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10 Fantastic Shows To Watch if You Love 'Bugonia'

Michelle with her head shaved, covered in cream, wearing a burgundy coat, looking up from a basement cot.Image via Focus Features

By Anja Djuricic Published 7 minutes ago Anja Djuricic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1992. Her first interest in film started very early, as she learned to speak English by watching Disney animated movies (and many, many reruns). Anja soon became inspired to learn more foreign languages to understand more movies, so she entered the Japanese language and literature Bachelor Studies at the University of Belgrade. Anja is also one of the founders of the DJ duo Vazda Garant, specializing in underground electronic music influenced by various electronic genres. Anja loves to do puzzles in her spare time, pet cats wherever she meets them, and play The Sims. Anja's Letterboxd four includes Memories of Murder, Parasite, Nope, and The Road to El Dorado. Sign in to your Collider account Add Us On follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Bugonia is the latest box office and critical wonder from Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, starring his frequent collaborators Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. Bugonia is a black comedy and a remake of the South Korean film Save the Green Planet! by director Jang Joon-hwan. Jang was meant to direct the remake, too, but Lanthimos stepped in and gave the movie his own signature flavor.

Bugonia follows the conspiracy theorist Teddy Getz (Plemons) and his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis), who kidnap the wealthy pharmaceutical CEO Michelle Fuller (Stone) because Teddy believes Michelle is an alien in human disguise who's come to conquer Earth. If you like the black comedy vibes of this film and want to watch a show that has a similar feel, here are ten TV shows to watch if you love Bugonia.

1 'Squid Game' (2021–2025)

Two soldiers in red flank an oversized doll in Squid Game.Image via Netflix

The global phenomenon hailing from South Korea, Squid Game is a dark thriller about the poor competing in death games to entertain the rich—until the poor have had enough of their hubris. The first season of this show won over viewers across the world, even earning its cast members Golden Globe and Emmy nominations (and wins); Lee Jung-jae stars as the lead and is the face of the series, but the show features numerous famous actors from South Korea, especially in Seasons 2 and 3.

Squid Game follows Gi-hun (Lee), a divorced family man and gambler with a large debt. He meets a mysterious man at the train station (Gong Yoo), who challenges him to a childhood game. The man offers Gi-hun a chance to participate in a bigger tournament where childhood games are played against other players. However, when Gi-hun and the rest arrive, they realize that losers in the game are killed on the spot, raising the stakes for their survival and motivations to win. It may not be completely similar to Bugonia, but it is a rich versus poor, anti-capitalistic story that feels like something Lanthimos might actually make.

2 'Barry' (2018–2023)

Barry is an offbeat series with lots of dark humor and interesting plot twists; the show is all about finding one's purpose despite trauma, and trying to survive in a world that constantly tries to narrow you down into a single category. For the protagonist, the titular Barry (Bill Hader), the world is violent and volatile, while he only wishes to find someplace comfortable and accepting. This is another show that may not be completely similar to Bugonia, but has a similar vibe and feels like a story Lanthimos might have something to do with.

Barry follows the titular character, Iraq War veteran Barry, who suffers from PTSD. Under the guidance of his family friend Fuchs (Stephen Root), Barry is a contract killer, feeling like that's the only thing he knows how to do. After following a contract to California, Barry joins an acting class to infiltrate, but realizes that he likes acting and wishes to pursue it as a career. With many characters embodying imperfection and ambition, the story has many relatable people that do their best at any given moment; it's also easy to empathize with Barry, who often dissociates, feeling like killing is the only thing he can and should do despite dreams of being "normal." Barry shows how the world pushes people, and Bugonia nurtures a similar feeling.

3 'The White Lotus' (2021–)

Patrick Schwarzenegger as Saxon Ratliff outside with his hands up in Season 3 of The White Lotus.Image via HBO

If Bugonia's all about that "eat the rich" vibe, then The White Lotus is the kind of show that replicates that vibe beautifully. Created by Mike White, this series is an anthology that follows the intimate lives of the super wealthy, set in a global chain resort named The White Lotus. As the episodes and seasons roll out, we learn more about these rich people, their darkest, deepest secrets, and the payoff of them ignoring them as they bubble up to the surface.

The White Lotus is set in the hotel resort of the same name, and with three seasons so far, each one takes place in a different White Lotus. The first one is set in Hawaii, the second in Italy, and the third in Thailand; the fourth season is announced to be set in France. The show focuses on the employees of the hotels, too, often observing the wealthy guests and patrons from their point of view. With plots of revenge, murder, infidelity, and emotional betrayal, The White Lotus will be what the doctor prescribed for fans of Bugonia.

4 'Inside No. 9' (2014–2024)

Two Inside No. 9 Characters; one is holding binoculars while the other looks out from behind the first man.Image via BBC

If you like anthology series, Inside No. 9 is the best choice. It's also a brilliant choice for anyone who enjoys Bugonia because of its satirical and dark nature, often mocking some popular film tropes and even real-life personalities and events. Creators of the show, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, are also the lead actors in each episode; the show aired for ten years, and after nine seasons, Inside No. 9 closed its door for good, leaving us with 55 greatly rewatchable episodes full of symbolism, incredible (and often dark) plot twists, and scathing humor.

Inside No. 9 follows Shearsmith and Pemberton in various roles across episodes; each episode sets up a brand-new story, and they're a mix of horror, comedy, drama, and often sci-fi. With great guest actors in every new instalment (they rarely, if ever, repeat), the stories take us through a roller coaster of emotions, atmospheres, and genres. Inside No. 9 was clearly created out of love for the classics and genres it encompasses; with Bugonia's beautiful and dark atmosphere, you'll recognize the same vibe in this series and all its episodes.

5 'Mr. Inbetween' (2018–2021)

Scott Ryan as Roy Shoesmith smiling with a cigarette in his mouth, looking to the side in 'Mr. Inbetween'.Image via FX

Mr. Inbetween is one of the best black comedy series of the past decade, and it's a pretty underrated gem. Fans of crime TV have more than likely seen this Australian dramedy, written and created by Scott Ryan and directed by Nash Edgerton. With three short seasons, Mr. Inbetween will be a major binge-watch, but with its heavy topics and refreshing humor, it'll be one of the most powerful series you'll ever see.

Mr. Inbetween follows Ray Shoesmith (Ryan), a father, friend, and partner to those closest to him, but a ruthless enforcer and killer for anyone who pays him enough. Ray justifies parts of his job, but they often clash with his family life; the show follows his emotional journey, unresolved trauma, and unflinching attitudes toward the world. You can't help but cheer for Ray, who feels human and vulnerable even when he commits crimes, in particular because of the brilliant writing by Ryan. It may not be like Bugonia in terms of topic, but the dark comedy and shocking plot twists make them more similar than imagined.

6 'Common Side Effects' (2025–)

Agents Harrington (Martha Kelly) and Copano (Joseph Lee Anderson) give each other a look while in a science lab in 'Common Side Effects' on Max.Image via Adult Swim

As far as conspiracy thrillers go, Common Side Effects is one of the most recent of its kind—and it's a banger. Bugonia follows a conspiracy theorist and his notions, and Common Side Effects nurtures a similar vibe, showing that some things can be true and still feel theoretical. When it comes to stories about those wishing to see the truth uncovered, both Bugonia and Common Side Effects have that vibe, though the animated series treats its conspiracy theorists with a little more, well, faith.

Common Side Effects follows Marshall (Dave King), a fungi expert under the surveillance of the DEA, who reconnects with his high school friend Frances (Emily Pendergast), the assistant to a pharmaceutical company CEO who Marshall believes is sabotaging the discovery of a mushroom that can cure all kinds of illnesses. Marshall and Frances join forces to make the knowledge of the mushroom widespread, despite Marshall often falling into his own traps of conspiracy theories and distrust. Common Side Effects is an awesome series that will have you hooked from the very first moments.

7 'Pluribus' (2025–)

Pluribus is the latest TV series written and created by Vince Gilligan, a man whose track record is impeccable—from The X Files and Breaking Bad to Better Call Saul, Gilligan has had a part in creating some of the greatest TV shows of all time. Pluribus is, as expected, a raging success, even earning Rhea Seehorn her first Golden Globe; in terms of it being similar to Bugonia, it's a dark comedy that features aliens, and a woman at her limit.

Pluribus is set in modern times, and depicts the spread of an alien infection that turns everyone on Earth into a carefree member of the hive mind. Nobody has their own free will or thoughts anymore, and people aren't individuals in the truest sense, but everyone's happy and kind and isn't using things and services beyond their means. However, writer Carol Sturka (Seehorn) and twelve other people on Earth are immune to this virus and haven't transformed into the members of the hive mind. While they try to figure out how to transform the remaining people, Carol tries to gather the other "survivors" and try to reverse the outcome of the infection. Pluribus is methodical, visually stunning, and oftentimes ridiculously funny—the perfect watch after Bugonia.

8 'Beef' (2023–)

Ali Wong and Steven Yeun as Amy and Danny, bloodied and looking for cell reception in the Season 1 finale of BeefImage via Netflix

Beef is among the best shows ever made, even though it's pretty fresh. It boasts a lot of dark humor and stories of humanity, repressed emotions, and stereotypes that narrow people down to concepts and ideas instead of seeing them as the multifaceted and multidimensional beings they are. Most of all, Beef delves into the consequences of suppressed anger and how it eats people away from the inside, often masking a deeper trauma but also distorting their views of other people. Ali Wong and Steven Yeun lead the series, and their performances are still talked about.

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Beef follows business owner Amy (Wong), and contractor Danny (Yeun), who get into a road rage incident and become each other's revenge targets throughout the series. Both use the incident as an excuse to escape their personal issues, focusing on taking revenge instead of addressing real issues. As their revenge plots become more elaborate and anger-fueled, their private lives suffer, and Amy and Danny soon turn out to be two sides of the same coin. Bugonia and Beef have a similar aesthetic, presenting revenge and retaliation in a stylish way.

9 'Atlanta' (2016–2022)

Earn, Alfred, and Darius stand outside next to one another in Atlanta.Image via FX

The dark/surrealist comedy series Atlanta is one of the most iconic shows of our time, and its offbeat plots paired with emotional storylines is a combination we could rarely see on television when it first came out. The emotional journeys of the main ensemble are beautifully written and composed to suit the show's wider intentions of social commentary and satire; all of it is wrapped in an often hilarious series that takes us on a roller coaster of events, emotions, and laughs.

Atlanta follows three longtime friends, Earn (Donald Glover), an aspiring artist manager, his first client and cousin, rapper Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), and the eccentric jack-of-all-trades Darius (LaKeith Stanfield). The show follows Earn's emotional journey in his relationship with Vanessa (Zazie Beetz) as they share a young daughter, Paper Boi's career trajectory, and Darius' various business and personal ventures; the show often comments on the human condition and gives its protagonists relatable challenges that make the show still feel ultimately human, regardless of its offbeat nature. Fans of Bugonia will love Atlanta, that's almost guaranteed.

10 'Fargo' (2014–2024)

Kirsten Dunst as Peggy in a furry jacket and Jesse Plemons as Ed in an orange coat in a grocery store in Fargo.Image via FX

If there's any show you can watch if you enjoyed Bugonia, it's Fargo. There are kidnappings, strange dynamics, weird characters, and Jesse Plemons. Fargo is the quintessential offbeat series that is at the same time a mainstream choice—much like the movies of Lanthimos, in particular Bugonia. Noah Hawley created the series based on the Coen Brothers' film of the same name, and with five seasons, it's an endlessly great time, and a marvelously written series.

Fargo is an anthology series that follows different stories throughout different eras, often connected through characters and familiar names. Season 1 mirrors the film in some way, showing a salesman getting in trouble for his wife's death; Season 2 connects to Season 1 through a side character but is set during the 1970s; Season 3 follows twin brothers played by Ewan McGregor; Season 4 follows opposing Black and Italian gangs in the 1940s; and Season 5 follows a housewife escaping her violent past. Each season has a certain charm and a standout character, and it's a perfect companion to Bugonia's fun and thriller elements.

Like Follow Followed Fargo TV-MA Anthology Crime Drama Comedy Thriller Release Date 2014 - 2024-00-00 Network FX Showrunner Noah Hawley Writers Noah Hawley