10 Movies & Shows Like Tropic Thunder (2008)

Description: While more dramatic than 'Tropic Thunder', 'The Player' similarly provides a biting satire of Hollywood culture. Both films feature self-referential humor about the film industry, though 'The Player' takes a more cynical approach. The films share themes about the cutthroat nature of show business and the blurred lines between reality and performance in Hollywood.

Fact: The film features over 60 celebrity cameos playing themselves. The famous 7-minute opening tracking shot took 15 takes to perfect. Director Robert Altman used real Hollywood executives as extras in studio scenes.

Description: 'Get Shorty' shares with 'Tropic Thunder' a comedic look at the intersection of crime and Hollywood, with both films featuring characters who navigate the movie business with unconventional backgrounds. The films similarly blend genres (crime/comedy in 'Get Shorty', war/comedy in 'Tropic Thunder') while maintaining a sharp commentary on Hollywood egos and the filmmaking process.

Fact: John Travolta's performance revitalized his career after several box office flops. The film's success led to a sequel, 'Be Cool', a decade later. Author Elmore Leonard makes a cameo as a bartender at the Formosa Cafe.

Description: 'Bowfinger' shares with 'Tropic Thunder' a comedic exploration of Hollywood's underbelly, focusing on desperate filmmakers willing to go to extreme lengths for their art. Both films feature meta-commentary on the film industry and the absurdity of movie-making, with Steve Martin's character embodying the same kind of oblivious determination as many characters in 'Tropic Thunder'. The films similarly balance slapstick humor with industry insider jokes.

Fact: Eddie Murphy plays dual roles as both the paranoid movie star Kit Ramsey and his nerdy lookalike Jiff. The film was inspired by real-life guerrilla filmmaking tactics used by low-budget directors. Frank Oz directed the film, marking his fourth collaboration with Steve Martin.

Description: 'Galaxy Quest' shares with 'Tropic Thunder' the theme of actors being thrust into real versions of their fictional roles. Both films cleverly parody their respective genres (sci-fi for 'Galaxy Quest', war films for 'Tropic Thunder') while showing affection for them. The films similarly explore the gap between celebrity personas and real people.

Fact: The film was originally conceived as a parody of 'Star Trek', but evolved into its own universe. Many 'Star Trek' actors have cited it as their favorite 'Star Trek' movie. Alan Rickman based his performance on Shakespearean actors forced to do commercial work.

Description: Like 'Tropic Thunder', 'Zoolander' is a satirical comedy that pokes fun at the entertainment industry, specifically the world of fashion modeling. Both films feature exaggerated characters and absurd situations, with a self-aware humor that critiques the industries they portray. Ben Stiller's involvement in both films as director and actor adds a stylistic similarity, with both movies blending over-the-top comedy with sharp industry satire.

Fact: The film was inspired by a 1996 VH1 Fashion Awards skit featuring Ben Stiller as Derek Zoolander. David Bowie makes a cameo appearance as a judge in the 'walk-off' scene. The original script was much darker, with Derek Zoolander actually dying at the end.

Description: This puppet-action satire shares with 'Tropic Thunder' an over-the-top approach to genre parody (action films vs. war films) and Hollywood satire. Both films feature extreme vulgarity and political incorrectness as part of their comedic style. The films similarly use their formats (puppets in 'Team America', actors playing actors in 'Tropic Thunder') to comment on entertainment and politics.

Fact: The puppets were intentionally made to look slightly crude and unfinished. The film's production used 387 puppets and 229 puppet heads. The infamous sex scene took over 9 months to animate.

Description: Like 'Tropic Thunder', 'Be Kind Rewind' celebrates and satirizes the process of filmmaking, though on a much smaller scale. Both films feature characters creating films under unusual circumstances, with a love for cinema shining through the absurdity. The 'sweded' films in 'Be Kind Rewind' parallel the homemade quality of the 'Tropic Thunder' film-within-a-film.

Fact: The term 'sweded' was invented for the film and became a real cultural phenomenon. Mos Def and Jack Black did most of their own stunts. Director Michel Gondry built the entire video store set from scratch.

Description: Like 'Tropic Thunder', 'Walk Hard' is a parody of a specific genre (music biopics vs. war films) that both mocks and celebrates its subject. Both films feature committed performances that walk the line between absurd and sincere. The films share a similar approach to genre conventions, exaggerating them for comedy while showing understanding of what makes them work.

Fact: John C. Reilly performed all his own singing in the film. The film features over 40 original songs. The extended cut runs nearly 30 minutes longer than the theatrical version.

Description: Like 'Tropic Thunder', 'The Disaster Artist' explores the chaotic process of filmmaking, though based on a real-life production. Both films balance humor with genuine affection for their subjects, showing how passion can overcome lack of talent or resources. The films share themes about the blurred line between terrible and brilliant in art.

Fact: James Franco spent hours studying Tommy Wiseau's mannerisms for the role. Some scenes were recreated shot-for-shot from 'The Room'. The real Greg Sestero (author of the source book) appears in the film's end credits scene.

Description: This mockumentary shares with 'Tropic Thunder' a satirical look at celebrity culture and the entertainment industry. Both films feature outrageous characters who take themselves too seriously, with the humor coming from their obliviousness. The films similarly use music industry tropes (in 'Popstar') and war movie tropes (in 'Tropic Thunder') as vehicles for comedy.

Fact: The Lonely Island wrote over 100 songs for the film before selecting the final tracks. Many celebrity cameos were improvised on set. The film's poor box office led to its cult status among comedy fans.