10 Best House Party Movies, Ranked

Nothing screams comedy like reckless abandonment, probably owing to the invention of the house party comedy, a niche but quite populated subgenre. With the promise of ridiculous alcohol-fueled misunderstandings, killer soundtracks, and a hilarious level of chaos, it’s no wonder these films have become so popular. While there are plenty of them to choose from, the absolute best know how to deliver epic thrills and gut-busting laughs.

From stories about hormonal high schoolers to rowdy frat ‘bros’ and even porn stars, the greatest house party comedies thrive on eccentric characters behaving at their absolute worst. These films get humor from conflicts blown out of proportions, the way only a wild party can make people behave. The best house party movies are a mix of great laughs, lovable characters, and huge surprises.

10 Booksmart

This coming-of-age comedy features two overachieving high school girls who decide to finally let loose with one wild night before graduation. As the two get lost on their way to an epic party, they find themselves at several other weird events, from a yacht party, to a murder mystery party. Each provides super unique settings where the cast’s hilariously over-the-top supporting cast of high school archetypes can shine. When they finally reach the party, the tension building all night between the two finally comes to a head. With several unpredictably absurd party sequences and its celebration of friendship and two friends letting loose, Booksmart is an exceptional house party comedy.

9 Project X

This found-footage style comedy in which three teenagers document their attempt to gain popularity by throwing the party-to-end-all-parties gets funnier and funnier by constantly upping the insanity. Violence, drugs, and a ludicrous appearance by Miles Teller as himself, only make their night wilder, until it finally spirals out of control and the whole night culminates with a massive fire. With its truly wild portrayal of a night of teenage recklessness and its many hilarious scenes, Project X is a phenomenal comedy about a house party gone out of control.

8 Neighbors

In Neighbors, the clash between a young couple and a raucous fraternity next door forms the backdrop for an uproarious battle of wills. The film features some of the funniest modern actors, like Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, delivering hilarious physical comedy. The chaotic frat parties in the movie perfectly embody the entire genre, serving up loud music, an endless number of drunken teens, and unrestrained debauchery. The parties also serve as the setting for some of the film’s best scenes, which see the couple sneak into their house to destroy them from the inside while it’s too crowded for anyone to notice.

7 House Party

House Party follows ‘Kid’ who, despite being grounded, sneaks out to go to his best friend Play’s house party, but finds himself getting into trouble along the way. Meanwhile, Play’s party is in full swing, with the film capturing the essence of a legendary house party complete with a suave DJ spinning records, ridiculous antagonists who show up invited, and, of course, an epic freestyle battle. The film’s infectious energy and memorable characters make it one of the greatest comedies in the genre.

6 Animal House

This 1978 comedy is the quintessential college film. In Animal House, two awkward freshmen are accepted into the rowdy Delta Tau Chi House, a frat whose lawlessness has the college dean constantly on their backs. The film features many memorable party scenes, but best of them all is the iconic toga party scene. With high-speed energy, unique characters, and its endless raunchy laughs, Animal House is an unforgettable comedy.

5 Clueless

The many house parties of Clueless (one themed around Christmas, though it’s hysterically never mentioned) offer more of the film’s witty dialogue, iconic fashions, and hormone-filled comedy. In one, Cher’s attempt to match Tai up with popular boy Elton doesn’t go as planned, and another sees her make an amusing oversight when she fails to realize her new crush is actually gay. The party scenes are filled with hilarious misunderstandings, not to mention the nonsensical rules and intricacies of teenage social intricacies which make the film so funny, and so authentic at the same time.

4 Boogie Nights

With a combination of drama and comedy, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights explores the adult film industry in the 1970s, complete with many extravagant party scenes. One set on New Year’s Eve is especially memorable, though, as it serves as a major turning point in the film. The scene shows off the era’s decadence with disco music, extravagant costumes, a vibrant atmosphere, and plenty of drugs. The party is filled with camaraderie and tension, but both ultimately crack when Maurice, played by Luis Guzmán, growing paranoid and eventually commits murder before taking his own life. It’s a shocking moment amidst a joyously unhinged party, and all the more effective for the way it shockingly stops the party in its tracks.

3 Superbad

This iconic teen comedy follows a wild night of parties for its central, awkward high school seniors. In one instance, an attempt to kiss a crush results in an accidental headbutt and a black eye for the other person. Meanwhile, the most hopeless of the three high schoolers somehow finds the most success, seducing an attractive foreign exchange student. Superbad is endlessly quotable, and provides a series of unforgettable party moments, showcasing the awkwardness, joys, and utter chaos of being in high school.

2 American Pie

The uproarious climax of American Pie unfolds at Stifler’s post-prom party which devolves into a mix of teenage hormones and alcohol. At the party, the film’s core group of friends each finally achieve what was their goal, to lose their virginity. Fueled by a mix of outrageous humor, especially Jennifer Coolidge’s portrayal of Stifler’s mom, and genuine moments of heartwarming romance, the party serves as a wild and memorable conclusion to their story. It’s a perfect ending to this raunchy film, and one of the funniest and wildest house parties to ever feature in a comedy.

1 Mean Girls

features several iconic house party scenes that capture the uncontrollably chaotic nature of high school parties. Moments like when Cady inadvertently violates the Halloween party’s dress code provide some of the most unforgettable and quotable moments of the house party comedy genre. The parties also serve as turning points in the movie, with Cady’s get-together having gone off the rails, leading both Regina and Janis to turn on her. The film perfectly portrays the uncontrollable chaos of high school parties, with teenagers unable to handle their liquor and missed social cues leading to confessions gone wrong.