OK, so I’ve been on a real movie kick lately, trying to find stuff that gives me the same vibe as “Wet Hot American Summer.” You know, that goofy, over-the-top comedy about a bunch of camp counselors? That movie just cracks me up, no matter how many times I’ve seen it. It’s set on the last day of camp in 1981 and it’s so funny. It’s like a parody film, but it’s so well done. And those actors, pretending to be teenagers when they’re clearly in their 20s and 30s!
So, first, I did what any sane person would do: I watched “Wet Hot American Summer” again. I mean, it’s one of the funniest comedies of the last 20 years. But, like, I had to warn my kids it’s really more for older teens and adults, what with all the swearing and sex jokes and whatnot.
I got a little sidetracked here because I found out they made a Netflix series about it! It’s called “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp,” and it’s a prequel to the movie. Eight episodes of pure, ridiculous fun. It came out in 2017, and it’s a sequel to the film. I watched it all, and it filled the void for a little while.
But then I was back to square one. I needed more movies like “Wet Hot American Summer”! I started digging around, and you know what? It’s not easy to find that specific brand of humor.
My search results
Someone suggested “The Sandlot”. OK, it’s a classic, but it’s not really the same vibe. It’s more of a coming-of-age story, you know? It’s got that nostalgic feel, but it’s not as, how should I put this…raunchy? I still watched it, because, well, it’s “The Sandlot.”
I kept searching. I found lists of “movies like ‘Wet Hot American Summer’,” but most of them were just other teen comedies from the 80s or 90s. They weren’t bad, but they weren’t what I was looking for.
Then I had a thought: What if I looked for movies by the same people who made “Wet Hot American Summer”? So I looked up David Wain and Michael Showalter, the guys who created it.
Turns out, they’ve done a bunch of other stuff! I haven’t watched all of it yet, but I’m working my way through their filmography. “They Came Together” is pretty good, it’s like a parody of romantic comedies. And “Wanderlust” is on my list, too.
So, that’s where I’m at. It’s been a journey, but I’m still on the hunt for that perfect “Wet Hot American Summer” vibe. I’ll keep you guys updated if I find any hidden gems. It’s tough, because even though parody films are super popular, critics often overlook them. But for me, they’re gold.
