Movies like The Thing Before the Thing (2020)
The best movies like The Thing Before the Thing (2020) are Spa Weekend (2026), John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018) and Driver's Ed (2026). If The Thing Before the Thing hooked you with its 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
- NewestSpa Weekend (2026)Released 2026
Spa Weekend (2026)
Four lifelong friends realize that somewhere between careers, relationships, families, and everyday responsibilities, they’ve forgotten how to take care of themselves and each other. Burned out and overdue for a break, the women escape to a luxury spa retreat for an unforgettable weekend dedicated to fun, laughter, and a lot of really bad decisions.
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 thisDriver's Ed (2026)
A group of teens hit the road in a stolen driver's ed car, racing against time to help a lovesick high school senior track down his college-freshman girlfriend and win her back.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWet Hot American Summer (2001)
It's the last day of Camp Firewood's season, but there's still time for the big talent show, a little romance… and for everyone to be wiped out by the piece of NASA's Skylab that's hurtling toward Earth.
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 thisSeriously Single (2020)
While her free-living bestie urges her to embrace singlehood, a commitment-craving social media expert can't stop following the life of a former love.
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: 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 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 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 thisThe F**k-It List (2020)
After a prank blows up a studious high school senior's life, he shares a list of certain things he wishes he'd done differently — and maybe still can.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLife of the Party (2018)
When her husband suddenly dumps her, longtime dedicated housewife Deanna turns regret into re-set by going back to college... landing in the same class and school as her daughter, who's not entirely sold on the idea. Plunging headlong into the campus experience, the increasingly outspoken Deanna – now Dee Rock – embraces freedom, fun, and frat boys on her own terms, finding her true self in a senior year no one ever expected.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMe Time (2022)
With his family away, a devoted stay-at-home dad enjoys his first me time in years by joining his hard-partying old friend on a wild birthday adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisIliza Shlesinger: Confirmed Kills (2016)
The standup sensation tackle's TV's "Shark Tank," what it means to be a woman and how to deal with the lawless party goblin that lives in us all.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRicky Gervais Live 2: Politics (2004)
A year after Animals, Ricky Gervais comes back with his second stand up comedy tour: Politics.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSarah Silverman: We Are Miracles (2013)
In her first-ever HBO solo special, Sarah Silverman takes the stage for an evening of adults-only stand-up comedy. Taped live in front of an intimate audience of 39 fans at Largo, a music and comedy club in Los Angeles, Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles features Silverman taking aim at such subjects as cell-phone porn, crazy religions, specialty deodorants, terrible roommates, eyebrow waxing, her 19-year-old dog, Obama and Republicans, having babies, Pixar movies, the miracle of existence, and more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 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 thisChris Rock: Selective Outrage (2023)
Chris Rock delivers an electric stand-up set on non-racist yoga pants, spoiling his kids, the Kardashians and his thoughts on the Will Smith fiasco.
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 thisGoldfish (2024)
In the vibrant city of Vancouver, four lives intersect in unexpected ways as two budding relationships unfold, each navigating the complexities of connection, timing, and self-discovery.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Free Time (2024)
Drew is approaching the end of his twenties and, with it, his relative youth. Looking to make a sudden change, he decides to quit his cushy desk job and “embrace life.” Cycling quickly through friends, hobbies, and goals, it’s not long until Drew realizes he has no idea what to do with his newfound freedom.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Digging for Fire (2015)
Tim and Lee are married with a young child. The chance to stay at a fancy home in the Hollywood Hills is complicated by Tim's discovery of a bone and a rusty old gun in the yard. Tim is excited by the idea of a mystery, but Lee doesn't want him to dig any further, preferring that he focus on the family taxes, which he promised to do weeks ago. This disagreement sends them on separate and unexpected adventures over the course of a weekend, as Tim and his friends seek clues to the mystery while Lee searches for answers to the bigger questions of marriage and parenthood.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe End of a Thing (2022)
Steve and Claire have been in love since they were in elementary school. Now in their mid twenties after a long relationship, this chapter of their lives together is coming to an end.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
5 Layers (2023)
With Master Baker on the line, anything could happen
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Yelling Fire in an Empty Theater (2021)
In this MiniDV curio, a young woman moves to New York and becomes entangled in her roommates’ tumultuous relationship.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Ready for Pickup (2023)
Four aspiring YouTubers vlog about delivery driving as their relationships fall apart.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Super November (2018)
An overly romantic librarian believes she's found the one after just three dates, but her friends are more concerned with political turmoil, which leads to a right wing coup.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Out of Boredom (2019)
Sitting in silence, a girl finds a way to pass the time. With customer service.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Lemonade, Lemonade (2020)
In contemporary Bogotá, Mariana wanders through a city where boredom flattens her fears and desires into the same quiet urgency. Suspended in the uncertain space between adolescence and adulthood, she attempts to decipher what it is that weighs so heavily on her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Thing Before the Thing?
The closest matches to The Thing Before the Thing are Spa Weekend (2026), John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018) and Driver's Ed (2026). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Thing Before the Thing?
Start with Spa Weekend (2026), the closest match to The Thing Before the Thing.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Thing Before the Thing?
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018), rated 7.9/10 by 259 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Thing Before the Thing?
Spa Weekend (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Thing Before the Thing?
Yes: Spa Weekend (2026), John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018) and Driver's Ed (2026).
How are movies similar to The Thing Before the Thing chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Thing Before the Thing, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.