Are you a fan of the hilarious buddy comedy Step Brothers starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly? If you love the outrageous humor, quotable lines, and ridiculous antics in that film, you’re probably looking for more movies that deliver big laughs in a similar style. Look no further – we’ve compiled a list of the 18 best movies like Step Brothers that are sure to have you rolling on the floor with laughter.
From other Will Ferrell classics to some lesser-known comedic gems, these films all share elements with Step Brothers – whether it’s the immature man-child characters, the oddball humor, the dysfunctional family dynamics, or just the sheer absurdity of it all. Get ready to laugh your ass off as we count down the funniest movies to watch when you need a Step Brothers-esque comedy fix.
1. Old School (2003)
Mitch, Frank and Beanie are disillusioned with their lives as adults, so they seek to re-live their wild college days by starting a fraternity next to their old campus. Hilarity ensues as these three middle-aged men throw outrageous parties, pull crazy stunts, and clash with the uptight dean. Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn are comedy gold together as this trio of misfits who refuse to grow up. Old School perfectly captures the wish fulfillment of returning to your carefree college years, with plenty of slapstick, gross-out gags and quotable one-liners. KY jelly wrestling, tranquilizer darts, streaking and ribbon dancing are just a few of the wild antics you can expect from this raunchy comedy classic. If you love the man-child humor of Step Brothers, Old School is a must-watch.
2. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) is a clueless yet successful NASCAR driver whose life motto is “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” His dimwitted best friend Cal (John C. Reilly) is his racing partner, and together they’re an unstoppable team – until a French Formula One driver threatens Ricky’s dominance. Full of product placement gags, silly catchphrases, and an outrageous dinner table prayer to Baby Jesus, Talladega Nights mercilessly mocks everything about NASCAR culture and fragile masculinity. The comedy reunites Ferrell and Reilly as another pair of idiotic but lovable man-children, similar to their dynamic in Step Brothers. Featuring a bizarre cameo by Sacha Baron Cohen and an amusing subplot about Ricky’s neglectful father, Talladega Nights is an underrated gem in the Will Ferrell canon that will have you cracking up.
3. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Set in the 1970s, Anchorman follows the exploits of Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), a chauvinistic news anchor in San Diego whose position is threatened by an ambitious female reporter. The outrageous characters and absurd gags come fast and furious, from Ron’s flute solos and exquisite hair to weatherman Brick’s love affair with a lamp. Like Step Brothers, Anchorman thrives on the improvisational skills of Ferrell and the rest of the Channel 4 News Team (Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner). Their ridiculous antics, like getting into a back-alley brawl with rival news teams, made Anchorman an instant quotable classic. If you want more of Adam McKay and Will Ferrell’s patented brand of over-the-top silliness, Anchorman delivers.
4. The Other Guys (2010)
Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg make a hilarious odd couple as two mismatched NYPD detectives who stumble onto a major financial crime. Ferrell plays a mild-mannered forensic accountant, while Wahlberg is a hot-tempered cop stuck on desk duty. The two leads brilliantly bounce off each other, getting into screaming matches and shoot-outs as they bungle their way through the case. Like Step Brothers, The Other Guys features Ferrell as an overgrown child paired with a more aggressive partner, leading to plenty of arguments and property destruction. With a stacked supporting cast including Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, and Samuel L. Jackson, The Other Guys is an underrated action comedy that takes aim at corporate greed and buddy cop clichés.
5. Semi-Pro (2008)
Will Ferrell stars as Jackie Moon, the owner-coach-player of the fictional Flint Tropics in the final year of the American Basketball Association before the ABA-NBA merger. Ferrell goes all-out with his 1970s look, sporting an epic perm and garish suits as the fast-talking Jackie, who will do anything to promote his failing team – including wrestling a bear. Fans of Ferrell’s other sports comedies like Blades of Glory will appreciate the period details and silly gags, as Jackie introduces zany promotions to boost attendance. With a solid supporting cast including Woody Harrelson, André 3000 and Will Arnett, Semi-Pro may not reach the heights of Step Brothers, but it’s an amusing showcase for Ferrell’s love of playing delusional characters.
6. Superbad (2007)
This raunchy teen comedy follows inseparable best friends Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) on a quest to lose their virginity before college. Their awkward attempts to buy alcohol and impress their crushes lead to a wild series of misadventures, culminating in an outrageous house party. Like the immature adults in Step Brothers, Seth and Evan have a codependent friendship that borders on a romantic relationship, complete with jealous arguments. Superbad launched the careers of Hill, Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (as uber-nerd Fogell/McLovin), while featuring scene-stealing turns from Bill Hader and Seth Rogen as a pair of irresponsible cops. Superbad is a hilarious, surprisingly sweet coming-of-age story that captures the agony and ecstasy of being a teenage boy.
7. Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play a pair of dimwitted friends who embark on a cross-country road trip to return a briefcase full of money in this classic comedy. Lloyd (Carrey) and Harry (Daniels) get into all sorts of ridiculous situations, from accidentally killing a hitman to riding a motorcycle with a ski on the front. Like Brennan and Dale in Step Brothers, these two idiots feed off each other’s stupidity, egging one another on to new heights of idiocy. Carrey and Daniels fully commit to their characters’ sheer dumbness, selling every gross-out gag and slapstick pratfall. With endlessly quotable lines and a joyful embrace of lowbrow humor, Dumb and Dumber set the template for many of the comedies on this list.
8. Wedding Crashers (2005)
Divorce mediators John (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) are a pair of womanizing best friends who spend their weekends crashing weddings to seduce women. However, their tried-and-true scheme hits a snag when John falls for a bridesmaid (Rachel McAdams) and Jeremy attracts the attention of her crazy sister (Isla Fisher). Like Step Brothers, Wedding Crashers features a pair of overgrown adolescents forced to grow up when they fall in love. Wilson and Vaughn’s rapid-fire banter and palpable chemistry elevate the raunchy jokes and slapstick set pieces. With a stellar supporting cast including Christopher Walken, Jane Seymour and Bradley Cooper, Wedding Crashers is a crowd-pleasing rom-com with an edge.
9. Zoolander (2001)
Ben Stiller co-wrote, directed and starred in this outrageous fashion industry satire about a dimwitted male model brainwashed into assassinating the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Stiller’s Derek Zoolander is a pitch-perfect parody of self-absorbed celebrities, with his iconic “Blue Steel” look and complete lack of self-awareness. Owen Wilson co-stars as Hansel, Derek’s hippie model rival turned friend, while Will Ferrell nearly steals the show as deranged designer Mugatu. Like Step Brothers, Zoolander features a pair of delusional man-children who constantly bicker and compete with each other. The movie is packed with absurd gags and cameos from fashion luminaries, resulting in an endlessly quotable cult classic that captures the ridiculousness of early 2000s pop culture.
10. Blades of Glory (2007)
Will Ferrell and Jon Heder star as a pair of banned figure skaters who exploit a loophole by competing together as the first same-sex pairs team. Ferrell’s macho sex addict Chazz and Heder’s effeminate diva Jimmy make an oddball duo, engaging in a forbidden “Iron Lotus” maneuver and wearing outrageous costumes. Like Step Brothers, Blades of Glory allows Ferrell to indulge his love of playing obnoxious man-children, as Chazz and Jimmy’s constant bickering and insults drive much of the humor. With scene-stealing supporting turns from Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, and Jenna Fischer, Blades of Glory is a goofy, irreverent sports comedy that takes aim at the self-serious world of figure skating.
11. Pineapple Express (2008)
Seth Rogen and James Franco star as a process server and his drug dealer who go on the run after witnessing a corrupt cop commit murder. Rogen’s Dale and Franco’s Saul have a co-dependent friendship not unlike Brennan and Dale in Step Brothers, as they bicker and fail their way through increasingly dangerous situations. The movie blends stoner comedy with action movie tropes, featuring over-the-top shootouts, car chases, and fight scenes. However, the real highlight is the chemistry between Rogen and Franco, as they improvise ridiculous conversations about everything from weed strains to foot massages. With a scene-stealing turn from Danny McBride as a deranged drug lord, Pineapple Express is a hilarious and unexpectedly thrilling ride.
12. The Campaign (2012)
Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis play a pair of bumbling politicians running against each other for a North Carolina congressional seat in this scathing political satire. Ferrell’s Cam Brady is a sleazy incumbent prone to gaffes and sex scandals, while Galifianakis’ Marty Huggins is a naive tourism director handpicked by a pair of corrupt businessmen. Like Step Brothers, The Campaign features a rivalry between two immature man-children that escalates to ridiculous heights, from Cam punching a baby to Marty releasing a sex tape. However, the movie also has a sharp satirical edge, taking aim at the influence of money in politics and the absurdity of modern campaigns. With memorable cameos from John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd and Dylan McDermott, The Campaign is a raunchy yet insightful comedy.
13. Hot Rod (2007)
Andy Samberg stars as Rod Kimble, a delusional amateur stuntman who believes he’s following in the footsteps of his deceased stuntman father. To raise money for his abusive stepfather’s heart operation (so he can beat him in a fight), Rod plans to jump 15 buses on his moped. Like Brennan and Dale in Step Brothers, Rod is a overgrown child clinging to unrealistic dreams, surrounded by a crew of equally immature friends. The movie is packed with absurd gags and non sequiturs, from a running joke about “cool beans” to a hilarious training montage set to the song “Two of Hearts.” With supporting turns from Isla Fisher, Bill Hader and Danny McBride, Hot Rod is a silly, surreal comedy that’s become a cult favorite.
14. Waiting… (2005)
This raunchy workplace comedy follows the exploits of the employees at a chain restaurant, from their gross-out pranks to their after-hours parties. Like Step Brothers, Waiting… features a group of immature adults stuck in dead-end jobs, finding humor and camaraderie in their shared misery. Ryan Reynolds stars as Monty, the sarcastic ringleader of the wait staff, while Justin Long plays Dean, a college student unsure about his future. The movie is packed with crude jokes and gross-out gags (including a memorable bit involving a “special sauce”), but it also has a surprising amount of heart, capturing the bonds formed between coworkers in a thankless job. With a pre-fame Dane Cook and Anna Faris rounding out the cast, Waiting… is a hilarious and surprisingly poignant look at life in the service industry.
15. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)
This pitch-perfect parody of music biopics follows the rise and fall of fictional singer-songwriter Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly), from his hardscrabble childhood to his drug-fueled excesses. Reilly fully commits to the absurdity, delivering nonsensical lyrics with earnest conviction and engaging in over-the-top antics (like accidentally slicing his brother in half with a machete). Like Step Brothers, Walk Hard allows Reilly to showcase his comedic chops, as he transforms Dewey from a naive country boy to a grizzled rock star. The movie is packed with clever jabs at the clichés of the genre, from the obligatory childhood tragedy to the montage of musical styles. With hilarious cameos from Paul Rudd, Jack Black and Justin Long, Walk Hard is a loving and merciless skewering of the music biopic.
16. MacGruber (2010)
Based on the Saturday Night Live sketch, MacGruber follows a clueless former special operative (Will Forte) who is called back into action to stop a nuclear threat. Like Step Brothers, MacGruber features an immature and delusional protagonist who constantly overestimates his own abilities. Forte fully commits to the character’s ridiculousness, whether he’s ripping out throats or crafting crude disguises. Kristen Wiig co-stars as his long-suffering sidekick, while Val Kilmer chews the scenery as the villainous Dieter Von Cunth. The movie is packed with over-the-top violence, gross-out gags, and a surprising amount of heart. While it was a box office bomb, MacGruber has since become a cult favorite for its fearless commitment to its absurd premise.
17. Idiocracy (2006)
This satirical sci-fi comedy from Mike Judge (Office Space) follows an average guy (Luke Wilson) who wakes up 500 years in the future, only to discover that society has become incredibly stupid. Wilson’s Joe is an everyman who becomes the smartest person in a world where commercialism and anti-intellectualism have run rampant. Like Step Brothers, Idiocracy takes aim at the dumbing down of popular culture, with gags about a popular TV show called “Ow! My Balls!” and a Gatorade-like drink used to water crops. The movie’s prescient commentary on corporate influence and the erosion of critical thinking has only become more relevant in the years since its release. With a hilarious supporting turn from Dax Shepard as the dimwitted President Camacho, Idiocracy is a thought-provoking and disturbingly plausible comedy.
18. Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
This absurdist cult classic follows the last day at a dysfunctional summer camp in 1981, as the counselors pursue their romantic and comedic hijinks. Like Step Brothers, Wet Hot American Summer features a talented ensemble cast (including Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, and Paul Rudd) fully committing to the ridiculous premise. The movie is packed with surreal gags and non sequiturs, from a talking can of vegetables to a wild motorcycle chase. However, it also has a surprising amount of heart, capturing the bittersweet nostalgia of the last day of summer. With memorable turns from Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler and Elizabeth Banks (among many others), Wet Hot American Summer is a hilarious and oddly poignant ode to the summer camp movies of the ’80s.
These 18 movies all deliver big laughs and share similarities with Step Brothers, whether it’s the Will Ferrell factor, the outrageous premises, the oddball characters, or the endlessly quotable lines. From parody films to stoner comedies to raunchy farces, there’s something on this list for every Step Brothers fan looking for their next comedy fix. So grab some friends, pop some popcorn, and get ready to laugh your ass off with these hilarious films.
