10 Shows and Movies Similar to Duck Dynasty (2012)

Description: Deadliest Catch, like Duck Dynasty, offers a window into a dangerous, little-understood profession. Both shows highlight the physical and mental toughness required for their jobs (crab fishing and duck hunting). The camaraderie among crew members/family is a central theme in both.

Fact: Deadliest Catch documents the real dangers of Alaskan king crab fishing. Several cast members have died since the show began. It was one of the first reality shows to win an Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program.

Description: Ax Men, like Duck Dynasty, showcases the dangers and rewards of working in nature. Both shows highlight the physical demands and risks of their respective professions (logging and duck hunting). The emphasis on teamwork, skill, and respect for the environment is a common thread.

Fact: Ax Men was one of the first reality shows about the logging industry. It features logging crews in various U.S. states and even in New Zealand. The show has been criticized for its high injury rate among cast members.

Description: Pawn Stars and Duck Dynasty both revolve around family-run businesses with unique specialties. The shows blend education and entertainment, teaching viewers about niche subjects (pawnbroking and duck calls) while showcasing the dynamics of working with relatives. Both became cultural phenomena in the early 2010s.

Fact: The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop featured in the show is a real business in Las Vegas. The show's success led to a massive increase in tourism to the shop. Rick Harrison, the owner, is a licensed pawnbroker in Nevada.

Description: Similar to Duck Dynasty, Swamp People focuses on the lives of individuals living off the land in rural, often challenging environments. Both shows highlight traditional, family-oriented lifestyles and the skills required to survive in the wild. They also share a reality TV format that blends drama, humor, and education about niche subcultures.

Fact: Swamp People follows alligator hunters in the swamps of Louisiana during the 30-day hunting season. The show has been praised for its authentic portrayal of Cajun culture. It has spawned several spin-offs, including Swamp Mysteries with Troy Landry.

Description: Storage Wars shares Duck Dynasty's reality TV format and focus on unconventional professions. Both shows feature a mix of competition, strategy, and unexpected discoveries. The high-stakes auctions in Storage Wars parallel the high-stakes hunting in Duck Dynasty, with both offering the thrill of the unknown.

Fact: The show follows professional buyers who bid on abandoned storage units. Some cast members have been accused of planting items for dramatic effect. It has inspired international versions in countries like Canada and Australia.

Description: Gold Rush and Duck Dynasty both follow groups of people pursuing unconventional, outdoor-based livelihoods. The shows share themes of perseverance, risk-taking, and the American dream. Both also feature the challenges of working in harsh natural environments and the bonds formed through shared struggle.

Fact: Gold Rush follows several mining crews in Alaska and the Yukon. The show's original cast member, Todd Hoffman, left after season

Description: Like Duck Dynasty, Moonshiners delves into a unique, often misunderstood American subculture. Both shows feature charismatic, larger-than-life characters who take pride in their unconventional livelihoods. The themes of family, tradition, and rebellion against mainstream norms are central to both series.

Fact: Moonshiners is set in the Appalachian Mountains, where illegal distilling has a long history. The show's legality has been questioned, as it appears to document illegal activity. Despite this, it has run for over a decade, proving its popularity.

Description: Mountain Men is perhaps the most similar to Duck Dynasty in its focus on self-sufficient living in the wilderness. Both shows celebrate traditional skills and the independence of living off the land. The shows also share a reverence for nature and the challenges it presents.

Fact: Mountain Men follows several individuals living in remote areas across the U.S. One of the main cast members, Eustace Conway, was the subject of the book 'The Last American Man'. The show has been praised for its authentic portrayal of off-grid living.

Description: Alaskan Bush People mirrors Duck Dynasty's focus on a family living an unconventional lifestyle close to nature. Both families have become celebrities for their unique way of life. The shows share themes of family unity, survival skills, and the clash between traditional and modern values.

Fact: The Brown family claims to live off the grid in Alaska, though this has been disputed. The family patriarch, Billy Brown, passed away in 202Despite controversies, the show has remained popular for its escapist appeal.

Description: While not about outdoor survival, American Pickers shares Duck Dynasty's celebration of American eccentricity and nostalgia. Both shows feature teams of experts (in picking and duck calls, respectively) traveling the country to uncover hidden treasures. The shows also highlight the value of knowledge passed down through generations.

Fact: The hosts, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, have been friends since childhood. The show has visited all 50 states in search of antiques. It inspired a wave of similar 'picking' shows.