“Like warm apple pie.” No college comedy has been as influential as American Pie (1999). A monumental masterpiece of comedy, the film became a staple of American culture and impacted the comedy world, forevermore.
With its roots heavily influenced by college comedies of the 70s and 80s, American Pie brought back a genre that was highly enjoyed but long forgotten. Keeping the nostalgia alive, the film’s original and creative take on the quintessential quest for sex birthed an entire franchise (though we don't need to talk about those spinoffs ...), and paved the way for countless classic college comedies of similar absurdity. Here are some of the best.
Updated January 4th, 2021 by Kristen Palamara: The college comedy genre found its stride in the 70s and 80s with iconic classics but has continued to be a fan-favorite genre. More modern movies are being released every year that explore kids about to leave for college, kids in college or adults reminiscing about their college days. College comedies typically are focused on bringing the raunchy laughs, but can at times be incredibly insightful as well. From golden oldies to modern classics, fans of the American Pie movies are sure to get a kick out of all 15 of these college comedies.
Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart is similar to Superbad in some ways, but also a completely new look at the graduating best friends ready to move onto the college world.
The movie follows two young senior high schoolers who realize that they've been so busy studying that they haven't been to a single party during their high school years so they decide to go to all the graduation parties before splitting up to attend different colleges. The crazy night of partying ensues, but there are also heartfelt and touching moments throughout.
Old School (2003)
Old School follows a group of three best friends (Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn) who turn their house into a party central at a nearby local college campus despite their age.
The three start interacting with college kids and becoming close enough to start an odd type of fraternity. The school's dean is determined to shut them down and the movie turns into a similar setup to Animal House.
Neighbors (2014)
Neighbors centers on a young couple (Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen) trying to adjust to parenting right after they've had their first child. They struggle to keep their sleep schedule amongst other issues only to have a college fraternity (led by Zac Efron) rent the house next to them and make their lives even worse with the constant partying.
The couple calls the police on their new neighbors and it starts an all-out prank war that escalates to dangerous yet hilarious heights.
22 Jump Street (2014)
22 Jump Street sees Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum return as undercover police officers who are infiltrating a college campus versus a high school like in the first movie.
The two quickly jump into college life including Tatum's character joining the football team and falling in with a fraternity while Hill's character meets a young woman in his art classes and hangs out with the art student crowd.
Pitch Perfect (2012)
Pitch Perfect is a college movie that delves into the odd friendships and cliques formed in the collegic acapella world. It follows Beca (Anna Kendrick) in her freshman year at college as she tries to find her place and falls into the acapella crowd.
There are great friendships formed, some raunchy and at times gross-out jokes thrown in, and some fun acapella performances with some stunning singing.
Superbad (2007)
Though many college comedies came after American Pie, none were mightier than the all-time classic Superbad. Featuring a comedy gold mine of actors, like Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Emma Stone, Seth Rogen, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (starring as the legendary McLovin), the 2000s movie reset the bar for the genre.
In a tale as old as time, two high school best friends go on a wild goose chase to acquire booze for a party - and help their desperate chances of getting laid before graduation. With amazing quotes and jokes, Superbad solidified itself as one of the greatest comedies of our generation. Chicka! Chicka! Yeah! Yeah!
Porky’s (1981)
One of the lesser-known, yet more influential college comedies, Porky’s, at its roots, is the notable inspiration for American Pie, and the genre itself. Generating all the genre clichés, four high school friends will do anything to lose their virginity, even if it means sneaking into the strip club to pay for it.
After getting caught, beaten, kicked out, and robbed, the boys plan an act of dastardly revenge on the club’s owner, Porky (Chuck Mitchell). Meanwhile, their sexual curiosity gets them in even more trouble when they discover the peephole into the girls' locker room.
Fired Up! (2009)
How do you spell Fired Up? F-U! Shawn Colfax (Nicholas D’Agosto) and Nick Brady (Eric Christian Olsen) are high school heroes who are more into getting hot and heavy with the girls, than getting hot and sweaty with the boys during football camp. In turn, they devise a plan to attend cheer camp and do more kissing than cheering ... how could things go wrong?
Styled with its fast-paced banter, witty humor, and slapstick comedy, Fired Up! is criminally underrated in the topic of college comedies. Entertaining and original, the film’s hilarity is due highly to its ridiculous cheers, having you cheer along like, “We! Are Laughing! We! We! Are Laughing!”
Animal House (1978)
American Pie is in a league of its own, but the college comedy genre would be nothing without its Founding Father, Animal House. It was so hilariously influential that in practically every college dorm back then and still today, you’ll find the iconic image of John Belushi holding a bottle of Jack in his classic COLLEGE sweatshirt.
At fictional Faber College, a frat house full of oddballs and party animals cause mayhem on campus, as they fight for their fraternity’s survival against the uppity frats and the overbearing Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon). Get your togas ready, it’s time to get it popping like a pimple and party like it's 1962.
Euro Trip (2004)
If Scotty didn’t know, Scotty definitely knows now. And what he knows is that Euro Trip is one of the most ridiculous and raunchiest road trip comedies of all time. Scott Thomas (Scott Mechlowicz) is brutally dumped by his girlfriend, inspiring him to pursue his pen pal Mieke (Jessica Boehrs) all the way to Germany.
In a cross-continental tour of Europe, Scotty and the gang encounter endless mishaps and hilarious embarrassments unique to each country they travel to. While his friends try to get laid by the locals, Scotty is determined to find his German girl - no matter how many Italian men flirt with him on the train.
The House Bunny (2008)
What better way to learn how to impress college guys than with the coaching of an ex-Playboy Bunny. Anna Faris stars as the aging Shelley Darlington, who is kicked out of the Playboy Mansion for being "too old", aged at an ancient 27 years. Down but not out, she finds herself as House Mother to the geekiest group of girls on campus.
Featuring the comedic talents of Emma Stone, Kat Dennings, and Katharine McPhee, the movie follows Shelley and the sorority girls as they get complete makeovers both in looks and personality. One of the few college comedies from the female perspective, The House Bunny aims to show that true beauty lies from within- and within the Playboy Mansion, of course.
Accepted (2007)
A satire about college, Accepted stars Justin Long as Bartleby Gaines who, after being denied from every college applied to, creates his own college as to not disappoint his strict father (Mark Derwin). The South Harmon Institute of Technology becomes a student-run “college” led by Bartleby and friends and is populated with slackers across the state.
Instead of the students being told what to learn, the students get to decide for themselves. Courses consist of Slacking 101, Doing Nothing 405, Skateboarding 234, Wingman-ing 101, and a fan favorite: Rock Your Faces Off 222.
Road Trip (2000)
After an assumed breakup from his girlfriend, Josh Parker (Breckin Meyer) makes a quick rebound with his classmate Beth (Amy Smart) and films their dirty deed … which is mistakenly mailed to his high school sweetheart (Rachel Blanchard). Josh and his friends, featuring Sean William Scott, Paul Costanzo, and DJ Qualls, desperately drive from New York to Texas to intercept the tape.
Naturally, things don’t go as planned for the boys, as they face ridiculous curveballs and obstacles on their nearly 2,000-mile road trip. One of the cheesiest comedies of its time, Road Trip carries a strikingly similar feel and cast as American Pie, but unfortunately for us, there’s no Stiffler’s Mom with this appearance of Sean William Scott.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a classic and relatable high school comedy about the stereotypical ins and outs of an 80s school year in sunny California. With several different storylines throughout, including love triangles, losing virginity, and uptight teachers versus slackers, each plot is unique and entertaining to keep the nostalgia alive.
With the themes of sex and drugs prominent, the film has no shortage of rock n roll. The electric soundtrack would be the best part of the movie if it wasn’t for the star-studded cast of actors, none more memorable than Sean Penn as surfer stoner Jeff Spicoli, his first breakthrough role that would lead to two Academy Awards. Looks like danger really is his business!
Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
A big farce on the sex comedy movie movement of the 70s and 80s, Wet Hot American Summer became a cult classic and a college humor icon of the early 2000s. Featuring one of the funniest casts of stars, it was a breakthrough hit for talents like Paul Rudd, David Hyde Pierce, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Poehler, and a young Bradley Cooper in his film debut.
It’s 1981 and the last day of summer camp for a group of teenage counselors. Full of camp nostalgia, like pranks, talent shows, cranky campers, summer romances, and late teenage sexual tension, things truly do get wet and hot on this American summer day.