While they may not be as well-known as Hollywood comedy icons like Tina Fey or Will Ferrell,Broken Lizard is one of themost successful comedy troupes of the 21st century. The group, consisting of Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, and Erik Stolhanske, has created many hilarious films together while also finding individual success in Hollywood. Each member plays a vital role in every production, collaborating by writing, directing, and starring in all their films.
The comedians first came together in 1989 while attending Colgate University after Jay Chandrasekhar was asked to put together a comedy show. Soon, the friends were performing sketch comedy on campus and, after graduation, honed their skills in clubs around Greenwich Village. They adopted the name Broken Lizard shortly thereafter, with Chandrasekhar later admitting that he came up with it “off the top of his head” simply because they needed something to put on flyers. The troupe transitioned to making independent films in the late ’90s and has since produced eight films under the Broken Lizard banner.
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2001
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2009
2012
2018
2023
1Puddle Cruiser (1996)
Directed By Jay Chandrasekhar
Broken Lizard’s first foray into filmmaking was this campus-set comedy, shot entirely at their alma mater, Colgate University.The plot revolves around a cafeteria heist gone wrong, landing good friends Grogan (Kevin Heffernan) and Matt (Paul Soter) in trouble with the school. They are assigned a student lawyer, Suzanne (Kayren Butler), who unknowingly begins a romantic flirtation with a third accomplice, Felix (Steve Lemme), as he attempts to keep his role in the heist hidden.
Puddle Cruiseris noticeably rough around the edges, and it’s clear the group had limited resources to work with. While it’s far from the funniest film Broken Lizard has made,it still has its charms, and the group’s chemistry is undoubtedly the highlight. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997, was later released on DVD in 2005, and for years remained a staple on Comedy Central.
2Super Troopers (2001)
This raucous comedy was Broken Lizard’s breakout film and remains their most successful to date. Theendlessly quotableSuper Trooperscentered on a group of prank-loving, wisecracking officers in the fictional town of Spurbury, Vermont, isone of the funniest films of the 2000s.It cemented Broken Lizard as a major comedic talent and gave each member’s career a significant boost.
Other than the twoSuper Troopersfilms, the Broken Lizard movies don’t follow any sort of linear storyline and can be watched in any order.
Nearly everything inSuper Troopersstill holds up over 20 years later.It boasts an incredible joke-per-minute ratio, an engrossing mystery, legitimate stakes, and, most importantly, the undeniable chemistry between the Broken Lizard members. That chemistry is a big reason why the film remains a staple on college campuses, with fans still clamoring for another sequel.
This underrated genre mashup was Broken Lizard’s first film following the success ofSuper Troopersand their first studio-backed project.It’s clear they were given a much larger budget to work with, and while not everything in the film lands,there’s a clear ambition to push boundaries rather than play it safeafter their previous success.
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A great parody combines the familiar with the absurd, making for something truly hilarious and ranking them among the best.
Club Dreadisn’t quite a parody of ’80s slasher films, but more of a comedic send-up of classic horror tropes, and you may tell the filmmakers have a deep love for the genre. The movie takes place entirely on Pleasure Island, a vacation resort in Costa Rica, where a killer begins picking off members of the staff. It features some hilarious set pieces, gnarly kills, and a scene-stealing performance by Bill Paxton, who delivers his own riff on Jimmy Buffett. While the film didn’t quite recoup its budget, it has gained a cult following after an initially tepid response.
4Beerfest (2006)
Broken Lizard’s fourth film was one of their biggest hits and featured all the trademarks fans had come to expect from the group. It’s packed with silly jokes, hilarious set pieces, and serves as agreat vehicle to showcase the comedy troupe’s infectious bond and chemistry.While not a massive box office success, the film recouped its budget and gained popularity on DVD and cable.
The film also features an incredible cameo from comedy legend Cloris Leachman as the brothers' grandmother, Gam Gam, who had quite the wild past during World War II.
The film’s title perfectly sells its premise:brothers Jan and Todd Wolfhouse (Erik Stolhanske and Paul Soter) travel to Germany to attend Oktoberfest, following instructions left in their grandfather’s will. There, they stumble upon an underground beer-drinking competition and, after suffering a humiliating defeat, assemble an American team to take on the Germans, who are trying to tarnish their grandfather’s legacy. The film also features an incredible cameo from comedy legend Cloris Leachman as the brothers' grandmother, Gam Gam, who had quite the wild past during World War II.
5The Slammin' Salmon (2009)
Directed By Kevin Heffernan
After a three-year hiatus,Broken Lizard returned with this restaurant-set comedy featuring a wrestling twist.Michael Clarke Duncan starsas Cleon Salmon, a former heavyweight champion-turned-restaurant owner who, after racking up a steep gambling debt to the Yakuza, holds a contest among his staff to see who can earn the most money in one night. The movie premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival before receiving a very limited theatrical release.
The film has a clever premise and a talented cast, but the jokes don’t always land, often relying too heavily on lowbrow physical humor. While it’s not the group’s strongest effort, it still delivers enjoyable moments and solid laughs. Duncan steals the show, and is able to be menacing and hilarious all within in the same scene. It’s a shame the late actor didn’t have the opportunity to show his comedic chops in more films.
6The Babymakers (2012)
Although technically not a Broken Lizard film, it was directed by Jay Chandrasekhar, features Kevin Heffernan in a prominent role, and was marketed as a movie from the makers ofSuper TroopersandBeerfest. It isby far the least successful film the group has been associated with, both critically and commercially, but it’s not entirely without merit.The first half contains some touching moments, and overall,The Babymakersis more grounded and emotional than their previous projects. The film premiered at SXSW and then had a very limited theatrical release.
Overally,The Babymakersrelies too heavily on slapstick and raunchy humor and lacks the clever dialogue that audiences have come to expect from a Broken Lizard production.
Like most of Broken Lizard’s films, it starts with a funny premise, but unfortunately, the script isn’t as strong this time.The story follows a man who recruits his friend to rob a sperm bank in an attempt to retrieve an old sample after struggling to conceive with his wife.Overally,The Babymakersrelies too heavily on slapstick and raunchy humor and lacks the clever dialogue that audiences have come to expect from a Broken Lizard production. However, if the idea of characters slipping on semen makes you laugh, then you might find plenty to enjoy.
7Super Troopers 2 (2018)
After teasing the film for years,Super Troopers 2finally arrived 17 years after the original.Super Troopers 2was made possible through a highly successful crowdfunding campaign that raised $4.7 million, with the rest of the budget provided by a private investor. Although initially rumored to be a prequel,the film takes place a few years after the original and follows the troopers reuniting after being fired for accidentally killing Fred Savage during a ride-along. They are recruited by their old captain (Brian Cox) to assist with an international border dispute between the U.S. and Canada.
WhileSuper Troopers 2doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original, itstill delivers plenty of laughs, and it’s clear the cast had a blast making it.The movie leans too heavily on callbacks to the first film and sometimes feels like the creators were simply checking off a list of must-have moments. However, the actors haven’t missed a beat — if only the plot had been as strong as their performances. Despite receiving a mixed reception, the film had a strong box office opening and ultimately outgrossed the original.
8Quasi (2023)
Quasiis a bit of a departure for Broken Lizard but still maintains the same comedic sensibilities they’ve brought to all of their films. A satirical send-up ofThe Hunchback of Notre Damewith clear Monty Python aspirations,the plot follows Quasi Modo, a hunchback and professional torturer in medieval France, who reluctantly becomes entangled in an assassination plotwhen both the Pope and the King of France hire him to kill the other. The film was released directly to Hulu, making it the first Broken Lizard movie not to receive even a limited theatrical release.
Each of the Broken Lizard members gets their moment in the spotlight, and as always, they look like they’re having a blast.
While it’s nice to see the group try something different,Quasistill suffers from the same issues that have made their later films less successful.There is an over-reliance on easy jokes and gross-out humor—elements you’d think the group might have moved past by now. However, as with all their films, there are enough clever moments to keep it from being a total misfire. Adrianne Palicki shines as the Queen and is the real standout, but each of the Broken Lizard members gets their moment in the spotlight, and as always, they look like they’re having a blast.
What’s Next For Broken Lizard
While Broken Lizard has not officially announced a new project, the group has hinted over the years that they wouldlike to make a sequel toBeerfest, tentatively titledPotfest. Jay Chandrasekhar and Kevin Heffernan mentioned that they had discussed the sequel with Warner Bros., who distributed the original film.
Broken Lizardalso recently providedupdates on another proposed sequel toSuper Troopers, saying they are in final discussions with Disney to move forward with the project. Additionally, they have hinted that they would love to do a crossover film betweenSuper TroopersandBeerfest.
