moments like calling someone mum who isn't your mum, crossing paths with a killer, or hitting a pigeon with your bike. Filmed at Comedy Republic, Melbourne, December 2023.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Like Punchline and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Punchline?
The closest matches to Punchline are Standing Up, Falling Down (2020), Somewhere in Queens (2023) and Landline (2017). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Punchline?
Start with Standing Up, Falling Down (2020), the closest match to Punchline.
What is the highest-rated movie like Punchline?
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018), rated 7.9/10 by 259 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Punchline?
Yedoye Travis: Fatherless Behavior (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Punchline?
Yes: Standing Up, Falling Down (2020), Somewhere in Queens (2023) and Landline (2017).
How are movies similar to Punchline chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Punchline, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.