17 Comedies About Workplace Rivalries That Mirror Real Life

Workplace dynamics often lead to friction that results in hilarious or intense rivalries. These comedies capture the competitive spirit found in offices and professional environments around the world. The characters navigate ambition and pettiness while trying to outperform their colleagues. Viewers will likely recognize the archetypes and situations from their own professional experiences.

‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

Jim Halpert and Dwight Schrute engage in a legendary prank war that spans nearly a decade at Dunder Mifflin. Their desk proximity fuels a constant battle of wits that escalates from staplers in Jell-O to complex psychological operations. The documentary style highlights the mundane nature of their dispute amidst the boredom of paper sales. Their relationship eventually evolves into a grudging mutual respect despite the endless antagonism.

‘Nine to Five’ (1980)

Three female employees unite to overthrow their sexist and tyrannical boss at a consolidated corporation. Judy and Violet join forces with Doralee to revamp the office environment while holding their supervisor hostage in his own home. The film satirizes the gender inequality and lack of flexibility prevalent in corporate structures during that era. Their scheme results in increased productivity and a much happier workforce.

‘Working Girl’ (1988)

Tess McGill struggles to advance her career while dealing with a deceptive boss who steals her ideas. Katharine Parker represents the cutthroat nature of executives who climb the ladder by stepping on subordinates. Tess assumes her boss’s identity to broker a major deal after Katharine breaks her leg skiing. The story illustrates the lengths an ambitious secretary must go to in order to break the glass ceiling.

‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006)

Andrea Sachs lands a job as an assistant to a demanding fashion magazine editor named Miranda Priestly. She immediately faces hostility from senior assistant Emily Charlton who views Andrea as unqualified for the prestigious role. The film depicts the intense pressure of the fashion industry where aesthetic perfection and total dedication are mandatory. Andrea eventually proves her competence but questions the personal cost of such a competitive career.

‘Vice Principals’ (2016–2017)

Neal Gamby and Lee Russell form an unholy alliance to take down the new principal of their high school. Their rivalry is initially directed at each other until they find a common enemy who threatens their ambitions. The show explores the petty power struggles that occur within the administrative hierarchy of public education. Both men display sociopathic tendencies as they escalate their sabotage to absurd levels.

‘Office Space’ (1999)

Peter Gibbons decides to stop caring about his job after a hypnotherapy session goes wrong. He rebels against the soul-crushing bureaucracy and micromanagement of his software company Initech. The film captures the collective resentment employees feel toward efficiency experts and incompetent management. Peter and his colleagues plot to embezzle money from the corporation as an act of ultimate defiance.

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

Detectives Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago engage in an ongoing bet to see who can solve the most cases. Their competitive streak drives them to excel at police work while masking their growing romantic attraction. The precinct serves as a backdrop for their goofy challenges and elaborate heists during Halloween. This workplace dynamic shows how rivalry can push peers to be better at their jobs.

‘Silicon Valley’ (2014–2019)

Richard Hendricks struggles to build his startup Pied Piper while fending off the predatory tech giant Hooli. Hooli CEO Gavin Belson becomes obsessed with destroying Richard out of sheer ego and spite. The series satirizes the cutthroat culture of the technology industry where innovation is often stifled by corporate greed. The rivalry highlights the battle between agile engineers and bloated conglomerates.

‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’ (2004)

Ron Burgundy rules the San Diego news scene until ambitious reporter Veronica Corningstone arrives. The male news team feels threatened by a woman aiming for the anchor desk in the male-dominated 1970s. Their professional conflict escalates into absurd pranks and public brawls involving other news stations. The movie exaggerates workplace sexism and the fragility of male egos in a changing professional landscape.

‘Morning Glory’ (2010)

Becky Fuller tries to revitalize a struggling morning news program by hiring a legendary news anchor. Mike Pomeroy clashes instantly with his co-host Colleen Peck due to his refusal to cover lighthearted stories. The producer must manage their massive egos and on-air hostility to save the show from cancellation. It depicts the generational clash and tonal shifts often found in broadcast journalism.

‘Baby Boom’ (1987)

J.C. Wiatt is a tough management consultant whose life turns upside down when she inherits a toddler. Her younger protégé sees an opportunity to steal her clients and position while she struggles with motherhood. The film highlights the brutal reality women faced when trying to balance a high-powered career with family obligations. J.C. eventually leaves the toxic environment to start her own successful business on her own terms.

‘Mythic Quest’ (2020–)

Ian Grimm and Poppy Li act as the creative director and lead engineer for a popular video game. Their relationship vacillates between brilliant collaboration and destructive ego battles over creative control. The show examines the tension between artistic vision and technical feasibility in the gaming industry. Their inability to communicate effectively often causes chaos for the rest of the development team.

‘Swimming with Sharks’ (1994)

Guy lands a job as an assistant to a powerful and abusive Hollywood producer named Buddy Ackerman. The relationship is less of a rivalry and more of a psychological torture session that pushes Guy to the brink. Buddy humiliates his subordinate continuously until Guy decides to take drastic revenge. The film serves as a dark satire of the abuse of power often whispered about in the entertainment business.

‘Employee of the Month’ (2006)

Zack Bradley and Vince Downey compete for the title of Employee of the Month at a wholesale club. Vince is the uptight defending champion while Zack is a slacker who only enters the race to impress a new cashier. Their competition disrupts the store operations and forces their coworkers to pick sides. The movie mocks the artificial incentives corporations use to motivate low-wage workers.

‘The Hating Game’ (2021)

Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman work as executive assistants to the co-CEOs of a publishing house. They sit opposite each other and engage in a ritual of passive-aggressive games and staring contests. Both are gunning for the same promotion which intensifies their already palpable disdain. The story explores the thin line between professional hatred and romantic passion in a claustrophobic office.

‘Broadcast News’ (1987)

Jane Craig is a talented news producer who falls for a charismatic but less substantive anchorman named Tom Grunick. Her best friend and reporter Aaron Altman resents Tom for his lack of journalistic integrity and rapid success. The trio navigates a complex web of professional jealousy and ethical disagreements within the newsroom. This film examines how style often triumphs over substance in the television industry.

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

Leslie Knope frequently finds herself at odds with Ron Swanson regarding the role of government. Ron actively tries to stifle the department’s efficiency while Leslie works tirelessly to expand its reach. Their fundamental ideological differences create a unique workplace dynamic built on friction and deep personal affection. The show demonstrates that colleagues can disagree on everything yet still respect each other immensely.

Tell us which workplace comedy rivalry felt the most relatable to your own career in the comments.