Tropic Thunder

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Tropic Thunder

R

2008

1h 47m

Comedy

Action

Adventure

War

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

249 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), pampered action superstar, sets out for Southeast Asia to take part in the biggest, most-expensive war movie produced, but soon after filming begins, he and his co-stars, Oscar-winner Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), comic Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) and the rest of the crew, must become real soldiers when fighting breaks out in that part of the jungle.

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Critics Consensus

With biting satire, plenty of subversive humor, and an unforgettable turn by Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder is a triumphant late summer comedy.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

01/27/2018

The bulk of this movie, alas, comes down to weak sketches held together by ridiculous action, vast explosions and more or less everything else it should be parodying.

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Glenn Kenny

MUBI

12/13/2017

Given the incoherence of its satirical aspirations (the film does end with a suggestion that everyone involved still loves this business we call show), and finally too scattershot to really make it as parody, Tropic Thunder is best appreciated as a goof.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

10/18/2008

The tension between what the film says and what the film does helps support one of a dozen (or so) layers of snarky, self-aware humour.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

08/16/2023

4/5

Gleefully un-PC, Tropic is still one of the most hilarious Hollywood comedies of the 21st Century.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

02/15/2023

3.5/4

Rude and crude, Tropic Thunder displays minimal mercy toward its targets.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

08/13/2021

Tropic Thunder certainly has flaws but at the end of the day, it is an over-the-top satire that shows everything that's wrong with Hollywood.

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Travis M

@TMorg007 2d

A funny movie. Robert Downey Jr. is the real star here.

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Norberto D

@RT88410867 5d

A savage Hollywood satire disguised as an explosive war comedy. Where, actors pretending to be soldiers accidentally become soldiers.

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Musa A

@doodleflame Apr 25

Endless iconic quotes. One of the best comedies ever made

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Chaz N.

@Sicco66 Apr 17

Got to admit when I first watched it I was drunk and was like this movie sucks then I sobered up and watched it and was like what was I thinking this movie is awesome.

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Joe L

@Hoagie1013 Apr 10

Just an instant classic. So funny throughout the whole movie.

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Findley S

@findleygsmith Apr 7

Tropic Thunder is a hilarious thrill-ride chock full of comedy and the least politically-correct humor in the name of absurdist satire. There was minimal character growth and story arch, but on the contrary of common opinion: I think that is what makes this movie so perfect. Comedy for the sake of it. Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey were amazing, they brought the energy that really carried Tropic Thunder to the finish line.

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Ben Stiller

Director

Ben Stiller

Tugg Speedman

Jack Black

Jeff Portnoy

Robert Downey Jr.

Kirk Lazarus

Nick Nolte

Four Leaf Tayback

Steve Coogan

Damien Cockburn

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - I'm Not Gay

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Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Simple Jack

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Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - I Killed a Panda

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Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Rick Peck, Hollywood Agent

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Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Epic Explosion

2:13

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Most Dramatic War Movie

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Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Never Go Full Retard

2:13

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Tugg Speedman, Action Hero

1:10

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - You're My Really Cool Brother

2:13

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - What Do You Mean, You People?

1:09

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Synopsis

Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), pampered action superstar, sets out for Southeast Asia to take part in the biggest, most-expensive war movie produced, but soon after filming begins, he and his co-stars, Oscar-winner Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), comic Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) and the rest of the crew, must become real soldiers when fighting breaks out in that part of the jungle.

Director: Ben Stiller
Producer: Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld, Eric McLeod
Screenwriter: Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux, Etan Cohen
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: DreamWorks SKG, Red Hour Films
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Material|Sexual References|Violent Content)
Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure, War, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 29, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $110.4M
Runtime: 1h 47m