Love action comedies? Watch these five shows after ‘Deli Boys’
Love action comedies? Watch these five shows after ‘Deli Boys’
From spy spoofs to hitmen with a heart, these action-packed comedies bring the same chaos and laughs as ‘Deli Boys.’
Hulu’s “Deli Boys” is exactly the kind of action-comedy I love - fast, funny, and in a world that’s “the same but different.” If you haven’t checked it out yet, the show follows two Pakistani-American brothers who inherit their late father’s deli, only to realize he was secretly a crime boss. What starts as a simple inheritance quickly spirals into a wild ride full of gangsters, high-stakes deals, and a whole lot of absurdity. And if you’re anything like me, once you start a great action-comedy, you tear through it way too fast.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of shows that bring the same mix of action, humor, and off-the-wall energy. It’s one of my favorite genres - I even put together a list of my top 7 action-comedy movies on streaming - so I have some thoughts on what to watch next. Whether you’re in the mood for a hitman with a heart (kind of), a dysfunctional spy agency, or a ridiculous ex-special ops hero who somehow keeps saving the day, these shows bring the perfect balance of thrills and laughs. Here’s what to stream next.
Deli Boys
When their convenience store-magnate father suddenly dies, a pair of pampered Pakistani American brothers lose everything and are forced to reckon with their Baba’s secret life of crime as they attempt to take up his mantle in the underworld.
Loved ‘Deli Boys’? Watch: ‘Barry’
If you love action comedies that balance ridiculous situations with surprisingly deep character work, “Barry” is an absolute must-watch. I can’t get enough of this show - Bill Hader is incredible as the deadpan hitman trying to become an actor, and his scenes with Henry Winkler’s washed-up acting coach are awesome. And then there’s Stephen Root as his handler, who somehow makes crime logistics hilarious. “Barry” is kind of like the reverse of “Deli Boys” – instead of being thrown into a world of crime, Barry comes from a world of crime (he’s a hitman), and his upside down world is the world of acting. Both shows have that perfect blend of action and absurdity, where every bad decision just makes things worse in the most entertaining way possible.
But “Barry” isn’t just about hitmen and awkward acting classes - it gets dark, fast. While “Deli Boys” leans into its crime world with a more comedic, family-driven angle, “Barry” takes a deeper dive into guilt, morality, and the consequences of violence. One minute, you’re laughing at NoHo Hank’s cheerful mob boss energy, and the next, you’re in a gut-wrenching moment where Barry’s past comes back to haunt him. If you loved the way “Deli Boys” mixes action and humor but want something with an even sharper edge, “Barry” is the perfect follow-up.
Barry
A hit man from the Midwest moves to Los Angeles and gets caught up in the city’s theatre arts scene.
Check out ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
If you love action comedies with a sharp ensemble cast and nonstop laughs, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” should be at the top of your watchlist. Andy Samberg leads the way as Jake Peralta, a brilliant but immature detective who treats his job at the NYPD like a game. Alongside him is an iconic lineup: Terry Crews as the protein-obsessed sergeant, Stephanie Beatriz as the no-nonsense Rosa, and of course, Andre Braugher as the hilariously deadpan Captain Holt. Like “Deli Boys,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” thrives on chaos, with its characters constantly finding themselves in over-the-top situations that somehow still make perfect sense in their world.
But while “Deli Boys” leans into crime and action from the perspective of two accidental criminals, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” flips the script with a squad of detectives who, despite their quirks, are actually great at their jobs. It’s got the same mix of fast-paced action and sharp comedy, but instead of gangsters and backroom deals, you’re getting elaborate heists, Halloween pranks, and stakeouts that turn into absolute disasters. If “Deli Boys” kept you entertained with its wild energy and hilarious crime capers, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is the perfect next binge - it’s just as clever, just as fun, and it’s got way more slow-motion walkouts.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
A single-camera ensemble comedy following the lives of an eclectic group of detectives in a New York precinct, including one slacker who is forced to shape up when he gets a new boss.
Don’t miss ‘Archer’
If you don’t mind a little animation with your action comedy, “Archer” is the show for you. This animated spy satire is so much fun - Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) is basically what would happen if James Bond had the personality of a self-absorbed frat bro. He’s a top-tier secret agent, but his ego, bad decisions, and never-ending mommy issues (his boss is also his mother) create chaos at every turn. The humor is sharp, the action is wild, and the rest of the cast - including the ever-sarcastic Lana, the unhinged Dr. Krieger, and the completely unpredictable Pam - makes every episode a chaotic delight. Like “Deli Boys,” “Archer” thrives on fast-paced, absurd situations where the characters’ personal dysfunction is just as entertaining as the action itself.
But while “Deli Boys” takes place in the world of family crime and accidental empire-building, “Archer” leans hard into globe-trotting espionage, with ridiculous missions that feel like a mash-up of every spy movie cliché turned up to eleven. So while it’s got the same balance of action and humor, it has a lot more absurd, over-the-top energy that constantly shifts settings, genres, and even time periods (seriously, at one point they’re in space). Part of the fun is that there’s no budget restraints on animation to go to locations / worlds that would be too expensive in a live-action TV show. If “Deli Boys” kept you hooked with its sharp dialogue and unpredictable chaos, “Archer” is the perfect next watch - just be prepared for running gags, a lot of yelling, and at least one character screaming “Danger Zone!” in every season.
Archer
Smart-mouthed superspy Sterling Archer and his dysfunctional team of secret agents turn dangerous missions into messy misadventures around the globe.
One more: ‘MacGruber’
For anyone looking for an action comedy that takes the one last leap into total absurdity, “MacGruber” is exactly what you need. This show is a hilarious, over-the-top send-up of every ’80s action movie cliché, starring Will Forte as MacGruber, a mullet-wearing, foul-mouthed, totally incompetent special ops hero who somehow always manages to save the day - usually by accident. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because “MacGruber” started as an “Saturday Night Live” sketch parodying MacGyver, then got turned into a cult-favorite 2010 movie that pushed the ridiculousness to the max. Now, the TV series picks up where the movie left off, with MacGruber getting out of prison (yes, prison) and immediately getting dragged back into another high-stakes, totally unhinged mission.
Like “Deli Boys,” “MacGruber” thrives on its mix of action and comedy, throwing its characters into dangerous situations and letting the chaos unfold. But while “Deli Boys” has a bit of a grounded crime story at its core, “MacGruber” is pure, unapologetic madness. This show cranks up the explosions, the absurd one-liners, and the completely unnecessary slow-motion shots, all while leaning into the fact that MacGruber might actually be the worst hero of all time. If you love action comedies that don’t take themselves seriously and are packed with over-the-top stunts, ridiculous villains, and a lead character who is both an idiot and somehow unstoppable, “MacGruber” is a great choice.
MacGruber
After rotting in prison for over a decade, America’s ultimate hero and uber patriot MacGruber is finally released. His mission: to take down a mysterious villain from his past—Brigadier Commander Enos Queeth. With the entire world in the crosshairs, MacGruber must reassemble his old team in order to defeat the forces of evil.
More to watch after finishing ‘Deli Boys’
‘The Boys’ | Prime Video
The Boys
A group of vigilantes known informally as “The Boys” set out to take down corrupt superheroes with no more than blue-collar grit and a willingness to fight dirty.
This show is NOT for kids, thanks to the profanity, gore, and sexual content. But it is an antidote for adult fans who might be a little bored with the stereotypical superhero fare. It’s funny, dramatic, exciting, and thought-provoking.
‘Peacemaker’ | Max
Peacemaker
The continuing story of Peacemaker, a vainglorious superhero/supervillain who believes in peace at any cost — no matter how many people he has to kill. After a miraculous recovery from his duel with Bloodsport, Peacemaker soon discovers that his freedom comes at a price.
‘Burn Notice’ | Hulu
Burn Notice
A formerly blacklisted spy uses his unique skills and training to help people in desperate situations.
‘Lethal Weapon’ | Prime Video
Lethal Weapon
A slightly unhinged former Navy SEAL lands a job as a police officer in Los Angeles where he’s partnered with a veteran detective trying to keep maintain a low stress level in his life.