Based on the hilarious comedy movie of the same name, What We Do in The Shadows, has become a critically-acclaimed series, which is almost as good, if not, dare we say better, than the film it was based upon. What We Do in the Shadows released in 2014, and immediately became a cult classic, with its refreshing format, unique tone, and undeniable laugh-out-loud comedy. Written and directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, who returned to the franchise as show runners on the series, the film launched Taika Waititi’s career as the famed actor, director, and writer, for whom we know him today.
The show follows four vampire roommates, Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin Robinson, alongside Nandor’s familiar, Guillermo. Since its release in 2019, the show has spawned three critically acclaimed seasons, with a fourth season currently airing on FX. What We Do in the Shadows has been nominated for numerous awards, such as Outstanding Comedy Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as Best Comedy Series at the Critics’ Choice Television Awards. The show managed to take home the Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards for Best Cable Network Series (New or Recurring). This hilarious mockumentary series is bound to make you laugh until it hurts, so with that, here are the funniest episodes of What We Do in the Shadows.
9 Citizenship - Season 1, Episode 8
After hearing that his home country of Al Qolnidar has been dissolved, Nandor searches for a place he can call home, which leads Guillermo to suggest that Nandor take the American Citizenship test. Nandor believes he could pass by just hypnotizing the government worker, which ultimately fails, leading into a brilliant joke about why he cannot seem to hypnotize the worker. Following a grueling test with some hilarious answers from Nandor, he is then finally forced to recite the pledge of allegiance. But this proves too much for him as his mouth catches fire every time he says the word “God”.
Meanwhile, Nadja struggles to tutor a young vampire (Jenna) to find her special ability and what it takes to be a bloodthirsty vampire; this leads to many hilarious failed attempts, with Jenna transforming into a hideous bat, as well as failing to feed off people due to her moral compass. This leads to one of the funniest jokes in the episode, with Nadja taking Jenna to a frat party full of “hot idiots”, which causes Jenna to finally feed and find her special ability, making Nadja an extremely proud teacher.
8 Cloak of Duplication - Season 3, Episode 2
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Kicking off the episode with a hilarious anecdote about Nandor talking about making a “firm number two”, the episode only gets funnier and funnier, with Colin and Laszlo using the cloak of duplication (which allows the wearer to look like someone else) to help woo Nandor’s dream girl, who works at Massive Fitness, the gym that Nandor sometimes goes to. This leads to many hilarious attempts by Colin and Laszlo, with the pair both getting thrown out due to their inappropriate behavior. Before eventually, Nandor himself tries to woo the receptionist on his own, but ultimately learns that the receptionist is a lesbian, which results in a priceless reaction from Nandor.
6 The Casino - Season 3, Episode 4
Disney Media Distribution
This episode is effortlessly funny as the group travels to the bright and colorful Atlantic City for their neighbors, Sean and Charmaine’s anniversary. It’s great seeing the vampires in new and uncharted environments like the colorful Atlantic City, as opposed to the dark, bleak house that they all share. The episode brings fresh and unique life into the show, which makes the episode stand out from the rest, not just for its location, but its genius wit too.
It is hilarious watching Nandor become obsessed with a Big Bang Theory-themed slot machine, which later causes Nandor to question the machines branding, leading Colin to blow Nandor’s vampire mind about the universe in one of the funniest anecdotes in the episode. Meanwhile, Nadja and Laszlo believe that a tribute act to the “Rat Pack” is the genuine act from the ’60s, which they still cannot understand.
5 Baron’s Night Out - Season 1, Episode 6
20th Century Television/ Disney Media Production
The episode starts with Nandor, Nadja, and Laszlo plotting to kill the Old World vampire Baron Afanas, played by Doug Jones. But after awakening from his slumber, The Baron pitches an odd request. The vampire wishes to spend a night out on the town, which seems to stun the other three vampires. However, the vampires use this opportunity to secretly plan his murder. What unfolds is a hilarious escapade on the town, where the group dress the centuries-old vampire in human clothes, which on any ordinary vampire would not look as amusing, but on a wrinkly, pale, monster-looking vampire, just makes every scene that much more entertaining.
We follow the group as they go to a convenience store, try pizza, go to bars, and sing Karaoke while they all get progressively more sloshed on drug blood, the blood from people who are on lots of drugs. This causes the vampires to forget about murdering the Baron because they are so drunk. But, the episode ends with Guillermo accidentally murdering the Baron, with the group being too drunk to remember how he died.
4 Colin’s Promotion - Season 2, Episode 5
Every one’s favorite energy vampire, Colin Robinson is front and center in this spin-off episode. Colin Robinson rarely gets to shine in the show, as one of the funniest characters on the show. Mark Proksch is brilliant as the vampire delivering his trademark effortless dry humor as the scene-stealing energy vampire.
The episode sees Colin get promoted to management level, which gives Colin a tremendous amount of energy to feed off, forcing his underlings to listen to his exhausting droning, while he feeds off them. This creates an “Uber” Colin, giving him super strength and a beautiful head of hair. Eventually his power becomes too much to handle, with his head growing in size much like the Dreamworks character Megamind, and this forces Colin to create multiple Colins to withstand his immense power.
3 Nouveau Theatres Des Vampires - Season 2, Episode 2
The final episode of season two gives us a hilarious look at how our four favorite vampires live without Nandor’s familiar, Guillermo, and it’s safe to say the vampires cannot cope without him. Guillermo left the vampire house after finding out about his vampire-slaying lineage. This leads the four vampires to not being able to wake themselves up, tidy up the dead bodies, or take their clothes to the dry cleaners.
After the vampires are lured into a trap, by inviting them to the most exclusive vampire theater production in the Shadows world, Nouveau Theatres Des Vampires, Guillermo puts his vampire hunter lineage to full force, as he is forced to save his vampire friends. This earns the ex-familiar a new-found respect from the vampires, even if Laszlo still calls him Gizmo.
2 On The Run - Season 2, Episode 6
Disney Media Production
We are introduced to Laszlo’s hilarious and beloved alter ego, Jackie Daytona. After fleeing his debtor (played by Mark Hamill), Laszlo flees to Pennsylvania, because, as Laszlo states “it sounded like Transylvania, and we all know that sounds cool”. In a Clark Kent-esque fashion, Laszlo dons a “fool-proof” human disguise, consisting of simply just a tooth pick, making Laszlo unrecognizable to the characters in that world. Alongside his disguise, he changes his name to Jackie Daytona, a bartender and also a local girls’ volleyball coach.
This episode allows Berry to show off his wit and comedy chops. This garnered a lot of praise from critics, with Rolling Stones hailing the episode as the show’s “comic high point to date”. Whether Jackie will return is currently unknown, but it is safe to say that we are all excited for the day when Laszlo dons his human disguise once again.
1 The Trial - Season 1, Episode 7
20th Television/ Disney Media Distribution
What We Do in the Shadows is no stranger to many brilliant cameos, from Mark Hamill, Benedict Wong, and the hilarious Nick Kroll popping up throughout the show. But, this episode is jam-packed full of exciting and hilarious cameos, making for the funniest episode of the show. The cameos in this episode will put a smile on your face, whether that’s because you are laughing or just giddy with excitement seeing your favorite movie and TV vampires appear in this brilliant episode.
The most notable cameos in the episode include Tilda Swinton, Danny Trejo, Dave Bautista, Evan Rachel Wood, and Wesley Snipes. But, perhaps the best cameos, were from Taika Waititi, Jermaine Clement, and Jonathon Brugh, returning as their characters from the movie that inspired this hit series. This episode is pure genius, and such a delight to watch; our favorite fictional vampires interact with each other. Never did we think Viago from What We Do in the Shadows would have a conversation with Blade, the day-walker.
