10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Burn After Reading (2008)

Description: As another Coen Brothers classic, 'Fargo' shares 'Burn After Reading's' mix of crime and dark humor. Both films involve bumbling criminals and a convoluted plot that spirals out of control. The snowy setting of 'Fargo' contrasts with 'Burn After Reading's' Washington D.C., but both use their locations to enhance the absurdity of the situations.

Fact: Frances McDormand won an Oscar for her role as Marge Gunderson. The film's opening claims it's based on a true story, but this is fictional. The wood chipper scene has become iconic in cinema history.

Description: This Coen Brothers film shares 'Burn After Reading's' absurdist humor and focus on incompetent characters embroiled in a plot they don't understand. Both films feature mistaken identities and a narrative that revels in its own ridiculousness. The Dude's laid-back attitude contrasts with the frantic energy of 'Burn After Reading', but both protagonists are out of their depth.

Fact: Jeff Bridges based The Dude on a real person. The film initially underperformed but became a cult classic. There's an annual festival called Lebowski Fest dedicated to the movie.

Description: Another Guy Ritchie film, this shares 'Burn After Reading's' theme of small-time criminals getting in over their heads. Both films feature intricate plots where small mistakes lead to big consequences, all presented with a darkly comic tone. The ensemble casts in both films contribute to the chaotic energy.

Fact: Jason Statham was a street vendor before being cast. The film was made on a budget of just £

Description: Guy Ritchie's 'Snatch' shares 'Burn After Reading's' fast-paced, convoluted plot involving multiple characters whose fates intertwine. Both films use dark humor to offset violent situations, though 'Snatch' is more stylized in its approach. The incompetent criminals in both films create chaos through their bumbling actions.

Fact: Brad Pitt's character's dialogue was largely improvised. The film features real bare-knuckle boxers in minor roles. It was Guy Ritchie's second feature film.

Description: Shane Black's neo-noir comedy shares 'Burn After Reading's' combination of crime elements with self-aware humor. Both films feature protagonists who stumble through dangerous situations with a mix of luck and incompetence. The witty dialogue and satirical take on genre conventions are similar in both.

Fact: The film marked Robert Downey Jr.'s comeback. Shane Black based some characters on real Hollywood figures. The title comes from a famous Pauline Kael essay.

Description: Like 'Burn After Reading', 'In Bruges' is a dark comedy that blends humor with crime elements. Both films feature inept characters caught in absurd situations, with a tone that oscillates between hilarious and tragic. The Coen Brothers' influence is evident in Martin McDonagh's sharp dialogue and quirky characters.

Fact: Colin Farrell won a Golden Globe for his performance. The film was shot entirely in Bruges, Belgium. Martin McDonagh wrote the script in just two weeks.

Description: David O. Russell's film shares 'Burn After Reading's' focus on deception and characters pretending to be something they're not. Both films feature elaborate cons that spiral out of control, with humor derived from the characters' desperation. The 1970s setting of 'American Hustle' parallels 'Burn After Reading's' retro aesthetic.

Fact: Christian Bale gained 40 pounds for his role. The film was loosely based on the ABSCAM scandal. Jennifer Lawrence improvised many of her lines.

Description: Martin McDonagh's film shares 'Burn After Reading's' blend of violence and absurd humor. Both feature characters who are writers (one a fitness memoirist, the other a screenwriter) caught up in criminal plots beyond their understanding. The meta-commentary on storytelling in 'Seven Psychopaths' parallels the Coens' self-aware style.

Fact: Christopher Walken's character was written specifically for him. The film features a cameo from Tom Waits. It was partially inspired by McDonagh's own struggles to write a screenplay.

Description: Another Shane Black film, this shares 'Burn After Reading's' 1970s aesthetic (though set in the actual 70s) and blend of comedy and crime. Both feature mismatched partners investigating a conspiracy, with the humor coming from their incompetence and the absurdity of the situations. The political undertones in both films add depth to the comedy.

Fact: Russell Crowe did most of his own stunts. The film was originally conceived as a TV series. It features an early role for Angourie Rice.

Description: While more dramatic than 'Burn After Reading', Martin McDonagh's film shares its dark humor and themes of revenge and incompetence. Both films feature strong female protagonists taking matters into their own hands, with supporting characters who are deeply flawed but oddly sympathetic. The small-town setting creates a similar sense of claustrophobia.

Fact: Frances McDormand won her second Oscar for this role. The billboards were inspired by real ones McDonagh saw. Sam Rockwell's character was controversial for his redemption arc.