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American Pie (film series)

Series of sex-comedy films

American Pie (film series)

Summary

Series of sex-comedy films

FieldValue
nameAmerican Pie
imageAmerican Pie (film franchise logo).svg
captionAmerican Pie
distributorUniversal Pictures
runtime788 minutes
countryUnited States
languageEnglish
budget$147 million
gross$989.5 million

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 titled American Pie Presents consists of five direct-to-video films that were released from 2005 to 2020.

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 group gets back together in anticipation of their 13th year since graduating from high school. 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 Stephanie (Lizze Broadway), and their respective friends.

The original films were produced on a total budget of US$145 million, has grossed nearly a billion 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.

Cast

Principal cast

Main article: List of American Pie characters

CharacterOriginal seriesSpin-off seriesAmerican PieAmerican Pie 2American WeddingAmerican ReunionBand CampThe Naked MileBeta HouseThe Book of LoveGirls' Rules199920012003201220052006200720092020Noah Levenstein ("Jim's Dad")James "Jim" LevensteinMichelle FlahertySteven "Steve" StiflerKevin MyersPaul FinchMrs. Levenstein ("Jim's Mom")Jeanine Stifler ("The MILF"; "Stifler's Mom")John (aka MILF Guy #2)Justin (aka MILF Guy #1)Chuck Sherman ("The Sherminator")Chris "Oz" OstreicherHeatherVictoria "Vicky" LathumJessicaNadiaMatt StiflerTom MyersCadence FlahertyHarold FlahertyMary FlahertySelenaMiaKaraAJRonRachel FinchElyse HoustonChloeJames "Jimmy" ChongErnie KaplowitzOscarErik StiflerDwight StiflerHarry StiflerMike "Cooze" CoozemanJillRyan GrimmTracy SterlingAshley ThomasRob ShearsonScott StiflerNathan JenkyllMarshall "Lube" LubetskyHeidiDanaAshley LawrenceMadeline ShearsonAnnie WatsonStephanie StiflerKaylaMichelle
Eugene Levy
Jason Biggs
Alyson Hannigan
Seann William Scott
Thomas Ian Nicholas
Eddie Kaye Thomas
Molly Cheek
Jennifer Coolidge
John Cho
Chris OwenChris Owen
Chris KleinChris Klein
Mena SuvariMena Suvari
Tara ReidTara Reid
Natasha LyonneNatasha Lyonne
Shannon ElizabethShannon Elizabeth
Eli MarienthalTad Hilgenbrink
Casey Affleck
January Jones
Fred Willard
Deborah Rush
Dania Ramirez
Katrina Bowden
Ali Cobrin
Chuck Hittinger
Jay Harrington
Rebecca De Mornay
(uncredited)
Arielle Kebbel
Crystle Lightning
Jun Hee Lee
Jason Earles
Omar Benson Miller
John White
Steve Talley
Christopher McDonald
Jake Siegel
Jaclyn A. Smith
Ross Thomas
Jessy Schram
Meghan Heffern
Bug Hall
John Patrick Jordan
Kevin M. Horton
Brandon Hardesty
Beth Behrs
Melanie Papalia
Jennifer Holland
Rosanna Arquette
Madison Pettis
Lizze Broadway
Piper Curda
Natasha Behnam

Additional crew

Crew/detailOriginal seriesAmerican PieAmerican Pie 2American WeddingAmerican Reunion1999200120032012Director(s)Writer(s)Producer(s)ComposerCinematographyEditorProduction companiesDistributionRuntimeRelease date
Paul Weitz
Chris WeitzJ. B. RogersJesse DylanJon Hurwitz
Hayden Schlossberg
Adam Herz
Chris Moore
Craig Perry
Chris Weitz
Warren ZideAdam Herz
Paul Weitz
Chris Moore
Craig Perry
Chris Weitz
Warren Zide
Chris BenderAdam Herz
Chris Moore
Craig Perry
Warren Zide
David LawrenceChristophe BeckLyle Workman
Richard CrudoMark IrwinLloyd AhernDaryn Okada
Priscilla Nedd-FriendlyStuart Pappé
Larry MadarasStuart PappéJeff Betancourt
Summit Entertainment
Zide/Perry ProductionsLivePlanet
Zide/Perry ProductionsRelativity Media
Zide/Perry Productions
Universal Pictures
95 minutes110 minutes96 minutes113 minutes
July 9, 1999August 10, 2001August 1, 2003April 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 Czech 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.

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.

American Wedding (2003) begins with Jim proposing to Michelle. Finch, Kevin, and Stifler help the arranging of his marriage.

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.

The film series began with American Pie, released on July 9, 1999. This was followed by three sequels: American Pie 2, released on August 10, 2001, American Wedding, released on August 1, 2003, and American Reunion, released on April 6, 2012.

Future

A fifth theatrical film, under the working title American Pie 5, was in consideration in 2012, as the fourth film had done well internationally and Universal had secured a production deal with Hurwitz and Schlossberg. 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. 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. In March 2021, Reid further elaborated that both the script is written, and that "it’s one of the best ones" in the series. A few months later, Jason Biggs denied the fact regarding script developments, but said that there were always ideas for a sequel, albeit having many obstacles.

On September 29th, 2022, The Hollywood Reporter informed, that another American Pie Presents movie is in the works at Universal 1440. The film is developed and written by Sujata Day.

Spin-off series

Additional crew

Main article: American Pie Presents (film series)

Crew/detailFilms*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*20052006200720092020DirectorProducer(s)Writer(s)ComposerCinematographyEditorProduction companyDistributionRuntimeRelease date
Steve RashJoe NussbaumAndrew WallerJohn PutchMike Elliott
Mike ElliottW. K. BorderMike ElliottMike Elliott
Abbey Lessanu
Joseph P. Genier
Karen Gorodetzky
Brad RiddellEric LindsayDavid H. SteinbergBlayne Weaver
David H. Steinberg
Robert FolkJeff CardoniDavid LawrenceTim Jones
Victor J. KemperEric HaaseGerald PackerRoss BerrymanDamian Horan
Danny SaphireRod Dean
Andrew SomersJohn GilbertMaria Friesen
Charles Norris
Rogue PicturesRogue Pictures
Neo Art & Logic
Capital Arts EntertainmentRogue Pictures
Neo Art & LogicCapital Arts EntertainmentUniversal 1440 Entertainment
Universal Studios Home EntertainmentUniversal Pictures Home Entertainment
92 minutes98 minutes87 minutes94 minutes95 minutes

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.

American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules (2020) follows a group of four teenage girls who make a pact to get what they want before their prom and end up falling in love with the same guy.

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, The Naked Mile, released on December 12, 2006, Beta House, released on December 26, 2007, The Book of Love, released on December 22, 2009, and Girls' Rules, released on October 6, 2020. All five spin-offs center around relatives of Steve Stifler, who include his brother Matt and his cousins Erik, Dwight, Scott and Stephanie Stifler.

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

FilmRelease dateBox office grossBox office rankingBudget
(million)Opening weekend
(North America)North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll time
North AmericaAll time
worldwideTotal$409,241,234$580,234,152$989,475,386$146,000,000Average$102.3 million$145.1 million$247.4 million$36.5 million
American PieJuly 9, 1999$18,709,680$102,561,004$132,922,000$235,483,004#559#475$11,000,000
American Pie 2August 10, 2001$45,117,985$145,103,595$142,450,000$287,553,595#289#366$30,000,000
American WeddingAugust 1, 2003$33,369,440$104,565,114$126,884,089$231,449,203#543#484$55,000,000
American ReunionApril 6, 2012$21,514,080$57,011,521$177,978,063$234,989,584#1248#477$50,000,000

Critical and public response

FilmRotten TomatoesMetacriticCinemaScore
American Pieurl= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_pie/title=American Piewebsite = Rotten Tomatoespublisher = Fandango Mediaaccess-date=November 6, 2019 }}58 (30 reviews)url= https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/title= Cinemascoreaccess-date= February 21, 2015archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041238/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/archive-date= July 22, 2018url-status= deaddf= mdy-all }}
American Pie 2url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_pie_2/title=American Pie 2website = Rotten Tomatoespublisher = Fandango Mediaaccess-date=May 9, 2013 }}43 (28 reviews)B+
American Weddingurl= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_wedding/title=American Weddingwebsite = Rotten Tomatoespublisher = Fandango Mediaaccess-date=May 9, 2013 }}43 (34 reviews)B+
American Reunionurl= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/american_reunion_2012/title=American Reunionwebsite = Rotten Tomatoespublisher = Fandango Mediaaccess-date=April 10, 2020 }}49 (34 reviews)B+

Home media

Box set containing all eight films from 1999 to 2012

DVD release

DVD nameRegion 1Region 2Region 4
American PieDecember 21, 1999October 4, 2006
American Pie 2January 15, 2002May 17, 2006
American WeddingJanuary 2, 2004March 19, 2012January 19, 2004
American ReunionJuly 10, 2012September 10, 2012August 22, 2012
American Pie Presents: Band CampDecember 26, 2005October 31, 2005October 25, 2005
American Pie Presents: The Naked MileDecember 19, 2006December 4, 2006December 29, 2006
American Pie Presents: Beta HouseDecember 26, 2007March 19, 2012December 31, 2007
American Pie Presents: The Book of LoveDecember 22, 2009March 19, 2012December 31, 2009
American Pie Presents: Girls' RulesOctober 6, 2020

Blu-ray

Blu-Ray nameRegion 1 ARegion 2 BRegion 4 B
American PieMarch 13, 2012March 19, 2012May 4, 2012
American Pie 2March 13, 2012March 19, 2012May 4, 2012
American WeddingMarch 13, 2012March 19, 2012May 4, 2012
American ReunionJuly 10, 2012September 10, 2012August 22, 2012
American Pie Presents: Band CampFebruary 11, 2020
American Pie Presents: The Naked MileApril 7, 2020
American Pie Presents: Beta HouseAugust 18, 2020
American Pie Presents: The Book of LoveDecember 22, 2009
American Pie Presents: Girls' RulesSeptember 7, 2021

References

References

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  2. "American Pie 5: The Naked Mile (2006)". [[Rotten Tomatoes]].
  3. "American Pie Presents: Beta House (2007)". [[Rotten Tomatoes]].
  4. "American Pie Presents - Band Camp (2005)". [[Rotten Tomatoes]].
  5. "American Pie Presents: Book of Love (2009)". [[Rotten Tomatoes]].
  6. "American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules (2020)". [[Fandango Media.
  7. (1999). "[[American Pie (film)". [[Universal Pictures]].
  8. (2001). "[[American Pie 2]]". [[Universal Pictures]].
  9. (2003). "[[American Wedding]]". [[Universal Pictures]].
  10. (July 9, 1999). "American Pie (1999)". Yahoo! Movies.
  11. (August 11, 2001). "American Pie 2 (2001)". Yahoo! Movies.
  12. "American Pie: The Wedding". Phase9.tv.
  13. (2012-04-06). "American Reunion (2012) Movie Info". Yahoo! Movies.
  14. McClintock, Pamela. (1 August 2012). "Summer's Studio Smackdown: From 'Men in Black 3' to 'Prometheus,' Which Franchises Will Get Another Chapter".
  15. Thompson, Simon Y.. (April 9, 2018). "Seann William Scott Talks 'Goon' Sequel, More 'American Pie' And 'Dude, Where's My Car?'". Forbes.
  16. (August 2, 2018). "American Pie 5 May Shoot Soon According to Tara Reid".
  17. Seemayer, Zach. (March 31, 2021). "Tara Reid Says 'American Pie 5' is Happening, With an 'Amazing' Script (Exclusive)". [[Entertainment Tonight]].
  18. (September 29, 2022). "New 'American Pie' Movie in the Works from Universal, 'Definition Please' Filmmaker Sujata Day (Exclusive)".
  19. "American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005) – Financial Information". The Numbers.
  20. "American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (2006) – Financial Information". The Numbers.
  21. "American Pie Presents: Beta House (2007) – Financial Information". The Numbers.
  22. "American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009) – Financial Information". The Numbers.
  23. Bahr, Robyn. (October 12, 2020). "'American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules': Film Review". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
  24. (2005). "[[American Pie Presents: Band Camp]]". [[Universal Pictures]].
  25. (2006). "[[American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile]]". [[Universal Pictures]].
  26. (2007). "[[American Pie Presents: Beta House]]". [[Universal Pictures]].
  27. (2009). "[[American Pie Presents: The Book of Love]]". [[Universal Pictures]].
  28. (2020). "[[American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules]]". [[Universal Pictures]].
  29. "American Pie (1999)". [[Box Office Mojo]].
  30. "American Pie 2 (2001)". [[Box Office Mojo]].
  31. "American Wedding (2003)". [[Box Office Mojo]].
  32. "American Reunion (2012)". [[Box Office Mojo]].
  33. "American Pie Movies at the Box Office". [[Box Office Mojo]].
  34. "American Pie". [[Fandango Media]].
  35. "American Pie (1999): Reviews". [[CBS Interactive]].
  36. "Cinemascore".
  37. "American Pie 2". [[Fandango Media]].
  38. "American Pie 2 (2001): Reviews". [[CBS Interactive]].
  39. "American Wedding". [[Fandango Media]].
  40. "American Wedding (2003): Reviews". [[CBS Interactive]].
  41. "American Reunion". [[Fandango Media]].
  42. "American Reunion (2012) : Reviews". [[CBS Interactive]].
  43. (October 31, 2005). "American Pie Presents: Band Camp".
  44. (December 4, 2006). "American Pie Presents: the Naked Mile".
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