Wet Hot American Summer

Play trailer

Wet Hot American Summer

R

2001

1h 37m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, "Wet Hot American Summer" follows a group of counselors who are each trying to complete their unfinished business before the day ends. The entire summer of pent-up sexual frustrations, unresolved post-traumatic stress, pending separations and of course, the talent show, all weigh heavily on the minds and groins of counselors and campers alike.

Critics Consensus

Wet Hot American Summer's incredibly talented cast is too often outmatched by a deeply silly script that misses its targets at least as often as it skewers them.

Read Critics Reviews

Gene Seymour

Los Angeles Times

03/31/2019

But even with its tackiness arched at an ironic angle, "Wet Hot American Summer's" long-term fate is to become at best a last-minute accessory to a Blockbuster night of pizza and beverages.

Go to Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

03/31/2019

The title of this inventive absurdist comedy (2001) is meant to mislead-it's not a sex movie but a parody, and the loose feel is part of its genius.

Go to Full Review

Nathan Lee

Village Voice

03/31/2019

Structured only by its time frame (the last day of camp) and total commitment to casualness, the movie feels tossed off in the most appealing way,

Go to Full Review

Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

01/22/2025

Wet Hot has endured based on its particular humor—that of sketch-comedy cohort The State. This means, of course, that the best jokes go on far too long. See: Paul Rudd's endless temper tantrum at being asked not to leave his lunch on the cafeteria floor.

Go to Full Review

Michael Cuby

them.

09/27/2022

Wet Hot American Summer only seems to get better with time. Part of this can be chalked up to its stellar cast...

Go to Full Review

Andrew Galdi

Movie Bitches

08/12/2020

10

The cast is unbeatable

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Daniel C

@RT85531442 16h

Most critics at the time didn't get it, but it's hilarious.

See more

Luke R.

@RT69573769 May 22

it’s fucking perfect. fuck you.

See more

S. S

@RT95662087 Apr 15

Anyone who gives this movie a bad review has never lived through the '80s. It is an exaggeration of course it's theatrical, this is the funniest most heartfelt depiction of what '80s culture was like second to Stranger things. The 39% rotten tomatoes score offends me. The cast alone is filled with some of the funniest people to ever grace the screen. Amy Poehler and Molly Shannon. It's weird, quirky, funny and very endearing and slightly inappropriate. I love that it pulls no punches, it's not politically correct and if this movie doesn't at least make you smile then the problem is not the movie the problem is you.

See more

Bill D

@RT65162550 Apr 9

It's so weird, silly, and over the top that I can't help but be charmed by it. It's a cult classic of the best sort.

See more

thiago S

@Thiagostone Apr 6

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

See more

rot n h

@RT83306340 Dec 2

someone, somewhere, suggested i watch this... then i read a number of glowing reviews... then i watched the film. now i hate everyone in the world. why everyone? because i don't remember who recommended this atrocity, so... to be safe, i must now hate everyone. i guess if you've never seen airplane, naked gun or top secret... AND your heart's desire is to see a spoof of meatballs... and you love the cast [seriously, that's a pretty great lineup] you might find something worthy here... maybe.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

David Wain

Director

Janeane Garofalo

Beth

David Hyde Pierce

Henry Newman

Michael Showalter

Coop

Marguerite Moreau

Katie

Paul Rudd

Andy

View more videos

Human Traffic

59%

89%

Human Traffic

Watchlist

30 Years to Life

67%

65%

30 Years to Life

Watchlist

Melvin Goes to Dinner

100%

79%

Melvin Goes to Dinner

Watchlist

Hit and Runway

32%

17%

Hit and Runway

Watchlist

Waydowntown

70%

80%

Waydowntown

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Melanie Lynskey’s Five Favorite Films

Michael Showalter Takes on Millennial Angst in Search Party, Talks Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later

Here’s What to Expect From Netflix’s Wet Hot American Summer TV Show

Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong About... Wet Hot American Summer

51:41

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Set on the last day of camp, in the hot summer of 1981, "Wet Hot American Summer" follows a group of counselors who are each trying to complete their unfinished business before the day ends. The entire summer of pent-up sexual frustrations, unresolved post-traumatic stress, pending separations and of course, the talent show, all weigh heavily on the minds and groins of counselors and campers alike.

Director: David Wain
Producer: Howard Bernstein
Screenwriter: Michael Showalter, David Wain
Distributor: USA Films
Production Co: Eureka Pictures, North Coast Group
Rating: R (Language|Drug Sequence|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 27, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $292.1K
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)