11 Funny Movies Like We're The Millers You Need To See
As long as the wheels of the filmmaking industry are spinning, there will always be an audience for light-hearted and ludicrous comedies with wild premises. You know the ones: They're the films with unrealistic plots that can somehow keep up the illusion that they're rooted in our reality. There's an appeal to the genre, for sure. After all, who doesn't like to just sit back after a long, monotonous, and tiresome day and relax by watching something fun and exciting? Regardless of how wacky, vulgar, or unbelievable these movies get, they still appeal, so long as they involve easily consumable jokes, moments of tension, and some hysterical situations.
"We're the Millers" is one such movie: David (Jason Sudeikis) has to smuggle drugs into the U.S. to pay off a debt, so he hires stripper Rose (Jennifer Aniston) and two teens (played by Emma Roberts and Will Poulter) to pretend to be his wholesome family, so he can avoid suspicion with border control. Naturally. Awkward affairs, pop culture references, car chases, guns, and drug trafficking in a Winnebago driven by four total strangers, who fake being a family? Sounds like a fun way to spend a Sunday night. So, if you're looking for something equally or even more entertaining to unwind, we've got you covered. Here are 11 comedies like "We're the Millers" that are total crowd-pleasers.
The Interview (2014)
Even before its release, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's political satire "The Interview" was the subject of controversy. "The Interview" was identified as the reason behind a major cyber-attack against Sony Pictures in 2014, as the North Korean hackers wanted to stop the release of this film that was deemed offensive (via Vox). In the wake of the Sony leaks, this comedy was not the financial success the studio had expected.
"The Interview" follows Dave Skylark (James Franco), who hosts a popular talk show on television. He interviews superstars like Eminem (yes, he's in the film), Rob Lowe, and Nicki Minaj about their personal lives. It's as superficial as it gets. That's why Aaron (Seth Rogen), the show's producer, feels the need to do something meaningful for a change. The opportunity comes knocking when Dave tells him that North Korea's infamous leader, Kim Jong-un (Randall Park), is a fan, and they should invite him on the show. So, they travel to North Korea to meet with Kim Jong-un and make the interview happen. But before they leave, the FBI approaches the two to kindly ask for a "favor:" can they poison and kill Kim Jong-un? Left with no choice, Dave and Aaron accept the task, but things quickly fall apart once they fly to North Korea and meet the supreme leader.
Given the subject matter and how it's handled, perhaps it's not a surprise that "The Interview" wasn't a hit with the critics. What is surprising though is that its totally primitive, mind-boggling, over-the-top script is somehow still weirdly charming today — as long as you don't expect highbrow dialogues or a meaningful message about dictatorship.
Due Date (2010)
After the wild success of "The Hangover," director Todd Phillips made another feature that delivered a similar vibe (before continuing on to do the next two "Hangover" films). Although critics didn't appreciate this effort, "Due Date" still made a huge profit — grossing over $211 million worldwide on a $65 million budget. Clearly, it pleased those fans of "The Hangover," who wanted more of the same. The studio even cast Zach Galifianakis in an almost identical role to his character in "The Hangover." Galifianakis plays weirdos the best, so this flick is a slam dunk for him. And in "Due Date," he has Robert Downey Jr. by his side, who managed to make some time between the "Iron Man" and "Sherlock Holmes" projects to fit this little road movie in.
The plot follows two men, Peter (Downey Jr.) and Ethan (Galifianakis), who are just trying to get to Los Angeles. After an incident on their flight though, they are both escorted off the plane and put on a No Fly List. So, they decide to drive to L.A. together: Peter has to get to his wife, who's about to give birth, and Ethan plans to scatter his father's ashes and become an actor. And so, they begin a chaotic, messy, and savage ride that will nearly wreck them. Undoubtedly, "Due Date" is not "The Hangover" by any measure, but it's a pretty funny follow-up from Phillips. And in our eyes, it's certainly better than any of the actual sequels to "The Hangover." If you're looking for a fun comedy with an excellent cast like "We're the Millers," "Due Date" just might be the movie for you.
The Switch (2010)
Josh Gordon and Will Speck's "The Switch" is one of those predictable yet pleasing rom-coms that Hollywood will never stop making. Based on Jeffrey Eugenides' short story "Baster," "The Switch" has a good (albeit far-fetched) premise, but that seems to be the case for most American romantic comedies anyway.
Kassie (Jennifer Aniston) and Wally (Jason Bateman) are best friends living in New York. Although they once dated, things didn't work out because Wally is terrified of taking risks in life. He's a neurotic pessimist, who just can't stop worrying about the future. Kassie, though, is the opposite of Wally — she's full of life and isn't afraid of anything. She's constantly searching for something new and meaningful.
Kassie wants to start a family but hasn't yet found the right man to do that with, so she decides to become a single mom. She chooses a sperm donor and throws a party for the occasion ... and to collect the sample. At the party, Wally gets too drunk, accidentally spills the donor's "ingredient" into the sink, and decides to replace it with his own. In the fog of his hangover the next day, Wally forgets any of this happened. Eventually, Kassie gets pregnant and moves away from the city. Seven years later, she returns with her 6-year-old son and reconnects with Wally. It doesn't take long before he realizes that her son Sebastian (Thomas Robinson) is his child. But it does take a while for him to build up the courage to confess the truth to Kassie.
While the premise is a bit unexpected, "The Switch" doesn't really offer anything fresh in the genre. But thanks to its two lead performances — and a vintage Jeff Goldblum in a supporting role — it does deliver some big laughs and will be sure to entertain any fan of "We're the Millers" or Jennifer Aniston.
Horrible Bosses (2011)
Seth Gordon's comedy "Horrible Bosses" capitalized on a fantasy that many of us may have had at some point in our lives: to take revenge on the boss who's making us miserable. That might not sound like the most original idea, but with a bold script and an ensemble cast, it could be a jackpot. In 2011, this black comedy certainly was: It grossed nearly $210 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, and critics generally praised it too. With a set of talented actors like Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis, it's no wonder why it was such a hit.
The plot follows three friends — Nick (Bateman), Dale (Day), and Kurt (Sudeikis) — who have suffered years of mistreatment, abuse, and manipulation from their bosses. Now, they have finally had enough. One night when they're having drinks at a bar, one of them jokingly suggests that they should get rid of their employers. So, after considering the outlandish idea, the four agree to actually kill them. They start putting together a plan on how to take their bosses out one by one to make their lives easier.
"Horrible Bosses" is a fine example of a black comedy that doesn't shy away from crossing boundaries or going berserk in strange situations. It's a darker movie than "We're The Millers," but that's just part of its appeal for any fan of the wild comedy genre.
Tag (2018)
If you can't wrap your head around how a children's game can be turned into a movie with A-list actors, you're not alone. But don't worry, after you watch Jeff Tomsic's comedy, "Tag," it will all make sense. The script is based on a true story published in The Wall Street Journal about a group of middle-aged men, who played this game once a year for over two decades as a way to stay in touch and be a part of each other's lives.
The movie follows five friends: Hoagie (Ed Helms), Randy (Jake Johnson), Jerry (Jeremy Renner), Bob (Jon Hamm), and Kevin (Hannibal Buress) have been playing tag since 1983. Jerry is the undefeated champion, since he's never been tagged. So, Hoagie conspires with the others to make a plan to tag him, since Jerry is going to retire from the game once he gets married later in the year. Jerry is worried that his friends will disrupt his big day with the game, so they all agree not to play tag at the wedding. That doesn't actually change their incentive to target the groom whenever they can. Eventually, though, the real reasons emerge as to why these men are so determined to give the game their very best one last time.
"Tag" is a bittersweet film with some great laughs and a touching story that's the foundation of the close friendship these guys have kept up for decades. Even though the critics gave "Tag" mixed reviews, the feature was a commercial success that made over $78 million worldwide at the box office.
21 Jump Street (2012)
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's buddy-cop movie, "21 Jump Street," is an adaptation of Stephen J. Cannell's television series of the same name. It's a charming satire of high school that combines '80s nostalgia with a more modern, self-deprecating type of humor. The premise is hilarious: Underachieving cops Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) go undercover as students at a high school to find out who's making and selling a new synthetic drug. The rules of popularity have changed since these two were in high school — jocks are out and nerds are in — so Schmidt and Jenko are given the chance to redo their teenage years. The film never stops mocking the idea that these two grown men — who are clearly closer to 27 than 17 — can never be taken seriously as real high-schoolers ... or cops, for that matter.
"21 Jump Street" parodies classic teen and cop films and uses their elements both to make fun of and have fun with the genres. It's a totally bonkers flick with some great meta one-liners and pop culture references that "We're the Millers" fans can definitely appreciate. It's no wonder that most critics loved it, and it became a huge box office hit, making over $201 million worldwide on a $42 million budget.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
David Dobkin's romantic comedy, "Wedding Crashers," was an absolute hit back in 2005. Why? Because it had an original yet simple idea, backed by a witty script and two leads with sparkling chemistry. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn know how to make people laugh, and "Wedding Crashers" was a perfect opportunity to showcase that. Critics praised it, and audiences ate it all up, leading the film to gross over $288 million at the box office.
The movie follows two divorce mediators, John (Wilson) and Jeremy (Vaughn), who love weddings — well, to be precise, they love the opportunity that weddings create. At a wedding, John and Jeremy can pretend to be anyone they want to be and sell convincing backstories that unsuspecting bridesmaids fall for. So, the two men crash dozens of weddings to manipulate and seduce bridesmaids. It's the perfect setup, until they meet Claire (Rachel McAdams) and Gloria (Isla Fisher), who turn their worlds upside down and cause their carefully assembled façades to crack.
"Wedding Crashers" is a prime rom-com: raunchy, sweet, and hilarious, with a perfectly cast ensemble that balances out the movie with equal parts humor and emotion. If you're looking for vintage fun, you can't go wrong with this one.
The Change-Up (2011)
"The Change-Up" is another feature from "The Wedding Crashers" director David Dobkin. Although the premise of "The Change-Up" might not be the most original – two polar opposite men envy each other's lives, and one night they magically switch bodies — it still works thanks to the talents of Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds. That said, critics panned the film at the time. Despite the poor reviews, the film still managed to perform pretty well at the box office and take in over $75 million worldwide, perhaps due to the star power of Reynolds and Bateman.
Bateman plays Dave, a responsible family man, who switches bodies with his best friend Mitch (Reynolds), a sleazy bachelor. The plot is formulaic with predictable outcomes and jokes, but in spite of some of these shortcomings, there are aspects of the film that work well. Really, it's just good fun to see both Reynolds and Bateman play against type — Reynolds channels an overworked dad, while Bateman has a more wild and unleashed energy — even if the initial concept gets worn out by the end. Nevertheless, "The Change-Up" is the kind of movie that lets you turn your brain off, lay back, and eat some popcorn, while trying to forget about your everyday problems.
Game Night (2018)
In 2018, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein's dark comedy, "Game Night," came as a much-welcomed surprise. Their movie was an absolute hit among critics and audiences alike, and it made over $117 million worldwide.
Married couple Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams) are super competitive when it comes to games of any type. They host regular game nights with their friends and Brooks (Kyle Chandler), Max's rich older brother, who loves to one-up Max and put him in his place. Brooks hosts the next game night at his mansion and proposes an elaborate game with a bit higher stakes than Monopoly. When Brooks gets kidnapped in front of Max, Annie, and their friends, they all think it's part of the plan ... but is it? Soon, they realize that something about this might be off — and that's when the pace picks up, things get totally out of control, and Max and Annie try to find Brooks.
It's not hard to see why "Game Night" became an instant classic: What starts as a silly rom-com swiftly turns into a violent, shocking, and nail-biting adventure that thrives on crossing boundaries and pushing the envelope as far as it can. In this comedy, the stakes are a lot higher than usual, and anyone who enjoys the clashing of personalities in an ensemble like "We're the Millers" will definitely want to join in the fun of "Game Night."
30 Minutes or Less (2011)
Ruben Fleischer's 2011 action-comedy, "30 Minutes or Less," is a fast-paced and totally bonkers ride that involves bombs, guns, and a forced bank robbery. That's right, folks: Pizza delivery guy Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) is forced by two total fools to rob a bank, while a bomb is strapped onto his chest. If that's not convincing enough, there's more: The plot was loosely inspired by the case of Brian Wells, the "pizza-bomber," who was killed by an explosive collar locked to his neck in a bizarre heist.
Although Fleischer's comedy wasn't particularly liked by critics, it was a moderate success at the box office — making $40 million on a $28 million budget. "30 Minute or Less" might not be the funniest film of all time, but there are still plenty of hilarious scenes and moments delivered by a fine cast that includes Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride, Nick Swardson, and Michael Peña. If you want some high-concept, thrilling, and absurd entertainment, this flick is a safe bet for a fun night.
Pineapple Express (2008)
Before David Gordon Green made one of the best "Halloween" sequels in the horror franchise, he also directed some truly great films. His 2008 stoner comedy, "Pineapple Express," especially stands out. Its script was written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg with the help of Judd Apatow on the story. Rogen and Goldberg have written such films together as "Superbad," "The Watch," and "This Is The End." It's not like they have reinvented the stoner sub-genre with their work, but they definitely have implemented a refreshing spin on it.
"Pineapple Express" follows Dale (Rogen), a process server, and his weed dealer, Saul (James Franco), after the former witnesses a murder committed by Saul's boss. Dale tells Saul what he saw, leading the two go on the run together, so they can get away from the hitmen sent to kill them. The comedy was mostly a hit with the critics and was also a commercial success, making over $101 million worldwide. Franco was even nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance. Since its release, "Pineapple Express" has become a favorite film among fans of the genre. If you want something as fun, intense, and silly as "We're the Millers," Green's flick is surely a fine choice.