Posted Tue Jul 14, 2015 at 10:05 AM PDT by Matthew Hartman
Say you're gathering a group of close friends for a night of fun movies, cheap pizza, and bad beer. The pizza and beer are the easy part of putting your plans in place, but what about the movie? You're going to need a flick that offers a solid 90 to 120 minutes of relentless fun that allows people to cut loose, throw off some riffs, and at the same time is still wildly enjoyable for everyone in the room. In a situation like this, you're probably not going to want to pull out that copy of 'Howards End' on Blu-ray. In a situation like this, you're going to need to dig deep and seek out those guilty pleasures within your collection, the movies that you've seen hundreds of times over, which still provide limitless entertainment. If you're stuck for ideas, the following list should make anyone happy - or at the very least set you on the right path!
Commando (1985)
"You're a funny guy Sully, I like you. That's why I'm going to kill you last."
What do you get when you take a huge guy with lots of muscles and arm him with machine guns with infinite ammo? You get the Arnold Schwarzenegger starring action cheese epic 'Commando.' This is one of those movies that from frame one is a riot. Difficult to take seriously, it's best to roll with the punches, knife fights, saw blades, rocket launchers, and grenades. John Matrix's (Schwarzenegger) idealistic life is shattered by the kidnapping of his daughter and the forced assassination of a Latin American president, Matrix must do what he does best - kill an entire gorilla army single handed. To call this movie over the top would be a bit of an understatement - especially with guys like Bill Duke, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells, and David Patrick Kelly as the bad guys. It's also a movie that's great for a group of people
Why is this one such a great party movie?
After 'Predator,' 'Commando' is probably Schwarzenegger at his most macho. Loaded with wild one-liners, this movie is as funny as it is thrilling.
What to do during the movie?
Have a kill counter contest. You're going to need to do your homework ahead of time, but have your guests keep track of the number of bad guys Arnold takes out. Have prizes available because this could get competitive.
Independence Day (1996)
"Welcome To Earth!"
Perhaps one of the biggest and most wildly entertaining movies of the 90s, 'ID4' features Bill Pullman as a fighter jet flying President of the United States, it has Will Smith before he was cool, Jeff Goldblum as an environmentally conscious nerd, Robert Loggia as a grizzled General, and best of all you get Randy Quaid! When aliens invade the earth they blow up all of our major landmarks. It's up to a few good men and women to find a way to take the fight back to the invaders. Some missiles, a Mac laptop, and a 3.5 floppy disc should get the job done!
Why is this one such a great party movie?
As one of the biggest summer movies of all time, 'Independence Day' has remained popular and is routinely viewed every July 4th for the obvious holiday tie in. Even if someone says they hate the movie, they'd be lying if they said they didn't enjoy the goofy sci-fi thrills!
What to do during the movie?
There are a whole host of things you can do for this one. You can get your guests to do their best Bill Pullman President Speech, or have your friends impersonate Randy Quaid. And if you live in a state with looser regulations, you can set off fireworks in your backyard during the big explosive finale!
Road House (1989)
"You're too stupid to have a good time!"
Apparently bars and bouncers have an international reputation that I'm just not aware of - or at least they did in the 80s. Dalton (Patrick Swayze) is the best at what he does; cooling troubled bars and saloons and ejecting the wild element. When hired to clean up one of the toughest joints in Kansas, Dalton quickly learns he's in way over his head when he comes face to face with the town's local show tunes singing bad guy, Brad Wesly (Ben Gazzara). Dalton is going to have to practice all of his Tai Chi, feather his mullet, and frequently take off his shirt in order to clean up the bar - as well as the town. He's also going to need some help from a particularly grizzled Sam Elliott who was taking time off from narrating Beef Council commercials.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
If you're asking that question, you probably haven't seen 'Road House!' This movie is an unintentional joke a minute and adds a lot to a rowdy movie night atmosphere.
What to do during the movie?
Every time Dalton takes his shirt off, your audience can take a shot of coffee! Why coffee? It's Dalton's drink of choice, but I'd recommend decaf because he's without torso apparel most of the movie.
Anaconda (1997)
"This film was supposed to be my big break. But it turned out to be a big disaster."
When you've got Jennifer Lopez, Jon Voight, Ice Cube, Owen Wilson and a comatose Eric Stoltz fighting a gigantic CGI snake in the middle of the Amazon - what could go wrong? As the cast is hunted down and eaten one by one, the movie gets more and more ridiculous. First, they're a documentary crew searching for a lost Amazonian tribe of people who worship Anacondas. When Jon Voight joins up with them they decide it's a better idea to help him hunt a giant anaconda and trap it for a bunch of cash, because that is a plan that couldn't go wrong!
Why is this one such a great party movie?
Jon Voight is swallowed by the snake and then vomited out in one whole piece when the snake decides it'd rather eat Jennifer Lopez. That's just one of many highlights in this amazingly campy classic.
What to do during the movie?
When you have Jon Voight chewing the scenery, see how long your guests can hold that creepy sneer he has on his face. Bonus points go to the people that can mimmic the accent.
1990: The Bronx Warriors (1982)
"You Bastard! You work for the Manhattan Corporation!"
Movies like 'The Warriors,' 'Mad Max,' and 'Escape From New York' managed to spawn one of the greatest Italian knock off movies of all time. Set in a near future where the Bronx has has been handed over to the power of rival gangs, a man named Trash (Mark Gregory) is going to have to team up with a rival gang headed by The Ogre (Fred Williamson) in order to keep a mercenary known as Hammer, 'Vic Morrow' from systematically destroying the Bronx gangs for the evil Manhattan Corporation. When all of their gangs offer a unique style and a plot this thin and goofy, you and your guests had better get ready for a great time watching movies.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
Written and directed by the amazing Enzo Casellari, this movie simply knows how to entertain an audience in all of the best ways.
What to do during the movie?
You can have a theme party and get your guests to come dressed up in their strangest gang apparel. The most creative guest could win a box of spaghetti.
Air Force One (1997)
"Get off my plane!"
If the President's airplane ever gets hijacked, lets all hope that Harrison Ford is hitching a ride - after this movie he clearly knows that to do! When Russian terrorists lead by Gary Oldman take over Air Force One, it's up to Ford to get them off his plane because he's got the skills, the gravely voice, and the intimidating finger point to get the job done. Directed by Wolfgang Peterson, this flick is a hoot and a holler from frame one. While Ford does make a believable President of the United states - the rest of the movie, not so much. Gary Oldman gets to chew a lot of scenery, but woof is this movie thick with Cheez Whiz.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
Have you not seen this movie? It's an action movie on an airplane involving the President of the United States! 'White House Down,' and 'Olympus Has Fallen' can only pretend to be this good.
What to do during the movie?
Find which guests can do the best Harrison Ford impression and get them to do a "Ford Off." The other guests can be judges!
Spaceballs (1987)
"Evil will always triumph because good is dumb!"
When President Skroob (Mel Brooks) threatens to steal all of the air from the planet Druidia or kill Druish Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga), her father King Roland (Dick Van Patten) calls upon Lone Star (Bill Pullman) and his companion the fur-covered Mog named Barf (John Candy) to rescue her from the evil Dark Helmet, (Rick Moranis). In order to save the princess from Dark Helmet, Lone Star is going to have to get a little help from Yogurt (also Mel Brooks) and learn the mysterious ways of the Schwartz.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
Mel Brooks produced dozens of hilarious movies during his career - so why this one over movies like 'Robin Hood Men In Tights,' 'Young Frankenstein,' or even the amazing 'Blazing Saddles?' The simple answer to that is because 'Spaceballs' ribs on movies like 'Star Wars,' Star Trek,' 'Alien' on top of building an entire joke around the ever decreasing release turnaround time of the home video market.
What to do during the movie?
Easily one of the most quotable movies ever made - this is one of those were you should encourage guests to dress up as their favorite character and then stay in character throughout the run of the movie!
Sudden Death (1995)
"Have you had any contact with the aggressors?"
"I killed two. Is that contact?"
When you're an international terrorist with a big list of demands that requires some powerful government official to cut through the red tape, you naturally want to kidnap the President of the United States while he's watching game seven of the World Series. If you don't really need your demands met or expect to receive much in the way of media attention, you kidnap the Vice President while he watches a Stanley Cup Playoff game and hope to god that there isn't a fire marshal with super amazing martial arts skills who just so happens to have two kids with him in the arena.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
A: It's plot is pretty ludicrous. B: Van Damme goes full MacGyver by turning a fire extinguisher into a single shot nail launcher that can only be used once. C: Van Damme fights the Penguin's mascot.
What to do during the movie?
Sporting events are known for the bad food so I encourage an eating contest! Hotdogs, pizza slices - make sure you also have plenty of watery beer on hand to complete the experience.
The Towering Inferno (1974)
"Now, you know there's no sure way for us to fight a fire in anything over the seventh floor, but you guys just keep building 'em as high as you can."
What audience wouldn't enjoy a solid disaster flick? When you have a cast of thousands with the likes of Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, William Holden, and a pre-trial O.J. Simpson you're already in for a good time. Then you add in the plot of a bunch of people trapped in a state-of-the-art high rise that's on fire and you have yourself a solid source of laugh-inducing melodrama that takes itself entirely too seriously.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
The previously stated melodrama is a big reason. This movie is almost completely free of a sense of humor, so it's only natural for the audience to supply some of the giggles.
What to do during the movie?
Considering so many people in this movie die because they're afraid of a couple puffs of smoke and decide not to leave - see how long your guests can hold their breaths. If they can hold out longer than any scene with Robert Wagner and his girlfriend they win the game and at life.
Top Secret! (1984) (sadly not on Blu-ray yet.)
"I know a little German. He's sitting over there."
Nick Rivers (Val Kilmer) is an American rock star who is sent to East Germany as a goodwill ambassador for the communist country's big international cultural festival. Little does the world know that this cultural festival is actually a front for East Germany's bigger military aspirations to take over West Germany and wipe out NATO. When Nick gets involved with the French underground resistance movement, he risks life an limb to ensure everyone can enjoy Rock N' Roll. The jokes are rapid fire and skewers war films, spy flicks, beach party movies, Elvis musicals and 'The Blue Lagoon.'
Why is this one such a great party movie?
From the opening "Skeet Surfing" music number all the way through the underwater western saloon bar brawl - 'Top Secret!' delivers the laughs. Also it features a young Jim Carter of 'Downton Abbey' fame as a dopey French resistance fighter with memory issues.
What to do during the movie?
Just before the songs start, kick on the subtitles and get your guests to go in for a sing along. It may require liquid courage, but folks should enjoy the tunes.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
"First, we must observe the ancient ritual of the, uh… traditional pre-fight donut!"
Everyone's heroes in a half-shell have just come off their great victory defeating the Foot Clan and leaving their leader, the evil Shredder crushed in a trash compactor - or so they thought. It turns out Shredder was only wounded and is now hellbent on revenge against Splinter and the Turtles. In order to achieve his diabolical goals, Shredder kidnaps Professor Perry (David Warner) - the scientist who created the toxic green ooze that created the turtles. With the last vial of ooze and a wolf pup and a snapping turtle, Shredder puts his tyrannical plot for citywide domination into effect. As one of my favorite movies from childhood, 'TMNT II: The Secret of the Ooze' has long proven to be a crowd pleaser.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
The comedy is front and center, you have Tokka and Rahzar, and Vanilla Ice performing one of his two hits "Ninja Rap!"
What to do during the movie?
Have yourself a "Ninja Rap" dance off - clear plenty of space away from the TV set, someone could kick a hole through the screen.
They Live (1988)
"Brother, life's a bitch… and she's back in heat."
If you're a race of industrialist, capitalistic aliens that are hell bent on invading Earth, enslaving the human population, and stripping the planet of its resources - how do you go about taking over the world? Sure you could announce your arrival by showing up in gigantic flying saucers and blowing up the White House, but perhaps a subtler approach would be in order? When muscle-bound drifter Nada (Roddy Piper) and his construction worker buddy Frank (Keith David) uncover the presence of evil alien overlords by wearing special sunglasses; they become humanity's last hope for survival.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
Virtually every John Carpenter film offers some level of wild group entertainment, but no other movie in his repertoire is as quotable or as over-the-top entertaining as 'They Live.' The five minute and twenty second fight sequence between Piper and David is worth it alone, but the film's numerous one-liners make this one an absolute riot for any and everyone in your little soiree.
What to do during the movie?
Count the punches. Seriously, I don't think there is an accurate count during the big fight scene!
Rocky IV (1985)
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I can change, and you can change, everybody can change!"
After Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) won back the title from Clubber Lang, he was content to live a quiet life in retirement - only his buddy Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) feels the need to take on the U.S.S.R.'s fresh young champion fighter Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). After Apollo is killed during an exhibition match, Rocky decides to travel to Siberia (A.K.A. Jackson, Wyoming) to train his body and mind in the arctic tundra for a revenge fight against Mother Russia's steroid enhanced super fighter.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
I don't think there was ever a movie that was as "80s" as this one. It's ultra patriotic while being decidedly anti-soviet and at the same time becomes the most entertaining of the Rocky sequels. It's also a product of the era in that MTV was dominating cable TV connections forcing this movie to have not one, not two, but three music video montages inside of fifteen minutes.
What to do during the movie?
Bust out the Rock'em Sock'em Robots and get your guests into a bracket to find the ultimate fighter!
Twister (1996)
"…another cow."
When a deadly series of tornadoes breaks out all across the American Midwest, only Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt can save the day - if Cary Elwes doesn't screw things up. Amazingly enough the plot of this movie is about as thin as that single sentence. Tornadoes hold a big place in my family's heart and we can't help but watch the sky whenever a major storm breaks out - so this movie is a summer mainstay. As such - it's a great movie to watch with a big group of people.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
As each tornado becomes more and more elaborate, the move becomes more and more insane. It can't be taken the least bit seriously, and the half-baked plot of dueling storm chasing scientists makes it all the more fun!
What to do during the movie?
The cast in this movie screams virtually the entire movie. Whenever the cast screams your audience screams. Record everything on your phone, secretly put it up on YouTube and get a million hits and make a boatload of cash.
Zombie (1979)
"What the hell is all this about the dead coming back to life again and having to be killed a second time?"
When the powers of voodoo bring the dead back to life, the inhabitants of a small Caribbean island are going to have a devil of a time surviving the night. Billed as a thinly connected tangent prequel/sequel to 'Dawn of the Dead,' 'Zombie' or 'Zombie 2' as it's more commonly known outside of the U.S. is one of those delightfully gory Italian produced splatter flicks that includes fountains of bright red blood spewing out of grisly gapping neck wounds in slow motion.
Why is this one such a great party movie?
This movie has an army of zombies with pancake batter makeup and it also stars Mia Farrow's sister! On top of the gore is the infamous zombie VS shark underwater battle that not only makes you laugh your head off, but is also an impressive feat when you consider a live nurse shark was used for the shoot.
What to do during the movie?
As Zombie Crawls are becoming big events around the country, you can use this movie as a capper to the evening since all of your presumed guests will already be dressed for the event!
As with any movie watching event, it's a good idea to know your audience. Soft-spoken drama's usually aren't the best flicks to pick for a group of rowdy people - unless said drama is unintentionally funny. This list is pretty good, but there are hundreds more to chose from out there, so take your pick and have a great time and remember to always movie responsibly especially when you're entertaining a group of friends. Let us know your favorite party movie in the comments section below or in the forums!
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
The latest news on all things 4K Ultra HD, blu-ray and Gear.