Games Like Cards Against Humanity for Every Gamers
If you’ve ever played Cards Against Humanity, you know the deal. One player reads a silly or outrageous question from a black card, and everyone else slaps down a white card with the funniest answer. It’s loud, it’s silly, and it can be a great way to break the ice.
But maybe you’ve played it a few too many times. The jokes start to feel the same. Or maybe your group includes people who don’t enjoy its particular style of humor. That’s okay! The world of party games is huge, and there are so many other fantastic options.
I’ve played hundreds of these games with all sorts of groups—friends, family, at game stores, and big parties. I know that the best game isn’t the most popular one; it’s the one that fits your friends perfectly. This guide will help you find that game.
How to Pick the Right Game for Your Group
Before we look at the games, think about your friends. What do they like?
- Do they like being creative? Some games are all about making up your own answers.
- Do they like being a little mean? Some games have stealing or “pick on the leader” moments.
- Do they like strategy? Or do they just want to be silly?
- Are some people shy? You’ll want a game that doesn’t force them to be the center of attention.
Keeping your group in mind will help you choose the best game.
Top Games Like Cards Against Humanity, Broken Down by Category
Here is a table to quickly compare the top choices. I’ll explain each one in detail afterward.
| Game Title | How It’s Like CAH | How It’s Different | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joking Hazard | Dark, comic-style humor | You build a three-panel comic strip | Artists, fans of dark comics |
| Apples to Apples | Simple fill-in-the-blank | Family-friendly and much tamer | Families, mixed-age groups |
| Quiplash | Writing the funniest answer | You use your phone; you make up your own answers | Creative, quick-witted people |
| Funemployed | Outrageous job interviews | You have to act out and justify your silly qualifications | Performers, improv fans |
| Telestrations | Drawing silly things | It’s a mix of telephone and drawing; no words needed | Anyone who can draw badly |
| What Do You Meme? | Pop culture humor | Uses real photos to create memes | Internet lovers, pop culture fans |
| Wavelength | Guessing what others think | Cooperative and brain-teasing; not mean | Teams, people who like to think |
Detailed Look at Each Game
1. Joking Hazard
From the creators of Cyanide & Happiness
What it is: Instead of answering a question, you’re building a comic strip. A judge flips over a card to start a comic. Each player chooses from their hand of seven cards to add the next panel. The judge picks the funniest one to complete the strip.
Why it’s a good alternative: It has the same dark, ridiculous humor as Cards Against Humanity, but the visual element makes it feel completely new. The comics can tell a tiny, weird story.
Expert Tip: The game can be mean. I once played a strip where a character was having a bad day, and the final panel was just… well, it was messy. We couldn’t stop laughing. If your group likes that edge, this is perfect.
Who will love it: People who already read the Cyanide & Happiness comics online. It’s a natural fit.
2. Apples to Apples
The classic that started it all
What it is: This is the game Cards Against Humanity was based on. A judge plays a green card with an adjective like “Loud” or “Strange.” Everyone else submits a red card with a noun (like “My Uncle” or “The Moon”) that they think best matches it.
Why it’s a good alternative: It’s clean. You can play it with your kids, your grandparents, and your coworkers without any worry. The fun comes from the clever connections, not from shock value.
Expert Tip: The humor here is smarter. Winning isn’t about being the most outrageous; it’s about knowing what the judge will think is funny or clever. It’s a game of psychology.
Who will love it: Absolutely everyone. It’s the safest choice for a new or mixed group.
3. Quiplash
You make the jokes
What it is: This is a game you play on your screen (TV, computer, tablet) using your phone as a controller. Everyone gets a silly prompt like “A bad name for a dentist” or “What to yell during a wedding.” You type in your funniest answer. Everyone then votes on their two favorites.
Why it’s a good alternative: There are no pre-written cards. The funniest person wins. It rewards creativity and quick thinking. Because you’re typing on your phone, shy players might feel more comfortable.
Expert Tip: The best answers are often short, punchy, and easy to understand. A long, complicated joke might not get votes because people have to read it quickly.
Who will love it: Writers, comedians, and anyone who loves to make up their own jokes.
4. Funemployed
The hilarious job interview game
What it is: One player is the interviewer for a weird job, like “Circus Clown” or “Superhero Sidekick.” The other players are applicants. Each applicant has a hand of qualification cards like “Can breathe fire” or “Is made of wood.” They must use these cards to convince the interviewer they are perfect for the job.
Why it’s a good alternative: This game is all about performance. You have to sell your silly qualifications with a straight face. It’s less about the cards you have and more about how you use them.
Expert Tip: The best moments come from players connecting unrelated cards into a believable (and hilarious) backstory. “As you can see from my resume, I ‘Have a great singing voice’ and ‘Am covered in bees.’ This allows me to perform my hit song, The Buzzing Ballad, which terrifies and delights audiences.”
Who will love it: Theater kids, improv actors, and anyone who loves to tell a good story.
5. Telestrations
Telephone, but with drawings
What it is: Everyone gets a dry-erase notebook and a word to draw. They draw it, then pass the notebook. The next person looks at the drawing and guesses the word. Then they pass it, and the next person draws that guess. It continues until you get your original book back.
Why it’s a good alternative: There is no judging and no winner. The entire point is to see how a simple word like “Cat” can turn into “Alien Godzilla attacking the Eiffel Tower” after a few bad drawings and guesses. It is pure, joyful chaos.
Expert Tip: You don’t need to be good at drawing. Bad drawings are actually funnier. The game is fail-proof. If everyone is confused, you’re playing it right.
Who will love it: People who are afraid of competitive games. It’s impossible to be bad at Telestrations, and that’s what makes it great.
6. What Do You Meme?
Create your own memes
What it is: The judge draws a photo card—a classic meme template like “Distracted Boyfriend” or “Woman Yelling at a Cat.” Everyone else plays a caption card from their hand. The judge picks the funniest combination.
Why it’s a good alternative: It’s incredibly modern. If your group lives on the internet and understands meme culture, this will feel natural and hilarious.
Expert Tip: The game’s humor relies entirely on everyone knowing the meme templates. It’s perfect for younger players or very online friend groups, but it might fall flat with people who aren’t familiar with the source material.
Who will love it: Millennials, Gen Z, and anyone who spends too much time on social media.
7. Wavelength
A game of psychic connection
What it is: This is a team game. One player gets a clue like “Hot” and “Cold” with a dial in the middle. They have to give a clue to their team to guess where the dial is pointing. For example, if the dial is near “Hot,” they might say “Pizza oven.” Their team then has to guess how close they are.
Why it’s a good alternative: It’s cooperative and brainy. There’s no mean-spirited judging. The fun comes from trying to get inside your friends’ heads. It leads to amazing conversations and “Aha!” moments.
Expert Tip: The best clues are simple and based on shared experiences. Instead of trying to be too clever, think about what your teammates know. My friend once gave the clue “Our third-grade teacher” for a spot between “Strict” and “Nice.” We guessed it perfectly because we all remembered her.
Who will love it: Teams, couples, and friends who have known each other a long time. It tests how well you really know each other.
