Sam Campbell’s Make That Movie gets rave reviews as funniest show of 2026

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Campbell’s Trajectory: From Edinburgh Award Winner to Comedy Innovator
• The Mockumentary Format and Critical Reception
• Cast, Format, and Technical Execution
• Why This Moment for Experimental Comedy?
• Where to Experience Make That Movie
• What Does “Make That Movie’s” Success Signal About 2026 Comedy?
  • Sources

Sam Campbell’s “Make That Movie” has secured some of 2026’s most effusive critical praise as the funniest television comedy of the year since its May 28, 2026 debut on Channel 4. The Australian comedian created, wrote, and stars in this absurdist mockumentary series, which follows a fictional film director assembling a team to produce movies derived from public submissions. Critics have hailed it as a genre-defying achievement that blends experimental comedy with genuine technical innovation.

Campbell’s Trajectory: From Edinburgh Award Winner to Comedy Innovator

Sam Campbell has methodically built a reputation for boundary-pushing comedy over the past eight years. The Australian comedian won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival award for Best Newcomer in 2015 before claiming the prestigious Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show in 2018. His ascent accelerated when he captured the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show in 2022, cementing his status as one of contemporary comedy’s most distinctive voices. He subsequently demonstrated his range by conquering Taskmaster Series 16 in 2023 and earning a featured role in Last One Laughing UK Season 2, both instances where his surrealist sensibility proved irresistible to audiences and production teams alike.

“Make That Movie” represents his boldest venture yet—a project that weaponizes satire, technical filmmaking, and deliberate absurdity in sustained narrative form rather than stand-up context, signaling Campbell’s evolution from comedian to multimedia artist.

The Mockumentary Format and Critical Reception

The Guardian published an unqualified rave on May 28, 2026, declaring: “Sam Campbell has made the funniest TV show of the entire year.” The review emphasized the show’s particular appeal: audiences encounter precisely the kind of comedy impossible to describe without experiencing directly. The premise places Campbell in the role of a formerly prestigious film director accepting public submissions for movie concepts, then attempting production stunts that intentionally derail in comedic fashion.

Chortle assessed the series as “bonkers gags crammed tightly into each quirky episode,” positioning it as a likely cult success with roots in experimental British comedy traditions. The Sydney Morning Herald characterized it as “a strong contender for 2026’s most absurd and inventive comedy,” comparing its creative philosophy to improvised instructions that permit complete creative liberation—”Let Campbell cook,” as the outlet succinctly phrased it. The Telegraph reviewer admitted difficulty writing conventional critique: “I’ve tried to review Sam Campbell’s new show… but it’s just so weird,” a backhanded compliment that underscores the series’ deliberate refusal to conform to genre conventions.

Cast, Format, and Technical Execution

“Make That Movie” assembles a committed ensemble cast supporting Campbell’s creative chaos. Aaron Chen (television series “Fisk”) portrays Sebastian, an intimacy coordinator within the fictional production team. Lara Ricote plays Jess, Helen Bauer embodies Pat, and David Hargreaves takes on the role of Winnie. Each supporting player commits fully to Campbell’s surrealist framework, treating preposterous filmmaking scenarios with documentary-style earnestness that amplifies comedic impact.

Aspect	Details
Creator/Star	Sam Campbell (Australian comedian)
Network	Channel 4 (UK), HBO Max (International)
Format	Absurdist comedy mockumentary series
Episode Count	6 episodes (Season 1)
Premiere Date	Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 10:00 PM GMT
IMDB Rating	7.1/10 (from 52+ user ratings)
Supporting Cast	Aaron Chen, Lara Ricote, Helen Bauer, David Hargreaves, Katie Norris

The show’s technical execution distinguishes it fundamentally. Rather than standard sitcom construction, Campbell and his production team demonstrate genuine commitment to executing the submitted film concepts, creating elaborate sets, cinematography, and practical effects that must then accommodate comedic disaster. This high-production-value foundation permits comedy to operate on multiple registers simultaneously—audiences appreciate both the technical accomplishment and the systematic dismantling of that accomplishment.

“It’s one of those films where the absurdism never telegraphs; it simply unfolds with mathematical inevitability. Make That Movie absolutely worships at the altar of complete creative commitment, even as that commitment produces unmitigated artistic disaster.”

— The Guardian Review Excerpt, May 28, 2026

Why This Moment for Experimental Comedy?

The critical consensus surrounding “Make That Movie” reflects broader industry recognition that television audiences have matured beyond conventional narrative structures. Campbell’s approach—treating the filming of public submissions as genuine documentary subject matter—inverts traditional mockumentary expectations. Most series in the genre employ mockumentary framing to comment on predetermined narrative arcs. Campbell’s achievement involves anchoring the entire experiment in authentic creative production, then extracting comedy from the inevitable friction between artistic ambition and practical limitation.

The show’s success also reflects Campbell’s unique positioning within the comedy landscape. Unlike many contemporary comedians anchored to particular platforms or audience demographics, Campbell operates across stand-up, panel show appearances (“Taskmaster,” “Last One Laughing,” “Would I Lie to You?”), and now televised sketch-adjacent narrative comedy. This multi-format credibility permits audiences to approach a radically experimental format with confidence in the creator’s taste and judgment.

Where to Experience Make That Movie

UK viewers can access all six episodes via Channel 4 on-demand services at no charge. International audiences including those in North America will find the series on HBO Max, with availability confirmed across multiple territories. The May 28 premiere occurred simultaneously across platforms, permitting global audiences to engage with Campbell’s creation within hours of UK broadcast. Beyond streaming access, Campbell continues performing stand-up comedy across multiple territories—US tour dates include appearances in Somerville (June 18, 2026) and Brooklyn (June 21, 2026), offering comedy enthusiasts opportunities to experience his live performance alongside the televised work.

What Does “Make That Movie’s” Success Signal About 2026 Comedy?

The comprehensive critical enthusiasm surrounding this series suggests that audiences and critics increasingly value originality, technical competence, and artistic ambition over safety and demographic targeting. Sam Campbell delivered none of the expected elements of a comedy vehicle—no celebrity guest stars, no reference-heavy topicality, no relatable domestic scenarios. Instead, he constructed a vehicle that respects audience intelligence profoundly, abandoning any obligation to explain why the filmmaking process deteriorates so predictably and catastrophically. The show’s triumph indicates that premium television—both broadcast and streaming—continues hungering for creators willing to pursue distinctive visions regardless of commercial calculation. As additional content from Campbell lands on various platforms through 2026, “Make That Movie” establishes him as one of the era’s essential comedy voices, able to succeed in professional television while maintaining complete creative integrity.

Sources

• The Guardian – “Make That Movie review – Sam Campbell has made the funniest TV show of the entire year” (May 28, 2026)
• Chortle – “Make That Movie: Reviews 2026” (May 28, 2026)
• Sydney Morning Herald – “The weirdest comedy of the year is here – and it’s no surprise it’s by Sam Campbell” (May 27, 2026)
• Channel 4 Press Pack – Official “Make That Movie” production details (May 19, 2026)
• Variety Australia – “Premiere Date Set for Sam Campbell’s ‘Make That Movie'” (May 20, 2026)
• IMDB – “Make That Movie” (TV Series 2026–) with user ratings and episode information
• The Upcoming – “Make That Movie: Show review” (May 28, 2026)
• Beyond the Joke – “TV: Make That Movie, C4, with Sam Campbell” (May 26, 2026)