Movies like The Joke Starts Now (2021)
The best movies like The Joke Starts Now (2021) are Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011), Adam Sandler: Love You (2024) and Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin (2017). If The Joke Starts Now hooked you with its comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedDave Chappelle: The Age of Spin (2017)7.6/10 from 306 votes
- NewestDeep Cover (2025)Released 2025
Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011)
Experience the show that quickly became a national phenomenon. Get an up-close and personal look at Kevin back in Philly where he began his journey to become one of the funniest comedians of all time.
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: The Age of Spin (2017)
Comedy icon Dave Chappelle makes his triumphant return to the screen with a pair of blistering, fresh stand-up specials. Filmed at The Palladium in Los Angeles, California, in March 2016.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMatt Rife: Natural Selection (2023)
From his problem with protection crystals to his beef with social media trolls, comedian Matt Rife holds nothing back in this rollicking stand-up special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like this2 Minutes of Fame (2020)
An up-and-coming stand-up comic moves to L.A. to pursue a film career after video clips of his act make him an online sensation.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 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 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 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 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 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 thisEddie Izzard: Dress to Kill (1999)
Eddie Izzard takes her show to San Francisco to give a brief history of pagan and Christian religions, the building of Stonehenge, the birth of the Church of England and of Western empires, and the need for a European dream.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJim Gaffigan: Beyond the Pale (2006)
The affable, towheaded comic demonstrates his hysterical brand of self-effacing comedy and deadpan delivery at two sold-out shows at Chicago's Vic Theater. It's OK to laugh at this pale white guy...'cause nobody's laughing at Jim Gaffigan harder than Jim Gaffigan!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisLouis C.K.: Oh My God (2013)
Filmed at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ on February 15th and 16th, 2013, Oh My God is Louis C.K.'s fifth stand-up special, his first for HBO since 2007's Shameless, and his first since winning a Emmy Award for writing on his acclaimed show on FX, Louie. Performed in the round in front of a live audience, he discusses such topics as the food chain, animals, divorce, strange anecdotes, broken morality, murder and mortality.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisZach Galifianakis: Live at the Purple Onion (2007)
From an inauspicious beginning performing comedy routines in the back of a burger joint in New York, unorthodox stand-up star Zach Galifianakis has made a splash on the scene with his inimitable brand of humor. In this live show filmed at San Francisco's Purple Onion nightclub, the versatile funnyman serves up a healthy dose of his signature wit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013)
86-year-old Irving Zisman is on a journey across America with the most unlikely companion: his 8 year-old grandson, Billy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJimmy Carr: Natural Born Killer (2024)
Jimmy Carr refutes the idea that you can't joke about anything these days with his edgy takes on gun control, religion, cancel culture and consent.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChris Rock: Never Scared (2004)
Chris Rock, the three-time Emmy Award-winner, comedian, actor, and host of HBO's acclaimed The Chris Show, stars in his fourth solo stand-up special for HBO, Chris Rock: Never Scared. Featuring his unique, insightful, and hilarious views on a host of social, political and, celebrity issues, Rock confirms his stature as the leading comic of our time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRicky Gervais: SuperNature (2022)
With his signature pitch-black sense of humor, Ricky Gervais takes the stage at the London Palladium in this provocative stand-up comedy special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSummer in Berlin (2005)
An intimate study of two women friends who come to each other because of troubles with everyday life and with men and thus try to enjoy a life based on their ideas.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMan on the Moon (1999)
The story of the life and career of eccentric avant-garde comedian, Andy Kaufman.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies 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 comedy
Jimmy Della Valle: It's Just A Jimmyism (2016)
Jimmy Della Valle is an Italian-Irish American Comedian and Actor from New York. Jimmy's rapid-fire stand-up comedy special is about his dysfunctional family, two scratch minimum Latina wife and cat Marvin, all-in poker playing gambling life, and mafia streetwise unique point of view. Jimmy's TV/film credits: The Sopranos, Without a Trace, America's Got Talent, Conan, Comedy Central, Rivers 9.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Michael McIntyre: Live & Laughing (2008)
Acclaimed stand-up comedian Michael McIntyre delivers a hilarious performance to a receptive crowd at London's Hammersmith Apollo.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Ethics of Ambiguity (2023)
Two best friends and failing comedians are about to give up their dreams when they win the lottery. But telling the wrong people gets them in a world of trouble.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Small Change (1976)
The lives of a motherless young man, who's just starting to find interest in women, and his physically abused, poverty stricken friend, are mixed with more or less innocent childhood experiences and challenges most their age experience.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRhod Gilbert: The Book of John (2022)
Filmed live from the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, 'The Book of John' is the sold-out, highly anticipated new show from Rhod Gilbert, which critics have called 'uproariously funny' - The Guardian. Raw, personal and brutally honest like never before, Rhod takes us on a non-nonsense journey into finding the homour when you've hit rock bottom.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Man of the Year (2006)
The irreverent host of a political satire talk show decides to run for president to mock the political system and expose corruption in Washington. What begins as a publicity stunt quickly gathers unexpected momentum as his message resonates with frustrated voters.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeep Cover (2025)
Kat is an improv comedy teacher beginning to question if she’s missed her shot at success. When an undercover cop offers her the role of a lifetime, she recruits two of her students to infiltrate London’s gangland by impersonating dangerous criminals.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Joke Starts Now?
The closest matches to The Joke Starts Now are Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011), Adam Sandler: Love You (2024) and Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin (2017). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Joke Starts Now?
Start with Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011), the closest match to The Joke Starts Now.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Joke Starts Now?
Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin (2017), rated 7.6/10 by 306 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Joke Starts Now?
Deep Cover (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Joke Starts Now?
Yes: Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011), Adam Sandler: Love You (2024) and Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin (2017).
How are movies similar to The Joke Starts Now chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Joke Starts Now, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.