Wet Hot American Summer

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Wet Hot American Summer

R

In Theaters Aug 14

1h 37m

Comedy

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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.

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In Theaters Aug 14

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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.

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David Wain

Director

Janeane Garofalo

Beth

David Hyde Pierce

Henry Newman

Michael Showalter

Coop

Marguerite Moreau

Katie

Paul Rudd

Andy

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.

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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.

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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,

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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.

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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...

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Andrew Galdi

Movie Bitches

08/12/2020

10

The cast is unbeatable

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Daniel C

@RT85531442 Jun 12

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

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Luke R.

@RT69573769 May 22

it’s fucking perfect. fuck you.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 14, 2026
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)