Alcohol is the great equalizer: it can make a great movie into something hilarious anda bad movie into something bearable. Of course, that’s not to suggest that drinking games solely exist to make fun of movies. A lot of times, they’re often a celebration of the movie’s specific qualities, highlighting minor imperfections or unique traits that make it stand out in our memory.
Drinking games are easier to make up if you’ve already seen the movie you’re drinking to. But, if the movie is new to you, there are countless suggestions online for the best times to drink. The best part is that you can pick which rules to follow, or make up your own as you go! To join in on the fun, we compiled a list of movies to play fun drinking games with. If you partake, just be sure to drink responsibly.
15The Room (2003)
The Roomis a movie that’s difficult to sit through without a stiff drink. It is regarded as one of the worst and most absurd movies, but its poor qualities gave it a legendary status alongside its star and director, Tommy Wiseau. Set in sunny California,The Roomsees Wiseau playing Johnny, a man caught in the middle of a love triangle with his fiancée, Lisa (Juliette Danielle), and his best friend, Mark (Greg Sestero). What follows, however, is arguably one of the most baffling film productions ever conceived, one that would shoot Wiseau to infamous stardom in addition to setting a new standard for bad movies to come.
This movie has becomesuch a cult classic, there was even a separate film made,The Disaster Artist,about Tommy and the film’s creation. It featured James Franco directing and playing the role of Wiseau. Needless to say, it’s just as good of a movie for elevating your blood alcohol content.
Take a Drink When:
The Roomis not available to stream today.
14The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”
The Rocky Horror Picture Showis acult classic 1970s moviethat works as a drinking game and as an interactive experience. Regarded as one of the greatest musical films of all time,The Rocky Horror Picture Showis based on the 1973 musical of the same name, telling a bizarre story involving mad scientists, spooky castles, and more colorful costume designs than you may count. Though it wasn’t a critical darling during its initial release, it has since become an international hit.
This movie is often seen in theaters with live fans acting out the movie in front of the screen as shadow casts. These shadow cast showings have strict rules for their game, but the rules are wildly fun and the experience is unlike any other. This game has a list of props, callbacks for certain lines, and even encourages audiences to dress up. This game can be modified and played at home — or you can keep the corset in your closet and imbibe instead.
The Rocky Horror Picture Showis available for purchase on Prime Video, Google Play, and Apple TV.
13The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001 – 2003)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
TheLord of the Ringstrilogy is as grandiose as it is beloved. Based on the original series of novels by J. R. R. Tolkien, this trilogy of films was directed by Peter Jackson and released throughout the early 2000s. To say that they were a cultural phenomenon would be an understatement. Incredible visual effects for the time, a focus on action-oriented storytelling, and an incredible ensemble cast amounted to one of themost beloved movie trilogiesof all time, with its enduring legacy still felt to this day.
Legendary fantasy and adventure franchises likeLord of the Ringsare filled with plenty of opportunities for fans to get a little “over-served.” From the relationship of Frodo and Sam to certain characters speaking different languages, Middle Earth enthusiasts will have plenty of chances to grab a tray of shots.
12The Great Gatsby (2013)
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsbyis a movie based on the book of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, so unlike many other movies on this list, it is categorized as a classic work. However, that doesn’t mean the viewing experience can’t be improved with a touch of rotgut. For a story set in the prohibition era, there’s a lot to drink about.
Directed by Baz Luhrmann,The Great Gatsbysees Leonardo DiCaprio playing the role of the titular Jay Gatsby. After a chance encounter with his neighbor, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), he and Nick are taken on the journey of a lifetime through New York City, right in the middle of the Roaring Twenties. Like Luhrmann’s recent depiction of Elvis Presley inElvis,The Great Gatsbyis incredibly stylish, superbly slick, and loaded with tropes to drink to.
11Zombieland (2009)
Zombieland
Zombielandcame out alongside the horde of zombie media that dominated pop culture throughout the early 2010s. That being said, it stands out above its contemporaries for a plethora of reasons. Jesse Eisenberg stars as Columbus, a young survivor who teams up with an older survivor named Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), as well as a pair of sisters named Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), as they attempt to find a new home. The film saw praise for its morbid humor, its numerous “rules” for survival, and its stylish presentation.
Zombielandis a comedy, which makes it the perfect movie for a drinking game. Unlike other comedies, however, it rarely presents its brain-eating antagonists as something to laugh at. If you are a heavyweight drinking champion, there’s a sequel that most of these drinking rules would work for to make aZombielanddouble feature.
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10This Is the End (2013)
This Is the End
This Is the Endis an incredibly crass comedy ripe for an alcohol-fueled evening. Serving as Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s directorial debut,This Is the Endsees a group of celebrities caughtin the middle of the apocalypseduring a visit to James Franco’s house. With their backs against the wall, all that’s left to do is scrounge for supplies, reminisce, and indulge in recreational drugs.
This Is the Endis one of the few great movies out there with a comedic twist on an apocalyptic storyline. With an all-star cast that includes James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and Emma Watson,This Is the Endis bound to make movie lovers interested in having a fun time.
9Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Arguably the most well-known project by the British comedy troupe Monty Python,Monty Python and the Holy Grailis a treasure trove of surreal comedy. A satirization of King Arthur’s Court,Holy Grailis the first original feature-length production by Monty Python, retelling the classic tale of King Arthur (Graham Chapman) searching for the Holy Grail. The members of Monty Python, like Eric Idle and John Cleese, all play multiple roles in this film’s cast of memorable characters.
Monty Python and the Holy Grailgives off a hilarious vibe that encourages you to just kick back and relax. It’s a movie you really can’t take seriously at all, especially when you consider its hilariously abrupt ending.Loaded with memorable quotes,Monty Python and theHoly Grailis ultimately a movie that can be enjoyed at all levels of intoxication.
8National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)
Animal House
Animal Houseis one of the most iconic comedy films ever made. Directed by John Landis,Animal Housesees John Belushi starring in his first-ever feature-length film following his successful stint onSaturday Night Live. Belushi plays John Blutarski, a college student involved with the Delta Tau Chi Fraternity, as he and his fellow fraternity brothers take on the malicious Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon).
Animal Houseis one of thegreatest comedy films of all time, especially because it comes from an old, much-appreciated era of laughter. It’s an incredibly influential film alongsideTheKentucky Fried Movie, with both leading to the eventual creation of the “gross out” subgenre. Since it is a movie that has to do with partying at college and fraternities, it may just be the perfect movie for a drinking game.
You can streamAnimal Houseon Netflix.
7Legally Blonde (2001)
Legally Blonde (2001)
Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has it all. She wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But there is one thing stopping him (Matthew Davis) from proposing: She is too blond. Elle rallies all of her resources and gets into Harvard, determined to win him back.
Legally Blondefeatures Reese Witherspoon in one of her most hilarious roles to date.Witherspoon plays Elle Woods, a sorority sister whose life is suddenly challenged by negative stereotypes. In order to win the affection of her ex-boyfriend, Woods attempts to get a law degree at Harvard in a bid to disprove the “dumb blonde” stereotype.
Legally Blondeis a beloved comedy chock-full of drink-worthy moments. From Woods' video submission for Harvard Law to her iconic comebacks, this movie is hilarious even if you’re stone-cold sober. With these common drinking rules, any players are sure to be legally drunk.
6Mean Girls (2004)
Mean Girls
After directingFreaky Fridayin 2003, Mark Waters would return to directMean Girlsjust one year later. Lindsay Lohan stars as Cady Heron, a teenage girl who transfers to a new high school after growing up in Africa. However, nobody said that navigating the cultural landscape of an American high school would be so easy. Tina Fey is also featured in the film as both an actor and writer, withMean Girlsbeing her first feature-length writing credit.
Mean Girlshas got to be one of the most highly quoted movies, even though it’s been almost 20 years since its release. If a drink was takenevery time an iconic line was said, things would get hectic before the film even gets going. To ensure every moment of this comedic masterpiece is seen, we’ve compiled some pretty strict rules for the game.
You can streamMean Girlson Paramount+.
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