12 Best Movies Like American Pie

1999 saw the movies “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace” and “The Sixth Sense” taking over cinemas, yet for the high school and college crowd, another phenomenon was unfolding. While “American Pie” proved to be a box office success on its own merit, it became a significant moment for those of a certain age – much like the impact earlier films such as “Animal House,” “Porky’s,” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” had on high school and college students before.

The movie “American Pie” was primarily focused on themes such as sex, drinking, and socializing, even though it was set in high school. This film became popular among both high school and college students, and the scene where Jim (played by Jason Biggs) explores an unusual encounter with a warm apple pie is still widely recognized in popular culture today.

The actors in the movie quickly gained fame as instant celebrities, and it marked the beginning of a fresh wave of comedies that combined raunchy humor with sincere portrayals of adolescence or young adulthood. Remarkably, “American Pie” led to several sequels, but there have been numerous other films with similar themes, both before and after “American Pie.” Here, we’ve curated a list of the 12 best movies reminiscent of “American Pie” for your enjoyment.

Booksmart

2019’s film “Booksmart” is part of a modern trend in comedies focusing on teenage parties, alcohol, and sexual escapades, with women taking the lead roles. Characters Molly (played by Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever), both straight-A students, have spent high school studiously avoiding wild experiences, believing it was necessary for their desired college admissions. However, when Molly learns her party-loving classmate also got accepted into Yale, she becomes enraged and persuades Amy to attend a graduation party that night, initiating a series of events involving multiple parties, heavy drinking, drug use, sexual encounters, and general chaos.

Eventually, they emerge from their wild night with a newfound wisdom gained from the experience, much like Jim and his friends in “American Pie” following their prom. Specifically, Molly and Amy have discovered that their fellow students aren’t fundamentally different from them. “Booksmart,” Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, received critical acclaim but underperformed at the box office.

National Lampoon’s Animal House

1978’s “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” directed by John Landis (known for films like “Trading Places” and “Coming to America”), and co-written by future “Ghostbusters” actor Harold Ramis, serves as a significant representation of the genre similar to “American Pie.” This film played a crucial role in popularizing gross-out comedy and, much like other films on this list, it’s set in a specific era. Specifically, it’s set in 1962 at the fictional Faber College, a time before the widespread use of birth control and AIDS. The film suggests that despite these factors, everyone was just as sexually active as they were during other periods.

The story of “Animal House” commences with freshmen Larry Kroger, later nicknamed “Pinto” (portrayed by Thomas Hulce), and Kent Dorfman, also known as “Flounder” (Stephen Furst), in search of a fraternity to join. Fortuitously, they stumble upon Delta Tau Chi, the fraternity renowned for its fun-filled activities. However, it turns out that this particular fraternity is on probation due to subpar academic performance and misbehavior — with Delta member Bluto’s (John Belushi) rowdy lunchtime antics and an unruly toga party being just a couple of examples — and they are struggling to avoid being kicked off campus.

Despite featuring only one major star, John Belushi (who was popular due to his work on “Saturday Night Live”), the film “Animal House” has remained relevant for nearly 50 years. Some of its humor may now seem outdated, but the movie still holds significance in American comedy, ranking at number 36 on the American Film Institute’s list and being preserved by the Library of Congress in 2001 as a culturally, historically, or aesthetically important film.

Superbad

Superbad” is a raunchy 2007 comedy that has gained cult status, featuring Jonah Hill and Michael Cera playing characters Seth and Evan, high school seniors on the verge of graduation. The film was penned by actual pair Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, with Rogen also appearing as Officer Michaels, a cop who develops camaraderie with Seth, Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), or as his fake ID reads, McLovin.

Motivated in part by their own, apparently unfulfilled experiences with socializing and dating during their youth, Rogen and Goldberg began writing “Superbad” as early as their sophomore year at a high school in Vancouver. From the final script, it appears they both yearned for their first sexual encounter – a desire often portrayed in teenage characters, if we are to believe movies of this genre.

Similar to “American Pie,” this film charms its audience despite its crude language and offbeat humor. The cast, featuring Emma Stone and Bill Hader among others, was exceptional; their performances have since catapulted them into successful Hollywood careers. Despite being a typical tale of underage boys attempting to purchase alcohol to win over their crushes, the film stands out with numerous jokes and absurd situations, earning it recognition as one of the finest comedies from the 2000s.

Bottoms

The narrative, titled “Bottoms,” revolves around two friends, PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri), who are high school misfits due to being perceived as unattractive and talentless, rather than their sexual orientation. Their friendship is put to the test when they make a joke about spending the summer in juvenile detention, which unexpectedly enhances their cool factor.

In a turn of events, they’re called into the principal’s office for an alleged incident involving the school quarterback, Jeff (Nicholas Galitzine). However, what really happened was they gently tapped him with their car, and he dramatically overreacted. To avoid trouble, they claim they were practicing self-defense moves in preparation for a class.

PJ seizes on the concept and sets it into motion, initiating a ‘campus fight club’ in an attempt to win the affections of her crushes, Brittany (Kaia Gerber) and Isabel (Havana Rose Liu). However, this club eventually evolves into a powerful advocate for women, despite PJ and Josie growing more intimate with Brittany and Isabel.

In a humorous and satirical style, this film titled “Bottoms,” directed by Emma Seligman for her second project following the amusingly distinct “Shiva Baby,” presents an intriguing twist on the classic “American Pie” narrative. Instead of four male characters, the story revolves around a group of women who share similar levels of sexual curiosity and desire. While there are some questionable actions depicted in “Bottoms,” they serve as expressions of female liberation, although at times, the focus on empowerment may waver slightly.

Dazed and Confused

Speaking of timeless coming-of-age comedies, “Dazed and Confused,” directed by Richard Linklater, stands out as one of the finest. Released in 1993, this movie showcased a group of actors who have since become household names, such as Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, and Matthew McConaughey. Interestingly, it was this very film that popularized McConaughey’s famous catchphrase, “Alright, alright, alright.” Unlike other teen movies focusing on romance, this one revolves around the themes of partying, drugs, and a unique tradition among some characters like Ben Affleck’s O’Bannion – paddling incoming freshmen.

The film lacks a principal figure or a traditional storyline; instead, it mirrors real-life events by depicting the final day of school for a bunch of high school students in 1976. These students belong to various social circles, but ultimately unite to host an enormous, spontaneous party in a meadow.

This movie features some powerful lines, particularly those spoken by McConaughey, including “Keep living,” which he shares as encouragement for the teens to pursue their dreams without worrying about societal expectations. While it deviates from the central theme of “American Pie” concerning sex, it shares a comparable atmosphere, as the characters socialize, drink and smoke, and simply pass their time while cruising around town with friends.

Old School

Similar to “Animal House,” the movie “Old School” revolves around a fraternity, but unlike its predecessor, it doesn’t focus on college-aged men. Instead, the main characters – Mitch (Luke Wilson), Frank (Will Ferrell), and Bernard (Vince Vaughn) – are in their 30s, long past their college years. When the dean (Jeremy Piven) of a nearby university threatens to rezone one of their homes for university housing, they see an opportunity to turn it into a fraternity open to all, despite being against their wives’ wishes. This move offers them a chance to recapture the excitement of their college days, albeit a little later in life.

2003’s “Old School” shares the lively spirit of comedies such as “American Pie,” but unlike its counterparts, these characters have already experienced intimacy earlier in their lives. Some are even trying to maintain existing relationships. However, their antics don’t cease; they continue with pranks like streaking and slathering people with K-Y jelly for fights, earning them numerous campus laughs. The star-studded cast, including Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, and Luke Wilson, deliver exceptional performances. Despite its lack of curfew-breaking adventures to live up the night, “Old School,” directed by Todd Phillips before his “The Hangover” fame, remains bold and rebellious in its raunchiness.

The Girl Next Door

The Girl Next Door” revolves around Matthew Kidman (played by Emile Hirsch), a student bound for Georgetown who seems disinterested in sex or partying as he nears the end of high school. However, his routine is disrupted when he encounters Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert), his neighbor next door. She helps Matthew emerge from his shell and encourages him to take chances. The twist comes when it’s revealed that Danielle has a past as a porn star, with her manager, Kelly (Timothy Olyphant), pressuring her to rejoin the adult film industry. Despite being in the throes of young love, Matthew is determined to help Danielle escape her former career, no matter the cost.

The Girl Next Door” shares some similarities with “American Pie,” but offers significantly more romantic scenes. It blends a charming plotline with adult humor to produce a film that is both emotionally engaging and occasionally explicit. Interestingly, the 2004 movie “The Girl Next Door” may be even more risqué than “American Pie” due to its reliance on Danielle’s friends, who are all adult film stars, for much of its comedic relief.

No Hard Feelings

2023’s movie “No Hard Feelings” features Maddie, a 32-year-old woman who works as a waitress and an Uber driver to cover her expenses. She is at risk of losing her car due to overdue property taxes on the house she inherited from her mom. In search of additional income to clear her debt, Maddie decides to respond to an unconventional job posting from a well-off pair, who request a young woman to date their 19-year-old son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), before he begins his studies at Princeton in the fall. In return, they offer her a Buick Regal.

In a state of desperation, Maddie consents to the challenge posed by Percy and accepts his proposal for more than just a date. However, their plan takes an unexpected turn when Maddie gets pepper-sprayed in the face and finds herself and Percy needing to protect each other from a group of mischievous beach thieves while skinny dipping.

In a somewhat unexpected twist for the sex comedy genre, the film titled “No Hard Feelings” caters to an older demographic, with Jennifer Lawrence taking on most of the humorous, often flirtatious scenes, even coming close to some sexual encounters, although not quite reaching them. While it maintains the same level of explicitness and humor as “American Pie,” the movie uniquely develops a sweet friendship between Maddie and Percy, which adds an endearing charm to this comedy.

Wet Hot American Summer

Wet Hot American Summer”

Overview: Directed by David Wain and written by Wain and Michael Showalter, this 2001 film is both a comical tribute to ’70s-’80s summer camp comedies and a satirical commentary on teen sex comedies that followed, such as “American Pie.” Set in the final day of a 1981 summer camp, the film serves as a launchpad for various antics involving both campers and counselors. Notably, the counselors seem just as in need of supervision as the children, grappling with sexual tension, romantic entanglements, talent shows, and an unexpected threat to their camp potentially exploding.

Despite flopping at the box office initially and receiving mediocre reviews with just a 39% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “Wet Hot American Summer” has since achieved cult status. Notably, its cast is considered one of the strongest in film history, featuring stars like Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Christopher Meloni, Elizabeth Banks, Molly Shannon, and Bradley Cooper in his debut role. The movie’s storytelling can be erratic, causing viewers to either adore or dislike it, but its enduring appeal has led to both a prequel and sequel series on Netflix.

The House Bunny

2008 film “The House Bunny,” starring Anna Faris as Shelley Darlington, portrays the story of the titular Playboy Bunny. Living blissfully in the Playboy Mansion with Hugh Hefner (who gets to show off his acting skills), Shelley is unexpectedly kicked out on the day after her 27th birthday, unaware that the eviction notice was from her envious rival Cassandra (Monet Mazur). Left homeless and resorting to sleeping in her car, she stumbles upon a group of attractive girls and follows them to their sorority house. It turns out that she might have a chance to become a housemother.

Despite being rejected by the initial sorority, Shelley finds acceptance among the socially challenged girls at the Zeta Alpha Zeta house. Remarkably, she could be just the right fit to rescue their sorority, which, much like the fraternities portrayed in “Animal House” and “Old School”, is on the brink of closure.

A Comedy Exploring Authenticity – “The House Bunny”

In essence, this comedy revolves around discovering one’s true self. Similar in spirit to “American Pie,” but with a slightly older, female protagonist who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, much like the sorority girls she mentors. Anna Faris delivers an exceptional performance in this film, striking the perfect balance between being relatable and appealingly attractive.

Blockers

In the movies “American Pie” and “Blockers”, there’s a shared plot point where teenagers (boys in American Pie, girls in Blockers) make an agreement to lose their virginity on prom night. However, while American Pie focuses on the teens, the humor in Blockers is centered around the parents instead.

In simpler terms, The parents of the three girls – Julie (Leslie Mann), who’s a single mom; Hunter (Ike Barinholtz), a divorced dad; and Mitchell (John Cena), a married father – discover their daughters’ plans through text messages and emojis. They are displeased and decide to take action to keep their daughters virgins. In their efforts, they cause an accident with their car, drink beer through their rectums, throw one of the girls’ boyfriends, and secretly enter one of their daughter’s hotel rooms to check on them.

This comedy isn’t just incredibly amusing, but it also demonstrates intelligence in its portrayal of female sexuality, delivering a powerful, empowering message that refrains from judging women or their choices regarding sex. Furthermore, the movie is a lively treat, as both the teenagers and their parents get involved in a variety of humorous antics.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Fast Times at Ridgemont High” is a timeless coming-of-age film that laid the groundwork for movies like “American Pie”. Notably, it includes quite a bit of sexual content, particularly from Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a new student who strives to appear worldly. Additionally, the cast members’ wild behavior is noteworthy, especially Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn), an ever-stoned surfer who always seems to bring the party along with him.

1982’s film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe, offers a glimpse into a high school year for several main characters. The diverse cast mirrors various teenagers dealing with the ups and downs of high school, including friendships, romantic entanglements, and academics. By the end, each character gains insights about their life aspirations, even the seemingly carefree Spicoli, to some extent. Notably, Sean Penn’s performance as the unconventional Spicoli is so impressive that it overshadows his subsequent career as a serious actor.

2025-05-11 00:21