Broken Lizard may not be as famous as Hollywood comedy icons like Tina Fey or Will Ferrell, but this comedic troupe has built a cult following with their unique style of humor. Consisting of Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, and Erik Stolhanske, the group has crafted some of the most quotable and beloved comedies of the last two decades.
Since their early days performing sketch comedy at Colgate University, Broken Lizard has evolved into one of the most successful comedy collectives in Hollywood. They have written, directed, and starred in eight feature films, leaving a lasting mark on cult comedy fandom.
Broken Lizard Movies List
Movie | Release Year | Director |
---|---|---|
Puddle Cruiser | 1996 | Jay Chandrasekhar |
Super Troopers | 2001 | Jay Chandrasekhar |
Club Dread | 2004 | Jay Chandrasekhar |
Beerfest | 2006 | Jay Chandrasekhar |
The Slammin’ Salmon | 2009 | Kevin Heffernan |
The Babymakers | 2012 | Jay Chandrasekhar |
Super Troopers 2 | 2018 | Jay Chandrasekhar |
Quasi | 2023 | Kevin Heffernan |
1. Super Troopers (2001) – The Cult Classic That Started It All
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
Why It’s The Best:
- Endlessly quotable and packed with hilarious pranks.
- A perfect blend of absurd humor, mystery, and slapstick.
- Established Broken Lizard as a major force in comedy.
“You boys like Mexico?!” became an instant classic, and the “Meow” scene remains one of the funniest bits in modern comedy.
Legacy:
- A cult favorite that remains a college comedy staple.
- Fans crowdfunded the sequel, proving its lasting popularity.
2. Beerfest (2006) – A Hilarious Drinking Extravaganza
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
Why It’s Great:
- Features some of Broken Lizard’s best comedic chemistry.
- Cloris Leachman steals every scene as Gam Gam.
- Insanely fun premise: A secret underground beer-drinking competition.
Why Watch? If you love booze-fueled comedy and ridiculous underdog stories, Beerfest is a must-see.
Legacy:
- Became a fan-favorite party movie.
- A sequel (Potfest) was teased, but never materialized.
3. Club Dread (2004) – Horror Comedy Done Right
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
Why It’s Worth Watching:
- A fun, blood-soaked twist on slasher movies.
- Bill Paxton’s performance as a Jimmy Buffett-style musician is brilliant.
- Blends murder mystery, gore, and classic Broken Lizard humor.
Why Watch? If you love horror comedies like Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, this is a hidden gem.
Legacy:
- Initially overlooked, but has since gained cult status.
4. Super Troopers 2 (2018) – A Long-Awaited Sequel
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
Why It Works:
- Made possible through crowdfunding ($4.7 million raised!).
- Features classic callbacks to the original while adding new twists.
- The U.S. vs. Canada premise is hilarious.
Why Watch? If you loved Super Troopers, this delivers more of the same outrageous fun.
Legacy:
- Bigger box office success than the original.
5. The Slammin’ Salmon (2009) – Restaurant Chaos & Laughs
Directed by: Kevin Heffernan
Why It’s Fun:
- Michael Clarke Duncan is comedic gold as a loud, eccentric boss.
- The setting—a high-stakes restaurant competition—provides endless absurdity.
Why Watch? If you’ve ever worked in food service, this perfectly captures the madness.
Legacy:
- One of Broken Lizard’s lesser-known gems, but still full of laughs.
6. Puddle Cruiser (1996) – The Humble Beginnings
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
Why It’s Interesting:
- The low-budget debut of Broken Lizard.
- Shot at Colgate University, where the group first met.
- Rough around the edges, but full of charm.
Why Watch? If you’re a die-hard fan, it’s fascinating to see where it all started.
Legacy:
- Premiered at Sundance in 1997, setting the stage for Super Troopers.
7. The Babymakers (2012) – A Forgettable Comedy
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
Why It’s Underwhelming:
- Lacks the energy and wit of earlier films.
- Over-reliance on gross-out humor.
- The premise—a man tries to steal back his sperm from a sperm bank—isn’t as funny as it sounds.
Why Watch? Only if you’re a die-hard Broken Lizard fan.
Legacy:
- A box office and critical flop.
8. Quasi (2023) – Medieval Comedy With Mixed Results
Directed by: Kevin Heffernan
Why It’s Different:
- A satirical take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
- Clear Monty Python influences, but doesn’t quite reach that level.
- Some great moments, but relies too much on lazy humor.
Why Watch? If you’re a fan of historical comedies, it’s worth a shot.
Legacy:
- The first Broken Lizard movie to skip theaters, released directly on Hulu.
Final Ranking of Broken Lizard Movies
Rank | Movie | Year | Best For… |
---|---|---|---|
🏆 1 | Super Troopers | 2001 | Classic cult comedy |
2 | Beerfest | 2006 | Drinking & party humor |
3 | Club Dread | 2004 | Horror-comedy fans |
4 | Super Troopers 2 | 2018 | Fans of the original |
5 | The Slammin’ Salmon | 2009 | Restaurant workers & fast-paced comedy |
6 | Puddle Cruiser | 1996 | Broken Lizard’s origins |
7 | The Babymakers | 2012 | Die-hard fans only |
8 | Quasi | 2023 | Historical comedy lovers |