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Game Night

Play trailer 2:49 Poster for Game Night R 2018 1h 40m Comedy Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
85% Tomatometer 256 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Max and Annie's weekly game night gets kicked up a notch when Max's brother Brooks arranges a murder mystery party -- complete with fake thugs and federal agents. So when Brooks gets kidnapped, it's all supposed to be part of the game. As the competitors set out to solve the case, they start to learn that neither the game nor Brooks are what they seem to be. The friends soon find themselves in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn over the course of one chaotic night.
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Game Night

Game Night

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Critics Consensus

With a talented cast turned loose on a loaded premise -- and a sharp script loaded with dark comedy and unexpected twists -- Game Night might be more fun than the real thing.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader The long joke of the narrative is adroitly handled, and for once the climax pays off in laughs. Mar 9, 2020 Full Review Richard Brody The New Yorker The movie is a hollow throwback to classic comedy, and it shines only by contrast with dull studio competition. Mar 5, 2018 Full Review Charlotte O'Sullivan London Evening Standard The spoofy action set-pieces are ho hum. What's special is the minutiae-based, casually political banter. Rated: 3/5 Mar 4, 2018 Full Review David Griffiths Subculture Entertainment Its great screenplay allows for a little more storyline and suspense then what we expect from most comedy films while Jason Bateman once again shows why he is the current king of comedy. Rated: 3/5 Oct 29, 2024 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Flush with snickering hilarity and scoring plenty of points for swerving surprises, Game Night is infectiously entertaining with any cheese it serves. Rated: 4/5 Oct 14, 2024 Full Review Tina Kakadelis Beyond the Cinerama Dome Harkening back to the mid-budget comedy movies that have sadly disappeared from the mainstream, Game Night is the sort of breezy movie that has great potential for universal appeal, if only people are able to find out about it. Jul 25, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Fern S Great laugh at loud comedy. They don’t make movies like this anymore. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/01/25 Full Review Nashville I. Man, what a perfect comedy. The brilliant digestable writing and unreal chemistry is on the level of golden classics like Caddyshack, Anchorman, and Mrs Doubtfire. The comedic timing is refreshing, making 98% of comedies this age look ridiculous. If you want to see an A+ cast and belly laugh in public then Game ON. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/14/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny action movie in 1 hour and 40 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Sexual References, Language and Some Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $69,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/11/25 Full Review TheMovieSearch R Game Night (2018), starring Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman, remains one of those rare modern comedies that still holds up years later. I remember catching it in theaters when it was first released and thinking it was refreshingly sharp for a studio comedy. After revisiting it recently, I can confidently say—it’s just as hilarious and entertaining as it was the first time around. The film works because it’s genuinely clever without trying too hard to be edgy or absurd. The direction from John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein is crisp and fast-paced, blending mystery, action, and comedy in a way that keeps you engaged throughout. While the script doesn’t reinvent the genre, it strikes a great balance between situational humor and sharp dialogue. There are a few jokes that miss the mark, but for every gag that falls flat, there are several that land perfectly. The real magic, though, lies in the chemistry between McAdams and Bateman. Their on-screen dynamic is effortless—funny, natural, and full of the kind of energy that makes you believe in them as a couple. McAdams, in particular, shines here. She brings a charming, offbeat energy to the role, proving once again how versatile she is as an actress. Her comedic instincts are razor-sharp, and she elevates every scene she’s in. Bateman, on the other hand, leans into his classic deadpan delivery and sarcastic wit, and it complements her playful energy perfectly. Together, they carry the movie with ease. The supporting cast also adds a lot to the fun—especially Jesse Plemons as the hilariously awkward neighbor Gary. His character’s eerie calmness and weird obsession with joining the game nights make for some of the film’s best moments. The balance of comedy and mild thriller elements also works surprisingly well, turning what could’ve been a simple game-night-gone-wrong story into something more creative and stylish than you’d expect. It’s not necessarily the kind of movie you feel the urge to rewatch every year, but it’s definitely one of those hidden gems that comes to mind when you’re scrolling through streaming options. It’s smart, funny, and well-executed from start to finish—a rare combination in modern studio comedies. If you’re in the mood for something genuinely clever, full of twists, and packed with great performances, Game Night is still one of the most enjoyable comedies of the last decade. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/17/25 Full Review Sanjana R Movie idea was amazing and the first half had me sucked in to the plot and humour, but what was disappointing was the development of the plot. Scenes seemed stretched in the second half, humour forced and banter unnecessary at places. In an attempt to make it funny, a lot of times the story became silly and unrealistic. Loved the concept but not too happy with the story and execution. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/17/25 Full Review Quinn R Fun idea but could have been executed better. Felt like a lot of the twists were disjointed. (53%) Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/26/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Game Night

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Movie Info

Synopsis Max and Annie's weekly game night gets kicked up a notch when Max's brother Brooks arranges a murder mystery party -- complete with fake thugs and federal agents. So when Brooks gets kidnapped, it's all supposed to be part of the game. As the competitors set out to solve the case, they start to learn that neither the game nor Brooks are what they seem to be. The friends soon find themselves in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn over the course of one chaotic night.
Director
John Francis Daley, Jonathan M. Goldstein
Producer
John Davis, Jason Bateman, John Fox, James Garavente
Screenwriter
Mark Perez
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
New Line Cinema, Aggregate Films, Davis Entertainment
Rating
R (Sexual References|Language|Some Violence)
Genre
Comedy, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 23, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 4, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$69.0M
Runtime
1h 40m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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