12 Films Like The Hangover for a Wild Ride of Laughter
The Hangover stands as one of the most influential comedies of the 21st century, known not only for its outrageous humor but also for its boundary-pushing content. While comedies have often tested the limits of acceptable humor, The Hangover introduced audiences to an entirely new level of debauchery. The film's iconic status stems from its ability to turn an ordinary bachelor party into an unforgettable series of absurdities, leaving audiences wondering just how far Phil Wenneck (Bradley Cooper), Stu Price (Ed Helms), Alan Garner (Zach Galifianakis), and Doug Billings (Justin Bartha) would go as they try to piece together what happened during a night of chaos. The film's immense success has had long-lasting effects, with its cast and crew, including Bradley Cooper, earning further accolades in films like Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper, and A Star is Born. Director Todd Phillips also ventured into darker territory with Joker, further solidifying his ability to capture complex characters in extreme situations.
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Even though The Hangover is only 15 years old, its bold humor and cultural impact leave a nostalgic yearning for the kind of outrageous comedies that once filled theaters. Today, the comedy genre struggles at the box office, with many films relegated to streaming platforms. There's something irreplaceable about the experience of laughing alongside a full theater of moviegoers—something that’s increasingly rare. While Hollywood may be reluctant to return to these wild comedies, we’ve rounded up a few R-rated gems that will give you a similar dose of outrageous humor.
Animal House (1978)
Much like The Hangover, Animal House is a raucous comedy where an irreverent group of characters manages to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Directed by John Landis and produced by National Lampoon co-founder Douglas Kenney, this film set the standard for comedy in the late 70s. It also paved the way for the likes of Phillips. Similar to how The Hangover satirizes male friendships, Animal House both celebrates and mocks the bonds between the members of the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, who may be troublemakers but aren’t inherently malicious. Much like the unforgettable antics of the Hangover crew, John Belushi’s portrayal of Bluto in Animal House has become iconic, combining physical comedy with heartfelt moments. The film even humorously imagines Bluto as a U.S. Senator, a ridiculous but oddly believable scenario in today’s political landscape.
After Hours (1985)
Todd Phillips often cites Martin Scorsese as an influence, and one of the most unexpected parallels between Phillips' and Scorsese’s work can be found in After Hours, a dark comedy that blends absurdity with sharp social commentary. In this 1985 film, Scorsese examines the increasing tension of one man’s spiraling night in New York City, much like The Hangover escalates a simple bachelor party into an overwhelming nightmare. The film follows Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne) as he ventures out on a seemingly innocent date, only to find himself trapped in a bizarre series of misadventures. The rising absurdity of Paul's situation mirrors the escalating chaos that the Hangover gang experiences, and like the best comedies, it manages to be both darkly funny and oddly reflective.
Mallrats (1995)
In many ways, Kevin Smith’s Mallrats is the younger sibling of The Hangover. Both films explore a group of characters stuck in an awkward phase of life—one dealing with growing up and the other facing mid-life crises. Mallrats follows T.S. Quint (Jeremy London) and Brodie Bruce (Jason Lee), two friends whose lives are filled with comic book references and romantic misadventures. Like the characters in The Hangover, T.S. and Brodie are forced to confront their immaturity, learning valuable life lessons along the way. Kevin Smith’s signature humor, filled with pop culture references and raunchy yet endearing characters, provides a perfect companion to Todd Phillips’ work, especially for younger audiences navigating similar coming-of-age dilemmas.
Swingers (1996)
While The Hangover takes a zany, over-the-top approach to a weekend of bad decisions, Swingers offers a more grounded look at the trials of young adulthood. The film follows aspiring comedian Mike Peters (Jon Favreau) and his friend Trent Walker (Vince Vaughn), as they navigate the Los Angeles dating scene with a mix of charm and awkwardness. Both films explore the uncertainty of romantic relationships, with The Hangover showcasing older men grappling with their fading youth and Swingers focusing on younger men uncertain about their future. Swingers resonates with its realistic portrayal of post-college struggles, offering a more relatable yet still humorous examination of adulthood in a way that echoes the themes of The Hangover.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
Wedding Crashers shares a similar plot structure with The Hangover—two men, John (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy (Vince Vaughn), get in over their heads when they attend weddings to meet women. What starts as a carefree adventure quickly turns into a messy and hilarious situation when the two men become entangled with the family of a U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Like the Hangover crew, John and Jeremy are forced to confront their emotions, learn life lessons, and deal with the consequences of their actions. The unexpected twists and memorable characters in Wedding Crashers are reminiscent of the unpredictable moments that make The Hangover so entertaining.
Superbad (2007)
Though Superbad is about high schoolers facing the trials of growing up, it shares much in common with The Hangover in its portrayal of the struggles of youth. In Superbad, Evan (Michael Cera) and Seth (Jonah Hill) are trying to make the most of their last days before heading off to college. Much like The Hangover, the film combines outrageous humor with moments of real emotional growth as the boys face the end of one phase in their lives and the beginning of another. Superbad also highlights a key difference in the two films: while The Hangover depicts men dealing with adult responsibilities, Superbad portrays the last chaotic days of adolescence before entering adulthood.
Step Brothers (2008)
If you think The Hangover features some childish behavior, Step Brothers takes it to an entirely new level. The film follows Brennan (Will Ferrell) and Dale (John C. Reilly), two middle-aged men forced to live together after their parents marry. Like the gang in The Hangover, Brennan and Dale refuse to grow up, leading to absurd and hilarious situations. The physical comedy and dark humor of Step Brothers are reminiscent of the wild antics in The Hangover, but the characters' refusal to mature adds a unique twist to the comedic formula.
Due Date (2010)
Although Phillips ventured into darker territory with Joker, his 2010 film Due Date brings back the same chaotic humor from The Hangover but in a fresh context. Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, the film follows the unlikely duo on a cross-country road trip fraught with absurd mishaps. Like The Hangover, the characters find themselves in increasingly ridiculous situations, but Due Date adds a touch of heart, exploring the unlikely bond that forms between its protagonists.
If you enjoyed The Hangover, these films deliver a similar blend of outrageous humor, absurd situations, and unforgettable characters. Whether you're revisiting the chaos of youth or the absurdity of adulthood, these films offer the perfect antidote to today’s more restrained comedies.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