I think I’d ride with Butch and Sundance just about anywhere.
Sideways comes to mind as a recent example, although I could not hang out with those two guys for more than a day or two at most. What a couple of fuck-ups.
Now, Virginia Madsen, she can prop her feet on my coffee table any ol’ time she pleases.
I think part of the success of Pineapple Express was that it felt like you were gradually becoming these characters’ friends too, along the same arc the characters go through.
—PolarisDiB
That we have come this far with no mention of Dazed and Confused is just astounding to me.
Mister Roberts is a great example of this. Seems like Ford is good at these sorts of things!
the ending of boogie nights…???……..
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science, and the last half of the Breakfast Club
@Nathan – I was going to mention Dazed and Confused had you not!
From my experience, other great hang out movies:
- Shaun of the Dead
- Hot Fuzz
- the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films
- Die Hard
- Clerks
- Attack the Block
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science, and the last half of the Breakfast Club
John Hughes is probably another good example of someone who makes movies like this, although I’ve always hated THE BREAKFAST CLUB. FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF and WEIRD SCIENCE are great, though.
Mister Roberts is a great example of this. Seems like Ford is good at these sorts of things!
I overlooked John Ford because of serious dramas like THE GRAPES OF WRATH and HOW GREEN IS MY VALLEY, but you’re right, a lot of his movies would fit this description.
I haven’t seen MISTER ROBERTS, but I’ll be sure to add it to my “to watch” list.
Fyodor said, The way I understood it, what he meant was movies with lots of fun and excitement where you can watch the camaraderie between the characters and feel like you’re hanging out with friends.
First film that came to mind: Sneakers—the camaraderie part. Ditto The Wild Bunch (although I don’t know about a the “a lot of fun” part for the latter). And wouldn’t the camaraderie criterion take a lot of exempt a lot of Hitchcock’s films?
I like the Star Wars and Butch and Sundance picks. Dazed and Confused seems to fit and that reminds me of something like Diner and American Graffiti. Also, The Big Chill.
The way I understood it, what he meant was movies with lots of fun and excitement where you can watch the camaraderie between the characters and feel like you’re hanging out with friends.
I’ve seen the term “hangout movie” a lot, and I don’t take it to mean that there’s necessarily a lot of excitement, but the second part is right on. As I understand it, it’s a movie that you put on primarily so that you can “hang out” with the characters, not to enjoy action or thrills or involved plots (though any of those might also be present). Dazed and Confused, American Graffiti, and Diner are all classic examples.
I’d add California Split, Stand By Me, Singles, and Friday.
California Split is too much of a downer to be a hangout movie imo.
I’d say any dumb comedy that’s half decent is great, including T+A comedies, if your mates are into that sort of thing hehe.
Cheech and Chong movies used to go down well back in my teens and early 20’s ;-)
Anchorman is quite the crowd pleaser.
Some great suggestions in this thread so far.
My 2¢ is National Lampoon’s Animal House – timeless and endlessly funny, and the very definition of a “hang-out movie”.
I came here just to make sure Dazed and Confused got mentioned and can see I’m late for the party!!
But it’s interesting that Mister Roberts was mentioned. I hadn’t categorized it as a hang out movie when I saw it, but I’ll certainly try watching it again with this in mind.
As for additions, even if they aren’t your thing I’d have to suggest some musicals like Rock n Roll High School or Grease.
I guess some slasher films could count, even though you might not want to feel like you’re hanging out with a bunch of people about to be murdered, but Scream maybe could fall in this category.
A lot of people might not think of Mister Roberts as a hang out movie but I think it is. The key to that movie is the relationships between the characters, friendly or antagonistic, and I feel like there’s a lot of scenes in Roberts’ and Pulver’s bunk with the doctor where they just talk or goof around and it made me feel like I was hanging out with them. Also it’s pretty episodic which I feel is a big part of “hang out movies”, as it gives you a feel of their day-to-day lives. But I just really love that movie it’s one of my favorites.
If you and your friends want to cry: Grave of the Fireflies :P
I think anything dumb and stupid (in a good way) will work.
21 Jump Street
The Rock and any 90s action movie
Suspiria
I’m glad you posted that film, Rock and Bull. I’m excited to watch it in a different way :)
Dude your enthusiasm about 21 Jump Street actually has me curious to see it.
@bijoux: It’s really funny. I think it’s the best comedy I’ve seen so far this year.
And wouldn’t the camaraderie criterion take a lot of exempt a lot of Hitchcock’s films?
For movies like VERTIGO, PSYCHO, and NOTORIOUS, sure, but I think in movies like REAR WINDOW, THE LADY VANISHES, and THE 39 STEPS, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie between the characters, and you definitely get that “hang out” feel watching them interact.
I’ve seen the term “hangout movie” a lot, and I don’t take it to mean that there’s necessarily a lot of excitement, but the second part is right on. As I understand it, it’s a movie that you put on primarily so that you can “hang out” with the characters, not to enjoy action or thrills or involved plots (though any of those might also be present).
I see. I guess I got confused because of Tarantino’s example. I was imagining it being applied more to westerns, war films, thrillers, adventure films, that kind of thing, but it could be applied more broadly.
Revenge Of The Nerds
The Blues Brothers
Goodfellas
I guess some slasher films could count, even though you might not want to feel like you’re hanging out with a bunch of people about to be murdered, but Scream maybe could fall in this category.
Yes, a lot of slasher movies and just horror movies in general are pretty good at this. Sci-fi, too. THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (which I like better than John Carpenter’s remake) is one that comes to mind.
California Split is too much of a downer to be a hangout movie imo.
It definitely has that feel at times, but you’re right, it’s probably too depressing overall to be a hangout movie. As far as Robert Altman movies go, MASH would probably be a better example.
I think a lot of Heist films are like that, especially older ones. The Rat Pack films come to mind obviously, considering the real life friendship of the boys. Other than that, I’d recommend Diner
I think a lot of Heist films are like that, especially older ones.
Yeah, definitely. RIFIFI is a really good one.
The Rat Pack films come to mind obviously, considering the real life friendship of the boys.
Any ones in particular you would recommend?
“Clerks;” a liberating experience.
Come and See
Ha.
Double feature with Salo perhaps? Your mates will love you.
hehehe
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Awhile ago, I remember watching a YouTube clip of Tarantino introducing RIO BRAVO, and he described it as belonging to a sub-genre he called “hang out movies”. The way I understood it, what he meant was movies with lots of fun and excitement where you can watch the camaraderie between the characters and feel like you’re hanging out with friends. A lot of Howard Hawks movies would fit this description. Quite a few Hitchcock movies would also fit (particularly REAR WINDOW), as well as a lot of the less overtly anti-war war movies, like THE DIRTY DOZEN. Another good example of this which I saw fairly recently would be John Houston’s THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING. Hopefully, this gives you a sense of what I mean.