Superbad (2007)
Two co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.
Details
Budget
$20,000,000
Rating
7/10 (7462 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Columbia Pictures, Apatow Productions
About Superbad
The 2007 film "Superbad" centers on two co-dependent high school seniors navigating the anxieties of separation as their plan for a booze-fueled party takes an unexpected turn. Categorized as a comedy, the movie has a runtime of 113 minutes. It holds a 7 out of 10 rating from over 7,400 TMDb users, an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 76/100 score on Metacritic.
The narrative explores themes of high school life, coming-of-age, and one chaotic night in Los Angeles. The plot revolves around two friends attempting to acquire alcohol using a fake ID for a party, leading to a series of comedic events involving the police and various misadventures. Despite the focus on typical teenage party tropes, the film also touches on the underlying buddy dynamic between the main characters.
"Superbad" is recognized for its contribution to the R-rated comedy genre, establishing director Greg Mottola's presence in the industry. While some aspects of the humor may be considered dated by contemporary standards, the film's blend of cringe humor and absurd situations has resonated with many viewers, making it a memorable entry in the comedy landscape.
Why you might be searching for Superbad
People are searching for "Superbad" often remember specific, often raunchy, comedic scenes, like characters trying to get alcohol or explicit jokes. The film's themes of virginity loss and general high school misadventures are also strong search motivators.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer considers "Superbad" a classic R-rated comedy that significantly impacted the genre and strongly recommends it, particularly for introverted teenagers.
Read the full reviewA reviewer notes that while they have watched the movie multiple times, their opinion on its "overhype" can vary depending on their mood. They describe the film as generally funny due to its dialogue and writing, full of cringe humor and ridiculous situations, though they acknowledge it is not a deeply fulfilling story.
Read the full reviewA reviewer found the movie funny but also dated, suggesting that viewers who can tolerate some cringe and older humor will enjoy it for casual viewing, though they wouldn't classify it as a "top movie."
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "Superbad" on Philo, YouTube TV, Starz Apple TV Channel, or for free with ads on Tubi TV. It's also available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. [justwatch.com](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/superbad)
Yes, "Superbad" is loosely based on the teenage experiences of its writers, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, during their senior year of high school in Vancouver in the late 1990s. The main characters, Seth and Evan, share their given names, and other characters and references were also influenced by their adolescence. [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superbad_(film))
At Jules' party, Seth drunkenly headbutts Jules, giving her a black eye, while Fogell and Nicola go upstairs. Officers Slater and Michaels break up the party, but secretly acknowledge they knew Fogell was underage, making a show of arresting him to impress his friends. The next day, Seth and Evan, having reconciled after an argument about their college plans, meet Jules and Becca at the mall and leave with their respective crushes. [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superbad_(film))
Critics generally reviewed "Superbad" positively, praising its dialogue, the chemistry between the lead actors, and the supporting cast's performances. Rotten Tomatoes reports an 88% approval rating, with a consensus that it balances vulgarity and sincerity while exploring friendship and the awkwardness of high school. [rottentomatoes.com](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superbad)