Based on Carl Hiaasen's novel, Bad Monkey is a black comedy crime show starring Vince Vaughn, Rob Delaney, and others. Released on Apple TV+ on August 14, 2024, the show has already garnered rave reviews for its brand of comedy and Vaughn’s acting.
The plot revolves around a former police detective, Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), who is now reduced to being a restaurant inspector in South Florida after assaulting his lover’s husband. When a tourist finds a severed arm, Yancy is drawn back into the world of greed and corruption, set against the scenic backdrop of Florida and the Bahamas.
Viewers who enjoyed the show can check the list below which has seven similar shows.
Florida Man, Poker Face, and other shows like Bad Monkey
1) Death in Paradise (Amazon Prime Video)
Created by Robert Thorogood, Death in Paradise is a British-French crime comedy. The plot of season 1 revolves around inspector Richard Poole (Ben Miller), who is sent from London to the British-controlled island of Saint Marie to solve a policeman’s murder.
After he solves the case, he is asked to stay on as the inspector, which leads to hilarious cases being brought in front of him. The show has 13 seasons, and over the years, various other detectives have reprised the role of detective inspector on the island. Like Bad Monkey, the show is set in an idyllic location and features crime and comedy.
2) Florida Man (Netflix)
Created by Donald Todd, Florida Man is a crime drama that follows ex-cop Mike Valentine (Édgar Ramírez), who is sent back to his home state of Florida, as he is under the debt of a Philly mobster and must pay it off by finding the mobster’s runaway girlfriend.
Similar to Bad Monkey, the show involves an ex-cop who is now reduced to running after meager assignments. Both shows blend comedy with suspense, and in both, the protagonists find themselves drawn into a bigger conspiracy than they had imagined.
3) The Mallorca Files (Amazon Prime Video)
Set in Spain’s sunny island of Mallorca, The Mallorca Files is a British procedural comedy starring Elen Rhys and created by Dan Sefton. The show follows Welsh detective constable Miranda Blake (Rhys) and German detective Max Winters (Julian Looman), who are total opposites and have to team up to solve various cases on the island.
The Mallorca Files is another crime comedy like Bad Monkey, which is set in a beautiful locale, featuring thrilling cases and a punch of comedy. Fans of Bad Monkey would likely enjoy The Mallorca Files for its similar mix of crime, comedy, and scenic locales.
4) Burn Notice (Amazon Prime Video)
Created by Matt Nix, Burn Notice is an espionage crime comedy that revolves around a former spy, Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan), who is suddenly cut off from his agency. Stuck in Miami with little money, he decides to become a private investigator and solve various odd cases while trying to find out the person responsible for outing him.
Just like Bad Monkey, Burn Notice is a crime drama set in a beautiful, beachy location like Miami. Both shows feature protagonists who use their skills to solve cases.
5) High Desert (Apple TV+)
Starring Patricia Arquette, High Desert is a comedy show created by Nancy Fichman, Katie Ford, and Jennifer Hoppe-House. The show revolves around an addict, Peggy (Arquette), who, after the death of her mother, decides to start afresh and become a private investigator. The show is set in the desert town of Yucca Valley.
Like Bad Monkey, the series has humor, and the protagonist becomes an investigator like Vaughn’s character. Importantly, in both shows, the protagonists deal with the cards they have been given and try to prove their worth and redeem themselves.
6) Poker Face (Amazon Prime Video)
Natasha Lyonne stars as Charlie Cale, a casino worker on the run who has an uncanny ability to sniff out murderers in this quirky crime comedy, Poker Face, created by Rian Johnson. Along the way, she meets multiple eccentric people and solves various cases.
The show is critically acclaimed for its humor and acting, with Lyonne nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy at the Emmys. The show has the perfect mix of mystery and mayhem, like Bad Monkey. Similarly, the show takes place in a variety of scenic locations.
7) Search Party (Amazon Prime Video)
Viewers who enjoy black comedy set amidst tense situations, like Bad Monkey, should check out Search Party, another show with a similar tone. Starring Alia Shawkat, the series follows a group of friends in New York City who get entangled in the search for a missing woman. This leads to a series of hilarious events.
Akin to Bad Monkey, the show mixes comedy with mystery, and both feature protagonists who take on investigative roles. Search Party has consistently received positive reviews for its witty plot and handling.
Viewers who enjoy quirky shows like Bad Monkey can go through this list and choose a similar show for their next binge-watch.