Satire backdrop

Satire movies

Sharp comedy that targets society, politics, media, or workplace culture with irony and pointed exaggeration.

Top Five

1. Top Five

Drama Comedy Romance Satire Romantic Comedy
6.4
20141h 42min

Overview

Though he began in stand-up comedy, Andre Allen hit the big-time as the star of a trilogy of action-comedies about a talking bear but now he wants to be taken seriously. His passion project about the Haitian Revolution, a movie called Uprize, was panned by the NY Times film critic. A couple days before the wedding to his reality star fiancée, he's forced to spend the day with Chelsea Brown, a profile writer for the New York Times. Unexpectedly, he opens up to her, and as they wind their way across New York, he tries to get back in touch with his comedic roots.

Themes

Media scrutiny, Marriage expectations, Addiction and recovery, Career vs criticism, Celebrity image pressure, Artistic authenticity vs fame

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

2. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Drama Comedy Entertainment Industry Drama Satire
7.7
20142h

Overview

A fading actor best known for his portrayal of a popular superhero attempts to mount a comeback by appearing in a Broadway play. As opening night approaches, his attempts to become more altruistic, rebuild his career, and reconnect with friends and family prove more difficult than expected.

Themes

Midlife crisis, Public scrutiny, Fading fame, Artistic integrity vs commercial success, Creative collaboration tension, Parental reconciliation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Dear White People

3. Dear White People

Comedy Drama Satire Political Drama
6.2
20141h 48min

Overview

A campus culture war between Blacks and whites at a predominantly white Ivy League college comes to a head when the staff of a satirical magazine stages an offensive Halloween party.

Themes

Race relations strain, Political correctness pushback, Post-racial america dissonance, Free speech clashes, Satire as social critique, Media representation pressures

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Perfect Dictatorship

4. The Perfect Dictatorship

Drama Comedy Political Drama Satire
7.2
20142h 23min

Overview

TV MX, the most powerful Mexican Television Corporation, discloses a scandalous story involving Governor Carmelo Vargas in serious crimes and illicit business. Governor Vargas worried about his political future, decides to clean his image and negotiates a billionaire secret agreement with the owners of the TV Corporation. Carlos Rojo, an ambitious young news producer, and Ricardo Diaz, TV network star reporter, are responsible for making a dirty campaign to change the image the public has of the corrupt Governor and make him, at any cost, a political star and a great presidential candidate. Mexican Television believes that democracy is a farce and has already placed one President... Will they do it again?

Themes

Image control through media, Media influence on politics, Corruption and broadcast power, Deception for political gain, Democracy as farce, Sensationalism over truth

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Pride

5. Pride

Drama Comedy Political Drama Satire
7.8
20142h

Overview

In 1984, a group of LGBT activists decide to raise money to support the National Union of Mineworkers during their lengthy strike. There is only one problem: the Union seems embarrassed to receive their support.

Themes

Miners' strike solidarity, Public exposure of bias, Harassment of unions, Activist community alliance, Police power scrutiny, Health and stigma

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Wild Tales

6. Wild Tales

Drama Thriller Comedy Satire Revenge Thriller
8.1
20142h 2min

Overview

Injustice and the demands of the world can cause stress for many people. Some of them, however, explode. This includes a waitress serving a grouchy loan shark, an altercation between two motorists, an ill-fated wedding reception, and a wealthy businessman who tries to buy his family out of trouble.

Themes

Betrayal and deception, Scarcity and desperation, Social pressure and violence, Public spectacle and humiliation, Fragile justice systems, Revenge under stress

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Clear History

7. Clear History

Comedy TV Movie Satire
6.4
20141h 40min

Overview

Nathan Flomm, in order to avoid the humiliation of having missed out on a hugely successful business, assumes a new identity on Martha's Vineyard. He plots revenge when his former business partner moves to the same town.

Themes

Revenge as motive, Identity concealment, Social risk management, Private life public exposure, Humiliation and reinvention, Reputational tension

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

An Honest Liar

8. An Honest Liar

History Comedy Documentary Biographical History Biographical Documentary
7.4
20141h 30min

Overview

An Honest Liar tells the incredible story of the world-famous magician, escape artist, and world-renowned enemy of deception, James 'The Amazing' Randi. The film brings to life Randi's intricate investigations that publicly exposed psychics, faith healers, and con-artists with quasi-religious fervor. A master deceiver who came out of the closet at the age of 81, Randi created fictional characters, fake psychics, and even turned his partner of 25 years, Jose Alvarez, into a sham guru named Carlos.

Themes

Skepticism vs credulity, Exposure of deception, Investigation of claims, Ethics of deception and proof, Personal authenticity and risk, Public scrutiny and risk

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Veronica Mars

9. Veronica Mars

Crime Drama Comedy Detective Mystery Crime Coming-of-Age Drama
6.7
20141h 47min

Overview

Years after walking away from her past as a teenage private eye, Veronica Mars gets pulled back to her hometown - just in time for her high school reunion - in order to help her old flame Logan Echolls, who's embroiled in a murder mystery.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Accountability under scrutiny, Class bias in policing, Corruption and cover-ups, Blackmail and surveillance, High school reunion pressures

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

10. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Comedy Drama Satire Historical Drama
8.1
20141h 40min

Overview

The Grand Budapest Hotel tells of a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars and his friendship with a young employee who becomes his trusted protégé. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting, the battle for an enormous family fortune and the slow and then sudden upheavals that transformed Europe during the first half of the 20th century.

Themes

Class inequality, Social climbing, Deception and betrayal, Loyalty under pressure, Ownership and control, Institutional influence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.