Film

Zoolander: Super Model

Name: Zoolander: Super Model
Genre: Animation, Comedy, TV Movie
Released: 2016
Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Patton Oswalt, Jenny Slate, Nick Kroll

Parody
Light-hearted

An animated spinoff that sends Derek and Hansel into superhero territory, complete with absurd villains and fashion-world satire. It's a broad comedy that swings for laughs without pretending to be anything other than silly fun. Made for people who found the original characters endlessly quotable and want more of that specific brand of dumb-handsome charm.

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you loved the deadpan, gleefully stupid runway logic of the live-action Zoolander films and want that same vain-man sincerity carried into a kid-friendly cartoon, with a lot of quick, silly visual gags.

Skip it if you came for Ben Stiller's live-action face-pulling and the sharp satire of the first film; here the humour is broader, the animation is busy, and the jokes lean on bright, goofy energy more than bite.

What it asks of you: Under ninety minutes, it moves at a brisk cartoon clip and rarely pauses, so you only need to meet it halfway with a playful, unserious mood.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy2004

Same director, same DNA: a comedy so confident in its own ridiculousness that it somehow becomes quotable art. Will Ferrell at peak absurdity, supported by a perfect ensemble cast delivering jokes with genuine commitment.

But The humor is deeply silly and repetitive by design. If you need your comedy grounded or character-driven, this will feel exhausting rather than funny.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy poster

The Lego Movie2014

Animated comedy that genuinely works for adults and kids alike. Relentless joke density, visual wit, and an actual story underneath the gags. Smart enough to not insult your intelligence while being completely unafraid of being dumb.

But The constant barrage of references and pop culture callbacks can feel exhausting. Some find the pace overwhelming rather than delightful.

Tropic Thunder2008

Ben Stiller directing himself in a film about actors playing soldiers playing actors. Layered satire that works as both action-comedy and genuine commentary on ego and vanity. Robert Downey Jr. is genuinely brilliant.

But The humor relies heavily on Hollywood in-jokes and satirizing specific acting tropes. If you're not clued into film culture, some of the best stuff will pass by unnoticed.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Zoolander: Super Model

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

BoJack Horseman2014

Both use the absurdity of the entertainment world as their playground, but BoJack goes underneath to show what narcissism actually costs—it's the dark mirror to Derek's oblivious charm.

An animated comedy about ego, vanity, and the entertainment industry that starts as silly and deepens into genuine tragedy. Uses that same absurdist premise as a vehicle for real emotional devastation. The voice acting is phenomenal and the writing is sharper than anything mainstream.

But Begins as broad comedy but becomes genuinely dark and depressing. Some episodes are difficult to watch. If you want laughs throughout, you'll be disappointed by season three onward.

Robot Chicken2005

Stop-motion sketch comedy with the same irreverent, anything-goes energy. Fast cuts, absurd premises, zero regard for good taste. If you like the anarchic spirit of Zoolander's humor, this is basically that format for TV.

But Sketch comedy is inherently uneven—for every brilliant bit there's a dud. Some sketches drag. The stop-motion, while impressive, can feel dated now.

Bumblebee2018

A Transformers film that actually understands tone and warmth. Genuinely funny without winking too hard at the audience, with heart underneath the action. Proves that toy-franchise movies don't have to be cynical.

But Still a Transformers film, so you need basic tolerance for giant robot action. If the premise bores you entirely, nothing will save it.

The Lego Batman Movie2017

Somehow improves on its predecessor by committing even harder to absurdity and emotion. Will Arnett's Batman is a masterclass in comedic voice acting. Fast, smart, and actually has something to say about family and belonging.

But The humor comes fast and sometimes relies on references you won't catch. The constant quips can feel relentless if you prefer quieter comedy.

30 Rock2006

Sharp comedy about the entertainment industry with the same love of ridiculous premises and characters. Tina Fey's writing is sharper than Stiller's but has that same self-aware sense of humor. Endlessly rewatchable.

But The early seasons are better than later ones. The show relies on rapid-fire jokes that can feel scattered if you're not in the mood to keep up.

DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story2004

Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller in perfect comedy sync, making a movie about a ridiculous sport entirely seriously. The commitment to the absurd premise is what makes it work. Genuinely funny and weirdly quotable.

But The plot is paper-thin and the humor is very mid-2000s. If you need actual stakes or character development, you'll be frustrated.

Wreck-It Ralph2012

Animated film that loves video games the way Zoolander loves fashion. Genuinely creative premise with real heart, and the voice cast is perfect. Works as adventure, comedy, and surprisingly moving story about self-worth.

But The video game references are the best part—if you're not into gaming culture, you'll miss what makes it special. Some find it saccharine by the end.

A Goofy Movie1995

Both are cheerfully committed to being silly without apology, but Goofy Movie is earnest about emotion while Zoolander never lets sentiment win—it's animated comedy from fundamentally different philosophies.

A Disney film that commits entirely to its premise without irony: a goofy dad trying to bond with his teenage son. The animation is warmly ugly, the voice acting is genuine, and there's real heart underneath the silliness. Funny in ways both intentional and accidental.

But It's genuinely old and the animation has aged in ways that look cheaper than modern films. The emotional core might feel sappy if you're cynical. It's not trying to be clever.

Fantastic Mr. Fox2009

Both are animated comedies that understand their premise completely, but Fox uses formal filmmaking language where Zoolander uses anarchic energy—it's what happens when comedy meets auteur sensibility.

Stop-motion film where Wes Anderson's meticulous design sense meets animal comedy. It looks like nothing else—deliberately artificial, perfectly composed, funny in both visual and emotional registers. Anderson proves animated comedy can be formally inventive without losing heart or humor.

But The pacing is slow and deliberate; if you need constant energy and jokes, it will feel fussy. Anderson's style is particular and can feel precious. The humor is dry and sometimes very quiet.