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      Wet Hot American Summer

      2001, Comedy, 1h 37m

      76 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      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. Read critic reviews

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      Wet Hot American Summer  Photos

      Wet Hot American Summer (2001) Wet Hot American Summer (2001) Wet Hot American Summer (2001) Wet Hot American Summer (2001) Wet Hot American Summer (2001) Wet Hot American Summer (2001) David Hyde Pierce and Janeane Garofalo. Paul Rudd and Marguerite Moreau.

      Movie Info

      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.

      • Rating: R (Language|Drug Sequence|Strong Sexual Content)

      • Genre: Comedy

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: David Wain

      • Producer: Howard Bernstein

      • Writer: Michael Showalter, David Wain

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $292.1K

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: USA Films

      • Production Co: Eureka Pictures, North Coast Group

      • Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo

      • Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

      Cast & Crew

      News & Interviews for Wet Hot American Summer

      Critic Reviews for Wet Hot American Summer

      Audience Reviews for Wet Hot American Summer

      • May 11, 2020

        Janeane Garofalo gamely heads the cast of this teen comedy designed for the gigglesnort teen set, and those sad hapless souls who might be assigned to watch over them for one summer month. The story follows a group of counselors as they go through their Animal House paces, negotiating the final fling of a New England summer camp. Their adventures are typical for those of us who've seen this done a time or two, with nothing different to recommend the thing. First timers though might get a giggle or two out of the scandalous-ness of all the shenanigans.

        kevin w Super Reviewer
      • Aug 27, 2015

        Before indulging in the star-studded prequel series now available on Netflix, revisit the offbeat laugh-riot that started it all. Written by Michael Showalter from MTV's sketch comedy series The State, this '80s-set comedy cast such (then) relatively unknown actors as Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Elizabeth Banks and Christopher Meloni. In fact, when the cameras started rolling, the film's biggest stars included Janeane Garofalo (Reality Bites) and David Hyde Pierce (NBC's Frasier). The end result of this talented bunch banding together starts out parodying camp comedies such as 1979's Meatballs and 1993's Indian Summer, while skewering teen sex dramas such as 1982's The Last American Virgin before going off in an absurd and downright hilariously bonkers direction all of its own. In this R-rated comedy set on the last day of camp in the hot summer of 1981, a group of counselors (Garofalo, et al) try to complete their unfinished business before the day ends. Off-putting at first because you don't expect it, the movie's sense of humor proves to be a slow reveal. The craziness kicks in more and more as the story progresses. Indeed, when this comedy begins, Wet Hot American Summer feels little more than a harmless send-up. Once the training wheels come off, however, it's a runaway train of left field sight gags and bizarre character arcs that take the audience in an uproariously daffy wild ride. Give yourself over to it and you'll be laughing at some of the jokes a week later - that's a promise. Thankfully, the flick slowly amassed such a groundswell of fan adulation through home video and downloads that it became a cult classic. Now is the time to belly laugh and see why. Bottom line: American Standard

        Super Reviewer
      • Aug 11, 2015

        "Wet Hot American Summer" follows a group of camp friends as they live life to the fullest on their last day of camp. That is literally the only plot to this film, notwithstanding a few character arcs along the way. It really just boils down to the comedy and whether or not you buy into it. For as dumb as this film is, I had a blast watching it. Almost all of the jokes worked for me, even the ones that made no sense, because I felt like that was their plan all along. This cult classic has been really making the rounds ever since it's initial release, and I must say, I completely see why. This film is certainly not for everyone, especially those who watch comedies for something profoundly clever in the writing. This film is exactly what it is. The cast was hired all just before the peak of their career, so it's nice to see them interacting with each other before they became rich and famous. In the end, "Wet Hot American Summer" is the type of film to just sit back, relax and enjoy with friends. I had a blast, and even though the movie really isn't all that great overall, I have no regrets recommending it.

        kj p Super Reviewer
      • Aug 10, 2015

        Stupid, silly, ridiculous, and a lotta good fun. I watched it on a Saturday morning lounging on the couch, which feels like the right way to view something like this. It's endlessly ridiculous but I enjoy David Wain's constant pokes at conventions within movies (I was also quite a fan of They Came Together). The cast and soundtrack here are juggernauts, securing a nostalgic veneer to keep everything likeable, even if a lot of the goofiness falls flat. Paul Rudd cleaning up the cafeteria floor is gold, as is the group trip to town montage.

        Super Reviewer

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