Hamlet 2

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Hamlet 2

R

Released Aug 27, 2008

1h 34m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

62%

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145 Reviews

56%

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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.

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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.

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Ty Burr

Boston Globe

Rated: 2/4

Nov 24, 2011

Full Review

Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

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

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

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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

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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

Steph Y

I thought this film was comedy genius. A theatrical delight. I don't know how some people didn't find this funny.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/23

Full Review

Steve D

Far better on paper than in practice. Not enough Shue.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/06/23

Full Review

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Andrew Fleming

Director

Steve Coogan

Dana Marschz

Catherine Keener

Mrs. Marschz

David Arquette

Gary

Marshall Bell

Principal Rocker

Melonie Diaz

Yvonne

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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

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