Wet Hot American Summer

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Wet Hot American Summer

R

2001

1h 37m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

40%

Tomatometer

78 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

Mar 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

Mar 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

Mar 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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Dan Schindel

Screen Slate

Aug 10, 2026

The multitude of different storylines sometimes makes it feel like an Altman hangout movie, albeit with a different flavor of mental derangement.

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Jan 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.

Sep 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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Nicholas

Aug 20, 2026

A Wet Hot American classic. Incredible they fit a whole summer’s worth of laughs in under 2 hours

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Mr. Midnight

Aug 20, 2026

Stupid funny xD It wasn't even that bad on the raunch scale.

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ronny

Aug 20, 2026

Incredible nostalgia the movie was amazing quality and had so much fun to relive in the theater.

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Zachary S

@Zach154 Aug 17, 2026

This is the third straight film I’ve seen in theaters that was rereleased for an anniversary.

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Joshua R

@ThePakrat Aug 16, 2026

Stellar casting and slapstick humor abound! Kept me laughing the entire time.

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Chaz K

@RT43802349 Aug 15, 2026

this was supposed to be funny, there were a couple laughs, but mostly was way over the top

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David Wain

Director

Janeane Garofalo

Beth

David Hyde Pierce

Henry Newman

Michael Showalter

Coop

Marguerite Moreau

Katie

Paul Rudd

Andy

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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): $469.5K
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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