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The Hangover

Play trailer Poster for The Hangover R 2009 1h 39m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 238 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Two days before his wedding, Doug (Justin Bartha) and three friends (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis) drive to Las Vegas for a wild and memorable stag party. In fact, when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning, they can't remember a thing; nor can they find Doug. With little time to spare, the three hazy pals try to re-trace their steps and find Doug so they can get him back to Los Angeles in time to walk down the aisle.
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The Hangover

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Critics Consensus

With a clever script and hilarious interplay among the cast, The Hangover nails just the right tone of raunchy humor, and the non-stop laughs overshadow any flaw.

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Critics Reviews

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Matt Singer The Rumpus In the case of The Hangover, Phillips made a decent diversion, but no classic; like its heroes you'll have a good time, then forget most of it when you wake up the following morning. It's a movie, not a film. Sep 18, 2017 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online ... I went in to The Hangover with low expectations but ended up laughing more times than I thought I would. Rated: B Sep 12, 2017 Full Review Jordan Hoffman UGO The Hangover isn't painful to watch. If friends drag you to this movie, you won't hate them afterwards. But maybe it'll seem a lot funnier if you are drinking. Rated: C Aug 11, 2009 Full Review David Griffiths Subculture Entertainment There is little surprise that ‘The Hangover 2’ is already in pre-production, this film is so good that it deserves to do well at the box office. ‘The Hangover’ is one of the funniest films of the year and is a must for those who love to laugh out loud. Rated: 4/5 Oct 29, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Temporary and fading, it limits itself with its reliance on gross-out humor; once you’ve seen the depravity onscreen, the shock no longer exists, making its rewatchability nil. You’ll laugh a lot the first time you see it but see it only once. Rated: 3/4 Sep 4, 2023 Full Review Robin Holabird Robin Holabird Over at the Nevada Film Office, none of us staff members thought a little comedy with not-too- familiar stars would produce a Mike Tyson knock-out punch... Aug 11, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mike D It took way too long for anything to happen. It was literally an hour of them saying "Dude! We did what?!?" All the jokes were bad and forced except for the brother in law character. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/16/25 Full Review Victor S. Classic comedy movie, makes you want to plan a trip to Vegas with the Boys. Pace, story, cast, and setting is absolutely stellar. Not perfect in any means but a must watch for sure! 4/5 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/12/25 Full Review TheMovieSearch R The Hangover remains one of the most iconic comedies of the 2000s, a chaotic, laugh-out-loud adventure that thrives on absurdity and timing. Directed by Todd Phillips, the film assembled a cast that shouldn’t have worked as well as it did — yet somehow, the chemistry between Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis made it unforgettable. The outrageous concept of waking up after a wild Las Vegas bachelor party with no memory and a missing groom created the perfect storm for nonstop comedy. From the tiger in the bathroom to the missing tooth to Mike Tyson’s cameo, The Hangover balances shock humor with clever writing in a way that’s hard to replicate. Zach Galifianakis absolutely steals the show as Alan, the socially awkward wildcard of the group. His unpredictable one-liners and bizarre mannerisms provide some of the film’s biggest laughs. Bradley Cooper, playing the confident and effortlessly cool Phil, shows that his comedic chops are just as sharp as his dramatic ones. Ed Helms as the anxious Stu delivers the perfect contrast — neurotic and uptight but hilariously relatable. Together, the trio becomes one of the most memorable comedy teams of their generation, their chemistry making even the most ridiculous scenarios feel strangely believable. The screenplay is surprisingly tight for such a wild comedy. Every bizarre twist and absurd revelation ties back into the mystery of what happened during the bachelor party, keeping the pacing quick and the audience invested. Todd Phillips masterfully balances crude humor with moments of genuine tension and surprise. The dialogue feels natural and unscripted at times, which gives the movie its effortless charm. What could’ve easily been a one-note comedy becomes a cleverly structured mystery that unfolds with impeccable timing. That said, the weakest link in The Hangover is ironically the groom himself, Doug (played by Justin Bartha). While his disappearance drives the plot, he doesn’t make much of an impression. He feels like more of a plot device than a character, which makes him forgettable next to his over-the-top co-stars. The others bring so much personality and comedic energy to the screen that Doug’s absence barely feels like a loss. It’s not necessarily Bartha’s fault — the role just doesn’t give him anything to do. Despite that minor flaw, The Hangover delivers exactly what a great comedy should: outrageous laughter, sharp writing, and total unpredictability. It’s a movie that thrives on escalating chaos, and it never lets up. Each scene outdoes the last, and the clever blend of physical comedy, shock value, and witty dialogue keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. Even after multiple viewings, it still manages to hold up — a testament to how well-crafted the humor really is. Ultimately, The Hangover is more than just a raunchy party movie; it’s a comedy classic that defined an era of filmmaking. It paved the way for countless imitators but remains unmatched in its blend of insanity and intelligence. While it may not be something you watch often, it’s the perfect go-to when you need a guaranteed laugh. Funny, wild, and unexpectedly smart, it’s a film that proves great chemistry and tight writing can turn even the most ridiculous premise into comedy gold. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/10/25 Full Review Ed R Classic nostalgic comedy that was a unique movie during its prime! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/08/25 Full Review Janet D Totally hilarious and a must-see! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/06/25 Full Review Alfredo S. A timeless classic, pure comedy and fun. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/29/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Hangover

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Movie Info

Synopsis Two days before his wedding, Doug (Justin Bartha) and three friends (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis) drive to Las Vegas for a wild and memorable stag party. In fact, when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning, they can't remember a thing; nor can they find Doug. With little time to spare, the three hazy pals try to re-trace their steps and find Doug so they can get him back to Los Angeles in time to walk down the aisle.
Director
Todd Phillips
Producer
Todd Phillips, Daniel Goldberg
Screenwriter
Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
Distributor
Warner Bros.
Production Co
Green Hat Films
Rating
R (Pervasive Language|Nudity|Sexual Content|Some Drug Material)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 5, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 7, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$277.3M
Runtime
1h 39m
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