What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSmiling Friends
Michael Cusack · Series · 2020
If you loved Smiling Friends, start with Mary and Max (Adam Elliot, 2009) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Smiling Friends across media.
You connected with the surreal, cynical, and surprisingly human way Smiling Friends navigates the absurdity of modern existence through unlikely pairings.
Books on the same thread
My Friends
Fredrik Backman · Book · 2025
Explores: Friendship, Aging, Memory.
Like the dynamic between Charlie and Pim in Smiling Friends, this story explores the messy, powerful bonds of friendship while grounding its humor in the reality of human connection.
Ghost World
Daniel Clowes · Book · 2001
Explores: Teenage angst, Female friendship, Existential dread.
If you appreciated the social alienation and existential dread found in Smiling Friends, you will recognize that same sharp, cynical observation of the world within these teenage perspectives.
Smile
Raina Telgemeier · Book
Explores: adolescent anxiety, self-discovery, dental trauma.
While more grounded than Smiling Friends, this memoir shares that specific focus on navigating uncomfortable personal anxieties and the awkward, often painful, process of finding one's place in society.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket aka Daniel Handler · Book · 1999
Shares a thread with Smiling Friends: Existentialism.
The darkly comedic tone and the struggle against incompetent adults and bizarre circumstances mirror the chaotic, satirical world-building that makes Smiling Friends such a uniquely unsettling viewing experience.
Films on the same thread
Monsters, Inc.
Pete Docter · Film · 2001
Explores: Friendship, Overcoming Fear, Found Family.
This film captures the core buddy comedy dynamic seen in Smiling Friends, where a cheerful optimist and a skeptical partner must navigate a world that is fundamentally strange.
Mary and Max
Adam Elliot · Film · 2009
Shares a thread with Smiling Friends: Dark Comedy.
This story mirrors the dark, animated aesthetic and the exploration of deep social isolation found in Smiling Friends, focusing on the unlikely connection between two deeply lonely individuals.
Office Space
Mike Judge · Film · 1999
Explores: Corporate Disillusionment, Rebellion, Existential Crisis.
If the corporate satire of Smiling Friends resonated with you, this film serves as the definitive take on soul-killing employment and the desperate need to break free from cynicism.
It's Such a Beautiful Day
Don Hertzfeldt · Film · 2012
Explores: Existential Crisis, Mental Breakdown, Memory and Identity.
This film mirrors the experimental, existential animation style of Smiling Friends, diving deep into the shattered psyche of its protagonist with a blend of dark comedy and profound melancholy.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
Much like the misadventures in Smiling Friends, this podcast uses self-deprecating humor and awkward social interactions to peel back the layers of professional intimacy and modern, lonely public life.
The Tim Dillon Show
Podcast
Shares a thread with Smiling Friends: dark comedy.
This show channels the same cynical, apocalyptic, and absurdist social commentary that defines the worldview of Smiling Friends, presenting a comedic tour of a world that feels permanently broken.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Smiling Friends about a specific company?
Yes, Smiling Friends centers on Smiling Friends Inc., a small organization dedicated to bringing happiness to others. The series follows employees Charlie and Pim as they navigate the day-to-day operations and unexpected misadventures involved in trying to comfort the troubled people who call their company hotline.
What is the primary goal of the characters in Smiling Friends?
The main purpose of the representatives at Smiling Friends Inc. is to bring happiness and make people smile. Charlie and Pim work to fulfill requests from clients who call their hotline, though these jobs frequently turn into complicated or difficult situations for the two employees.
Who are the main characters featured in Smiling Friends?
The series Smiling Friends follows two representatives of the company: Charlie, who is characterized as lazy and cynical, and Pim, who is described as cheerful and optimistic. Together, they attempt to cheer up and comfort the various troubled individuals who contact their company for assistance.
How would you describe the premise of Smiling Friends?
Smiling Friends follows the misadventures of employees at a company designed to bring happiness to others. While the hotline receives requests that appear simple, the representatives Charlie and Pim often find that their efforts to comfort callers result in complex and challenging situations throughout the series.