If you loved
Blackadder
Richard Curtis · Series · 1983
You crave the sharp sting of biting wit and the delicious spectacle of incompetent schemers navigating absurd historical landscapes.
Books on the same thread
Discworld
Terry Pratchett · Book · 1983
Explores: Social Commentary, Bureaucracy, Anthropomorphic Personification.
If Blackadder satisfied your appetite for clever social satire and bureaucratic absurdity, the sprawling, cynical, and hilariously realized world of Terry Pratchett is your natural next destination.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket aka Daniel Handler · Book · 1999
Explores: Orphans, Conspiracy, Misfortune.
The darkly comedic tone and the parade of hilariously incompetent adults in these books mirror the cynical frustration Edmund Blackadder feels when trapped by the foolishness of those around him.
Darkmans
Nicola Barker · Book · 2007
Explores: Cyclical history, Memory and trauma, Anachronism.
Like Blackadder, this novel treats history as a recurring, farcical joke, perfect for readers who enjoy seeing the grand, tragic narratives of the past dismantled through deeply cynical, postmodern satire.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams · Book · 1979
Explores: Existentialism, Bureaucracy, The Absurd.
This story shares the same DNA as Blackadder, utilizing a dry, British sense of humor to expose the crushing weight of bureaucracy and the inherent absurdity of existence across the universe.
Films on the same thread
Blazing Saddles
Mel Brooks · Film · 1974
Explores: Racism as Satire, Political Corruption, Breaking the Fourth Wall.
Mel Brooks delivers the same brand of historical irreverence found in Blackadder, using sharp satire and anachronistic comedy to mock political corruption and the pomposity of established social structures.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Terry Jones · Film · 1975
Shares a thread with Blackadder: Satirical Comedy.
Fans of Blackadder will recognize the same brilliant commitment to historical parody and bureaucratic mockery, as a group of deeply flawed individuals blunders through a quest for meaning.
Black Adam
Jaume Collet-Serra · Film · 2022
Explores: Justice vs. Revenge, Corruption of Power, Ancient Magic.
If Blackadder hit, Black Adam shares the thread.
Army of Darkness
Sam Raimi · Film · 1992
Explores: Time Travel, Fish Out of Water, Reluctant Hero.
This film captures the fish-out-of-water frustration and dark humor of Blackadder, placing a self-serving protagonist into a medieval setting where his modern cynicism is his only real weapon.
Podcasts on the same thread
Backlisted
Backlisted · Podcast · 2026
If Blackadder hit, Backlisted shares the thread.
Bag Man
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2023
Explores: corruption, political scandal, accountability.
If Blackadder hit, Bag Man shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch Blackadder in?
Blackadder follows the lineage of the Edmund Blackadder character through British history. You can watch the series in chronological order of the historical periods depicted, starting from the Middle Ages and progressing through to the First World War as presented in the show.
Is Blackadder based on a specific historical timeline?
Blackadder traces the cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders across different eras of British history. The series spans from the muck of the Middle Ages to the frontline of the First World War, highlighting the recurring nature of the character throughout these distinct time periods.
How long does Blackadder span across history?
Blackadder spans a vast historical timeline. The series begins in the Middle Ages and concludes on the frontline of the First World War. It focuses on the lineage of the Edmund Blackadder character as he appears in these various stages of British history.
What is the premise of Blackadder?
Blackadder follows the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders throughout British history. The show explores these characters across different settings, ranging from the Middle Ages to the trenches of the First World War, examining their recurring nature through the lens of dark comedy.