American Pie (film series)
American Pie is a film series consisting of four sex comedy films. American Pie, the first film in the series, was released by Universal Pictures in 1999. The film became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon and gained a cult following among young people. Following American Pie, the second and third films in the series American Pie 2 (2001) and American Wedding (2003) were released; the fourth, American Reunion, was released in 2012. A spin-off film series entitled American Pie Presents consists of five direct-to-video films that were released from 2005 to 2020.
| American Pie | |
|---|---|
.png.webp) | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date | 1999-present |
Running time | 788 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $145 million |
| Box office | $989.5 million[1] |
Throughout the first film in the original series, Jim Levenstein (Jason Biggs) tries to develop a relationship with his school classmate Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth). Jim and three of his best friends Kevin Myers (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Paul Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), and Chris Ostreicher (Chris Klein) make a pact to lose their virginity before their high school graduation. Steve Stifler (Seann William Scott), the obnoxious jock of the group, provides them with unorthodox advice while hosting wild parties in the meantime. In the second film, the five boys host a summer party and Jim becomes interested in his friend, Michelle Flaherty (Alyson Hannigan). In the third film, Jim and Michelle plan to marry, although the forced invitation of Stifler could ruin everything. In the fourth film, the gang gets back together in anticipation of their thirteenth high school reunion. The spin-off series revolves around relatives of Stifler, including his brother Matt (Tad Hilgenbrink); his cousins Erik (John White), Dwight (Steve Talley), Scott (John Patrick Jordan); and their respective friends.
The original series, produced on a total budget of US$145 million, has grossed over 800 million worldwide. The spin-off films were released direct-to-video. The original series has received mixed reviews from critics, while the spin-off series has received negative reviews.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Cast
Principal cast
Additional crew
| Crew/detail | Original series | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Pie | American Pie 2 | American Wedding | American Reunion | |
| 1999 | 2001 | 2003 | 2012 | |
| Director(s) | Chris and Paul Weitz | J. B. Rogers | Jesse Dylan | Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg |
| Writer(s) | Adam Herz | |||
| Producer(s) | Chris Moore, Craig Perry, Chris Weitz and Warren Zide | Chris Bender, Adam Herz, Chris Moore, Craig Perry, Chris Waitz, Paul Weitz and Warren Zide | Chris Moore, Craig Perry, Adam Herz, and Warren Zide | |
| Composer | David Lawrence | Christophe Beck | Lyle Workman | |
| Cinematography | Richard Crudo | Mark Irwin | Lloyd Ahern | Daryn Okada |
| Editor | Priscilla Nedd-Friendly | Larry Madaras and Stuart Pappé | Stuart Pappé | Jeff Betancourt |
| Production companies | Zide/Perry Productions and Summit Entertainment | Zide/Perry Productions and LivePlanet | Zide/Perry Productions and Relativity Media | |
| Distribution | Universal Pictures | |||
| Runtime | 95 minutes | 110 minutes | 96 minutes | 113 minutes |
| Release date | July 9, 1999 | August 10, 2001 | August 1, 2003 | April 6, 2012 |
Production
Development
In the original American Pie (1999), Jim Levenstein and his friends Kevin Myers, Paul Finch, and Chris Ostreicher attempt to lose their virginity before their high school graduation. Jim pursues Czechoslovakian exchange student Nadia, but his attempts fail after he ejaculates prematurely twice during foreplay, and instead pursues band geek Michelle, asking her to the prom. At Stifler's prom after-party, Jim has a one-night stand with Michelle, and the rest of the friends lose their virginity as well.[10]
In American Pie 2 (2001), Jim and his friends organize a party at a summer beach house in Grand Harbor reuniting the high school gang. Nadia returns, and Jim asks Michelle to help him finally have sex with her. Jim ends up realizing he is in love with Michelle (whose feelings are mutual), and goes to a recital where she is performing to reveal this to her.[11]
American Wedding (2003) begins with Jim proposing to Michelle. Finch, Kevin, and Stifler help the arranging of his marriage.[12]
In the years that have passed since American Wedding, the most recent installment American Reunion (2012) shows Jim and Michelle married with a child, and Kevin has gotten married himself, whereas Oz and Heather grew apart, Finch still has not found love (not counting Stifler's mom), and Stifler has not come to terms with the fact that his teenage years are long gone. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults for their thirteenth high school class reunion, to reminisce about – and get inspired by – the hormonal teens they once were.[13]
The film series began with American Pie, released on July 9, 1999.[14] This was followed by three sequels: American Pie 2, released on August 10, 2001,[15] American Wedding, released on August 1, 2003,[16] and American Reunion, released on April 6, 2012.[13]
Future
A fifth theatrical film, under the working title American Pie 5 was announced on August 4, 2012, with Hurwitz and Schlossberg returning as directors and screenwriters.[17] In August 2017, Seann William Scott said in an interview that the fourth film probably had not made enough at the domestic box office to warrant another film.[18] In August 2018, Tara Reid said she met with the directors, with them saying that the fifth film will happen, and that filming could begin soon.[19]
Spin-off series
Additional crew
| Crew/detail | Films | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Pie Presents: Band Camp |
American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile |
American Pie Presents: Beta House |
American Pie Presents: The Book of Love |
American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules | |
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2009 | 2020 | |
| Director | Steve Rash | Joe Nussbaum | Andrew Waller | John Putch | Mike Elliott |
| Producer(s) | Mike Elliott | W. K. Border | Mike Elliott | Joseph P. Genier Mike Elliott Karen Gorodetzky Abbey Lessanu | |
| Writer(s) | Brad Riddell | Eric Lindsay | David H. Steinberg | Blayne Weaver David H. Steinberg | |
| Composer | Robert Folk | Jeff Cardoni | David Lawrence | Tim Jones | |
| Cinematography | Victor J. Kemper | Eric Haase | Gerald Packer | Ross Berryman | Damian Horan |
| Editor | Danny Saphire | Rod Dean Andrew Somers |
John Gilbert | Maria Friesen Charles Norris | |
| Production company | Rogue Pictures | Neo Art & Logic Capital Arts Entertainment Rogue Pictures |
Neo Art & Logic Rogue Pictures |
Capital Arts Entertainment | Universal 1440 Entertainment |
| Distribution | Universal Pictures | Universal Studios Home Entertainment | Universal Pictures | Universal Studios | Universal Studios Home Entertainment |
| Runtime | 92 minutes | 98 minutes | 87 minutes | 94 minutes | 95 minutes |
| Release date | December 26, 2005 | December 19, 2006 | December 26, 2007 | December 22, 2009 | October 6, 2020 |
Production
Development
American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005) follows Stifler's younger brother Matt Stifler (Tad Hilgenbrink), who is forced to attend band camp for the summer. While there, he realizes he must change his arrogant ways in order to win over Elyse.
American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (2006) follows Erik Stifler (John White), the only Stifler to possibly graduate from high school a virgin. After a failed attempt at sex with his girlfriend Tracy (Jessy Schram), she gives Erik a free pass to go to the University of Michigan, where his cousin Dwight (Steve Talley) attends, to lose his virginity. In the process, Erik's loyalty is put to the test.
American Pie Presents: Beta House (2007) continues a year after The Naked Mile. Erik has now graduated from high school, has lost his girlfriend to her previous boyfriend, and is starting college. He must complete a series of tasks before he can join Dwight's fraternity and also begins a new relationship with Ashley Thomas (Meghan Heffern), a girl he met in the co-ed bathrooms in their dorm.
American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009) takes place ten years after American Pie. Set in East Great Falls, a fire in the school's library results in the destruction of the Book of Love (the "Bible" from the first film). With the help of the book's creator, Mr. Levenstein, the people who started the fire set out to restore the book and lose their virginity.
More than six years after the release of the original American Pie, the franchise continued with a direct-to-video spin-off Presents series; consisting of Band Camp, released on December 26, 2005,[20] The Naked Mile, released on December 12, 2006,[21] Beta House, released on December 26, 2007,[22] and The Book of Love, released on December 22, 2009.[23] All four spin-offs center around relatives of Steve Stifler, who include his brother Matt and his cousins Erik, Dwight, and Scott Stifler.[24][25][26][27]
Several films set in the American Pie continuity were released. The films featured mostly new characters. Aside from the raunchy humor, the common elements among the American Pie Presents films are the continued presence of Jim's Dad and members of the Stifler clan. Other than Jim's Dad, the only other returning characters are Matt Stifler, who takes center stage for the first spin-off, albeit played by a new actor, and Chuck Sherman, who is the guidance counselor for East Great Falls High School in the first spin-off.
Reception
Box office performance
| Film | Release date | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Budget (million) |
Ref | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening weekend (North America) |
North America | Other territories | Worldwide | All time North America |
All time worldwide | ||||
| American Pie | July 9, 1999 | $18.709.680 | $102.561.004 | $132.922.000 | $235.483.004 | #559 | #475 | $11.000.000 | [28] |
| American Pie 2 | August 10, 2001 | $45.117.985 | $145.103.595 | $142.450.000 | $287.553.595 | #289 | #366 | $30.000.000 | [29] |
| American Wedding | August 1, 2003 | $33.369.440 | $104.565.114 | $126.884.089 | $231.449.203 | #543 | #484 | $55.000.000 | [30] |
| American Reunion | April 6, 2012 | $21.514.080 | $57.011.521 | $177.978.063 | $234.989.584 | #1248 | #477 | $50.000.000 | [31] |
| Total | $409.241.234 | $580.234.152 | $989.475.386 | $146.000.000 | [32] | ||||
| Average | $102.3 million | $145.1 million | $247.4 million | $36.5 million | |||||
Critical and public response
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Pie | 61% (128 reviews)[2] | 58 (30 reviews)[33] | A-[34] |
| American Pie 2 | 52% (127 reviews)[3] | 43 (28 reviews)[35] | B+[34] |
| American Wedding | 54% (155 reviews)[5] | 43 (34 reviews)[36] | B+[34] |
| American Reunion | 45% (183 reviews)[4] | 49 (34 reviews)[37] | B+[34] |
Home media
DVD release
| DVD name | Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Pie | December 21, 1999 | N/A | October 4, 2006 |
| American Pie 2 | January 15, 2002 | N/A | May 17, 2006 |
| American Wedding | January 2, 2004 | March 19, 2012 | January 19, 2004 |
| American Reunion | July 10, 2012 | September 10, 2012 | August 22, 2012 |
| American Pie Presents: Band Camp | December 26, 2005 | October 31, 2005[38] | October 25, 2005 |
| American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile | December 19, 2006 | December 4, 2006[39] | December 29, 2006 |
| American Pie Presents: Beta House | December 26, 2007 | March 19, 2012 | December 31, 2007 |
| American Pie Presents: The Book of Love | December 22, 2009 | March 19, 2012 | December 31, 2009 |
| American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules | October 6, 2020 | N/A | N/A |
Blu-ray
| Blu-Ray name | Region 1 A | Region 2 B | Region 4 B |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Pie | March 13, 2012 | March 19, 2012 | May 4, 2012 |
| American Pie 2 | March 13, 2012 | March 19, 2012 | May 4, 2012 |
| American Wedding | March 13, 2012 | March 19, 2012 | May 4, 2012 |
| American Reunion | July 10, 2012 | September 10, 2012 | August 22, 2012 |
| American Pie Presents: Band Camp | February 11, 2020 | N/A | N/A |
| American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile | April 7, 2020 | N/A | N/A |
| American Pie Presents: Beta House | August 18, 2020 | N/A | N/A |
| American Pie Presents: The Book of Love | December 22, 2009 | N/A | N/A |
References
- "American Pie Franchise Box Office History - The Numbers". The Numbers (website).
- "American Pie". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- "American Pie 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- "American Reunion". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- "American Wedding". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- "American Pie 5: The Naked Mile (2006)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- "American Pie Presents: Beta House (2007)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- "American Pie Presents - Band Camp (2005)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- "American Pie Presents: Book of Love (2009)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- American Pie (DVD). Universal Pictures. 1999.
- American Pie 2 (DVD). Universal Pictures. 2001.
- American Wedding (DVD). Universal Pictures. 2003.
- "American Reunion (2012) Movie Info". Yahoo! Movies. April 6, 2012. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- "American Pie (1999)". Yahoo! Movies. July 9, 1999. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- "American Pie 2 (2001)". Yahoo! Movies. August 11, 2001. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- "American Pie: The Wedding". Phase9.tv. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
- "American Pie 5 cooking at Universal". Retrieved August 4, 2012.
- Thompson, Simon Y. (April 9, 2018). "Seann William Scott Talks 'Goon' Sequel, More 'American Pie' And 'Dude, Where's My Car?'". Forbes. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
- "American Pie 5 May Shoot Soon According to Tara Reid". Movieweb. August 2, 2018.
- "American Pie - Band Camp (Unrated Widescreen Edition)". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
- "American Pie - The Naked Mile (Unrated Widescreen Edition)". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
- "American Pie Presents: Beta House". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
- "American Pie Presents: The Book of Love". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
- American Pie Presents: Band Camp (DVD). Universal Pictures. 2005.
- American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (DVD). Universal Pictures. 2006.
- American Pie Presents: Beta House (DVD). Universal Pictures. 2007.
- American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (DVD). Universal Pictures. 2009.
- "American Pie (1999)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
- "American Pie 2 (2001)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
- "American Wedding (2003)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
- "American Reunion (2012)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
- "American Pie Movies at the Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on March 2, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
- "American Pie (1999): Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- "Cinemascore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on July 22, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
- "American Pie 2 (2001): Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- "American Wedding (2003): Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- "American Reunion (2012) : Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- "American Pie Presents: Band Camp". October 31, 2005. Retrieved April 5, 2018 – via Amazon.
- "American Pie Presents: the Naked Mile". December 4, 2006. Retrieved April 5, 2018 – via Amazon.
