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Hamlet 2

Play trailer Poster for Hamlet 2 R Released Aug 27, 2008 1h 34m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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Hamlet 2

Hamlet 2

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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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Critics Reviews

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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

Audience Reviews

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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
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Hamlet 2

Hamlet 2: Official Clip - R*ped in the Face Hamlet 2: Official Clip - R*ped in the Face 2:00 Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Catherine Keener Is Having David Arquette's Baby 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 Hamlet 2: Official Clip - I'd Like To See Your Bottom 2:28 Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Jesus And Hamlet Team Up? Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Jesus And Hamlet Team Up? 5:17 Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Let's Talk About Your Balls! Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Let's Talk About Your Balls! 2:05 Hamlet 2: Official Clip - HILARIOUS First Rehearsal Hamlet 2: Official Clip - HILARIOUS First Rehearsal 3:09 Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Elisabeth Shue Wants To Make Out Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Elisabeth Shue Wants To Make Out 4:06 Hamlet 2: Official Clip - WTF Play Prep Hamlet 2: Official Clip - WTF Play Prep 2:15 Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Elisabeth Shue Is A Sperm Bank Nurse? Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Elisabeth Shue Is A Sperm Bank Nurse? 2:45 Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Rock Me, Sexy Jesus Hamlet 2: Official Clip - Rock Me, Sexy Jesus 3:52 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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