Movies like It Started As a Joke (2019)
The best movies like It Started As a Joke (2019) are The Original Kings of Comedy (2000), The Comedians of Comedy (2005) and Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016). If It Started As a Joke 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
- NewestAmerican Comic (2025)Released 2025
The 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 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 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 thisGeorge Carlin: Complaints & Grievances (2001)
George Carlin performs a hilarious set of never-before released material in "Complaints and Grievances." His 12th HBO special was recorded live at the Beacon Theater in New York City on November 17, 2001. In "Complaints and Grievances," Carlin shamelessly exposes the people and subjects that irritate him the most.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 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 thisGeorge Carlin: Doin' It Again (1990)
George Carlin brings his comedy back to New Jersey and this time talks about Offensive Language, Euphemisms, They're Only Words, Dogs, Things you never hear, see or wanna hear, Some people are stupid, Cancer, Feminists, Good Ideas, Rape, Life's moments, and organ donors.
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 thisTrevor Noah: Where Was I (2023)
Trevor Noah riffs on national anthems, derailing a German sightseeing tour and getting roasted in Paris in this comedy special about his world travels.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPatton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping (2016)
Patton Oswalt delivers a fresh hour plus of stand-up, covering everything from misery to defeat to hopelessness. It's his most upbeat special to date.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisComedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff (2010)
Time to hassle the Hoff at the rudest, raunchiest television event of the year--The Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff. From running in slo-mo on the beach to inspiring Germany with the power of cheesy pop--it's almost too easy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 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 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 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 thisNorm Macdonald: Nothing Special (2022)
In his final comedy special, Norm Macdonald ponders casinos, cannibalism, living wills and why you have to be ready for whatever life throws your way.
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 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 thisCarrie Fisher: Wishful Drinking (2010)
"Wishful Drinking" is based on Fisher's memoirs of the same title. The stage adaptation had its world premiere in 2006 at the Geffen Playhouse in L.A. It later played at Berkeley Repertory before opening on Broadway in October at Studio 54. The show takes audiences on a comic tour of Fisher's messy personal life and career. The actress-writer recounts stories about her work on the "Star Wars" series as well as her relationship with her parents Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. She also discusses her much-publicized problems with alcohol and drugs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Narrator (2018)
Katelyn discovers she is a character in a film after fighting back against 'The Narrator' that controls her life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Lilla helgonet (1944)
Celestin is the singing teacher in a monastery and Denis is one of her students. They both dream about the life outside. (It's a Swedish version of the famous vaudeville-opérette "Mam'zelle Nitouche").
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Evadi Gola Vadide (2005)
Veera loves Aarti but his marriage is fixed to the daughter of powerful don Bakka Reddy. When Bakka learns about Veera's intentions, he orders his men to kill Aarti.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Great Pretender (2018)
The lives of a French theater director, her ex-boyfriend, and the two actors playing them intersect dramatically.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
De lengua, me como un plato (1990)
Mexican Christian comedy about gossip and mundane situations.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
All Jokes Aside (2017)
"Laughumentary" about black comedians in Hollywood.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Merry Mutineers (1936)
Two little boys "battle" their toy pirate ships in a pool. The crews of both sea vessels are made of caricatures of such 30's era stars as Charles Laughton (as Captain Bligh), the Three Stooges, Wallace Beery, Jimmy Durante, Laurel & Hardy, and the Marx Brothers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Much Ado About Nothing (1975)
Burgtheater recording, based on Shakespeare's play.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Todd Glass: Act Happy (2018)
Try to keep up as comedian Todd Glass delivers rapid-fire stand-up that bounces from his heart attack to his coming out to how to eat a Kit Kat.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
American Comic (2025)
A mockumentary that follows two comedians, one an image-obsessed social climber in Los Angeles and the other a degenerate podcaster in Ohio, as their ironically similar egotism threatens to end their wildly different careers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like It Started As a Joke?
The closest matches to It Started As a Joke are The Original Kings of Comedy (2000), The Comedians of Comedy (2005) and Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after It Started As a Joke?
Start with The Original Kings of Comedy (2000), the closest match to It Started As a Joke.
What is the highest-rated movie like It Started As a Joke?
John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (2015), rated 7.7/10 by 290 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like It Started As a Joke?
American Comic (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like It Started As a Joke?
Yes: The Original Kings of Comedy (2000), The Comedians of Comedy (2005) and Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016).
How are movies similar to It Started As a Joke chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside It Started As a Joke, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.