So, you’re a fan of the hilarious high school comedy Superbad, and now you’re on the lookout for more movies that capture the same vibe of humor and friendship. There’s a whole world of films out there that share the same entertaining combination of laugh-out-loud moments and relatable coming-of-age stories. In this article, we’ll explore some movies like Superbad that’ll have you rolling around laughing, and maybe even reminiscing about your own experiences.
As a movie buff, you know that the best comedies often have a blend of outrageous scenarios and heartwarming moments. Just like Superbad, the films we’ll discuss here take you on a wild ride, filled with endless laughs and just the right touch of drama. You’ll find suggestions that cater to everyone’s tastes, ranging from raucous and risqué to smart and subtly hilarious.
20 Movies Like Superbad
- Knocked Up
- The 40-Year-Old Virgin
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall
- Pineapple Express
- This Is the End
- Dazed and Confused
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High
- American Pie
- 21 Jump Street
- The Sitter
- Get Him to the Greek
- Spring Breakers
- Sausage Party
- Neighbors
- Easy A
- The Hangover
- Mean Girls
- Good Boys
- Booksmart
- Old School
Synopsis of Superbad
Imagine being in high school again, experiencing all those unforgettable moments and challenges with your friends. That’s what Superbad brings to the table: a hilarious and relatable take on the high school experience. Produced by Judd Apatow and starring Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, this movie will have you rolling on the floor laughing.
The story revolves around Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), who are inseparable best friends navigating the ups and downs of their high school lives. They face typical adolescent dilemmas such as dealing with crushes, maintaining friendships, and planning for graduation. The film really captures the essence of being a teenager, complete with awkward moments, questionable decisions, and unforgettable memories.
In one memorable subplot, you’ll encounter the one and only McLovin (played brilliantly by Christopher Mintz-Plasse), who tries to acquire a fake ID under his new, unforgettable moniker. Seth is the one encouraging this endeavor, hoping the ID will help them score free alcohol for a party they plan to attend. As you might expect, things don’t go as smoothly as they hoped, and chaos ensues.
With a perfect blend of engaging characters, witty dialogueThe spoken lines between characters in a film, driving the narrative and revealing character traits., and laugh-out-loud situational comedy, Superbad is a must-see for anyone nostalgic for those good old high school days. And in the midst of all the fun, you’ll also find moments of sincerity, camaraderie, and the excitement of stepping into the next chapter of life: adulthood.
Apatow has directed several successful comedies that share a similar tone with Superbad. Let’s start by exploring a few of his noteworthy works.
1. Knocked Up (2007)
Knocked Up (2007) stars Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl as an unlikely couple who faces an unexpected pregnancy. This film combines hilarious moments with a touch of heart as the characters navigate their new reality. You’ll also find a few familiar faces like James Franco and Jason Segel in supporting roles.
2. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Next, we have The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) with Steve Carell as the titular character. This comedy follows the story of a man, who in his 40s, has yet to lose his virginity, leading his friends to help him. It’s another laugh-filled film that balances raunchy humor and tender moments.
3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), produced by Apatow, stars Jason Segel as a heartbroken man trying to escape the memory of his ex-girlfriend, played by Kristen Bell. Set in Hawaii, this film is filled with hilarious scenes that are guaranteed to make you laugh. Cameo appearances by Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd only add to the fun.
Though Apatow didn’t direct these next two, you might enjoy other films where he served as a producer, like Pineapple Express (2008) and This Is the End (2013).
4. Pineapple Express (2008)
Pineapple Express, starring James Franco and fellow Canadian Seth Rogen (honored to call him my friend), is a stoner comedy-action film that takes audiences on a wild ride.
5. This Is the End (2013)
This Is the End, featuring an ensemble castThe group of actors and performers appearing in a film. including Rogen, Franco, and many of their comedic friends, is an apocalyptic comedy that pokes fun at the actors themselves.
6. Dazed and Confused (1993)
One classic example is Dazed and Confused (one of my favorites), which takes place on the last day of school in 1976. The film effectively captures the essence of teenage years and the eagerness to grow up.
7. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Similarly, Fast Times at Ridgemont High explores adolescent uncertainty through its ensemble cast, giving you an intimate glimpse into the lives of various high school students.
8. American Pie (1999)
American Pie is a prime example, serving as a humorous and often outrageous exploration of teenage hormones and desires.
9. 21 Jump Street (2012)
Another movie that fits into this subgenre is 21 Jump Street—though it doesn’t center around virginity specifically, the film’s undercover cop protagonists blend right into the high school environment and involve themselves in some hilarious escapades.
10. The Sitter (2011)
Another great comedy with Jonah Hill is The Sitter (2011), where he plays a college student who becomes an unlikely babysitter for three mischievous kids.
11. Get Him to the Greek (2010)
Make sure not to miss out on Get Him to the Greek (2010) either. In this movie, Jonah Hill needs to escort a wild rock star (played by Russell Brand) to a concert in Los Angeles.
12. Spring Breakers (2012)
Four college girls holdA direction in the script or from the director to maintain a specific position, action, or expression for a set duration. up a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation. While partying, drinking, and taking drugs, they are arrested, only to be bailed out by a drug and arms dealer.
13. Sausage Party (2016)
A sausage strives to discover the truth about his existence. I was at first reluctant to add this, but it really is a funny movie with TONS on hilarious moments.
14. Neighbors (2014)
A more recent Rogen flick to check out is Neighbors (2014), where Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne play a young couple feuding with a fraternity led by Zac Efron.
15. Easy A (2010)
One great example is Easy A (2010), where Emma Stone plays a high school student who pretends to be promiscuous to gain popularity. This comedy takes inspiration from John Hughes movies. The story revolves around Olive Penderghast, a high school student who lies about having a date to get out of a weekend obligation, leading to an ever-increasing web of lies and rumors.
16. The Hangover (2009)
This hilarious film was released in 2009 and quickly became a hitA precise moment in the script or performance where an action, line, or effect occurs, often used to emphasize timing., grossing over $467 million worldwide. Set in the party capital of the world, Las Vegas, the movie follows a group of friends on a bachelor party adventure that takes a wild and unexpected turn. The chaotic fun that ensued made for a memorable film with endless laughs. With its budget of $35 million, The Hangover was a massive box office success and went on to spawn two popular sequels.
17. Mean Girls (2004)
This high school comedy cleverly portrayed the drama and antics of teenage girls, providing endless quotable lines and laugh-out-loud moments. Thanks to its razor-sharp wit and memorable characters, Mean Girls quickly became a fan favorite. With a relatively modest budget of $17 million, the movie managed to grossThe total box office revenue generated by a film before deducting any expenses or distributions. over $129 million worldwide, solidifying its position as a box office hit.
18. Good Boys (2019)
This movie takes the concept of Superbad and scales it down to a younger demographic. The plot follows three pre-teen friends trying to attend a party hosted by the popular kids in their class, encountering plenty of mishaps along the way.
19. Booksmart (2019)
This coming-of-age comedy follows two high-achieving high school friends who realize they’ve missed out on a lot of fun. The duo decides to cram four years’ worth of wild experiences into one unforgettable night just before their graduation.
20. Old School (2003)
And we wrap up our list with my personal favorite about feeling nostalgic about your college days. Old School follows a group of middle-aged men who decide to reclaim their youth by starting a fraternity, leading to loads of laughter and some unforgettable moments.
What to Watch First?
Remember, when it comes to laughter and entertainment, there’s so much more out there waiting for you to discover. So go ahead, get that popcorn ready, and let yourself enjoy a good laugh with these Superbad-like films. Start from the top and work your way down.
With just the right mix of comedy and heart, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect movie to tickle your funny bone.
Happy watching!
Jay Neill
Jay Neill is the founder, owner, and managing editor of iFILMthings and believes everyone should have access to the film resources they need to plan their filmmaking project, which is why he’s dedicated iFILMthings to helping all filmmakers.