12 Hilarious Movies That Capture the Chaos of a Wild Night Like The Hangover
The Hangover stands as one of the most influential comedy films of the 21st century, renowned for its edgy and boundary-pushing humor. While comedies have long tested the limits of what’s acceptable on screen, The Hangover pushed those boundaries further than most. The film’s unique appeal lies in its audacity; it delivered a level of chaotic debauchery that had audiences captivated. The characters—Phil Wenneck (Bradley Cooper), Stu Price (Ed Helms), Alan Garner (Zach Galifianakis), and Doug Billings (Justin Bartha)—became iconic for their outrageous escapades after a bachelor party spirals out of control.
Part of the film's success lies in its ensemble cast, who all went on to achieve even greater fame. Bradley Cooper, for instance, earned critical acclaim for his roles in films like Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper, A Star is Born, and Maestro. Meanwhile, director Todd Phillips ventured into darker territory with Joker and its sequel, showing his versatility in tackling both comedy and drama.
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Even though The Hangover is just 15 years old, it has already sparked a sense of nostalgia for a brand of R-rated comedy that feels increasingly rare. In today's cinematic landscape, comedies often struggle at the box office, with many being relegated to streaming services rather than gracing the big screen. The joy of experiencing a comedy with a live audience is something many cinephiles long for again. While Hollywood may be changing, there are still films that deliver the same type of humor, and if you loved The Hangover, you’ll find these comedies equally entertaining.
Animal House (1978)
Like The Hangover, Animal House (1978) brought together a cast and crew that would go on to shape the comedy genre. Directed by John Landis and produced by National Lampoon co-founder Douglas Kenny, the film blends gross-out humor with sharp social satire. It explores the antics of the misfit Delta Tau Chi fraternity and contrasts their unruly behavior with the "prestigious" Omega Theta Pi fraternity.
Both Animal House and The Hangover feature groups of lovable misfits who, despite their reckless actions, form tight-knit friendships. Just as The Hangover celebrates male camaraderie despite its chaotic plot, Animal House showcases the bonds between characters like Bluto (John Belushi) and his fellow frat brothers, whose antics are hilarious and heartfelt. The physical comedy in The Hangover echoes the antics of Bluto, whose memorable moments of rebellion are almost as iconic as the film itself.
After Hours (1985)
Todd Phillips has frequently cited Martin Scorsese as a major influence on his work. His film Joker borrows elements from Scorsese's Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy, and his War Dogs shares similarities with Goodfellas. However, one of Scorsese's lesser-known films, After Hours (1985), most closely mirrors the tone of The Hangover. This dark comedy follows Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne), who, after an awkward date, gets stuck in a series of bizarre and increasingly absurd situations throughout New York City’s SoHo district.
Both After Hours and The Hangover take simple setups and escalate them into comedic chaos. Paul’s escalating misfortunes echo the disastrous journey of The Hangover’s group. Where The Hangover features a dynamic ensemble cast playing off each other's energy, After Hours stands as a more introspective comedy, with Dunne carrying the film alone as his character’s frustrations grow.
Mallrats (1995)
Kevin Smith’s Mallrats (1995) shares a similar irreverence with The Hangover, offering a glimpse into the lives of a group of young men struggling to grow up. The film, set in a mall, explores the antics of T.S. Quint (Jeremy London) and Brodie Bruce (Jason Lee), who are trying to figure out their futures amidst their obsession with comic books and pop culture. Much like The Hangover, Mallrats takes an often ridiculous premise and uses it to explore deeper themes of maturation, relationships, and personal growth.
Mallrats serves as a “coming-of-age” comedy, where the characters are reluctant to transition into adulthood. Similarly, The Hangover tackles the anxieties of growing older, though in a different, more chaotic light. While both films are filled with raunchy humor, they also showcase relatable characters grappling with life’s next steps, making their eventual growth feel satisfying and earned.
Swingers (1996)
While The Hangover is a hilarious exploration of mid-life crises, Swingers (1996) offers a more grounded take on the frustrations of young adulthood. Swingers focuses on Mike Peters (Jon Favreau), a struggling comedian, and his best friend Trent (Vince Vaughn), a working actor, as they navigate Los Angeles' dating scene during the 1990s swing revival. The film is filled with witty dialogue and poignant moments, exploring the realities of growing up, dating, and making a living.
Both Swingers and The Hangover explore the comedic tension of friendships during transitional periods in life. As Mike tries to find his footing after a breakup, his friendship with Trent helps him navigate his personal issues, much like how the Hangover crew sticks together through their chaotic weekend. The chemistry between Favreau and Vaughn makes Swingers feel authentic and personal, much like the dynamic between the stars of The Hangover.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
In Wedding Crashers (2005), two bachelors—John (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy (Vince Vaughn)—crash weddings to seduce women, but their lives are turned upside down when they fall for two women from a powerful family. Like The Hangover, the film follows characters who push the boundaries of social norms, leading to hilarious consequences. Wedding Crashers escalates situations in similar ways to The Hangover, where both sets of characters find themselves caught in increasingly outrageous situations.
Though the setup of Wedding Crashers shares a lot with The Hangover, it distinguishes itself with a more romantic and emotional storyline. Both films examine how these men’s carefree attitudes are tested when they face real emotions and life-changing decisions. The camaraderie between John and Jeremy mirrors the friendship seen in The Hangover, with both films showcasing how relationships evolve as their characters mature.
Superbad (2007)
Superbad (2007) is often seen as a high school counterpart to The Hangover. While The Hangover features middle-aged men dealing with the consequences of their childish actions, Superbad focuses on teenagers Evan (Michael Cera) and Seth (Jonah Hill) as they attempt to get into parties and make the most of their final days before college. The film mixes gross-out humor with heartfelt moments, making it an emotional journey as well as a comedy.
Both films explore the theme of friendship during pivotal life transitions. Superbad is marked by its innocence compared to the reckless abandon of The Hangover, but at their core, both films are about coming of age and dealing with life’s uncertainties. Seth’s realization that he and Evan are parting ways after high school mirrors the emotional growth seen in The Hangover’s characters.
Step Brothers (2008)
In Step Brothers (2008), two middle-aged men—Brennan (Will Ferrell) and Dale (John C. Reilly)—are forced to live together when their parents marry. Much like The Hangover, the film showcases the immaturity of its adult characters, who behave like children despite their age. The film is a hilarious exploration of man-child behavior and features some of the most outrageous comedic moments of the late 2000s.
Both Step Brothers and The Hangover center around characters who refuse to grow up, but Step Brothers adds a darker layer of absurdity. From physical comedy to a storyline of familial rivalry, Step Brothers matches The Hangover in outrageousness while delivering its own brand of over-the-top humor.
Due Date (2010)
Todd Phillips’ Due Date (2010) serves as a spiritual sequel to The Hangover. It follows Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.), who is forced to travel with an eccentric companion, played by Zach Galifianakis, as they try to make it across the country in time for Peter’s child’s birth. Though it’s a more heartwarming film, Due Date captures much of the humor and chaos of The Hangover, with Galifianakis’ character echoing Alan’s role as the lovable, unpredictable wild card.
While Due Date takes a more sincere approach to the road trip comedy, it maintains the same irreverent tone, with plenty of absurdity to keep audiences laughing. The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Galifianakis mirrors the dynamic of The Hangover’s ensemble cast, making it another great choice for fans of chaotic comedy.movies like remember the titans movies like zoolander movies like space cadet movies like mad max fury road movies like my big fat greek wedding movies like sixteen candles movies like this is 40 movies like steel magnolias movies like a christmas carol movies like the bikeriders movies like atonement movies like the book of eli movies like uncle buck movies like geostorm movies like legends of the fall movies like nymphomaniac movies like leap year movies like emma 2 movies like hellboy movies like a simple favor movies like primal fear movies like sin city movies like uglies movies like lights out movies like 12 strong movies like the hunger games movies like obsessed movies like see how they run movies like the wizard of oz movies like full metal jacket movies like king kong movies like letters to juliet movies like no strings attached movies like keanu movies like knocked up movies like shark tale movies like rango movies like the fifth element movies like how high movies like hell or high water movies like i spit on your grave movies like longlegs movies like it follows movies like adore movies like love jones movies like garden state movies like i saw the tv glow movies like law abiding citizen movies like notting hill movies like total recall movies like sleepless in seattle movies like unfrosted movies like bodies bodies bodies movies like nope movies like the imitation game movies like poltergeist movies like sleepy hollow movies like the happening movies like beast movies like bird box 2 movies like the neverending story movies like the lucky one movies like road house movies like lemonade mouth movies like the invitation movies like grease movies like the dark knight movies like atlas movies like the sixth sense movies like the wedding planner movies like the perfect storm movies like wild child movies like the pagemaster movies like abigail