Top 10 Movie Slackers

Top 10 Movie Slackers

Brah, these dudes are totally hilarious, brah! Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 movie slackers.

For this list, we’re focusing on the most entertaining slackers who care more about living it up in the present rather than focusing on the future or daily responsibilities.

#10: Kumar Patel
“Harold & Kumar” franchise (2004-)

For a film series based around a pair of marijuana-lovin’ bros, somebody has to be the dominant stoner. As a result, Kumar Patel thrives when living in the moment, and though he certainly has the intellect to formulate a plan for the future, it usually involves a bong, cheeseburgers, and a healthy dose of snark. In essence, Kumar isn’t defined by weed; he just likes to smoke up more than most, and when he and fellow slacker Harold find themselves up a creek without a paddle, it’s the former that often forces his will upon others and saves the day.

#9: Vance ‘Van’ Wilder, Jr.
“National Lampoon’s Van Wilder” (2002)

Whether you agree or disagree with the antics of this elder, collegiate statesman, nobody can deny that he puts valuable time and effort into everything he does. For example, if he’s going to bone your girlfriend, he’ll do it the best way he knows how, and when it comes to pranks, Van Wilder allows each act to play out until the end. Sometimes all it takes is a good woman to set a slacker straight, but then again, lazy college kids usually don’t want to deal with structure and organization. In that regard, Van excels, and he’ll charm you while simultaneously making fun of you.

#8: Ed
“Shaun of the Dead” (2004)

When the zombie apocalypse arrives, it doesn’t necessarily matter if you’re a scientist or a complete stoner; all that matters is survival and lifting the spirits of others. Thankfully for Ed, such a scenario allows him to transcend the idea of the lazy, annoying, troubled, and often disgusting slacker. He becomes something more. Ed becomes a slacker that can save your life and make crack you up at the same time. Just ask fellow slacker Shaun. Ed may be a loser in the traditional sense, but given the right circumstances, his slackerdom prevails.

#7: Dante Hicks & Randal Graves
“Clerks” (1994)

Here are a couple of introspective slackers who theoretically could’ve become YouTube superstars. In the early ‘90s, however, they were just a couple of guys trying to get by at the ol’ Quick Stop. Dante and Randal don’t see the world like most people. But hey – when it comes to “Star Wars” and useless knowledge, they have quite a bit to offer the world. In fact, Dante actually has a girlfriend, as well as an ex-girlfriend who accidentally has sex with a dead man. But, as any slacker knows, such an experience makes for good conversation.

#6: Officer Michaels & Officer Slater
“Superbad” (2007)

To be fair, many slackers suffer from social anxiety or personality issues that might be out of their control - although these two police officers were clearly dropped on their heads as children. Not only do Officers Michaels and Slater pay little attention to concepts like ethics, political correctness, or even work itself, but also, they’ve probably accidentally killed somebody during their time as cops. Even so, they just want to party, man, and they view their duties as merely a suggestion rather than obligation. Work or party? It’s something we all struggle with, but these two slackers manage to combine the best of both worlds.

#5: Ben Stone
“Knocked Up” (2007)

In “Superbad,” Seth Rogen portrayed a slacker of the professional world. In “Knocked Up,” he did the same thing… well, as much as being an expert on celebrity nudity can actually be a profession. It’s not that Ben doesn’t have experience with the world. It’s that he works by his own schedule, whether it’s research, weed, nightclubbing, weed, or just enjoying each day to the fullest… by way of weed. This man is so confident in his slacker ideals that it rubs off on others. In fact, we think he’d want to hang out with us. He’s Canadian, right? We think HE would like to hang out with WatchMojo.

#4: Ferris Bueller
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

While plenty of slackers like to imagine they have a better understanding of the world than most, this mid-western student may actually hold the secrets to life. In John Hughes’ acclaimed ‘80s comedy, Ferris Bueller held the keys to a Ferrari and took off for Chi-Town with his crew. Now, THAT’s a boss move for a high school slacker. Like Van Wilder, Ferris puts time and effort into his daily hijinks without actually hurting anybody - well at least physically. He’s got a good heart, but his inner Holden Caulfield forces him to act out in a world full of phoneys.

#3: David Wooderson
“Dazed and Confused” (1993)

It’s always a magical experience when an actor truly steps into the shoes of their character, but in this case, we think Richard Linklater was just filming the real Matthew McConaughey back in 1993. After all – listen to the guy, and look at him. That IS McConaughey, right? David Wooderson IS one cool cat, even if he’s smoked one too many Js, and he understands the value of first impressions. C’mon, the guy only wants to be a part of the gang… the high school gang. Essentially, this slacker is 1993 McConaughey without all the fame and accolades. He’s just livin’.

#2: Jeff Spicoli
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982)

Many stoners and slackers like to take the long route to school, but this guy – well, he literally rolls out of an “up in smoke” vehicle. If Jeff Spicoli isn’t making his classmates laugh by taking his shirt off in public restaurants or ordering pizza while IN school, he’s walking around with a perpetual “sour orange face” as he tries to figure out all the complexities of the world. The character was actually written by Cameron Crowe based on his undercover experiences at a San Diego high school and it made a star out of the one and only Sean Penn.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
- Troy Dyer
“Reality Bites” (1994)
- Jeff Thompkins
“Jeff, Who Lives at Home” (2011)
- Bill S. Preston Esq. & Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan
“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (1989)
- Smokey
“Friday” (1995)
- Dex
“The Tao of Steve” (2000)

#1: Jeffrey ‘The Dude’ Lebowski
“The Big Lebowski” (1998)

There can be only one King of Movie Slackers and it’s only appropriate that we crown the Coen brothers’ middle-aged beach bro with the title, especially considering he actually calls himself “The Dude.” He’s the guy that you may want to smoke a joint with within the protection of your own home, but if you associate with Jeffrey anywhere else, you’ll probably find yourself in a tiny bit of trouble. Why? Because The Dude has no filter, man, and he will f**k up your day. Buy hey – isn’t that what it’s all about? Livin’ each day to the fullest? That’s how Jeffrey Lebowski gets down, because he’s the dude, man.

Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite movie slacker? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.