25+ Movies & TV Shows Similar to Forgetting Sarah Marshall

If you’ve watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall once and then “accidentally” watched it three more times, you’re in the right place. Jason Segel’s heartbreak vacation in Hawaii somehow makes breakups look warm, funny, and oddly hopeful. So what do you watch next when you crave that same mix of raunchy humor, romantic chaos, and genuine emotional growth? This guide rounds up 25+ movies and TV shows like Forgetting Sarah Marshall that deliver on laughs, love, and relatable disaster energy.

From other Judd Apatow–adjacent comedies to modern rom-coms with messy main characters, these picks channel the same vibe: people trying (and failing) to get their lives together while cracking jokes and catching feelings along the way.

What Makes Forgetting Sarah Marshall So Rewatchable?

Before we dive into the recommendations, it helps to understand why Forgetting Sarah Marshall works so well. Released in 2008, the film follows Peter Bretter (Jason Segel), a TV composer who escapes to Hawaii after a brutal breakup with actress Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell). When he arrives, he discovers she’s at the same resort with her new rockstar boyfriend Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Cue emotional meltdown, new romance with hotel staffer Rachel (Mila Kunis), and an unforgettable Dracula puppet rock opera.

The movie hits a few key notes:

• Heartfelt but raunchy humor: It balances crude jokes with real vulnerability instead of relying on mean-spirited gags.
• Relatable breakup energy: Peter’s post-breakup spiral feels very human (just with better scenery and funnier one-liners).
• Ensemble chemistry: The supporting characters feel like people you’d actually want to hang out withespecially on a tropical island.
• A genuine emotional arc: It’s not just about getting over someone; it’s about growing up, moving on, and figuring out who you are after a relationship ends.

So the best movies and shows like Forgetting Sarah Marshall tend to mix comedy with romance, personal growth, and a bit of chaos. Let’s get into the list.

Movies Like Forgetting Sarah Marshall

1. Get Him to the Greek (2010)

If you loved Aldous Snow, this is the obvious first stop. Get Him to the Greek is a spin-off centered on Russell Brand’s wild rockstar character. A record label employee has to escort Aldous to a concert, and naturally everything goes off the rails. It keeps the same outrageous humor and emotional undercurrent about fame, addiction, and messed-up relationships.

2. Knocked Up (2007)

Another Judd Apatow–produced favorite, Knocked Up pairs a messy slacker (Seth Rogen) with a driven TV personality (Katherine Heigl) after a one-night stand leads to an unexpected pregnancy. The movie mines humor from adult responsibilities, growing up late, and trying to make a real relationship out of an awkward situationmuch like Peter trying to rebuild his life post-breakup.

3. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

If your favorite thing about Forgetting Sarah Marshall is the combination of crude jokes and surprising sweetness, The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a must-watch. Steve Carell’s character is hilariously sheltered but incredibly kind, and the movie leans into awkward dating scenarios, supportive friends, and late-blooming self-discovery.

4. I Love You, Man (2009)

Want more Jason Segel? I Love You, Man follows a groom-to-be (Paul Rudd) who realizes he has no close male friends, then “dates” new buddies until he meets Sydney (Segel), a hilariously laid-back wildcard. While it’s more of a bromance than a romance, it shares that same warm, awkward, emotionally honest tone.

5. Bridesmaids (2011)

Think of Bridesmaids as the chaotic cousin of Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Kristen Wiig’s character spirals when her best friend gets engaged, and her life starts falling apart piece by piece. The film mixes gross-out comedy, sharp dialogue, and a surprisingly tender story about friendship and self-worthperfect if you enjoy watching characters hit rock bottom and then slowly climb back up.

6. Trainwreck (2015)

Written by and starring Amy Schumer, Trainwreck flips the script by making the commitment-phobic disaster a woman who falls for a genuinely nice guy. Like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, it’s filthy, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt, showing how emotional walls slowly come down when the right person walks in.

7. The Big Sick (2017)

The Big Sick is more grounded but hits a similar blend of humor and heartbreak. Inspired by Kumail Nanjiani’s real-life romance, it follows an aspiring comedian whose relationship is tested when his girlfriend falls into a coma. The jokes are sharp, the family dynamics are rich, and the emotional payoff is huge.

8. There’s Something About Mary (1998)

This classic rom-com leans harder into absurdity, but it shares the “guy still hung up on the one that got away” theme. Ben Stiller’s character tries to reconnect with his high school crush Mary, only to get tangled in a web of weird suitors and increasingly outrageous gags. It’s more chaotic than Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but the underlying premiseromantic obsession mixed with cringe-worthy misstepsis very familiar.

9. Wedding Crashers (2005)

If Aldous Snow is your spirit animal and you prefer your comedies extra rowdy, Wedding Crashers is a great pick. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn play buddies who crash weddings to hook up with guests, until one of them actually catches feelings. The film mixes bromance, romance, and outlandish party antics, much like the resort antics in Hawaii.

10. Role Models (2008)

Starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, Role Models is about two screwups forced into a mentorship program as community service. It’s full of awkward, inappropriate humor, but it also sneaks up with emotional beats about responsibility, self-respect, and becoming a better version of yourselfsimilar to Peter finding purpose beyond his failed relationship.

11. Superbad (2007)

If you enjoyed the Apatow-style comedy DNA and Jonah Hill’s energy, Superbad is essential viewing. It’s about two best friends trying to make the most of their final days of high school by chasing a big night out. While it’s more teen-focused, it shares that relatable blend of insecurity, humor, and emotional honesty.

12. Old School (2003)

Old School leans harder into absurdist, frat-style comedy, but it fits the “adult who doesn’t quite feel like an adult yet” theme. A group of guys starts a fraternity to reclaim their youth, and the movie turns midlife crisis into a joke-filled spectacle. If you like the man-child energy in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, you’ll feel right at home here.

13. Couples Retreat (2009)

Want more tropical relationship chaos? Couples Retreat follows four couples at a therapy resort that turns into an emotional bootcamp. It isn’t as sharp as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but it offers a similar vacation setting, relationship drama, and comedy about people trying to fix themselves and their partners.

14. She’s Out of My League (2010)

This rom-com leans heavily into insecurity and self-worthkey themes in Peter’s journey. An average guy starts dating a woman everyone considers “out of his league,” and his own doubts threaten the relationship. If you rooted for Peter to stop beating himself up, you’ll appreciate the arc here.

15. The Heartbreak Kid (2007)

Another breakup-heavy comedy, The Heartbreak Kid follows a newlywed who realizes he married the wrong person and then falls for someone else on his honeymoon. It’s darker and more cynical than Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but it’s built around similar themes of romantic regret, misguided choices, and starting over.

16. Palm Springs (2020)

If you like your existential crises with a sci-fi twist, Palm Springs is a clever, time-loop rom-com about two wedding guests stuck reliving the same day. It shares that “we’re stuck together in paradise, so we might as well deal with our issues” energy, plus a sharp script and surprisingly emotional core.

17. Splitsville (2025)

Splitsville is a more recent, edgier comedy about non-monogamous couples who are way less emotionally evolved than they think. It uses wild set pieces (and some very bold nudity) to explore jealousy, betrayal, and the chaos of modern relationships. Fans of Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s fearless, vulnerable comedy will find a lot to appreciate here.

TV Shows With the Same Vibe

18. Love (2016–2018)

Produced by Judd Apatow, this Netflix dramedy follows Mickey and Gus, two very flawed people trying to make a relationship work despite addiction, emotional baggage, and general awkwardness. It’s slower and more grounded than Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but it has the same “romance plus therapy in disguise” tone and sharp, uncomfortable humor.

19. How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014)

If you watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall and thought, “I need more Jason Segel in my life,” How I Met Your Mother delivers. Segel plays Marshall Eriksen, one of TV’s sweetest partners, in a comedy about friendships, relationships, and the long, messy road to “the one.” It has plenty of romantic mishaps and emotional arcs that feel spiritually related to Peter’s journey.

20. Shrinking (2023– )

In this Apple TV+ series, Jason Segel plays a grieving therapist who starts saying exactly what he thinks to his patients. It’s funny, emotional, and centered on healing after lossvery on-theme if you enjoyed the vulnerable side of Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The show also explores friendship and found family in a way that echoes the supportive side characters at the Hawaiian resort.

21. Veronica Mars (2004–2019)

If your favorite thing about Forgetting Sarah Marshall is Kristen Bell, don’t sleep on her iconic role in Veronica Mars. While it’s more mystery than rom-com, it features sharp writing, messy relationships, and a smart, emotionally complex lead character. You’ll also get to see Bell’s range beyond playing a slightly self-absorbed TV star.

22. Nobody Wants This (2025– )

This newer series starring Kristen Bell leans into the awkward, vulnerable side of adulthoodcareer struggles, relationship shifts, and the creeping suspicion that everyone else knows what they’re doing. If you love character-driven comedy that still swings for emotional impact, it’s a strong follow-up pick.

23. Platonic (2023– )

Created by Nicholas Stoller (who directed Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Platonic explores a chaotic, strictly-friends relationship between former best friends played by Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen. It dives into midlife crisis, changing identities, and the mess of “growing up” even when you’re already technically an adult. The tonefunny, messy, heartfeltwill feel very familiar.

24. Love Life (2020–2021)

Love Life tracks one character’s romantic experiences over several years, showing how each relationship shapes who they become. It’s basically the extended universe of “What if we dissected every ‘Sarah Marshall’ moment in a person’s life?” Romantic disappointments, near-misses, and self-discovery are all part of the package.

25. Master of None (2015–2021)

This thoughtful dramedy blends comedy, romance, and relatable confusion about adulthood. While it’s quieter and more introspective than Forgetting Sarah Marshall, it explores similar themes: career uncertainty, relationships that don’t work out, and the strange gap between what we imagined for our lives and what we actually get.

26. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2019)

If you loved the Dracula puppet rock opera, this one is a no-brainer. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a musical comedy about a woman who moves across the country to chase an old crush, only to realize her romantic idealism is covering deeper mental health struggles. It’s sharp, self-aware, and full of catchy songs that poke fun at rom-com tropes.

How to Choose Your Next Watch

With so many movies and TV shows like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, how do you decide what to watch next? Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Craving more Hawaiian vacation chaos? Try Couples Retreat or Palm Springs.
• Want the same Apatow-style comedy DNA? Go for Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Bridesmaids, or the series Love.
• Need more Jason Segel energy? Turn to I Love You, Man, How I Met Your Mother, or Shrinking.
• Obsessed with the supporting cast? Follow Kristen Bell to Veronica Mars and Nobody Wants This, or Russell Brand to Get Him to the Greek.
• Looking for breakup therapy in disguise? The Big Sick, Splitsville, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend all dig into heartbreak and healing.

No matter what you pick, you’re signing up for relatable chaos, messy feelings, and at least one character who absolutely should not be in charge of their own lifebut somehow is.

Real-Life Viewing Experiences: What It’s Like to Binge Movies & Shows Like Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Watching Forgetting Sarah Marshall hits differently depending on where you are in your own life. That’s part of why movies and TV shows with a similar feel can be so comfortingthey mirror whatever phase of emotional chaos you’re currently in.

When You’re Fresh Out of a Breakup

If you’re newly single, rewatching Peter sobbing in a hotel room while everyone around him enjoys paradise doesn’t feel like just a jokeit feels like a documentary. Movies like The Big Sick, There’s Something About Mary, or Trainwreck become soft therapy: you get to see other people’s romantic disasters, laugh at them, and secretly feel a little less alone.

Viewers in that headspace often gravitate toward movies where the main character is forced to sit in their discomfortlike Palm Springs, where the time loop basically traps characters in the emotional mess they’ve been trying to outrun. It’s relatable: you can’t fast-forward through the healing process, no matter how much you wish you could.

When You’re Settled but Still a Bit of a Mess

On the flip side, people who are already in long-term relationships or married often connect with the “midlife chaos” stories. Shows like Platonic or Shrinking resonate because they’re not about first lovethey’re about second chances, burnout, and figuring out who you are now that your twenties are long gone.

Many fans describe watching these series as strangely reassuring. Yes, the characters make bad choices. Yes, they say the wrong thing at the worst time. But they also keep evolving. Just like Peter going from devastated ex to guy with a weird but brilliant puppet musical, these shows remind you that you’re allowed to reinvent yourself later in life.

Friendship, Found Family, and the Background Characters You End Up Loving Most

One of the most underrated things about Forgetting Sarah Marshall is that while the plot revolves around a breakup and a new romance, it’s the side characters and friendships that make the movie feel cozy. The surf instructor, the bartender, the newlywedsthey all add texture and warmth.

That pattern shows up again and again in similar movies and series. In I Love You, Man, the “bromance” is more compelling than the central romance. In How I Met Your Mother, the friend group is the real love story. In Love and Master of None, the side characters often steal entire episodes and remind you that life isn’t just about romantic relationshipsit’s about the people who show up for you in all your weird phases.

Why These Stories Are Perfect Comfort Watches

What makes all these titles endlessly rewatchable is the same thing that keeps people returning to Forgetting Sarah Marshall year after year: they’re funny, but they’re not empty. Beneath the nude scenes, drunk arguments, and spectacularly bad decisions, there’s a message that feels genuinely comforting:

• You are allowed to fall apart.
• You are allowed to be ridiculous.
• You are allowed to start over as many times as you need.

Fans often report that their relationship with these movies and shows changes over time. What felt like edgy comedy in college starts to feel like bittersweet nostalgia in your thirties. Lines that once made you laugh now hit in a “wow, that’s uncomfortably real” way. And that’s the beauty of this whole mini-genre: it grows with you.

So whether you’re nursing a broken heart, procrastinating on your to-do list, or just craving a comfort rewatch, you’ve got plenty of titles to keep you company. Queue up a few of the movies and shows above, grab your favorite snack, and let someone else make the bad choices for a whileyou’ve earned a little emotional vacation.