10 Shows & Movies Like MacGruber (2021)

Description: Another Will Ferrell vehicle, 'Anchorman' shares 'MacGruber's' absurdist humor and satirical take on its genre (news media vs. action movies). Both films feature clueless yet confident protagonists.

Fact: The script was rewritten extensively during filming. The fight scene between news teams was inspired by 'The Warriors'.

Description: This film, like 'MacGruber', parodies a hyper-masculine world (NASCAR racing) with absurd humor. Will Ferrell's portrayal of Ricky Bobby—a delusional yet lovable idiot—echoes MacGruber's character.

Fact: Many scenes were improvised, including the dinner prayer. The film's success helped cement Ferrell's status as a comedy star.

Description: 'Hot Fuzz' shares 'MacGruber's' love for action movie tropes, delivering them with a comedic twist. Both films feature protagonists who are seemingly out of their depth but ultimately triumph through sheer absurdity. The over-the-top violence and satirical tone are key similarities.

Fact: Director Edgar Wright included numerous Easter eggs referencing other action films. The film's climax was inspired by 'Bad Boys II' and features an elaborate shootout in a model village.

Description: While 'Superbad' is a teen comedy, it shares 'MacGruber's' raunchy humor and heartfelt moments. Both films balance crude jokes with genuine character development, making their absurdity more relatable.

Fact: The script was written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg when they were teenagers. McLovin's fake ID became an iconic pop culture reference.

Description: Will Ferrell's presence links this to 'MacGruber', but both films also share a love for immature, absurd humor. The over-the-top characters and situations in 'Step Brothers' mirror 'MacGruber's' comedic style.

Fact: Many of the film's most memorable lines were improvised. The bunk bed scene was entirely ad-libbed.

Description: This stoner-action-comedy, like 'MacGruber', blends ridiculous action with humor. Both films feature protagonists who are way out of their depth but manage to stumble their way to victory.

Fact: The film's car chase was inspired by 'The Blues Brothers'. James Franco's performance was largely improvised.

Description: Both 'Tropic Thunder' and 'MacGruber' are meta-comedies that lampoon their respective genres—war movies and action flicks. The self-aware humor and exaggerated performances (especially Robert Downey Jr.'s method acting parody) mirror 'MacGruber's' satirical approach.

Fact: Robert Downey Jr. was almost not cast due to concerns about blackface, but his performance won critical acclaim. Tom Cruise's unrecognizable role as Les Grossman became one of the film's highlights.

Description: Like 'MacGruber', '21 Jump Street' subverts action-comedy expectations with its self-referential humor and absurd scenarios. Both films feature protagonists who are hilariously inept yet somehow succeed, and both mock the tropes of their genres.

Fact: Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum's chemistry was so good they improvised many scenes. The film was originally conceived as a straight reboot of the TV series before becoming a comedy.

Description: Like 'MacGruber', 'The Other Guys' is a satirical take on action movies, blending over-the-top humor with absurd situations. Both films parody the macho, hyper-competent hero archetype, with Will Ferrell's character in 'The Other Guys' being a bumbling yet oddly effective detective, similar to MacGruber's inept yet confident persona.

Fact: The film features a cameo by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson as hyper-masculine cops who meet an unexpectedly hilarious fate. Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg's chemistry was so strong that they later reunited for 'Daddy's Home'.

Description: The sequel doubles down on the meta-humor and genre parody, much like 'MacGruber' revels in its absurdity. Both films thrive on their protagonists' ridiculousness and the over-the-top nature of their plots.

Fact: The end credits sequence humorously predicts endless sequels with increasingly absurd titles. The film's budget was significantly higher than the first, allowing for more elaborate action scenes.