20 Best Movies Like The Dictator You Need To Watch Now

Ready for a good laugh? Do you ever wonder what would happen if a super-duper silly leader from a faraway land came to America? Well, that’s kind of what “The Dictator” is all about! This movie, starring the funny Sacha Baron Cohen, tells the story of Admiral General Aladeen. He’s the big boss of a made-up country called Wadiya. He’s not very nice, but he’s definitely funny in a crazy way.

When Aladeen comes to New York City, he loses his famous beard and all his power. Suddenly, this big, important guy is just a regular person trying to figure out life in a new place. It’s a wild ride full of jokes and silly situations. If you loved the goofy humor and the way “The Dictator” pokes fun at serious stuff, then you’re in for a treat! We’ve found 20 movies like The Dictator that will make you chuckle and think, all at the same time. Get your popcorn ready!

20 Best Movies Like The Dictator You Need To Watch Now

1. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
   This film introduces us to Borat Sagdiyev, a TV reporter from Kazakhstan. He travels to the “US and A” to make a documentary. But Borat gets sidetracked when he sees Pamela Anderson on TV and decides he must marry her. His journey across America is full of awkward and hilarious encounters with real people who don’t know he’s just a character. He says and does things that are totally not okay, but it makes for some laugh-out-loud moments.
   Just like Admiral Aladeen in “The Dictator,” Borat is a character from a fictionalized foreign land who comes to America and causes chaos. Both movies use Sacha Baron Cohen’s talent for playing outrageous characters who say shocking things. They both make fun of cultural differences and stereotypes in a very bold way. If you enjoyed the fish-out-of-water comedy and the edgy humor of movies like The Dictator, Borat is a must-see.

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2. Brüno (2009)
   Meet Brüno, a super flamboyant Austrian fashion reporter. After a big mess-up at a fashion show in Milan, Brüno is fired and blacklisted from the fashion world. So, what does he do? He decides to go to America to become “the biggest Austrian celebrity since Hitler.” His attempts to become famous are totally over-the-top and lead to some truly cringeworthy and funny situations as he tries everything from adopting a baby to trying to become straight.
   Brüno, much like Aladeen, is another unforgettable character created by Sacha Baron Cohen. Both films push boundaries with their humor, often tackling sensitive subjects in a way that makes you laugh and think. The comedy style in “Brüno” is very similar to movies like The Dictator, relying on shocking gags and the main character’s cluelessness about social norms. If you like your comedy daring and a bit controversial, Brüno will deliver.

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3. The Interview (2014)
   Dave Skylark is the host of a popular celebrity gossip TV show, “Skylark Tonight.” His producer, Aaron Rapaport, wants to do more serious news. When they find out that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of their show, they manage to score an interview with him. But things get super complicated when the CIA asks them to “take him out” – as in, assassinate him! What follows is a crazy and dangerous trip to North Korea.
   “The Interview” shares a lot of common ground with movies like The Dictator. Both films are political satires that make fun of dictators and authoritarian regimes. They both use humor to talk about serious topics like propaganda and international relations. If you liked how “The Dictator” made fun of a fictional leader, you’ll enjoy the similar comedic take on a real-life (though still very fictionalized for the movie) dictator in “The Interview.” The blend of silly humor and high-stakes situations is a hallmark of both films.

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4. Team America: World Police (2004)
   This movie is made entirely with puppets! It’s about Team America, an elite police force that travels the world fighting terrorists. When a power-hungry dictator starts causing trouble, Team America recruits a Broadway star named Gary Johnston to go undercover and stop him. The movie is full of explosions, action, and some very funny and inappropriate songs. It makes fun of big action movies and American politics.
   While “Team America” uses puppets, its humor is just as adult and satirical as movies like The Dictator. Both films use over-the-top characters and situations to poke fun at political figures and international conflicts. They don’t shy away from controversial topics and use humor to make a point. If you appreciate the bold and often absurd comedic style seen in stories about outlandish leaders, “Team America: World Police” will be right up your alley.

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5. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
   This classic black comedy is about what happens when a crazy American general decides to launch a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union all by himself. The President and his advisors, including the strange Dr. Strangelove, try to stop the bombers before they cause World War III. It’s a very smart and funny look at the Cold War and the fear of nuclear war.
   “Dr. Strangelove” might be an older film, but its sharp satire of political and military leaders is very much in the spirit of movies like The Dictator. Both films use humor to explore themes of power, paranoia, and the absurdity of international politics. While “The Dictator” focuses on a single, outlandish leader, “Dr. Strangelove” looks at a whole system of flawed and sometimes comical figures making huge decisions. The way both films find comedy in very serious situations is a key similarity.

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6. In the Loop (2009)
   This British comedy follows government officials and political aides in both the UK and the US as they stumble towards an unpopular war in the Middle East. It’s full of fast-talking, very clever, and often very rude characters who are constantly trying to spin things their way. The dialogue is incredibly witty and shows the chaotic and sometimes silly side of politics.
   “In the Loop” shares the sharp, satirical wit found in movies like The Dictator. Both films mock the incompetence and self-importance of people in power. While “The Dictator” uses a larger-than-life character, “In the Loop” finds its humor in the more realistic (though still exaggerated) bumbling and backstabbing of political operatives. If you enjoy comedies that make fun of how governments work (or don’t work), this is a great pick.

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7. Four Lions (2010)
   This dark comedy is about a group of young Muslim men from England who decide they want to become suicide bombers. The problem is, they are incredibly incompetent and clueless. Their attempts to plan and carry out a terrorist attack are hilariously disastrous. The movie manages to be funny while also making you think about serious issues.
   “Four Lions,” like movies like The Dictator, uses comedy to tackle very sensitive and potentially controversial subjects. Both films feature characters who are misguided and often absurd in their beliefs and actions. The humor comes from their incompetence and the ridiculous situations they get themselves into. If you appreciate comedies that aren’t afraid to go to dark places for a laugh, “Four Lions” is a powerful and funny film.

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8. Tropic Thunder (2008)
   A group of prima donna actors are sent to Southeast Asia to film a big-budget war movie. To make it more realistic, their frustrated director drops them in the middle of a real jungle, planning to film them with hidden cameras. The actors, still thinking it’s all part of the movie, stumble into a real conflict with a drug-dealing gang.
   While not directly about a dictator, “Tropic Thunder” shares the over-the-top satirical humor of movies like The Dictator. It pokes fun at Hollywood, actors, and the making of war films with a similar level of outrageousness. Both films feature characters who are completely out of touch with reality, leading to hilarious consequences. The commitment to absurd and sometimes offensive jokes is a strong link between these two comedies.

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9. The Death of Stalin (2017)
   This dark comedy is set in the Soviet Union in 1953, right after the dictator Joseph Stalin dies. His top ministers and advisors immediately start scrambling and fighting for power. It’s a chaotic and hilarious look at the paranoia, backstabbing, and sheer incompetence that follows the death of a feared leader. The characters are all trying to outmaneuver each other, leading to absurd situations.
   “The Death of Stalin” is a brilliant political satire that, much like movies like The Dictator, finds humor in the workings of an authoritarian regime. While “The Dictator” focuses on the leader himself, this film explores the power vacuum and chaos that ensues when such a leader is gone. Both films use sharp wit and absurd comedy to critique political systems built on fear and control. The portrayal of bumbling, power-hungry officials is a common thread.

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10. Coming to America (1988)
    Prince Akeem Joffer is the pampered crown prince of the wealthy African nation of Zamunda. On his 21st birthday, he’s supposed to marry a woman he’s never met. Instead, he decides to travel to America – specifically, Queens, New York – to find a woman who will love him for himself, not for his title. He and his loyal aide Semmi pretend to be poor students, leading to many funny cultural misunderstandings.
    While “Coming to America” is much sweeter and less edgy than movies like The Dictator, it shares the “fish-out-of-water” theme of royalty experiencing American life. Both Akeem and Aladeen are powerful figures from foreign lands who find themselves in unfamiliar and often comical situations in New York City. The humor in both films comes from cultural clashes and the characters’ adjustments to a new environment, though “Coming to America” has a more romantic and feel-good vibe.

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11. Zoolander (2001)
    Derek Zoolander is a really, really, ridiculously good-looking male model. But he’s also not very bright. When a new, younger model named Hansel steals his spotlight, Derek’s career takes a nosedive. He then gets tricked by an evil fashion designer, Mugatu, into a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia because he wants to end child labor, which would hurt the fashion industry.
    “Zoolander” uses absurd humor and satire, much like movies like The Dictator. Both films feature clueless main characters who get caught up in outlandish political plots. While Aladeen is a political leader and Derek is a fashion model, they both operate in worlds filled with exaggerated personalities and ridiculous situations. The over-the-top villain and the silly, almost cartoonish, nature of the comedy are strong similarities.

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12. The Campaign (2012)
    Cam Brady is a long-term Congressman who usually runs unopposed. But when he makes a big public mistake, two super-rich CEOs decide to put up a rival candidate: the naive and awkward local tourism director, Marty Huggins. What follows is a hilariously dirty and ridiculous political campaign as both candidates try to win the election by any means necessary.
    “The Campaign” focuses on American politics, but its satirical take on power-hungry and often incompetent politicians echoes the themes in movies like The Dictator. Both films use humor to expose the absurdity and flaws in political systems and the people who run them. The over-the-top antics of the candidates and the way they manipulate public perception for their own gain will remind you of Aladeen’s own self-serving behavior.

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13. Bananas (1971)
    Woody Allen plays Fielding Mellish, a clumsy product tester from New York. After a breakup, he travels to the fictional Latin American country of San Marcos and accidentally gets involved in a revolution. Somehow, he ends up becoming the president of San Marcos, even though he has no idea what he’s doing. The movie is full of slapstick humor and witty one-liners.
    “Bananas” is an early example of a political satire that shares a comedic spirit with movies like The Dictator. Both films feature an unlikely and unprepared individual who finds themselves in a position of immense political power in a fictional, somewhat chaotic nation. The humor in both comes from the absurdity of the situation and the protagonist’s ineptitude as a leader. Woody Allen’s character, like Aladeen, creates chaos wherever he goes.

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14. Idiocracy (2006)
    Joe Bauers, an average Army librarian, is chosen for a top-secret hibernation experiment. He’s supposed to wake up in a year, but things go wrong, and he wakes up 500 years in the future. He discovers that society has become incredibly dumb. People are obsessed with junk food, reality TV, and crude humor. Because he’s now the smartest person on Earth, he’s tasked with solving the world’s biggest problems, like food shortages.
    While “Idiocracy” is more of a social satire than a direct political one like movies like The Dictator, it shares a similar sense of outrageously dumb characters and a world gone mad. Both films use exaggerated scenarios to comment on current trends and human folly. The way the future society in “Idiocracy” is run by incompetent and clueless individuals mirrors the kind of leadership Aladeen represents in his own absurd way.

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15. Wag the Dog (1997)
    Just days before a presidential election, the President of the United States gets caught in a sex scandal. To distract the public, a top White House spin doctor hires a Hollywood producer to invent a fake war with Albania. They create fake news footage, patriotic songs, and even a war hero, all to manipulate public opinion and save the election.
    “Wag the Dog” is a sharp satire on politics, media manipulation, and how easily public perception can be shaped, which aligns with themes present in movies like The Dictator. Both films explore how those in power use propaganda and deception for their own benefit. While “The Dictator” does this through the actions of a single, over-the-top leader, “Wag the Dog” shows the more calculated and cynical machinery behind political spin.

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16. Thank You for Smoking (2005)
    Nick Naylor is the chief spokesman for Big Tobacco. His job is to defend the cigarette industry and spin a positive image, even though everyone knows smoking is bad for you. He’s incredibly good at his job, using charm and clever arguments to win debates and fight against anti-smoking campaigns. The movie is a witty look at lobbying and corporate spin.
    “Thank You for Smoking” offers a satirical look at a character who, much like Aladeen in movies like The Dictator, is charismatic and manipulative, even when promoting something questionable. Both films use sharp dialogue and humor to explore how individuals can use their power and influence, often for morally ambiguous ends. The focus on a protagonist who is skilled at public relations, regardless of the “product,” is a common link.

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17. Canadian Bacon (1995)
    The U.S. President’s approval ratings are terrible. To boost his popularity, his advisors decide that America needs a new enemy. After ruling out Russia, they decide to start a fake Cold War with… Canada! A bumbling American sheriff and his deputies take the propaganda seriously and decide to “invade” Canada, leading to hilarious and unexpected consequences.
    “Canadian Bacon” is a broad political satire that, like movies like The Dictator, pokes fun at nationalism, jingoism, and the absurd lengths politicians will go to for popularity. Both films feature somewhat incompetent leaders and followers who get caught up in ridiculous international situations. The idea of a manufactured enemy and the silly execution of a “war” effort are reminiscent of the over-the-top political scenarios seen with Aladeen.

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18. Hot Fuzz (2007)
    Nicholas Angel is London’s top cop – so good, in fact, that he’s making everyone else look bad. So, his superiors transfer him to the quiet, seemingly crime-free village of Sandford. He’s partnered with a well-meaning but clueless local cop who loves action movies. At first, Sandford seems boring, but soon, a series of gruesome “accidents” makes Angel suspect something sinister is going on.
    While “Hot Fuzz” is more of an action-comedy and a parody of cop movies, its satirical edge and portrayal of a seemingly idyllic community hiding a dark secret can be compared to the way movies like The Dictator expose the absurdity beneath a façade of order. Both films use humor to critique systems of control, whether it’s a village council or a dictatorship, and feature protagonists who uncover uncomfortable truths. The blend of sharp wit and over-the-top action also connects them.

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19. Jojo Rabbit (2019)
    This film is set in Nazi Germany during World War II. Jojo is a lonely German boy whose only friend is his imaginary version of Adolf Hitler (played in a very silly way). Jojo is a dedicated member of the Hitler Youth, but his world is turned upside down when he discovers his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. It’s a story that mixes humor with very serious themes.
    “Jojo Rabbit,” like movies like The Dictator, uses satire to deal with incredibly dark and serious subject matter, in this case, Nazism. Both films feature powerful, dictatorial figures (one real, one imaginary, but both portrayed with comedic absurdity) and explore themes of indoctrination and propaganda. The way “Jojo Rabbit” finds humor and humanity in a terrifying historical context, while still condemning the ideology, is a bold comedic approach similar to Sacha Baron Cohen’s style.

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20. The Great Dictator (1940)
    Charlie Chaplin plays two roles in this classic film: a ruthless dictator named Adenoid Hynkel (who looks a lot like Adolf Hitler) and a poor Jewish barber who happens to look exactly like Hynkel. When the barber is mistaken for the dictator, he ends up having to give a big speech. It’s a brave and funny movie that was made while Hitler was still in power.
    “The Great Dictator” is a pioneering political satire and a clear inspiration for movies like The Dictator. Both films feature comedic portrayals of tyrannical leaders, using humor to mock their egotism and cruelty. Sacha Baron Cohen’s Aladeen definitely channels some of the same energy as Chaplin’s Hynkel. Both films use mistaken identity and farcical situations to make powerful statements about freedom and humanity in the face of oppression.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What makes a movie “like The Dictator”?
Movies like “The Dictator” usually have a few things in common. They often feature a main character who is a powerful, over-the-top leader, or someone who gets caught up in big political messes. These films use satire, which means they use humor, irony, or exaggeration to make fun of and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, especially in politics. They often have a “fish-out-of-water” theme, where a character is in a completely new and strange environment, leading to funny situations. The humor can be bold, edgy, and sometimes even a bit shocking, similar to other Sacha Baron Cohen films.

Why is “The Dictator” considered a political satire?
“The Dictator” is a political satire because it pokes fun at real-world dictators, authoritarian governments, and even some aspects of Western democracy. Admiral General Aladeen is a ridiculous, exaggerated version of a totalitarian ruler. The movie uses his absurd beliefs and actions to highlight the silliness and danger of unchecked power, propaganda, and oppression. It makes us laugh at these serious topics, but also makes us think about them.

Are all these movies comedies?
Yes, all the movies on this list are primarily comedies, or at least have very strong comedic elements. However, many of them, like “The Dictator” itself, also deal with serious themes and use humor to explore them. Some are dark comedies, meaning they find humor in subjects that are usually considered dark or sad. So, while you’ll be laughing, you might also be thinking!

Do I need to know a lot about politics to enjoy these movies?
Not at all! While many of these movies like The Dictator make fun of political ideas or situations, they are designed to be funny for a wide audience. The humor often comes from the characters’ personalities, silly situations, and witty dialogue, rather than deep political knowledge. You’ll be able to enjoy the laughs even if you don’t follow politics closely.

Where can I watch these movies?
We’ve included a table for each movie showing some of the popular streaming platforms where you might find them. Keep in mind that availability can change, so it’s always a good idea to check your favorite streaming service or rental platform. Some movies might be available with a subscription, while others you might need to rent or buy.

Are these movies suitable for all ages?
Many of these films, including “The Dictator,” have mature themes, strong language, and adult humor. They are generally rated for older teens and adults (often R-rated or equivalent). It’s always a good idea to check the movie’s rating and parental guidance information before watching, especially if younger viewers are present. The humor can be quite edgy and provocative.