Taika Waititi has gained widespread popularity thanks to his screenwriting and directing projects like Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit. However, even before these hits, the New Zealand director has been cementing his unique brand of weird humor and emotional drama with films such as Hunt For The Wilderpeople, Boy, and What We Do In The Shadows.

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As unique as Waititi's style is, parallels can still be drawn between his filmography and other similar offbeat and unconventional classics. Until Waititi wraps up Thor: Love and Thunder and his other current projects, film buffs can binge on these diverse movies that should appeal to Taika Waititi fans.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) - Available On The Criterion Channel

Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton walking together and wearing sunglasses in Only Lovers Left Alive

This romantic horror is a vampire movie that definitely deserves more attention. The titular lovers in Only Lovers Left Alive are played by the vampires aptly named Adam and Eve. Together, they navigate the downfall of humanity along with their own relationship that grows strained with the arrival of Eve's sister.

Director Jim Jarmusch loves incorporating offbeat and darkly comic themes to his narratives and Only Lovers Left Alive is no exception. Much like Taika Waititi's vampire comedy What We Do In The Shadows, this film offers a fresh take on an oversaturated horror subgenre.

The Suicide Squad (2021) - Available On Apple TV

David Dastmalchian, Idris Elba, John Cena and Daniela Melchior standing next to each other in The Suicide Squad

After revamping the MCU with Guardians of the Galaxy, writer-director James Gunn brought his style of action comedy to the DC Extended Universe with a hyperviolent take on the Suicide Squad. Boasting an ambitious ensemble, The Suicide Squad deals with a breakaway faction of the infamous supervillain team as they are tasked with taking down an authoritarian regime in an island country.

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Taika Waiti reimagined the mythos of Thor in his flashy, over-the-top venture Thor: Ragnarok. Similarly, James Gunn also incorporates self-aware humor, colorful visuals, and a stellar soundtrack for this comic book adaptation. Both films carry a certain edge as compared to other superhero films.

Son Of Rambow (2007) - Available On Paramount+

Will and Lee standing by a lake in Son Of Rambow (played by Bill Milner and Will Poulter)

Inspired by the machismo and action of Sylvester Stallone's Rambo movies, two children decide to direct their own film about John Rambo. However, this proves to be an arduous task as their own friendship is tested along the way.

The coming-of-age themes present in Son of Rambow are comparable to Waititi's films like Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Boy. Even the focus on outdoor locations seems to be similar. And much like the stories of Taika Waititi, Son of Rambow does incorporate bizarre comedy but simultaneously carries universal emotions of love and friendship.

Captain Fantastic (2016) - Available On Netflix

Viggo Mortensen and the cast of Captain Fantastic standing together in a church

Viggo Mortensen appears in one of his best roles as the patriarch of a family that grows in the wild. When his wife dies, the protagonist decides to introduce his children to the outside world. This results in a journey that is emotional, funny, and ultimately, heartwarming.

With enough deadpan humor and sentimental monologues, Captain Fantastic succeeds in overcoming the cliches of a road trip family drama. As the forest plays a major role in the children's upbringing, Taika Waititi fans are bound to be reminded of Hunt For The Wilderpeople, which also deals with a young boy picking up life lessons in the woods.

People Places Things (2015) - Available On Peacock

Regina Hall and Jemaine Clement in People Places Things in the bedroom

A comic book writer finds his life crumbling down in the wake of a divorce. Taking care of his twin daughters, starting new relationships, and overcoming his professional slump form the story of this delightful comedy-drama.

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New Zealander comedian and actor Jemaine Clement has been a regular collaborator of Taika Waiti's, having appeared in the director's Eagle Vs. Shark and What We Do In The Shadows. For those who wish to know more about Clement and his brand of humor, People Places Things would make for a perfect watch as it unleashes his dramatic prowess in the lead role.

Stand By Me (1986) - Available On Fubo TV

Four boys laugh and walk on railroad tracks in Stand by Me.

Four friends embark on a journey in the forest to find a dead body. This is the basic premise of Stand By Me, but underneath this plot lies an emotional journey that documents love, loss and friendship. Based on Stephen King's story "The Body" (found in the Different Seasons anthology), the film has garnered the status of a classic.

The setting and the coming-of-age tropes that the film presents are easy to be found in Taika Waiti's initial films (Hunt For The Wilderpeople in particular and Boy to a certain extent). One thing is for certain that the forest acts as an interesting setting for children to learn valuable life lessons.

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas (2008) - Available On Max Go

Two boys talk over a fence in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas details the friendship between a Jew concentration camp detainee and the son of a Nazi commander. At their tender age, they are unable to understand the politics around them but they go on to develop a pure bond.

Needless to say, the film does touch upon some tragic realities as the two central characters finally accept the dark realities of their times. Similarly, Taika Waititi might seem to be fooling around with his political satire in Jojo Rabbit but his Oscar-winning adapted screenplay does add some emotional weight to the film's crucial scenes. Loss of innocence act as the central theme in both films.

Ready Player One (2018) - Available On HBO Max

Wade playing the game in Ready Player One.

Ready Player One is set in a dystopian future where people can access realistic virtual worlds through gaming systems. A larger business conspiracy is unearthed as one of the players finds the truth behind the game.

Shifting between animated and live-action formats, the Steven Spielberg-directed movie is a roller coaster ride of immersive set pieces and endless pop culture references. The scope of the film is comparable to Thor: Ragnarok as Taika Waititi too embarked on ambitious world-building with a more immersive version of Asgard.

Swiss Army Man (2016) - Available On Kanopy

Manny and Hank sitting next to each other in a forest in Swiss Army Man

Stranded alone on an island, a survivor finds the will to live after he befriends a zombified man. Even though the "Swiss Army Man" is initially used for the lead character's own means of survival, both soon develop a wholesome friendship. But as the creature develops human emotions, their limits get tested.

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Right from its opening scene of a farting corpse being used as a motorboat, Swiss Army Man establishes itself as a quintessentially weird comedy. Such humor might sit well with aficionados of Taika Waititi's comedies like What We Do In The Shadows and Hunt For The Wilderpeople.

The Last Laugh (2016) - Available On Kanopy

Mel Brooks jokingly giving a Nazi salute in The Last Laugh

The Last Laugh is a documentary that attempts to understand if satirizing the Holocaust and Nazi atrocities are offensive or not. The ethical confusion that ensues is interpreted through interviews with several comedians, ranging from Mel Brooks to Sarah Silverman.

Taika Waititi himself drew polarizing reactions by playing Adolf Hitler in Jojo Rabbit. While his intention was to poke fun at the notorious dictator, it is important to know the context behind such humor, and a documentary like The Last Laugh creates space for that discussion.

NEXT: Taika Waititi's 10 Best Movies, According To IMDb