Movies like The Mother in Law (1978)
The best movies like The Mother in Law (1978) are John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019), Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018) and Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025). If The Mother in Law hooked you with its music and comedy, 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
- NewestAnxiety & Me (2026)Released 2026
John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019)
John Mulaney and his kid pals tackle existential topics for all ages with catchy songs, comedy sketches and special guests in a nostalgic variety special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSteve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018)
Comedians and writers Steve Martin and Martin Short perform a live comedy set with music by The Steep Canyon Rangers and jazz pianist, Jeff Babko, at the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
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 · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHard to Die (1990)
While doing the inventory for a lingerie outlet in a high rise office building, five attractive women are terrorized by a series of bizarre killings. They suspect that the strange janitor, who witnessed another series of killings six months previously, is at the bottom of the whole thing. Little do they know the real horror that they face in the end.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Roast of Tom Brady (2024)
Offensive lines. Full-contact comedy. Kevin Hart hosts this all-star roast of NFL legend Tom Brady.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFun with Dick and Jane (1977)
When an upwardly mobile couple find themselves unemployed and in debt, they turn to armed robbery in desperation.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJim Gaffigan: Quality Time (2019)
Comedian Jim Gaffigan performs live at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, MN.
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 thisThe Air Up There (1994)
Jimmy Dolan is a college basketball coach who wants a big promotion. To get it, he needs to make a dramatic find. He ends up deep in Africa, hoping to recruit Saleh, a huge basketball prodigy Jimmy glimpsed in a home movie. But Saleh is the chief's son and has responsibilities at home, since the tribe's land is threatened by a mining company with its own hotshot basketball team.
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 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 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 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 thisThunderstruck (2012)
After NBA star Kevin Durant switches talent with 16 year old Brian, the teenager becomes the star of his high school team, but Durant starts struggling and eventually learns an important lesson.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Burlesque on Carmen (1915)
A gypsy seductress is sent to sway a goofy officer to allow a smuggling run.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisMuch Ado About Nothing (2013)
A modern retelling of Shakespeare's classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 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 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 thisHoly Water (2009)
The village of Kilcoulins Leap was once a thriving spa town, and was home to a famous Holy Well, but now offers little by way of employment for its people, and its decline seems inexorable. When local Postie, Podger Byrnes, comes up with a plan to hijack a consignment of Viagra, and sell it on the open market in Amsterdam, his friends are desperate enough to try it. Not counting on the muscular response of Viagra's makers, the boys panic and hide the lorry load of Viagra down the town's Holy Well.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisHanabee (2024)
HANABEE was a syndicated daytime talk show that aired from 1986-1992. Host Ken Hanabee tackled the most provocative issues of the day with a reasonable touch. This short presents some of HANABEE's most groundbreaking moments.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
A Song For Jenny (2016)
This comedy shows us the harsh world of casting when a newbie film actress is sabotaged by someone who wants the part of 'Jenny' for himself.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
How Funny (This Country Is) (2010)
Three freshly graduated adults try to educate young beggars to become street vendors, but are opposed by their fathers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Big Jay Oakerson: They (2025)
Part 2 of Big Jay Oakerson’s two-part crowd work comedy special, filmed live in Denver at Comedy Works.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (TBA)
Remake of the 1988 film.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Anxiety & Me (2026)
When her humanized version of Anxiety invites her crush over behind her back, an introverted college student decides to trap her true emotions inside, causing chaos inside and outside her mind.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Nicole Ferroni : Marseille(s), je vous offre un vers (2023)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Pink Conspiracy (2008)
Dave discovers that the women in his life are all plotting together to drive him insane.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Behind The Door (2023)
Majedi Lala, worried about his own and his son's bachelorhood, goes to Mama Shirin's home to meet his four very different daughters. Now the family must decide: which bride is the right choice?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Like The Mother in Law and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Mother in Law?
The closest matches to The Mother in Law are John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019), Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018) and Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Mother in Law?
Start with John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019), the closest match to The Mother in Law.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Mother in Law?
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018), rated 7.9/10 by 259 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Mother in Law?
Anxiety & Me (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to The Mother in Law chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Mother in Law, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.