Comedies That Share the Midlife Masculinity Questions of ‘Real Men’
‘Real Men’ is an Italian comedy drama produced by Groenlandia for Netflix. It follows four longtime friends in Rome who feel lost in a world of empowered women and try to adapt in their own ways. The first season arrived on Netflix on May 21, 2025.
Netflix has confirmed that the second season arrives on October 7, bringing back the core group of friends. With that return only days away, viewers searching for shows like ‘Real Men’ have plenty of options across streaming platforms. The picks below share the friendship dynamics, humor and cultural observation found in the series.
‘Alpha Males’
This Spanish comedy, created by Alberto and Laura Caballero, is the original source material for ‘Real Men’. ‘Real Men’ works as a remake of the Spanish series. It follows four lifelong friends in Madrid as they confront the dismantling of traditional male privileges, from open relationships and female bosses to gender deconstruction courses.
‘Men of a Certain Age’
This comedy drama follows three best friends in their late forties as they face the realities of middle age in Los Angeles. Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula play the leads. The show earned critical praise for its grounded emotional authenticity and its realistic portrait of enduring male friendship.
‘Friends from College’
This Netflix comedy centers on a close group of Harvard alumni who reunite in New York City in their late thirties. Old romantic entanglements and rivalries resurface, and the cast includes Keegan-Michael Key, Cobie Smulders, Fred Savage and Nat Faxon.
‘Coupling’
Created by Steven Moffat, this British sitcom revolves around the dating lives and conversations of three men and three women. It often explores the misunderstandings between genders about intimacy and romance, using nonlinear structures and split perspectives to unpack social encounters.
‘Uncoupled’
Created by Darren Star and Jeffrey Richman, this romantic comedy stars Neil Patrick Harris as a Manhattan real estate broker named Michael. After his long term partner abruptly ends their relationship, Michael has to navigate the unfamiliar modern gay dating scene, including hookup apps. The series balances heartbreak with lighthearted humor.
‘Lovesick’
This British romantic comedy was originally titled ‘Scrotal Recall’. Dylan is diagnosed with an STI and must contact all of his past partners. The story moves between flashbacks and the present day lives of Dylan and his two best friends, Luke and Evie, and Luke’s confident bachelor act slowly unravels to reveal deeper insecurities.
‘Flaked’
Set in Venice, California, this comedy stars Will Arnett as Chip, a recovering alcoholic and self appointed neighborhood guru. Chip projects maturity and wisdom to his friends while privately struggling with dishonesty and emotional stagnation. The show examines male friendships and the fragility behind male facades.
‘Fleishman Is in Trouble’
Taffy Brodesser-Akner adapted this limited series from her own novel, and Jesse Eisenberg stars as Toby Fleishman. After a bitter divorce, Toby turns to dating through apps before his ex-wife mysteriously disappears and leaves him with their children. The series deconstructs traditional male victimhood and examines the psychological complexities of gender roles within marriage.
‘You’re the Worst’
Created by Stephen Falk, this anti romantic comedy focuses on Jimmy and Gretchen, two self destructive people who attempt a relationship alongside their friends Edgar and Lindsay. Jimmy’s intellectual arrogance and fear of emotional vulnerability mirror contemporary struggles with masculinity. The series was praised for handling mental health and commitment issues through dark humor.
‘Crashing’
Created by Pete Holmes and produced by Judd Apatow, this series follows a sheltered stand up comedian named Pete. After discovering his wife’s infidelity, Pete rebuilds his life while sleeping on the couches of fellow New York comedians, and the show offers a humorous look at reinvention and male vulnerability. Anyone heading into the second season of ‘Real Men’ may want to tell us in the comments which of these series best captures the awkward reinvention that Massimo, Mattia, Luigi and Riccardo are still trying to pull off.
