National Lampoon's Animal House

R

Released Jun 1, 1978

1h 49m

Comedy

List

91%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

89%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

When they arrive at college, socially inept freshmen Larry (Thomas Hulce) and Kent (Stephen Furst) attempt to pledge the snooty Omega Theta Pi House, but are summarily rejected. Lowering their standards, they try at the notoriously rowdy Delta Tau Chi House, and get in. The trouble is, the college dean (John Vernon) has it in for the Deltas. He has put them on "Double Secret Probation" and secretly assigned Omega's president (James Daughton) the task of having their charter revoked.

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Critics Consensus

The talents of director John Landis and Saturday Night Live's irrepressible John Belushi conspired to create a rambunctious, subversive college comedy that continues to resonate.

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

In its own half-flubbed way, it has a style. And you don’t go to a film like Animal House for cinema, you go for roughhousing disreputability; it makes you laugh by restoring you to the slobby infant in yourself.

Sep 18, 2023

Full Review

Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

The film has swept through the American box office like a whirlwind, precipitating a rash of incipient college romps. One waits with trepidation: but at least the trailblazer has vitality and charm.

Feb 7, 2020

Full Review

Gary Arnold

Washington Post

You may not care to take up permanent spiritual residence at Animal House, but it's funny place to visit.

Jul 31, 2015

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It's endlessly quotable (“Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son”), packed with excellent performances and unique characters, and blessed with a great score that mixes Elmer Bernstein’s orchestral maneuvers with catchy oldies.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

By the hilariously rampageous finale – despite individual moments routinely outshining the production as a whole – this picture clearly demonstrates its inspirational and influential qualities.

Rated: 6/10

Sep 22, 2022

Full Review

Sarah Brinks

Battleship Pretension

There are some classic performances like Jim Belushi's Blutarsky and Tim Matheson's Eric Stratton.

Apr 1, 2021

Full Review

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Michael R

My favorite comedy of all time. I love all of the politically incorrect themes and moments. This may cause some of you to need a safe space but I'll be still laughing througout.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/24

Full Review

Narciso R

I thought Tim Mattison was the star of AH. Instead it turned out to be John Belushi. Hilarious either way, total guy movie. NRJ.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/23/24

Full Review

Pedro L

I think this should be mandatory film school watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/18/24

Full Review

Thad T

One of the greatest movies of all time. Perfect

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

Brent A

10% rating ... I know I'm in the minority, but I did not find this to be an entertaining movie. Plot seemed dull and I found the characters to be annoying and obnoxious. I guess college frat humor and antics have never been my form of comedy.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Marcus B

Simply a classic. Especially if you had a tight group of friends in college and had a ton of good times. A pledge pin?!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/24

Full Review

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John Landis

Director

John Belushi

John "Bluto" Blutarsky

Kevin Bacon

Chip Diller

Donald Sutherland

Prof. Dave Jennings

Karen Allen

Katy

Tim Matheson

Eric "Otter" Stratton

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Animal House: Official Clip - Flounder Gets Even

2:57

Animal House: Official Clip - Only We Can Do That to Our Pledges

2:59

Animal House: Official Clip - Finished at Faber

2:00

Animal House: Official Clip - New Pledges

2:19

Animal House: Official Clip - Bluto's a Zit

2:39

Animal House: Official Clip - Enter the Deathmobile

3:00

Animal House: Official Clip - Double Secret Probation

1:47

Animal House: Official Clip - Toga! Toga!

3:00

Animal House: Official Clip - Bluto's Big Speech

2:46

Animal House: Official Clip - Deltas on Trial

2:49

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Synopsis

When they arrive at college, socially inept freshmen Larry (Thomas Hulce) and Kent (Stephen Furst) attempt to pledge the snooty Omega Theta Pi House, but are summarily rejected. Lowering their standards, they try at the notoriously rowdy Delta Tau Chi House, and get in. The trouble is, the college dean (John Vernon) has it in for the Deltas. He has put them on "Double Secret Probation" and secretly assigned Omega's president (James Daughton) the task of having their charter revoked.

Director: John Landis
Producer: Ivan Reitman, Matty Simmons
Screenwriter: Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney, Chris Miller
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 1, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Runtime: 1h 49m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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