If You Liked the Paper, Then You Should Definitely Check Out the Next Film in the Series.
“The Paper” isn’t exactly a sequel to “The Office” —despite existing in the same universe and featuring the character Oscar Nunez (played by former “The Office” actor Oscar Martinez), it’s a distinctly independent enterprise. Unlike Michael Scott, Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson) has a noble goal: saving the Toledo Truth Teller from the sad fate of most local newspapers, and this shift in focus gives “The Paper” its own identity. Still, it’s just as hilarious as “The Office,” full of the same mockumentary-style comedy scenes and ridiculous antics (thanks in large part to Sabrina Impacciatore’s Esmeralda, who’s like Michael and Dwight rolled into one terrific character).
If you’ve already watched the first two seasons of the series and all the available online services , the next step is obvious: watch the 1994 film “The Paper.”
“The Newspaper” is a hilarious newspaper story on a larger scale.
Although the series and film share a title, there’s no direct connection between them—but they’re far more similar than you might think. Both explore the slow, painful decline of journalism in America; Ned wants to restore the Truth Teller to a newspaper-like status, while city editor Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) wants to save The New York Sun from (you guessed it) drastic budget cuts and owners more interested in asset monetization than quality journalism.
Directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by David Koepp and his brother Stephen (then an editor at Time magazine), the 1994 film The Paperwork offers a very different style of comedy than The Paperwork’s mockumentary approach—it’s rougher, sharper, and in the tradition of fast-paced, chatty screwball comedy. But it’s just as funny, from the whirlwind of overheard conversations in a bustling newsroom (it’s worth watching multiple times to catch all the little jokes) to the way Keaton’s performance increasingly approaches Beetlejuice levels as the pressure mounts on Henry (seriously, by the end of the infamous phone call scene, he practically embodies the undead exorcist).
If you’re looking for a comedy like “The Paper” on Peacock that celebrates journalism and the people who care about it, you’ll love this film. It also boasts a terrific cast: Keaton, at her absolute peak, features Glenn Close, Robert Duvall, and Marisa Tomei, as well as Jason Alexander and Catherine O’Hara in small but memorable roles. And if major tabloid newspapers like “The New York Sun” are all but extinct, that’s part of what makes the film so effective—like the series, it begins with the premise that these newspapers and the people who work there are important and admirable. Rent “The Paper” on Prime Video .
More movies like The Paper
Looking for a more casual journalistic atmosphere than The Paper (and The Paper ) offers? Read on to find even more films that fans of the series will love.
Broadcast News (1987)
James L. Brooks’s Broadcast News, a huge critical and box office success in 1987, is more tragicomedy than straight-up comedy, though it has plenty of hilarious moments, including a scene where rookie news anchor Aaron (Albert Brooks) can’t stop sweating during his finest hour on camera. Holly Hunter plays a shrewd producer torn between her journalistic ethics and her attraction to the charming but not particularly smart (or ethical) new anchor, played by a hilariously confused William Hurt. The journalistic context and concerns about the destruction of an institution by corporate interests and lost principles will resonate with fans of Broadcast News —and it’s a great film overall. Rent Broadcast News on Prime Video .
Between the Lines (1977)
Want to see another comedy set in the offices of a struggling newspaper? Then check out this forgotten classic from director Joan Micklin Silver ( Crossing Delancey ). In the mid-1970s , the Back Bay Mainline is a local alternative newspaper trying to transition from its activist roots to a more mature business. The offices are shabby, the staff is underpaid (a genuinely funny Jeff Goldblum plays music critic Max Arloft, who at one point notes that he takes home $75 a week, which is about $11,000 a year in 2026 dollars), and the question of whether their revolutionary days have really amounted to anything hangs in the air as a corporate takeover looms. The humor is more subtle, and the gender politics are, well, what you’d expect from 1976—but there’s plenty of charm. Watch Between the Lines on Kanopy or Tubi , or rent it on Prime Video .
His Girl Friday (1940)
If you’re looking for fast-paced, witty humor set against a newspaper backdrop, this film is a must-see. When newspaper editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant, in his signature style) learns that his best reporter (and ex-wife) Hildy (Rosalind Russell) is not only getting married but also quitting her career, he becomes determined to win her back and keep her at the paper. He asks her to write one last report, doing everything he can to ruin her new relationship and convince her that she’s destined to be a reporter—and with him. The dialogue is incredibly fast, hilarious, and any fan of “The Paperboy” will love it. Watch “His Girl Friday” on the Roku Channel , Kanopy , Hoopla , or Fubo , or rent it on Prime Video .
Morning Glory (2010)
This sweet, funny romantic comedy follows Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams), who takes a job as a producer on the struggling morning show DayBreak. Discovering chaos on set, she uses contractual machinations to co-host veteran anchor Mike Pomeroy (a rugged Harrison Ford) with Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton), much to his dismay. The struggle between Becky and Mike, the quest to save the show, and Becky’s fight to be taken seriously by the men around her (including her lover, fellow producer Adam (Patrick Wilson)) are full of sharp jokes and observations about the modern age of news and media—perfect for fans of The Paper . Watch Morning Glory on Kanopy or Hoopla , or rent it on Prime Video .
Best Exhibit of the Exhibition (2000)
Fans of mockumentary-style comedies will eventually find one of Christopher Guest’s classics when searching for a film . For fans of “The Paper,” the best choice on this list is “Best in Show .” Co-written with “Schitt’s Creek”‘s Eugene Levy, the script is set at a national dog show, a far cry from a tiny Midwestern newspaper, but the tone and joke structure are the same: talking-head interviews generate laughs because people are so immersed in the subculture that they don’t see how strange it all seems to outsiders. But like Ned’s belief in the power of journalism, there’s a sincerity beneath the jokes. If you enjoy the documentary approach to “The Paper,” give it a watch. “Best in Show” is available to stream on the Roku Channel , Plex , or Tubi , or rent on Prime Video .