If You Liked the TV Series “The Office”, Then You Definitely Need to Watch the Next Film in the Series.
Since its nine-season conclusion in 2013 , The Office has become even more influential. Thanks to endless reruns and availability on streaming platforms, the show has become a social nexus—no matter who you are, you’ve watched The Office (probably more than once, with the exception of the episode “Scott’s Kids,” which is simply too awkward (albeit hilarious!) for anyone to watch twice). If you’ve just finished your sixth rerun and watched all the recommended shows similar to The Office , it’s time to watch David Brent: Life on the Road .
Why ‘The Office’ Fans Should Watch ‘David Brent: Life on the Road’
If you’re a big fan of The Office , you’ve almost certainly watched the original British version, created by Ricky Gervais. While the original series certainly has a different tone than the American version, all the elements are present—especially Gervais’s performance as David Brent, a slightly more brutal Michael Scott.
That’s why “David Brent: Life on the Road” is a must-watch for fans of “The Office.” It picks up Brent’s story after the series ended and deeply explores his character. No longer the boss, Brent works as a sales representative—and finds himself in the same situation as his employees: unhappy at work and mistreated by many of his colleagues. However, instead of reflecting on himself, Brent decides to make a desperate attempt to become a music star, spending his entire retirement savings to hire a band and go on a short tour during his vacation.
David Brent: Life on the Road is largely free of office work, but it possesses the same mastery of awkward comedy you love so much about the show. Brent, as always, starts out pompous, unself-aware, and oddly self-assured, but—like Michael in the American series—he gradually becomes more human, learning to make genuine human connections. Along the way, the film is full of awkward comedic moments and hilarious scenes, executed in the same mockumentary style as the original series and the American adaptation. If you’re looking for something similar to while away the time before your next series binge, this is the perfect choice. Watch David Brent: Life on the Road on Netflix .
Here are a few more movies worth watching for fans of The Office.
If all this has left you wanting to watch more comedies or mockumentaries about office life that do a good job of delivering awkward comedy, don’t worry: here are some more movies that fans of The Office will enjoy.
Office Space (1999)
No modern comedy captures the slow, grueling grind of work life quite like Office Space . If you loved how The Office explored the personalities and petty squabbles between coworkers that come to dominate our 9-to-5 lives, then this story of a man who decides his job simply doesn’t matter (and who finds himself embroiled in a ridiculous criminal scheme ripped straight from Superman III, by the way) is a perfect choice. The film explores what we sell to our employers, the rage that working for a living can evoke ( this scene touches literally everyone who watches it), and the hilarious absurdity of office life. Rent Office Space on Prime Video .
Apartment (1960)
Office culture and its corrupting influence on human nature have long been a staple of comedies, and Billy Wilder’s 1960 masterpiece remains relevant today. Jack Lemmon plays a downtrodden, ambitious office clerk at a large insurance company who allows executives to use his bachelor pad as a date spot, hoping to win over his colleagues. It’s both a satire of corporate culture and a love story, and modern fans of The Office will find many of its jokes still relevant today. Watch The Apartment on Kanopy or Tubi , or rent it on Prime Video .
The Clock Watchers (1997)
“Clock Watchers” offers a different kind of humor and explores a type of work that’s practically nonexistent today: long-term temp work. But if your favorite part of “The Office” is how it satirizes work culture and office dynamics, then this film is for you. Toni Collette plays Iris, a young woman who takes a temp job at a mid-sized financial services company. She romances other temps (including the always-great Parker Posey and Lisa Kudrow) and learns the ins and outs of this stressful, darkly humorous office. Anyone who’s ever found themselves stuck at work will understand the peculiar madness that ensues—the same madness that underlies this film’s humor. Watch “Clock Watchers” on Hoopla or Tubi , or rent it on Prime Video .
Office Christmas Party (2016)
Are your favorite episodes of The Office the ones where order is disrupted and chaos reigns, like the Christmas party episode, the opening fire scene, or the Office Olympics? Then watch “Office Christmas Party.” A financially strapped office is ordered to cancel bonuses and a holiday party, but the CTO and branch manager throw the party anyway in an attempt to land a major client. The phrase “chaos ensues” doesn’t even begin to describe the events that follow, which include extensive property damage, arrests, and several hospitalizations. If you loved Dwight and Jim’s pranks and Michael’s penchant for going overboard, you’ll love this episode. Watch “Office Christmas Party” on Paramount+ or rent it on Prime Video .
Waiting for Guffman (1997)
If you’re a fan of the mockumentary format perfected by The Office , then Waiting for Guffman is the perfect choice. The story follows an amateur theater troupe planning a play for the town’s 150th anniversary, led by energetic director Corky St. Clair (Christopher Guest). The film captures Michael Scott’s naive approach to leading the team and his skills in improvisational comedy as the oddballs of Blaine, Missouri, come together to stage a play that proves far more memorable than good. Watch Waiting for Guffman on Prime Video .