Hamlet 2

Play trailer

Hamlet 2

R

Released Aug 27, 2008

1h 34m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

144 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Hapless high school theater teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) writes pretentious musical adaptations of Hollywood blockbusters for his indifferent students to perform. His home life is equally shambolic, with his hostile and unhappy wife (Catherine Keener) having an affair with their lodger (David Arquette). When Dana's latest brainstorm, a musical version of Hamlet that includes time travel and a visit from Jesus, threatens to get him fired, his students band together on his behalf.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The script's biting premise and Steve Coogan's endearing, off-the-handle performance make Hamlet 2 an hysterical -- if slightly painful -- ride.

Read Critics Reviews

Amy Nicholson

I.E. Weekly

Oddly, what's supposed to be a great comedy about a bad play is in fact a bad comedy about a play that looks pretty frigging amazing

Rated: D+

Sep 12, 2008

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

A high school musical that would make John Waters proud.

Rated: B+

Aug 28, 2008

Full Review

Philip Kennicott

Washington Post

[A] dazzling little comedy.

Aug 22, 2008

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

There are hints of commentary in the film where, if we squint, we might just walk away with some social significance, but mostly, we’re just laughing at the outrageous moments of mockery toward Shakespeare’s play and religion

Rated: 3/4

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Dysfunction and eccentricity are the fuel for this funny experiment.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

To laugh or not to laugh - that is the question. And with Hamlet 2, there is most definitely only one answer - laugh laugh laugh!!!! Wildly inventive, irreverent and beyond entertaining...

Nov 13, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Deep A

This movie also deals with genuinely deep and tragic themes but disguises its message with hilarious comedy... I can only suppose that this movie went over the heads of the critics because this is a wonderful film all the way around.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

tim s

Hamlet 2 is the epitome of zany and irreverent humor. It playfully critiques everything from Jesus to Shakespeare. Steve Coogan's portrayal of a desperate high school drama teacher is an unsung comedic marvel. His hapless mannerisms and drunken stupors elevate this film into the realm of truly underrated comedies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

Full Review

Will G

A funny movie. I watched this with my family when I was younger. It is about a high school drama teacher who wrote, produced, and directed a play that is a sequel to “Hamlet”.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Autumn M

This is one of those movies that is so bad it is actually good. Hamlet 2 is the story of a hapless, drama teacher who is determined to make his mark in high school theater. The actual play is so absurd that you can't help but laugh. Once you push back dated stereotypes and tropes, you will find a cute little story with a lot of heart that any Shakespeare aficionado can appreciate.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

Full Review

Audience Member

It’s a phile you bingos!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Steve Coogan has his own type of humor and it’s very funny to me! It’s a very simple straight forward movie but the performances all work and there are many laugh out loud moments!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/15/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Andrew Fleming

Director

Steve Coogan

Dana Marschz

Catherine Keener

Mrs. Marschz

David Arquette

Gary

Marshall Bell

Principal Rocker

Melonie Diaz

Yvonne

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - R*ped in the Face

2:00

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Catherine Keener Is Having David Arquette's Baby

1:55

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - I'd Like To See Your Bottom

2:28

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Jesus And Hamlet Team Up?

5:17

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Let's Talk About Your Balls!

2:05

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - HILARIOUS First Rehearsal

3:09

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Elisabeth Shue Wants To Make Out

4:06

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - WTF Play Prep

2:15

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Elisabeth Shue Is A Sperm Bank Nurse?

2:45

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Rock Me, Sexy Jesus

3:52

View more videos

The Ten

35%

40%

The Ten

Watchlist

Grandma's Boy

15%

85%

Grandma's Boy

Watchlist

The Promotion

54%

28%

The Promotion

Watchlist

Keeping Mum

57%

73%

Keeping Mum

Watchlist

The Foot Fist Way

52%

46%

The Foot Fist Way

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Hapless high school theater teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) writes pretentious musical adaptations of Hollywood blockbusters for his indifferent students to perform. His home life is equally shambolic, with his hostile and unhappy wife (Catherine Keener) having an affair with their lodger (David Arquette). When Dana's latest brainstorm, a musical version of Hamlet that includes time travel and a visit from Jesus, threatens to get him fired, his students band together on his behalf.

Director: Andrew Fleming
Producer: Eric D. Eisner, Aaron Ryder, Leonid Rozhetskin
Screenwriter: Andrew Fleming, Pam Brady
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Focus Features, ContentFilm International , Bona Fide Productions
Rating: R (Language|Brief Nudity|Sexual References|Some Drug Content)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 27, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.9M
Runtime: 1h 34m

Most Popular at Home Now