12 Must-Watch Movies Like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Schizopolis is reminiscent of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in its offbeat and unconventional approach to comedy. Both films embrace satire and black comedy, pushing the boundaries of what is considered normal and acceptable. While It's Always Sunny focuses on the misadventures of five friends running an Irish pub in Philadelphia, Schizopolis delves into the life of Fletcher Munson, a lethargic employee of a self-help company, and his doppelganger, Dr. Jeffrey Korchek, a friendly but dull dentist. Both movies explore absurdity and tackle controversial topics with a bold and unapologetic voice. However, Schizopolis takes its quirkiness to another level with its experimental filmmaking style and its fragmented narrative. It's a movie that may leave you scratching your head at first, but if you're a fan of Steven Soderbergh's work or enjoy films that challenge traditional storytelling, I highly recommend giving Schizopolis a watch.

The Alarmist: Young Tommy Hudler decides to become a security systems salesman, and is an instant success. Everything seems to be going great until he discovers there's more to this business and his boss Heinrich than he previously suspected.
The Alarmist is reminiscent of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as both movies delve into the absurd and satirical sides of life. While It's Always Sunny focuses on the misadventures of five friends running an Irish pub, The Alarmist takes a humorous look at the world of security system sales. Both movies use satire and black comedy to explore their respective topics. However, there are differences between the two. It's Always Sunny is a TV series, providing more time for character development and intricate storylines, while The Alarmist is a cinema movie, with a shorter runtime. Additionally, It's Always Sunny has garnered critical acclaim and numerous nominations, while The Alarmist did not receive any accolades.

Wag the Dog is reminiscent of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia because both are dark comedies that tackle controversial topics with a sharp and clever writing style. While It's Always Sunny revolves around the quirky and lovable characters who own an Irish pub in Philadelphia, Wag the Dog tells the story of a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer who fabricate a war to cover up a Presidential sex scandal. Both films use satire and black comedy to entertain the audience, but Wag the Dog takes it a step further by providing a thought-provoking commentary on politics and the manipulation of public perception. With a great cast and great writing, Wag the Dog successfully combines humor with a sense of unease about the future. It's a must-watch for fans of dark comedy who want to be both entertained and worried about the state of politics.

Released in 2006, "Strangers with Candy" is a wacky and unusual comedy that takes you on a wild ride from start to finish. It serves as a prequel to a critically-acclaimed series and follows the story of Jerri Blank, a 46-year-old ex-junkie ex-con who decides to restart her life by returning to high school. While the plot may seem basic, the real charm of this movie lies in its eccentric characters. From Jerri herself to the principal, parents, and others, they are fantastically conceived and portrayed, making for a truly wild and captivating experience.
Although I wouldn't necessarily label it as a laugh-out-loud comedy, "Strangers with Candy" is amusing in its own right. The extreme nature of the characters and the unconventional way they deliver their lines keeps you engaged and curious about what they'll say or do next.

Lorry is reminiscent of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as both shows fall under the genre of comedy and share elements of satire and black comedy. While It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia takes place in an Irish pub in Philadelphia, Lorry focuses on the divorced and mature youth in Sundbyberg, Sweden. Both shows have a talented cast that brings depth and nuance to their roles, with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia featuring actors such as Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, and Kaitlin Olson, and Lorry showcasing the talents of Peter Dalle, Claes Månsson, and Johan Ulveson. Both shows tackle controversial and absurd topics with a bold and unapologetic voice, providing viewers with plenty of laughs and memorable moments. If you're a fan of dark comedy and enjoy shows that push boundaries, Lorry is definitely worth a watch.

The Mouse That Roared is reminiscent of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in its satirical take on comedy. Both movies use humor to tackle controversial and absurd topics, delivering laughs and memorable moments. While It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia revolves around five friends running an Irish pub in Philadelphia, The Mouse That Roared tells the story of an impoverished backward nation declaring war on the United States, hoping to lose. Both films feature unique and quirky characters, portrayed by talented actors such as Danny DeVito in It's Always Sunny and Peter Sellers in The Mouse That Roared. However, the main difference lies in the time period and setting, with It's Always Sunny taking place in modern-day Philadelphia and The Mouse That Roared set in the 15th century. If you enjoyed the dark comedy and irreverent humor of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Mouse That Roared is a must-watch for fans of British comedy led by the incomparable Peter Sellers.

Death by Hanging takes us on a darkly comedic journey similar to It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In this black farce, a Korean man survives his own execution by hanging, leaving his executioners in a state of confusion. The film explores their futile attempts to handle the situation, resulting in comically absurd reenactments of the man's life and a desperate quest to regain his memories. Just like It's Always Sunny, Death by Hanging uses satire and black comedy to tackle serious issues such as capital punishment, nationalism, racism, and violence against women. The film's director, Nagisa Oshima, takes a clear and unsubtle stance on these issues, making it a thought-provoking social commentary. Although the subject matter is serious, the film's comedic elements provide a unique and entertaining perspective. With its intriguing plot, stellar performances, and relevance in today's world, Death by Hanging is a must-watch for fans of dark comedy and those interested in Japanese culture.

Polowanie na muchy is reminiscent of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in the sense that both explore dark comedy and satire in their own unique ways. While the American series focuses on the hilarious misadventures of five friends running an Irish pub, Polowanie na muchy takes us on a journey with Wlodek, a shy man who finds himself captivated by a woman named Irena. Both stories delve into the absurdity of human relationships and the consequences of losing control. While It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is known for its irreverent and thought-provoking humor, Polowanie na muchy showcases director Andrzej Wajda's brilliant portrayal of human emotions and weaknesses. With its captivating storyline and internationally recognized director, Polowanie na muchy is a must-watch for fans of dark comedy and psychological movies. So, if you're in the mood for a charming and funny exploration of human relationships, give Polowanie na muchy a chance.

The True Nature of Bernadette is a charming and intellectually stimulating Canadian film from the 70s. It tells the story of a woman with naturalistic and libertarian theories who leaves her city life to live in the countryside with her son. There, she becomes involved with a litigious farmer fighting against the banks and government. The film explores her unconventional lifestyle and practices, making for a thought-provoking and unpredictable narrative. While It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a hilarious and irreverent TV series set in an Irish pub, The True Nature of Bernadette takes a more dramatic approach while still maintaining its satirical and comedic elements. The film showcases the lead actress, Micheline Lanctôt, in practically every scene, giving a performance of a lifetime. With its unique storyline and captivating characters, The True Nature of Bernadette is a hidden gem that foreign film lovers should definitely seek out.

Viva Italia! (I nuovi mostri) is a delightful Italian comedy that takes you on a journey through various short stories, providing a humorous glimpse into Italian life. Released in 1977, this anthology film showcases the talent of Italian cinema and offers a unique perspective on the country and its people. One of the stories revolves around an Italian gentleman who tries to help an injured civilian but struggles to find a place to take him for medical assistance. The absurdity of the situation adds a touch of black comedy and satirical commentary. Another story takes us behind the scenes of an Italian restaurant, where two waiters/chefs engage in a chaotic fight while preparing a meal for hungry customers. With its witty storytelling and playful humor, Viva Italia! captures the essence of Italian culture and will leave you laughing.

My Best Friend's Girl is a delightful comedy that shares a few similarities with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Both movies use satire and black comedy to explore unconventional relationships and tackle controversial topics. While It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia revolves around the eccentric proprietors of an Irish pub, My Best Friend's Girl tells the story of two best friends falling for the same girl during a ski vacation. The main characters in both films are flawed yet endearing, and the humor is sharp and irreverent. However, there are also notable differences between the two. My Best Friend's Girl has a romantic element, adding a layer of complexity to the plot. Additionally, the French setting and the performance of Isabelle Huppert give the film a unique charm. If you enjoyed the quirky humor and unconventional storytelling of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, My Best Friend's Girl is definitely worth a watch.

The Beginning: Released in 1986, "The Beginning" is reminiscent of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" in its use of satire and black comedy. While "It's Always Sunny" focuses on a group of friends running an Irish pub in Philadelphia, "The Beginning" takes place after a plane crash, where a diverse group of survivors find themselves stranded in the desert. The most privileged of them, an overpaid lawyer, declares himself a dictator and names the nearby oasis after him. Both shows explore the absurdity of human behavior and tackle controversial topics in a thought-provoking manner. However, "The Beginning" adds elements of dystopia and fantasy to its mix of comedy and drama, creating a unique and captivating storyline. If you enjoyed the irreverent humor and quirky characters of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "The Beginning" offers a similarly entertaining and thought-provoking experience, set in a completely different context.

Drowning by Numbers, released in 1988, is reminiscent of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Both films share a darkly comedic tone, exploring unconventional themes with a satirical edge. While It's Always Sunny focuses on the shenanigans of five friends running an Irish pub in Philadelphia, Drowning by Numbers delves into the marriage woes of three generations of women. Despite their different settings and narratives, both movies challenge societal norms and conventional storytelling. However, Drowning by Numbers offers a surrealistic twist with its portrayal of death, using numbers as a thematic motif. This film, directed by Peter Greenaway, showcases his mastery of structured visual allegory, while still remaining accessible to a wider audience. So, if you enjoyed the irreverent humor and thought-provoking nature of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Drowning by Numbers is a must-watch for its dark comedy and unique storytelling approach.