About Superbad
Directed by Greg Mottola, Superbad was a huge cultural hit that saw actors Michael Cera, Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse catapulted into mainstream success. When two absolute-loser high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety when their plan to host a booze-soaked party doesn’t quite go their way – they are forced to “grow up” in a lot of hilariously awkward situations.
After a recent re-watch of Superbad, I began to think of other movies like Superbad or movies that are similar to Superbad and here’s the list I came up with. Enjoy!
RELATED: 35 Best High School Movies: From Teen Sex Comedies to Coming-of-Age Gut-Punches
1. Pineapple Express (2008)
Directed by David Gordon Green, Pineapple Express is a stoner comedy film starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez and Danny McBride. It was released in 2008.
Pineapple Express centers on Seth Rogen’s character, Dale Denton, and James Franco’s character and weed dealer, Saul, who get chased by a bunch of hitman and a corrupt cop – after they both witness a murder. Throughout the movie, Dale and Saul have their relationship tested in a variety of freak-out stoner situations, proving that if you’re gonna smoke a joint then try not to witness a murder at the same time.
The funniest moment in the entire film is when Dale rolls out of a moving car to escape Red (Danny McBride), tucks into a ditch, and then just… stays there. Fully committed to the scene. The camera holds on Dale lying there in the dirt like the warmest corpse in human history – ever recorded. It’s hilarious because it plays on Seth Rogen’s outrageous Canadian sense of humour.
2. Booksmart (2019)
Directed by Olivia Wilde, Booksmart is a sweet coming of age film starring Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis. It’s about two best friends in their last few days of high school, Amy (Dever) and Molly (Feldstein), who rule the school inside their heads. It was released in 2019.
The pair get excellent grades and Molly is convinced they are the only ones who got into really good universities because they spent their time studying and not doing frivolous things like going to parties. However, on the eve of their high school graduation they realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined to never fall short of their peers, the girls set out on a mission to cram four years of fun into one night.
My favourite scene has to be the one at the Pool Party – where the two of them get drugged and hallucinate themselves as plastic-faced Barbie dolls, trapped in a Ken and Barbie nightmare scenario as they desperately try to hold a conversation with anyone and everyone. Honestly, it’s the funniest five minutes in the film. It’s absurdist humour meets teenage horror, and director Olivia Wilde does a fantastic job at capturing every moment!
3. Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010)
Directed by Edgar Wright and co-written by Wright and Michael Bacall, Scott Pilgrim vs the World is a comedy/action/romance/comic book film starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh and Jason Schwartzman. It was released in 2010.
Based off the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim vs the World is comic book movie adaptation like no other. It focuses on Michael Cera’s character, Scott Pilgrim, who is a slacker bass player desperate to get a record deal whilst battling the seven exes of his new girlfriend, Romona Flowers, who is Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s character.
Look, we’ve got to talk about the Battle of the Bands scene – where Scott whips out his bass and the battle ensues. It’s a fun moment because his arch enemy and ex-boyfriend of Ramona’s is Lucas Lee – played by Chris Evans – his character is a famous action star and pro skateboarder. The fact that Evans would eventually go on to become a big action star – thanks to Captain America – makes it even funnier when you go back and watch, in a meta-sorta-way. The payoff when he wipes himself out via skateboard death is absolutely perfect.
4. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
Directed and written by Kevin Smith, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is a comedy starring Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck, Eliza Dushku, Shannon Elizabeth, Will Ferrell, Ali Larter, Jason Lee and Chris Rock. It was released in 2001.
When stoners Jay and Silent Bob demand their royalties for the comic book that was made with their likenesses, they find out the rights to the comic are tied up with the movie that is being made about them. So they go on this road trip across America to stop the movie from being made because they don’t like the negative reception it’s receiving from online press. On the way they come across jewel thieves, hitch hikers, are mistaken for terrorists and are pursued by a Wildlife Ranger.
Just like the name insinuates, there are many Hollywood movie references. Most notably of which are often Star Wars.
5. Road Trip (2000)
Directed by Todd Phillips, Road Trip is a comedy about a college student named Josh who embarks on a road trip across the country with his friends to retrieve an embarrassing videotape he sent to his girlfriend. A videotape which may or may not show him cheating on her.
Along the way, they encounter a series of hilarious and unexpected challenges and adventures, as they race against time to reach their destination. The film is a coming-of-age comedy that explores themes of friendship, love, and growing up.
6. American Pie (1999)
Directed by Paul Weitz, American Pie is a teen sex comedy starring Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Eugene Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Seann William Scott, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari and Eddie Kaye Thomas. It was released in 1999.
American Pie follows a group of high school friends as they navigate their way through the ups and downs of teenage life, including first loves, heartbreak, and the quest to lose their virginity before graduation.
With its relatable characters, raunchy humor, and timeless themes, American Pie has become a beloved staple of pop culture and has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs. Whether you’re a fan of the original or new to the franchise, American Pie is sure to leave you laughing, cringing, and feeling nostalgic for your own high school days.
7. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Directed by Amy Heckerling, Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a comedy starring Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Brian Backer, Robert Romanus, and Ray Walston. It was released in 1982.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is about two sophomore students, Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner, and their older friends Linda Barrett and Mike Damone. The later of which believe themselves to be eons wiser in the ways of romance. Definitely a must watch for those of you interested in coming-of-age high school movies.
8. Easy A (2010)
Easy A is a comedy in which a high-school student finds herself labelled as promiscuous after some gossip is overheard, a clean cut high school girl sees her life paralleling Hester Prynne’s in “The Scarlet Letter,” which she is currently studying in school until she decides to use the rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.
Now her classmates are turning against her and the school board is becoming concerned, including her favorite teacher and the distracted guidance counselor. With the support of her hilariously idiosyncratic parents and a little help from a long-time crush, Olive attempts to take on her notorious new identity and crush the rumor mill once and for all.
9. Porky’s (1981)
Directed and written by Bob Clark, Porky’s is a teen sex comedy starring Kim Cattrall, Scott Colomby, Kaki Hunter, Nancy Parsons, Alex Karras, and Susan Clark. It was released in 1981.
Porky’s is the originator of the teen sex comedy phase and was well ahead of its time. It follows a group of Florida high school students and their plans to lose their virginity which involves a notorious strip club called (yes, you guessed it): Porky’s.
10. Knocked Up (2007)
Directed and written by Judd Apatow, Knocked Up is a romantic comedy starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel and Martin Starr. It was released in 2007.
Knocked Up was a huge 2007 film. It focuses on Katherine Heigl’s character, LA reporter Alison Scott, and Seth Rogen’s character, bludger named Ben Stone, who have a drunken one night stand which results in Alison falling pregnant. Then they have to (comically) deal with the pregnancy in the best way they know how.
11. Old School (2003)
Directed and co-written by Todd Phillips, Old School is a black comedy starring Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell. It was released in 2003.
Old School is about a trio of depressed men who are having a mid-life crisis in their thirties. Figuring out the only answer is by re-starting their old college fraternity they get into all sorts of mishaps before finally facing up to the changes in life.
12. Good Boys (2019)
Directed by Gene Stupnitsky and co-written by Stupknitsky and Lee Eisenberg, Good Boys stars Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, Brady Noon, Molly Gordon, Lil Rel Howery and Midori Francis. It was released in 2019.
Good Boys is about three school kids in the sixth grade who find themselves in a series of accidental mishaps as they try to find a way to get themselves invited to a party that all the popular kids are going to.
13. Blockers (2018)
Directed by Kay Cannon, Blockers is a sex comedy starring Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, John Cena, Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, Gideon Adlon, Graham Phillips, Miles Robbins, Colton Dunn, Sarayu Blue, Gary Cole, Gina Gershon, June Diane Raphael and Hannibal Buress. It was released in the year 2018.
Blockers is about two sets of parents who will do anything they can to stop their two teenage daughters from losing their virginity at prom. And I mean anything!
14. Detroit Rock City (1999)
Directed by Adam Rifkin, Detroit Rock City is a teen comedy starring Edward Furlong, Sam Huntington, Giuseppe Andrews, James DeBello, Lin Shaye, Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne and Shannon Tweed. It was released in 1999.
Detroit Rock City is about four teens in a heavy metal band who decide to go on a road trip to see Kiss. During which they end up all sorts of mishaps like disguising themselves as pizza delivery boys and drugging a Priest with hallucinogens, beating up a disco duo, dancing a lady’s strip club and getting themselves laid – all before seeing the greatest rock n roll band on earth!
15. The Hangover (2009)
Directed by Todd Phillips, The Hangover stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha and Jeffrey Tambor. It was released in 2009.
The Hangover is about four life-long friends who had to Las Vegas for a bachelor party but when they lose the Bachelor during a night of debauchery – they have to put their differences aside to find their friend.
What did you think of these Superbad adjacent films?
Did you watch any or are you another bot? Did any of them remind you of Superbad?
