13 Movies Similar to Life of Brian – Get Ready to Laugh!

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is reminiscent of Life of Brian, both being classic Monty Python films filled with hilarious comedy and witty satire. While Life of Brian follows the parallel life of Brian of Nazareth, mistaken for a messiah, Monty Python and the Holy Grail takes us on a surreal and low-budget journey of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table in search of the Holy Grail. Both movies cleverly blend historic situations with modern attitudes, resulting in uproarious moments that poke fun at everything from religious zealotry to 1950s biblical and sword & sandals epic cinema. However, where Life of Brian focuses on the plight of Chapman's Brian and his journey to find his own identity, Monty Python and the Holy Grail takes a more episodic approach, presenting the Knights' absurd encounters with very silly obstacles, including a killer rabbit and the iconic coconut horse sound effects.

The Meaning of Life is reminiscent of Life of Brian in its satirical approach to comedy and its British humor. Both movies were written by Graham Chapman and directed by Terry Jones, showcasing their unique comedic style. While Life of Brian focuses on mistaken messiah identity, The Meaning of Life takes a broader view of life's stages, exploring birth, growth, and death in a hilariously absurd way. The Meaning of Life pushes boundaries with shocking and offensive scenes, such as Mr. Creosote's gluttonous dining experience. However, beneath the outrageousness, both movies make insightful social commentary. Life of Brian critiques religious zealotry and mob hysteria, while The Meaning of Life tackles Catholic dogma, human stupidity, and the importance of enjoying life. Although The Meaning of Life may not have the same cult following as Holy Grail, it is certainly a must-watch for fans of Monty Python's irreverent and thought-provoking humor.

Monty Python Live (Mostly) is reminiscent of Life of Brian because it brings together the Monty Python team for a final performance after a long hiatus. Just like Life of Brian, this movie showcases the brilliant comedic talents of the Python members. However, Monty Python Live (Mostly) is a live show, presented in front of a live audience, which adds a unique energy to the performance. While both movies feature the iconic Monty Python humor, Monty Python Live (Mostly) falls short in terms of originality compared to Life of Brian. The skits in Monty Python Live (Mostly) are almost word-for-word recreations of their original versions, offering no new or energetic elements. Additionally, some of the team's best skits are missing from this performance.

Monty Python's Flying Circus is a series that captures the essence of the Monty Python troupe's surreal sketch comedy. It's like a spiritual successor to the witty and satirical Life of Brian. While the latter explores the parallel life of Brian, who is constantly mistaken for a messiah, Flying Circus takes on a more diverse range of topics through its sketches. Both share the trademark Monty Python humor, with Flying Circus showcasing the same crossdressing antics and cutout animation that fans have come to love. The series serves as a fantastic showcase for the comedic talents of John Cleese and Eric Idle, who also starred in Life of Brian. If you're a stickler for British humor and have enjoyed the Monty Python movies, I highly recommend giving Monty Python's Flying Circus a watch. It's a delightful continuation of the troupe's irreverent and timeless comedy.

The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer is reminiscent of Life of Brian in its satirical approach to social and political systems. Both movies use humor to critique and challenge the conventions of their respective eras. In Life of Brian, the Monty Python team takes aim at religious zealotry and mob hysteria, using historic situations to highlight modern attitudes. Similarly, The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer focuses on the world of 1970s Britain, where deceit is accepted as the norm and power is the ultimate goal. Peter Cook's character, Michael Rimmer, manipulates his way through the ranks of an opinion poll company and into politics, exposing the absurdity of the political system. While Life of Brian tackles religious themes, The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer takes on the political landscape, but both films share a sharp wit and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Time Bandits, released in 1981, is reminiscent of Life of Brian in many ways. Both movies are British comedies that push the boundaries of satire and humor. While Life of Brian focuses on religious zealotry and mob hysteria, Time Bandits explores the concept of time travel and alternate dimensions. Both films use historical situations to satirize and lampoon various aspects of society. Life of Brian tackles the biblical genre with its witty and irreverent take on the life of Brian of Nazareth, while Time Bandits takes the audience on a wild adventure with a young boy who accidentally joins a band of time-traveling dwarves. Both movies feature a talented ensemble cast, with notable actors like John Cleese appearing in both films. However, where Life of Brian is a more coherent narrative, Time Bandits is a wacky and riotous ride that will have you laughing from start to finish.

A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman is a whimsical and animated take on the life of Graham Chapman, one of the founding members of Monty Python. While it may not possess the distinctive Monty Python charm that fans have come to love, it still offers an intriguing glimpse into Chapman's world. The film incorporates various styles of animation, although it lacks Terry Gilliam's signature style. Despite some crude jokes and references that may not hit the mark, A Liar's Autobiography manages to capture a certain spookiness, as it is narrated by Chapman himself, who sadly passed away in 1989. It evokes memories of the psychedelic Yellow Submarine film from 1968, and watching it with an open mind (and perhaps a slightly altered state) can enhance the experience.

A Fish Called Wanda is reminiscent of Life of Brian in its comedic genius and clever screenplay. Both movies excel in exploiting the quirks and personalities of their characters for continuous laughs. In A Fish Called Wanda, John Cleese delivers a hilarious speech about the struggles of being British, only to find himself in embarrassing situations moments later. The envelope of funny-offensiveness is pushed to the limit when Michael Palin's character unintentionally kills three innocent dogs while trying to murder a witness. These moments showcase the absurdity and comedic brilliance that can be found in both films. Additionally, Kevin Kline's performance as Otto in A Fish Called Wanda is among the best comedic performances ever delivered, reminiscent of the memorable characters in Life of Brian. However, A Fish Called Wanda takes a different path in terms of plot, revolving around a jewel heist and the subsequent double-crossing among the four main characters.

Jabberwocky is reminiscent of Life of Brian in its irreverent and satirical take on a historical setting. While Life of Brian parodies biblical stories, Jabberwocky takes on medieval fantasy. Both films feature the absurdity of human behavior and the follies of society. However, Jabberwocky has a more cartoon-like approach, with visual puns, physical gags, and a brash style. It may not always hit the mark in terms of humor, but it compensates with a serious-looking, low-budget world that feels surprisingly real. Despite its messiness and lack of intellectual value, Jabberwocky is an entertaining medieval-fantasy-comedy and a testament to Terry Gilliam's directorial skills. If you enjoyed the wit and satire of Life of Brian, you'll appreciate Jabberwocky's unique blend of humor and fantasy.

Bertelsen - de uaktuelle nyheder is reminiscent of Life of Brian because both movies employ satire and actor playing multiple roles as key topics. However, they differ in terms of their release dates and formats. Life of Brian, released in 1979, is a comedy cinema movie with a runtime of 94 minutes. It tells the story of Brian, who is mistaken for a messiah. On the other hand, Bertelsen - de uaktuelle nyheder, released in 2002, is a comedy talk-show series with a runtime of 28 minutes per episode. It features Michael Bertelsen and his team delivering funny jokes, weird phone-calls, and hysterical interviews. If you enjoyed the satirical humor and actor playing multiple roles in Life of Brian, you should definitely give Bertelsen - de uaktuelle nyheder a watch.

The Mouse That Roared is reminiscent of Life of Brian in its satirical nature and actor playing multiple roles. However, while Life of Brian revolves around mistaken messiah identity and religious satire, The Mouse That Roared takes a different approach by satirizing war and international relations. In this quirky film, an impoverished nation declares war on the United States, hoping to lose but accidentally winning instead. Peter Sellers delivers a brilliant performance, portraying three unique characters, each with their own charm. Though not a masterpiece, this British comedy is a delightful way to spend an evening, filled with laughs and absurd situations. If you enjoyed the wit and humor of Life of Brian, The Mouse That Roared will surely tickle your funny bone.