Wet Hot American Summer

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Wet Hot American Summer

R

Released Jul 27, 2001

1h 37m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, "Wet Hot American Summer" follows a group of counselors who are each trying to complete their unfinished business before the day ends. The entire summer of pent-up sexual frustrations, unresolved post-traumatic stress, pending separations and of course, the talent show, all weigh heavily on the minds and groins of counselors and campers alike.

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Critics Consensus

Wet Hot American Summer's incredibly talented cast is too often outmatched by a deeply silly script that misses its targets at least as often as it skewers them.

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Gene Seymour

Los Angeles Times

But even with its tackiness arched at an ironic angle, "Wet Hot American Summer's" long-term fate is to become at best a last-minute accessory to a Blockbuster night of pizza and beverages.

Mar 31, 2019

Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

The title of this inventive absurdist comedy (2001) is meant to mislead-it's not a sex movie but a parody, and the loose feel is part of its genius.

Mar 31, 2019

Full Review

Nathan Lee

Village Voice

Structured only by its time frame (the last day of camp) and total commitment to casualness, the movie feels tossed off in the most appealing way,

Mar 31, 2019

Full Review

Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Wet Hot has endured based on its particular humor—that of sketch-comedy cohort The State. This means, of course, that the best jokes go on far too long. See: Paul Rudd's endless temper tantrum at being asked not to leave his lunch on the cafeteria floor.

Jan 22, 2025

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Michael Cuby

them.

Wet Hot American Summer only seems to get better with time. Part of this can be chalked up to its stellar cast...

Sep 27, 2022

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Andrew Galdi

Movie Bitches

The cast is unbeatable

Rated: 10

Aug 12, 2020

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 37 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language, Drug Sequence and Strong Sexual Content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $292,100.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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chelsea S.

cute and funny. this is a cult classic. i used to watch this in my teen yrs when it was first released. still watch it from time to time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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Tucker P

What wonderful satire! It absolutely spoofs the camp movies of the 1980’s and it spoofs the decade itself. The climax scene where the kid brings the satellite to earth is the brand of nonsense that 80’s comedies/sci-fi/fantasy were known for just to round out the story. Brilliant!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/12/24

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Jonathan B

So bad that they clearly had to work at it to make it so bad. Yes, it's that bad. The sequels--hard as that is to believe--are better, but not by much.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/24

Full Review

Sean G

The definition of camp: so absurd that's it's good. Subverts your expectations and makes no sense. And that's the beauty of it. Don't watch with your kids or your parents though. Might be awkward.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

Full Review

Nol P

NON funny, the story takes forever to just go somewhere. The up and comers like Bradley Cooper and Paul Rudd are way under utilized and placed in weird roles. Save the time and just avoid! 2 of 10 stars at best. If you liked this, you like everything then pretty much! I do not have the time to waste like this again.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

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David Wain

Director

Janeane Garofalo

Beth

David Hyde Pierce

Henry Newman

Michael Showalter

Coop

Marguerite Moreau

Katie

Paul Rudd

Andy

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Less Than

2:26

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Where's the Phone?

2:13

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Higher and Higher Montage

2:32

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - An Unlikely Team of Misfits

1:22

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Wait for Me, Abbie Bernstein!

2:07

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Cleaning Up & Breaking Down

2:17

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - The Talking Can

1:22

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Hump the Fridge

2:22

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Going into Town

2:27

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Making Out

2:17

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Synopsis

Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, "Wet Hot American Summer" follows a group of counselors who are each trying to complete their unfinished business before the day ends. The entire summer of pent-up sexual frustrations, unresolved post-traumatic stress, pending separations and of course, the talent show, all weigh heavily on the minds and groins of counselors and campers alike.

Director: David Wain
Producer: Howard Bernstein
Screenwriter: Michael Showalter, David Wain
Distributor: USA Films
Production Co: Eureka Pictures, North Coast Group
Rating: R (Language|Drug Sequence|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 27, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $292.1K
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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