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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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Rent Wet Hot American Summer on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, or buy it on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV.
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Wet Hot American Summer videos
Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong About... Wet Hot American Summer
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Less Than
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Where's the Phone?
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Higher and Higher Montage
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - An Unlikely Team of Misfits
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Wait for Me, Abbie Bernstein!
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Cleaning Up & Breaking Down
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - The Talking Can
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Hump the Fridge
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Going into Town
Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Making Out
Wet Hot American Summer Photos
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.
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Rating: R (Language|Drug Sequence|Strong Sexual Content)
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Genre: Comedy
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Original Language: English
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Director: David Wain
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Producer: Howard Bernstein
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Writer: Michael Showalter, David Wain
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Release Date (Theaters): wide
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Box Office (Gross USA): $292.1K
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Runtime:
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Distributor: USA Films
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Production Co: Eureka Pictures, North Coast Group
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Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
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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
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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 -
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
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"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 -
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.
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