6 Best Stand-Up Comedian Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 31, 2026

The grueling, obsessive pursuit of the perfect joke and a shot at stardom has powered some of cinema’s sharpest looks at stand-up comedy. In The King of Comedy (1982): An obsessive aspiring comedian goes to increasingly desperate lengths to get his big break on a late-night show. Another standout is Man on the Moon (1999): The bizarre, boundary-pushing career of an unconventional comedian confounds audiences and colleagues alike.

Funny People (2009)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A famous but lonely comedian facing a serious illness takes a struggling young comic under his wing.

Directed by Judd Apatow · 2h 26m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Starz Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Obvious Child (2014)

TMDB ★ 6.5

A struggling stand-up comedian navigates an unplanned pregnancy after a one-night stand with a kind stranger.

Directed by Gillian Robespierre · 1h 25m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Sleepwalk with Me (2012)

TMDB ★ 6.5

A struggling stand-up comedian mines his own crumbling relationship for material while sleepwalking into danger.

Directed by Mike Birbiglia · 1h 21m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Man on the Moon (1999)

TMDB ★ 7.1

The bizarre, boundary-pushing career of an unconventional comedian confounds audiences and colleagues alike.

Directed by Miloš Forman · 1h 58m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The King of Comedy (1982)

TMDB ★ 7.7

An obsessive aspiring comedian goes to increasingly desperate lengths to get his big break on a late-night show.

Directed by Martin Scorsese · 1h 49m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Punchline (1988)

TMDB ★ 6.5

An aspiring stand-up comic and a manic, self-destructive comedy genius form an unlikely mentorship.

Directed by David Seltzer · 2h 03m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Stand-Up Comedian Movies

Funny People (2009)

Obvious Child (2014)

Sleepwalk with Me (2012)

Man on the Moon (1999)

The King of Comedy (1982)

Punchline (1988)

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