From Superbad to Dazed and Confused, fans of Project X have a number of comedies about hard partying perfect for their next bingewatch.
Project X delivers a party like any other, but there are other similar comedy hangout movies with parties that spin out of control. The 2012 film takes place over the course of one night, as Thomas, Costa, and J.B., three unpopular high school seniors commit to throwing the party of their lives. What seems like the trio's final attempt to do something remarkable during their school years quickly goes off the rails, with the party growing increasingly absurd and out of hand.
Project X wasn't the first comedy about non-stop partying, but it certainly helped revitalize the subgenre. The film is produced by Todd Phillips, who directed The Hangover franchise, and its influence on pop culture was so great it has been cited by many real-life teens as their inspiration for throwing wild parties (via The Dallas Morning News). By playing with the most-used teen comedy tropes, Project X adapts typical conventions to a found footage style, delivering a one-of-a-kind movie and one of the defining comedies of the 2010s.
7 The Hangover (2009)
The Hangover shares many similarities with Project X despite going in the opposite direction: while Project X follows a party spiraling out of control, The Hangover is set in the aftermath of the party. After what was supposed to be a typical Las Vegas bachelor party, friends Phil, Stu, and Alan wake up to find Doug, the groom, missing. What's more, there's a baby in their closet and a tiger in their bathroom. As the Wolfpack desperately tries to understand what happened the night before and race against time to save a wedding, problems only stack up.
The Hangover has a spectacular cast and feels like a hilarious puzzle, consistently surprising the audience by upping the ante. Similar to the way Project X deals with the unpredictability of a party, introducing a scenario where anything can happen, The Hangover unfolds a chaotic night that only gets worse as the characters dig deeper.
- Stream On Netflix
6 Superbad (2007)
Both Superbad and Project X nail the concept of a seemingly endless night, introducing unpopular seniors Evan and Seth who are bonded by a common goal: to make a name for themselves at the party of their lives. The difference is that the Superbad characters spend most of the movie trying to get to said party. The number of absurdities and peculiar characters that get in the teens' way is hilarious, as the party becomes a seemingly unattainable final destination. It's safe to say that if it wasn't for Superbad, Project X probably wouldn't exist.
Superbad is considered a classic movie despite only being released in 2007. Even though the characters of both Superbad and Project X are engaging and funny, both movies are predominantly similar when the humor constantly evolves: as the hangout snowballs into an absolute nightmare, a series of hilarious circumstances forces the teens out of their comfort zone. There's a specific point of "no return" when the characters realize they went through so much that it can't get worse: they just go along with it.
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5 Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart is a recent comedy that explores Project X's style from the perspective of two teen girls. The movie revolves around Amy and Molly, two high-school seniors who realize they wasted years of their lives refusing to have fun, always putting studies first. As their school year draws to a close, the two finally decide to work less and play more, setting out for an unforgettable night of fun.
Booksmart is a movie that positively represents queer love and uses the party scenario to address relevant topics such as sexuality and social anxiety. The teen comedy always maintains a funny, lighthearted tone that is also present in Project X. Although the focus is on the hangout storyline, the setup in the high school environment is just as funny and engaging, adding layers of nostalgia.
- Rent On Apple+
4 21 & Over (2013)
Project X is an ode to irresponsibility, with the characters completely rejecting morality and letting go of everything they once knew as right. 21 & Over takes the subject one step further, getting rid of the high school scenario to address maturity and transition to adulthood. In the film, the rational and highly intelligent student Jeff Chang shows up to a seemingly innocent birthday celebration prior to the most important interview of his life. However, the small gathering quickly snowballs into a night of non-stop booze and debauchery.
While not one of Miles Teller's best movies, like Project X, 21 & Over is constantly reminding its audiences about the worst that can happen, working around the comical setup with effective levels of tension, as Chang cannot, under any circumstances, miss his interview. Similarly, Project X's Thomas is constantly repeating that the house must be kept tidy and clean. These hints only make the consequences of the main characters' reckless actions funnier, leading up to a great punch line.
- Stream On Hoopla
3 Can't Hardly Wait (1998)
Project X is a movie that encapsulates the 2010s in every frame, from the digital-looking aspect of the found footage style to slang and pop culture references. Can't Hardly Wait is the film's 1990s counterpart, introducing the high school dynamics of that time through an unforgettable party on graduation day.
Can't Hardly Wait has many likable characters who get themselves into a succession of increasingly ridiculous. The fashion defines the decade, as does the film's main cast, from Jennifer Love Hewitt to Seth Green.
- Stream On HBO Max
2 Dazed and Confused (1993)
Just like Project X, Dazed and Confused revolves entirely around a hangout, following the perspectives of high school freshmen and seniors on a night of drinking, music, and sex. Directed by Richard Linklater, the film is charming and realistic, offering an easy-going sense of humor that relies heavily on the interactions between characters.
While the classic '90s teen comedy is much more down to earth than Project X, both movies effectively play with the idea of a never-ending hangout, complemented by great uses of music in Dazed and Confused. T
- Stream On Amazon Prime Video
1 This Is The End (2013)
The events that occur in Project X might seem exaggerated, but they don't come even close to the absurdities that take place at This Is The End's party. The movie is an interesting meta-project that features renowned comedy actors playing themselves at a celebration at James Franco's house. The booze and the glamour of the party are suddenly interrupted when the celebrities face an actual apocalypse as the world begins to end.
Besides the hilarious chemistry between the star-studded cast, This Is The End utilizes graphic violence as an efficient comedic tool, escalating the level of danger in a hilarious fashion. Just like Project X, This Is The End has incredible movie references and doesn't miss the chance to pay homage to the movies that inspired it. Additionally, it might be one of the best comedies about a party that spins out of control, as it's impossible to tell what will happen next.
- Stream On HBO Max
More: This Is The End Is A Sequel To Cabin In The Woods - Theory Explained
