Wet Hot American Summer

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Wet Hot American Summer

R

2001

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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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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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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Bill D

@RT65162550 1d

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 4d

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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Jeff P

@RT69168663 Nov 28

One of Paul Rudd’s best movies

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Grant W

@RT44718476 Nov 6

The fact that as of Nov, 2025 this comedy classic has an RT score in the 30's continues to make me feel better about not putting much stock in reviews/ratings anymore. The popcorn meter / audience score is in the 70's whoch is better but this (and I know it's completely subjective) is one of the richest, funniest movies I've ever seen. I've loved this jewel since being puzzled by its artwork on the video store shelf in 2001. Being a fan of MTV's 90's sketch comedy shoe, The State, I was thrilled to see much of that creative team involved. I've read blurbs over the years of it becoming a Cult favorite but gotta day when I decided to rewatch it as well as the 2 followup series on Netflix and noticed the original movie had such a low score on Rotten Tomatoes, I was surprised.... then I wasn't. Sorry to get negative but taste, appreciation for and intelligence of (yeah, I went there) seems to be at a low these days. Many people's idea of humor now is social media based involving 30-second or less clips or simply being mean to others. Don't get me started on the current axe that's been swung into standup comedy and its integrity. Ok, I'm whining. Sorry. Just had terrible family news and was looking to raise my spirits with this and again was surprised by its low RT score so I'm posting this review. If you've never seen this or are on the fence and you love 70's/80's/90's summer comedies, this is an ode to that era treading the fine line of stupid and genius.

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John K

@RT78930344 Sep 24

Hilarious movie - no one cares about critic reviews it’s all audience that matter

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David Wain

Director

Janeane Garofalo

Beth

David Hyde Pierce

Henry Newman

Michael Showalter

Coop

Marguerite Moreau

Katie

Paul Rudd

Andy

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Less Than

2:26

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Where's the Phone?

2:13

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Higher and Higher Montage

2:32

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - An Unlikely Team of Misfits

1:22

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Wait for Me, Abbie Bernstein!

2:07

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Cleaning Up & Breaking Down

2:17

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - The Talking Can

1:22

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Hump the Fridge

2:22

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Going into Town

2:27

Wet Hot American Summer: Official Clip - Making Out

2:17

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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
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)

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