Top 10 Raunchiest R-Rated Comedies

By 1998, the Farrelly brothers had already achieved notoriety for the crude humor of their first two films “Dumb and Dumber” and “Kingpin”. But almost nothing could’ve prepared audiences for the unabashedly graphic comedy of “There’s Something About Mary”. The film follows Ted, played by Ben Stiller, who tries to reconnect with his high school crush, Mary, but finds himself competing with various suitors. The Farrelly brothers employ every tool in their arsenal, with explicit visual gags and outrageously crude jokes that prove that no topic is too taboo for them. Despite its controversial nature, the movie managed to charm viewers around the world, grossing over $350 million and paving the way for a swarm of raunchy, gross-out rom-coms.

If you find blatantly vulgar teen sex comedies revolting, then this one may not be for you. Written and directed by Bob Clark, “Porky’s” centers around a group of Florida high school boys who are determined to lose their virginity, and their misadventures in pursuit of this goal. The basic premise is simple, and quite frankly, a bit juvenile. But with just enough nudity to have you questioning if you entered the wrong theater, the film pushed boundaries in what was acceptable in mainstream cinema. For such a raunchy picture, “Porky’s” was definitely not without its detractors. Many found its jokes to be sexist, and racially and culturally insensitive. Nevertheless, it became a box-office success and inspired countless provocative teen-targeted films.

This 2004 flick combines the best, and the grossest, parts of a stoner film and a buddy comedy. “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” stars John Cho and Kal Penn as the titular friends, who must satisfy their burger needs after getting a serious case of the munchies. This takes them on a wild adventure to the aforementioned restaurant that stretches the boundaries of drug-related, racial and sexual humor. But beneath all of that crudeness is a subversive tale of ethnic stereotypes that is completely sold by the chemistry between the two leads. Top that off with a scene-stealing cameo by Neil Patrick Harris and you’ve got one of the funniest, smartest and most unpretentious stoner comedies in modern history.

From the Judd Apatow-verse of raunchy R-rated films comes one that is hailed as one of the best high school comedies of all time. Loosely based on the real-life experiences of writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, “Superbad” tells the wacky story of two teenagers attempting to make the most of their final days in high school. The movie draws inspiration from other provocative teen flicks, but expertly balances its raunchiness with just enough heart to keep it grounded. It plays on the characters’ immaturity and social awkwardness, delivering numerous blatantly vulgar jokes at their expense. Upon its release, “Superbad” became an instant critical and commercial hit, and helped catapult its lead actors to international fame.

Whoever thought female-driven comedies couldn’t be side-splittingly funny sure got proven wrong when this film hit theaters in 2011. Co-written by Kristen Wiig, who also plays the lead, “Bridesmaids” was seemingly intended to serve as a vehicle for the “SNL” star. Not only did it achieve this goal, but its hilarious and raunchy take on female friendships broke new ground and helped propel all six featured ladies into the limelight. From the infamous food poisoning scene to the bridal shower disaster, “Bridesmaids” was unapologetically crude and hysterical. It remains a game-changer for women in comedy, proving that they can be just as bold and outrageous as men, and will forever hold a special place in our hearts… and stomachs.

Following a teen comedy slump in the mid-90s, “American Pie” helped revive the genre upon its 1999 release. Centered around four high school seniors determined to lose their virginity before graduation, this film’s premise is one that has been done over and over again. But “American Pie” takes shock value to a whole new level here, leaving almost no bodily fluid unexplored. It definitely pushed boundaries, but still managed to be relatable to a generation of teenagers who were just discovering their own bodies. “American Pie” may have been polarizing, but you can’t deny it remains a cultural giant that will always be remembered for making us look at dessert in an entirely different way.

2005 was a great year for Steve Carell. Not only did he begin starring as Michael Scott on “The Office,” he also got his major cinematic breakout in the R-rated rom-com “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”. Like many of the other films on this list, this one also follows the main character, Andy, as he tries to lose his virginity. Only this time, like the title suggests, it’s an awkward, inexperienced middle-aged man. What really sets this one apart, though, is how unafraid the filmmakers are to actually go there. The movie employs just about every graphic discussion about sex that you can imagine. In doing so, it more than earns its R rating. And that’s R, as in raunchy, risqué and revolting!

While we’re not quite sure if this film would be received as well if it were released today, “Blazing Saddles” has remained a cultural landmark decades down the line. Co-written and directed by the master of satire, Mel Brooks, this 1974 picture is a broad spoof of the Western genre. It stars Cleavon Little as a black sheriff appointed to protect the white, God-fearing town of Rock Ridge. As it is set in 1874, “Blazing Saddles” functions as an equal opportunity offender, making use of every racial, sexist and homophobic slur in the book. But beneath all of this is a satirical take on race relations that is frankly groundbreaking and still as timely today as it was back in 1974.

British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is well-known for his controversial satirical characters, the most notable of which is arguably Borat. In this eponymous 2006 mockumentary, the fictional Kazakh journalist embarks on a trip to America to film a documentary about its citizens and culture. While on this adventure, Borat encounters real unsuspecting people and finds a way to offend just about every one of them. Not only does he frequently engage in wildly inappropriate behavior, but his crude jokes will have you in stitches and leave you questioning if you should actually be laughing. Like it or not, “Borat” redefined mockumentary cinema and for its revolutionary efforts, it received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Crude and Vulgar, but Loaded With the Right Amount of Heart

With Seth MacFarlane in Charge, There’s No Question What to Expect

A Chaotic, Drug-Fueled Production Birthed Perhaps the Raunchiest Sports Movies in History

A Near-Perfect Black Female-Led Comedy That Is Filthy in the Best Way Possible

Ridgemont High School: Where the Jokes Are as Crude as the Fashion

The first film made by the satirical magazine “National Lampoon,” “Animal House” follows the antics of a rowdy fraternity at the fictional Faber College. Regarded as one of the key cornerstones of the teen sex comedy genre, this film basically laid the groundwork for some of the other entries on this list. Its outrageousness and irreverence set it apart from the more traditional comedies of its time, and it quickly developed a cult following among college students. Although some decried its sexually explicit, gross-out humor, “Animal House” still garnered rave reviews and was hailed as one of the best films of the year. It also helped establish the careers of many of the actors, as well as director John Landis.