Wet Hot American Summer poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showalter, Marguerite Moreau, Paul Rudd ... see more see more... , Zak Orth , Christopher Meloni , A.D. Miles , Molly Shannon , Gideon Jacobs , Ken Marino , Joe Lo Truglio , Michael Ian Black , Liam Norton , Amy Poehler , Bradley Cooper , Marisa Ryan , Elizabeth Banks , Gabriel Millman , Kevin Sussman , Kevin Thomas Conroy , Christopher Cuzumano , Madeline Blue , Cassidy Ladden , Nina Hellman , Peter Salett , Judah Friedlander , Jordan Maclean , Jake Fogelnest

1980s teen comedies finally get the parody they so richly deserve with Wet Hot American Summer, the first feature film from writer/director David Wain and co-screenwriter Michael Showalter, formerly o... read more read more...f the sketch comedy troupe the State. It's the last day of the summer season at Camp Firewood, and as camp director Beth (Janeane Garofalo) prepares to wrap things up, the staff of teenage counselors realize this is their last chance to do something about the summer romances that have been brewing for the past three months. Sweet but shy Coop (Michael Showalter) is crazy about pretty Katie (Marguerite Moreau), but there's the problem of her severely moody boyfriend Andy (Paul Rudd). Meanwhile, Victor (Ken Marino) is trying to score with sexy Abby (Marisa Ryan), who is known to make friends easily, and McKinley (Michael Ian Black) and Ben (Bradley Cooper) attempt to keep their hot and heavy relationship a secret. Meanwhile, arts and crafts teacher Gail (Molly Shannon) turns to her students for comfort as her marriage falls apart, drama coach Susie (Amy Poehler) tries to whip the talent show into shape with Ben's help, and camp chef Gene (Christopher Meloni) deals with his unique sexual quirks with the help of a talking can of vegetables (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin). Beth even finds time for romance with socially inept astrophysicist Henry (David Hyde Pierce), but first Henry has to save Camp Firewood from a large piece of space junk about to re-enter Earth's atmosphere. Like Wain and Showalter, Ken Marino, Michael Ian Black, and Joe Lo Truglio (who appears in a small role) were also members of the State; fellow State alumnus Kerri Kenney was cast in a supporting role in the film, but her character didn't appear in the final cut. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

81% liked it

35,842 ratings

Critics

31% liked it

65 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: David Wain

Release Date: July 27, 2001

Keywords: funny, funniest, hilarious, camp

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: January 8, 2002

Get It:

Stats: 2,805 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Wet Hot American Summer Paul Rudd & Elizabeth Banks in Wet Hot American Summer Paul Rudd
Upload a Photo | View All Wet Hot American Summer Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (2,805)

  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    July 7, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    It was the last day of summer camp.

    Fun movie and entertaining. It's fill with alot of comedians and B actors which made one decent movie all-around. Summer camps were fun when you were a kid and this movie kinda reminded me that time in my life. Marguerite Moreau wow what a cut... read moreie, probably my perfect kinda girl physical wise. The movie is meant to be funny and stupid so don't take it seriously, enjoy it!

    The setting is Camp Firewood, the year 1981. It's the last day before everyone goes back to the real world, but there's still a summer's worth of unfinished business to resolve. At the center of the action is camp director Beth, who struggles to keep order while she falls in love with the local astrophysics professor. He is busy trying to save the camp from a deadly piece of NASA's Skylab which is hurtling toward earth. All that, plus: a dangerous waterfall rescue, love triangles, misfits, cool kids, and talking vegetable cans. The questions will all be resolved, of course, at the big talent show at the end of the day.
  • FrizzDrop
    May 8, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    From the wicked minds behind Stella and The State comes a cliched movie about camp life, that is in itself a rude satire and spoof ridden commentary on youth. Starting off with a milieu of the greatest charatcer comedy actors of the decade (Marino, Showalter, Rudd, Garofalo, Bank... read mores, Poehler, etc.) the story revolves around the last day at Camp Firewood, with all the same bits crammed into every other movie about camp: virginity, friendship turning into more, inter-camp game with a ragtag band of losers, geeks, and of course a falling satellite hell bent on destroying the annual talent show. It's weird, wacky, silly stuff, but the underlying goofiness of Meatballs meets Airplane is a piece of feel good Americana that everyone can enjoy.
  • kiriyamakazou
    January 25, 2011
    kiriyamakazou
    The whole summer camp culture is lost on this Brit. Therefore, I feel as though much of the humor flew right past me. Luckily, the film is full of talent that, now at least, is recognized everywhere. The large ensemble and skittish nature of the film allow it to hit a few number ... read moreof highs and completely bounce over any lows. It's obvious to see how such a film could reach cult status. We are treated to a number of setups that are probably funnier for the audience when recollecting the events. Certainly worth a watch, even if just to see these huge talents excel years before their collective dominance.
  • dreamfaeries
    August 29, 2010
    dreamfaeries
    So bad that it was so good. Meloni really takes the cake with his character and seriously steals the entire movie. I liked it from beginning to end.
  • purplemegan
    May 27, 2010
    purplemegan
    I actually really really enjoyed this movie. It was so over the top it was awesome. Christopher Meloni's character stole the show, I could not stop laughing whenever he was on screen. There were a few things that really pissed me off though, that were a little too much, but overa... read morell I found it hilarious.
  • mjgildea
    May 3, 2010
    mjgildea
    God, I love this movie! Classic random and dumb humor from the guys from The State. If you're not laughing in the first 10 minutes you may as well shut it off because you won't get it. Hot Wet American Summer is a wonderful take-off of the tidal wave of summer camp movies from th... read moree late 70s and early 80s that will leave you asking what the fuck while having you laugh your ass off. This movie gets more hilarious with every viewing and the cast is nothing short of great. And this movie left me with a new-found respect for Christopher Meloni. And his jar of dick cream...
  • ythelastman89
    November 18, 2009
    ythelastman89
    A classic from David Wain and the rest of Stella. This exaggerated comedy is full of ridiculously funny characters and witty dialogue that you can't help but laugh at it's ridiculousness.
  • jennifxu
    November 10, 2009
    jennifxu
    This movie...it's ridiculous, sometimes hilarious, sometimes not. It's not exactly my type of humor but it's definitely watchable.
  • hobster1
    July 21, 2009
    hobster1
    Fromm the stars of the MTV sketch comedy show "The State" comes this alleged parody of 80s teen comedies. In reality this summer camp film plays more like the genuine article than an ironic caricature. The film is structurally weak. The look of the era is nicely captured, but ... read morescene after scene is so sloppily written and put together, there isn't much of a point. Director David Wain would ultimately write & direct the excellent Role Models, but you'd have to have been psychic to see that talent here.
  • tsigur
    November 5, 2008
    tsigur
    A fucking hilarious movie. It was interesting to see all the guys who are pretty big names in comedy (and some that are not) at the start of their careers. Paul Rudd is probably one of my favorite comedic actors right now (I cannot wait for Role Models) and his character was my f... read moreavorite. At times, the film makes absolutely no sense, but that is part of what is great about it. Loved it.

View All Wet Hot American Summer Reviews

Critic Reviews

William Goss
July 28, 2011
William Goss, Film.com

The skewering of underdog sports clichés, horny teen staples and Vietnam-trauma melodrama is long overdue and perfectly irreverent in execution. Full Review

Terry Lawson
June 22, 2007
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Have a good summer. Full Review

Bruce Westbrook
February 8, 2002
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

For all its failings, Wet Hot maintains energy and high spirits over most of its length. The trouble is, such energy and spirits are not infectious, and the movies it mocks were better. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
January 6, 2002
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

This is supposed to be funny? It was so depressing I almost started to cry.

Tom Maurstad
September 20, 2001
Tom Maurstad, Dallas Morning News

This is an almost laughless bomb. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
August 31, 2001
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

A sloppy, unhinged hellzapoppin that occasionally hits its targets but more often seems out of control and desperate to please. Full Review

Rick Groen
August 31, 2001
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

David Wain and Michael Showalter simply set up a bunch of stock characters in stock situations, and then repeatedly explode the clichés. Full Review

Jay Carr
August 31, 2001
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

There's no getting around the fact that it's a hit-and-miss proposition.

Roger Ebert
August 31, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I want to escape, / Oh, Muddah Faddah-- / Life's too short for cinematic torture. Full Review

Desson Thomson
August 30, 2001
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

This movie strains so hard to be funny, it almost ruptures itself.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Vampires Suck
    Vampires Suck (94%)
  • The Burning
    The Burning (100%)
  • Meatballs
    Meatballs (75%)
  • Ernest Goes to Camp
    Ernest Goes to Camp (100%)

More Movies like Wet Hot American Summer

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Wet Hot American ... : Watch Free on TV

Wet Hot American Summer Trivia

  • In "Wet Hot American Summer," Gene receives advice from...?  Answer »
  • Name the movie from which this quotes appears: "You listen to me Mr. Kick Ass, Mr. Rubber Burner, you better wipe that hot shot grin off your face or I'll shoot off, ya got that."  Answer »
  • Which movie is thie quote from? "When I was at camp, my favorite activity was always arts and crafts. Or, as we used to call it: arts and *farts* and crafts. We used to make drawings... cave drawings!"  Answer »
  • How long do the camp counselors spend in town on their drug binge in Wet Hot American Summer?  Answer »
More Wet Hot American Summer Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Wet Hot American Summer Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Wet Hot American Summer to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?