20 Mockumentary Movies We Loved

It's hard to tell what's real and not in mockumentaries because they have a unique way of mixing humor and truth. These movies tell made-up stories in the way of documentaries, which makes everything seem hilariously real. There were 20 mockumentary movies that we loved, and they all did something funny with culture or a whole field.

Tricia Quitales
December 20, 2024
8 min read

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Breaking the fourth wall, mockumentaries are a great way to tell stories that are satirical, funny, and sometimes reveal shocking truths. With a documentary style that makes crazy things seem real, they take us on crazy rides through made-up worlds. These comedies have made people laugh for years, from well-known hits to hidden gems. Here is a list of the 20 funniest mockumentaries that cleverly mix truth and fiction.

1. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

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This Is Spinal Tap is the first mockumentary and shows what goes on behind the scenes of a made-up British rock band. It’s funny and strange. The deadpan acting and laugh-out-loud parts make it a cult favorite that comedy and music fans both love. It’s fun to watch because it pokes fun at the egos, chaos, and silliness of the rock and roll world.

2. Best in Show (2000)

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Best in Show by Christopher Guest takes us into the competitive world of dog shows, where strange people and crazy events steal the show. Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara are among the actors who bring a mix of awkward humor and sharp comedy to the role. This is a funny look at the strange world of dog lovers obsessed with their pets and training them very well.

3. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

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Borat is a famous mockumentary by Sacha Baron Cohen about a Kazakh reporter who travels across America and meets strange people and things. He doesn’t know what’s going on. The movie is embarrassing and funny because it mocks rude people and criticizes society. This comedy doesn’t feel bad about breaking social norms, which makes it a fun ride you’ll never forget.

4. The Office (UK, 2001)

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The original British version of The Office is a brilliantly awkward mockumentary about office life. It later became a big hit in the United States. Ricky Gervais plays David Brent, the hilariously inappropriate boss whose pranks make everyone cringe. This show stood out because of its deadpan humor and awkward interviews with workers.

5. A Mighty Wind (2003)

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Christopher Guest’s musical mockumentary shows how silly the careers and personalities of folk musicians are when they get back together for a tribute gig. Like other movies directed by Guest, this one is both heartfelt and sarcastic, and it makes fun of the folk music scene. The quirky, catchy songs are a significant part of the movie and add to its charm.

6. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

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Popstar is a funny parody of the music business that follows the rise and fall of an annoying pop star trying to stay popular. Andy Samberg and his comedy group The Lonely Island bring their unique, silly humor, complete with funny characters and silly songs. The show sharply mocks celebrity society and shows how short-lived fame is.

7. Waiting for Guffman (1996)

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The story of Waiting for Guffman is about an amateur musical production in a small town. The cast and crew are waiting for a Broadway director to see them. Christopher Guest leads this group of strange characters and does some of his best work as a mockumentary comedian. The play humorously and touchingly shows small-town dreams, which is relevant and humorous.

8. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

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Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement made this fake documentary about vampires. It’s about a group of friends who were vampires hundreds of years ago and live in modern-day New Zealand. The movie always makes you laugh because it mixes supernatural nonsense with daily events. It is a must-see because the characters are so funny, and the story differs from other vampire shows.

9. The Last Waltz (1978)

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The Last Waltz is a documentary, but it sometimes acts like a mockumentary, especially when it shows footage of The Band’s last concert in a strange and almost funny way. The movie, directed by Martin Scorsese, mixes footage of the famous rock band’s previous show with scenes of high drama. Some conversations and events behind the scenes are funny because they are too severe.

10. Best Worst Movie (2009)

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Best Worst Movie is a love letter to Troll 2 and a funny look at how it came to be. It’s a documentary about its cult status and how many people think it’s one of the worst movies ever made. The film examines the surprising number of fans that grew for Troll 2 and how much people loved the movie’s accidental humor. It’s funny to see what happens when bad movies become beloved classics.

11. Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

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Drop Dead Gorgeous makes fun of beauty pageants and the lengths people will go to win. It takes place in a small town. Kirsten Dunst and Ellen Barkin are just two of the great actors in the movie. It’s full of dark humor and crazy characters. It’s a sharp satire on the need for fame and beauty.

12. For Your Consideration (2006)

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In For Your Consideration, Christopher Guest’s film, a small film crew deals with the sudden attention their independent project is getting. The movie pokes fun at Hollywood’s fixation on award season. Its sharp wit shines through in portraying actors and directors desperate to get noticed. It’s another excellent example of how well Guest can show how silly show business can be.

13. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

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The Blair Witch Project is usually considered a horror movie, but because it was made in a documentary style, it also fits into the mockumentary genre. The movie is made up, but it’s based on actual events. It’s about three filmmakers who get lost in the woods while investigating a local tale. The raw, handheld footage adds to the realism. It’s a great example of how to build tension and tell a story with a film.

14. Spinal Tap II: This Is Spinal Tap (1992)

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The first Spinal Tap movie was such a hit that they chose to make a second one in 1992. It’s not quite as magical as the first one, but it’s still a funny look at how silly old rock stars keep being. Fans of the first movie will enjoy seeing the band again and seeing all the ridiculous things they do.

15. The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978)

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This fake documentary about the made-up band Eric Idle and Neil Innes made the Rutles a parody of The Beatles. It is a funny movie with sharp wit and musical parodies that mock the Beatles’ rise to fame. Fans of music and people who like to laugh at the cost of rock history will love it.

16. Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008)

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It was advertised as a documentary, but Anvil! Because of the band’s silly events and funny characters, The Story of Anvil feels more like a mockumentary. The movie follows the Canadian metal band Anvil and shows how they dealt with broken hopes, failed tours, and not giving up. Its sad and funny nature shows the thin line between documentary and comedy.

17. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024)

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Curb Your Enthusiasm is a TV show, but it’s more like a mockumentary because the conversations are made up on the spot, and the interviews are done in a documentary style. Larry David handles awkward social situations and the small things of daily life by playing a blown-up version of himself. Many people love this show because it makes fun of societal rules and uses dry humor.

18. Man on the Moon (1999)

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Although Man on the Moon isn’t a true mockumentary, it often feels like one because it shows the strange life of comic Andy Kaufman. The movie is about Kaufman’s life and work, strangely and humorously mixing fact and fantasy. Jim Carrey does a great job of capturing Kaufman’s strange personality while also showing his character’s complexity.

19. The Great Dictator (1940)

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The Great Dictator by Charlie Chaplin is a humorous mockumentary that makes fun of Adolf Hitler and the rise of fascism in Europe. Funny jokes discuss critical political issues in this movie, with Chaplin playing a Jewish barber and the dictator Hynkel. It’s a great mix of comedy and social reflection that still speaks to us today.

20. Confessions of a Junior Doctor (2010)

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This BBC mockumentary-style documentary series mocks life in a hospital by mixing actual medical processes with silly situations. The show follows junior doctors as they do their demanding jobs, capturing the chaos and fun of the world of medicine. It has a unique mix of fun, wisdom, and problems that people face in real life.