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Revisting American Pie
Released in 1999, American Pie stands as a quintessential coming-of-age comedy that captures the wild ride of high school life. It chronicles the misadventures of a group of friends as they grapple with first crushes, heartbreak, and the hilariously awkward quest to lose their virginity before tossing their caps at graduation.
With its endearing characters, unapologetic humor, and themes that resonate across generations, American Pie has solidified its place as a beloved pop culture icon, spawning a series of sequels and spin-offs. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just diving into this hilarious franchise, you’re guaranteed to laugh, cringe, and reminisce about your own high school escapades.
After my recent rewatch of American Pie, I found myself pondering other films that echo its iconic vibe. Instead of simply listing the sequels and spin-offs, I took a stroll down memory lane through my personal favorites that capture that classic *American Pie* essence. Here’s hoping you recognize a few gems among these timeless flicks!
1. Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
Directed by Joel Gallen, Not Another Teen Movie is a cheeky comedy that takes aim at the entire teen movie genre. Instead of following a single narrative, it serves up a playful satire that pokes fun at the countless clichés, stereotypes, and outrageous tropes found in the plethora of popular teen flicks. The film's painfully nostalgic soundtrack—featuring early 2000s gems from artists like Everclear, Marilyn Manson, Sixpence None the Richer, System of a Down, and Scott Weiland—adds an extra layer of hilarity and longing for the turn of the century.
As a fun fact, this film marked the directorial debut of MTV executive Joel Gallen and features a lineup of familiar faces, including Chris Evans, Chyler Leigh, Mia Kirschner, Jaime Pressly, and Lacey Chabert.
And yes, I fully recognise it’s a satire!
2. Road Trip (2000)
When it comes to capturing the wild and wacky spirit of teenage escapades, few films do it better than Road Trip. Directed by Todd Phillips, this raucous comedy follows college student Josh as he embarks on a cross-country journey with his friends to retrieve an embarrassing videotape he accidentally sent to his girlfriend. Spoiler alert: it might just show him cheating!
The crew faces an array of hilarious and unpredictable challenges along the way, racing against time to get to their destination. This coming-of-age romp delves into themes of friendship, love, and the chaotic adventure of growing up.
3. Scary Movie (2000)
Directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans, Scary Movie is a riotous horror parody that gleefully pokes fun at all the familiar tropes and absurd killings from classics like Scream, Friday the 13th, and Halloween. This film is where many fans first encountered the comedic talents of Anna Faris, who brings a unique flair to the chaos.
It kicks off with the unforgettable scene of Carmen Electra sprinting away from a killer in nothing but her bra and panties, perfectly setting the tone for the ludicrousness to come. Despite its outrageousness, Scary Movie was a colossal hit, turning its modest $19 million budget into a staggering $278 million worldwide. Good luck trying to pull that off in today’s movie landscape!
4. Superbad (2007)
Directed by Greg Mottola, Superbad chronicles the misadventures of two best friends, Seth and Evan—two lovable losers on the brink of graduation. With college looming, they’re desperate to lose their virginity before heading off to new beginnings.
What ensues is a wild ride filled with bizarre escapades as they scramble to score alcohol for a party, all in hopes of impressing a couple of girls and making the most of their final moments of adolescence. No other film on this list captures the hilarity and awkwardness of growing up quite like Superbad!
5. Van Wilder: Party Liaison (2002)
Directed by Walt Becker, Van Wilder: Party Liaison follows the legendary Van Wilder, a seventh-year senior at Coolidge College who’s mastered the art of partying. When his father decides to cut off his tuition funds, Van must figure out how to fund his education while maintaining his wild lifestyle.
The film tracks Van's attempts to navigate college life while juggling his party-boy persona, romantic entanglements, rival fraternities, and the looming threat of expulsion. Known for its raunchy humor and frenetic antics, this film has earned a beloved spot among college comedy fans.
6. She's All That (1999)
Directed by Robert Iscove, She's All That is a quintessential teen romantic comedy starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook. The story revolves around Zack Siler, a confident high school heartthrob who finds himself unexpectedly dumped. In a bid to win back his status, he makes a bet with his friends that he can transform any girl into the next prom queen.
Enter Laney Boggs, a socially awkward artist who has just lost her circle of friends. As Zack attempts to reinvent Laney, he discovers that she’s far more than he initially believed, leading him to fall head over heels for her. This lighthearted gem from the '90s has since become a rom-com classic.
And now I feel old!
7. Loser (2000)
Directed by Amy Heckerling, Loser is a charming romantic comedy that follows Paul Tannek, a small-town student who makes the leap to New York City to attend Columbia University. However, the big city proves to be a daunting challenge as Paul struggles to find his footing among his more polished classmates.
Things take a turn for the better when he meets Dora, a free-spirited fellow student who encourages him to see life from a new perspective. As Paul starts to embrace the vibrant energy of the city, he also finds himself falling for Dora. Just when it seems like his life is on the upswing, Paul’s past catches up with him, forcing him to choose between his old life and his new adventures.
Loser also features the iconic song “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus on its soundtrack. Interestingly, the song’s themes lean more toward high school angst (which Paul and Dora have long outgrown) and includes a lyric about listening to Iron Maiden—a detail that feels a tad ironic since the duo opts for an Everclear concert instead. Overall, it’s a decent film that knows how to do its own thing.
8. The Girl Next Door (2004)
Directed by Luke Greenfield, The Girl Next Door stars Emile Hirsch as Matthew Kidman, a sheltered high school student on track to become valedictorian. His orderly life is turned upside down when a former porn star named Danielle (played by Elisha Cuthbert) moves in next door.
As Matthew gets to know Danielle, he quickly realizes she’s much more than the typical pornstar stereotype. Blending elements of coming-of-age and teen comedy with cheeky humor, The Girl Next Door offers a unique narrative that stood out at the time. Apologies for the pun—couldn’t resist!
9. Dead Man on Campus (1998)
Directed by Alan Cohn, Dead Man on Campus is a dark comedy that follows college students Cooper Frederickson and Josh Barnes as they discover that their perfect GPA hinges on a morbid college legend: if a roommate commits suicide, the surviving roommate will receive straight A's.
With this bizarre premise, Cooper and Josh embark on a quest to find a suicidal roommate, but their plans quickly unravel when they encounter Razor (Poison Ivy), an unpredictable student who threatens to derail their scheme. While it may be overshadowed by other films, Dead Man on Campus is an underrated gem for fans of absurd and unconventional dark comedies.
10. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
Directed by the Farrelly Brothers, There’s Something About Mary is a rom-com featuring Cameron Diaz as the titular Mary, the object of affection for many—including Ben Stiller’s character, Ted.
The film is packed with quirky, offbeat moments as Ted competes with various other suitors for Mary’s heart, leading to a series of hilarious misadventures. If any '90s rom-com could rival American Pie for cultural impact, it would definitely be this one.
11. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Directed by Gil Junger, 10 Things I Hate About You is a modern reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The story centers on high schooler Cameron, who is eager to date Bianca, only to learn her father won’t allow her to date until her older sister has a boyfriend.
In a bid to win Bianca's heart, Cameron enlists the help of bad boy Patrick to date her sister, Kat. The ensuing chaos of teenage drama unfolds as Kat falls for Patrick, leading to a whirlwind of emotions when she uncovers the truth behind their arrangement.
With one of the best soundtracks on this list, 10 Things I Hate About You is absolutely worth revisiting—trust me!
12. Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart is a heartwarming coming-of-age film that captures the final days of high school for best friends Amy and Molly. In their minds, they are the reigning queens of the school—top of their class, focused solely on academics, and convinced that their hard work has secured them spots at elite universities.
However, on the brink of graduation, the girls come to a startling realization: they should have balanced their studies with a bit of fun. Determined to make up for lost time, they embark on a mission to squeeze four years of wild experiences into one unforgettable night.
13. Easy A (2010)
In Easy A, a high school student finds herself branded as promiscuous after a rumor takes flight, paralleling the storyline of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, which she’s studying in school. Embracing her newfound notoriety, Olive decides to use the gossip to elevate her social and financial status.
As the rumors spiral out of control, her classmates turn against her, and even the school board, including her favorite teacher and an oblivious guidance counselor, start to take notice. With the hilarious support of her quirky parents and a little help from her long-time crush, Olive sets out to own her controversial identity and put an end to the gossip once and for all.
14. American Beauty (1999)
American Beauty tells the story of Lester Burnham, a suburban husband and father who is suffocating under the weight of his mundane existence. Frustrated with his life, Lester decides to ditch his job and reinvent himself as a carefree, pot-smoking teenager. What unfolds is a narrative that’s simultaneously cynical, darkly humorous, and ultimately tragically uplifting.
15. Cruel Intentions (1999)
Directed by Roger Kumble, Cruel Intentions is a dark teen drama that draws loose inspiration from the 18th-century French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, set against the backdrop of modern-day New York City.
The film revolves around the manipulative and affluent step-siblings, Kathryn and Sebastian, who make a bet to see if Sebastian can seduce Annette, the headmaster’s daughter, before the school year kicks off. With themes of love, power, sex, manipulation, and privilege woven throughout, it’s a tale that keeps you questioning morality.
Oddly enough, you often find yourself rooting for Sebastian to win the bet and sleep with his step-sister— which is emblematic of the wild '90s!
Have you seen any of these films?
Let us know what you thought of them in the comments.
