Movies like The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982)
The best movies like The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982) are Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018), Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly (2000) and Dave Chappelle: The Closer (2021). If The Secret Policeman's Other Ball hooked you with its comedy and music, these 30 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
Steve 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 thisDave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly (2000)
Dave Chappelle returns for a stand-up to D.C. and riffs on politics, police, race relations, drugs, Sesame Street and more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 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 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 · both comedy & music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisTaylor Tomlinson: Have It All (2024)
Can Taylor Tomlinson have it all? From dating woes to dream jobs to inventive dirty talk, she shares life's ups and downs in this stand-up comedy special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 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 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 · both comedy
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 · both comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisRobin Williams: An Evening at the Met (1986)
In this hilarious stand up comedy, Robin Williams is energetic, witty and again hilarious. It's the number one stand up comedy of all time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 thisTaylor Tomlinson: Look at You (2022)
Breakups. Therapy. Bangs. Taylor's gone through some stuff since her quarter-life crisis, and she spins her mental health journey into insightful comedy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNeal Brennan: 3 Mics (2017)
Wicked one-liners and soul-baring confessions converge in this uniquely intimate stand-up special from "Chappelle's Show" co-creator Neal Brennan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMike Birbiglia: Thank God for Jokes (2017)
Mike Birbiglia declares that a joke should never end with "I’m joking." In his all-new comedy, Birbiglia tiptoes hilariously through the minefield that is modern-day joke-telling. Join Mike as he learns that the same jokes that elicit laughter have the power to produce tears, rage, and a whole lot of getting yelled at. Ultimately it's a show that asks, “How far should we go for the laugh?”
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDemetri Martin: The Overthinker (2018)
With his signature one-liners and drawings, Demetri Martin muses on doughnut holes, dogs, sports bars, the alphabet's most aggressive letters and more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDemetri Martin: Live (At the Time) (2015)
Demetri Martin brings his off-kilter take on acoustic guitar, hairless cats, color schemes, and the word "nope" to Washington in his original special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDave Chappelle: For What It's Worth (2004)
Comedian Dave Chappelle does what he does best in this outrageous and hilarious standup performance, which allows him to push the envelope far beyond what he does on his TV show. Taped in San Francisco at the famed Fillmore, Chappelle lets loose on such topics as black celebrities, what it's like to have raunchy fans of his TV show approach him while he's trying to enjoy Disneyland with his kids, Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant... and crackheads, of course. It's comedy Chappelle-style and, for what it's worth, no one is safe from his barbs. But you already knew that!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHasan Minhaj: The King's Jester (2022)
Filmed at the historic Brooklyn Academy of Music, Hasan Minhaj returns to Netflix with his second stand-up comedy special Hasan Minhaj: The King's Jester. In this hilarious performance, Hasan shares his thoughts on fertility, fatherhood, and freedom of speech.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTrevor Noah: Son of Patricia (2018)
Trevor Noah gets out from behind the "Daily Show" desk and takes the stage for a stand-up special that touches on racism, immigration, camping and more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAll Commercials... A Steve Martin Special (1980)
Steve Martin's third NBC special serves as a salute to 1970s television commercials. Taking shots at everything from "Suzy Chapstick" to Palmolive to advertising agencies, this special showcased Martin's genius for physical comedy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Mitzi (1968)
Mitzi Gaynor welcomes guests George Hamilton & Phil Harris (The Jungle Book) for a sparkling hour of music, comedy and dance. Songs performed include "Everybody Loves My Baby," "Gentle on My Mind," "Pretty," and "Love Is Blue." Mitzi & George parody classic movies on the late-late show, George playing Cary Grant to Mitzi's Rosalind Russell, Rock Hudson to her Doris Day, and Glenn Ford to her Rita Hayworth.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & comedy
Mitzi's 2nd Special (1969)
Mitzi Gaynor opens her second special with a dazzling performance of "Let Go." Additional songs include "Poor Papa," and "What'll I Do." She welcomes guest star Ross Martin (The Wild, Wild, West) for a musical-comedy spoof of Gone with the Wind. Other comedy skits include Mitzi as "The Kid" describing a school recital, and as a Hungarian Gypsy performing "Those Were the Days."
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & comedy
Television Parts Home Companion (1985)
A 40-minute compilation of comedy skits and music taken from the series "Michael Nesmith in Television Parts."
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & music
Bob Goldthwait: Don't Watch This Show (1986)
Bob Goldthwait presents his brand of insanity, featuring stand-up comedy, skits, TV parodies, and gags.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Steve Martin's Best Show Ever (1981)
Steve Martin's fourth NBC special was in the spirit of his previous association with Saturday Night Live. It was broadcast live from Studio 8H, produced by Lorne Michaels and featured some original cast members of the show.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special (1999)
A TV special celebrating the 25th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. Before a celebrity audience, many of the former cast members and guest hosts return to perform their signature monologues and present a look back at some of the best comedy skits and musical numbers of the past two and a half decades.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Smosh LIVE (2016)
The very first Smosh live stream with sketches and challenges performed live by Ian, Anthony, Olivia, Noah, Courtney, Keith, and Shayne.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
How 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: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAn SNL Valentine (2015)
An SNL Valentine is a primetime special that features a variety of Saturday Night Live sketches, themed towards Valentine's Day.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Like The Secret Policeman's Other Ball and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Secret Policeman's Other Ball?
The closest matches to The Secret Policeman's Other Ball are Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018), Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly (2000) and Dave Chappelle: The Closer (2021). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Secret Policeman's Other Ball?
Start with Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018), the closest match to The Secret Policeman's Other Ball.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Secret Policeman's Other Ball?
Bo Burnham: Make Happy (2016), rated 8.0/10 by 460 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Secret Policeman's Other Ball?
Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Secret Policeman's Other Ball?
Yes: Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018), Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly (2000) and Dave Chappelle: The Closer (2021).
How are movies similar to The Secret Policeman's Other Ball chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Secret Policeman's Other Ball, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.