10 Movies & Shows Like *The Death of Stalin* (2017)

Description: Charlie Chaplin's satire of Adolf Hitler shares 'The Death of Stalin's' use of comedy to critique authoritarianism. Both films use humor to expose the ridiculousness and danger of dictatorial regimes.

Fact: This was Chaplin's first full talkie. Chaplin later said he wouldn't have made the film if he'd known the full extent of Nazi atrocities. The film's famous final speech was added late in production and was controversial at the time.

Description: While more of a thriller than a comedy, this film shares 'The Death of Stalin's' exploration of political paranoia and manipulation during the Cold War era. Both films depict the absurdity and danger of political power struggles.

Fact: The film was pulled from circulation after JFK's assassination due to its subject matter. Angela Lansbury, known for her sweet roles, plays a chilling villain. The film was remade in 2004 with Denzel Washington.

Description: Like 'The Death of Stalin', this film is a satirical take on political and military leadership during a tense historical period. Both films use humor to highlight the absurdity and danger of unchecked power and incompetence in high-stakes situations.

Fact: Stanley Kubrick originally planned to make a serious thriller about nuclear war but switched to satire after realizing how absurd the real-life scenarios were. Peter Sellers plays three different characters in the film. The film's title character, Dr. Strangelove, was inspired by real-life figures like Wernher von Braun and Henry Kissinger.

Description: This film shares 'The Death of Stalin's' cynical view of political manipulation and the media. Both explore how those in power create narratives to control public perception, often with absurd or dangerous consequences.

Fact: The film was released just weeks before the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke, making its plot about a presidential sex scandal seem eerily prescient. The title comes from the saying 'Why does a dog wag its tail? Because a dog is smarter than its tail. If the tail were smarter, it would wag the dog.' Dustin Hoffman's character is loosely based on real-life Hollywood producer Robert Evans.

Description: This TV series shares the same creator, Armando Iannucci, and a similar satirical approach to politics as 'The Death of Stalin'. Both works feature chaotic, behind-the-scenes looks at political machinations, with a focus on the pettiness and incompetence of those in charge.

Fact: The show is known for its improvisational style and profanity-laden dialogue. It inspired the American series 'Veep'. The character of Malcolm Tucker is considered one of the most iconic in British television.

Description: This film shares 'The Death of Stalin's' focus on the unintended consequences of political decisions. Both use humor to explore how personal ambitions and bureaucratic incompetence can have far-reaching historical impacts.

Fact: The film is based on true events surrounding US involvement in the Soviet-Afghan War. Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance as Gust Avrakotos earned him an Academy Award nomination. The real Charlie Wilson consulted on the film and makes a cameo appearance.

Description: This Coen Brothers film shares 'The Death of Stalin's' darkly comic take on incompetence in high-stakes situations. Both films feature characters whose stupidity and self-interest lead to increasingly chaotic and dangerous outcomes.

Fact: This was Brad Pitt's first comedic role in years. The CIA characters were based on real officers the Coens met while researching. The film's title comes from a standard classification marking on sensitive documents.

Description: Similar to 'The Death of Stalin' in its darkly comedic take on political incompetence and bureaucratic absurdity. Both films use sharp, rapid-fire dialogue and satire to critique the ineptitude of those in power. Directed by Armando Iannucci, who also directed 'The Death of Stalin', the film shares a similar tone and style.

Fact: The film is a spin-off of the British TV series 'The Thick of It'. Peter Capaldi reprises his role as Malcolm Tucker, a character known for his explosive temper and creative insults. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: Like 'The Death of Stalin', this film uses dark comedy to explore serious subject matter (in this case, terrorism). Both films find humor in the incompetence of their subjects while never losing sight of the real-world consequences of their actions.

Fact: The film was inspired by real cases of incompetent terrorists, including one who blew himself up in his car because he forgot to put the handbrake on. Director Chris Morris spent three years researching terrorism for the film. The film was controversial upon release but has since been recognized as a sharp satire.

Description: Another political satire from Armando Iannucci, 'Veep' shares 'The Death of Stalin's' focus on the absurdity and incompetence of political leaders. Both use fast-paced, witty dialogue and situational humor to critique the political system.

Fact: Julia Louis-Dreyfus won six consecutive Emmy Awards for her role as Selina Meyer. The show was originally intended to be a US adaptation of 'The Thick of It'. Many of the show's writers had experience working in politics, adding to its authenticity.