''American Pie'' is a film series consisting of four
sex comedy
Sex comedy, erotic comedy or more broadly sexual comedy is a genre in which comedy is motivated by sexual situations and love affairs. Although "sex comedy" is primarily a description of dramatic forms such as theatre and film, literary works such ...
films. ''
American Pie'', the first film in the series, was released by
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...
in 1999. The film became a worldwide
pop culture
Pop or POP may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music
* Pop music, a musical genre Artists
* POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade
* Pop!, a UK pop group
* Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band
Albums
* Pop (Gas al ...
phenomenon and gained a cult following among young people. Following ''American Pie'', the second and third films in the series, ''
American Pie 2
''American Pie 2'' is a 2001 American sex comedy film directed by James B. Rogers and written by Adam Herz and David H. Steinberg from a story by Herz. A sequel to the 1999 comedy film '' American Pie'', it is the second film in the ''American ...
'' (2001) and ''
American Wedding
''American Wedding'' (known as ''American Pie 3: The Wedding'' or ''American Pie: The Wedding'', in some countries) is a 2003 American sex comedy film written by Adam Herz and directed by Jesse Dylan. It is the sequel to '' American Pie'' (1999 ...
'' (2003), were released; the fourth, ''
American Reunion
''American Reunion'' (also known as ''American Pie 4: Reunion'' or ''American Pie: Reunion'' in certain countries) is a 2012 American ensemble sex comedy film written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. It is the fourth installm ...
'', was released in 2012. A spin-off film series entitled ''
American Pie Presents
''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 a ...
'' 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
Jason Matthew Biggs (born May 12, 1978) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing Jim Levenstein in the '' American Pie'' comedy film series and Larry Bloom in the Netflix original series ''Orange Is the New Black''. He als ...
) tries to develop a relationship with his school classmate Nadia (
Shannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth Fadal (born September 7, 1973) is an American actress, conservationist, animal activist, model and poker player. A popular sex symbol and teen idol of the 1990s and 2000s, Elizabeth is best known for her roles in the films '' A ...
). Jim and three of his best friends, Kevin Myers (
Thomas Ian Nicholas
Thomas Ian Nicholas (born July 10, 1980) is an American film actor, film producer and singer. Nicholas is best known for playing Henry Rowengartner in '' Rookie of the Year'', Walt Disney in ''Walt Before Mickey'' and Kevin Myers in the ''Ameri ...
), Paul Finch (
Eddie Kaye Thomas
Eddie Kaye Thomas (born October 31, 1980) is an American actor who rose to prominence as Paul Finch in the ''American Pie'' film series. His other notable appearances include Andy Rosenberg in the ''Harold & Kumar'' series, Jeff Woodcock in ...
), and Chris Ostreicher (
Chris Klein), make a pact to lose their virginity before their high school graduation.
Steve Stifler (
Seann William Scott
Seann William Scott (born October 3, 1976) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Steve Stifler in the '' American Pie'' franchise, and also for his role as Doug Glatt in both '' Goon'' and '' Goon: Last of the Enforcers''. He has al ...
), 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
Alyson Lee Hannigan (born March 24, 1974) is an American actress. After starting her career at age four with appearances in commercials, she moved to Hollywood at age 11 and soon got an agent.
Hannigan began her film career with supporting ro ...
). 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 high school reunion. The spin-off series revolves around relatives of Stifler, including his brother Matt (
Tad Hilgenbrink
Tad Hilgenbrink (born Tad Davie Hilgenbrinck Quintana, October 9, 1981) is an American actor, known for his role as Matt Stifler in '' American Pie Presents: Band Camp'', Chance Marquis in '' The Curiosity of Chance'' and Tyler in '' The Hills R ...
); his cousins Erik (
John White), Dwight (
Steve Talley
Steven Douglas Talley (born August 12, 1981) is an American actor who grew up in Avon, Indiana. He is best known for his portrayal of Dwight Stifler in '' American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile '' and '' American Pie Presents: Beta House''.
Caree ...
), Scott (John Patrick Jordan), and Stephanie (
Lizze Broadway
Elizabeth Broadway (born February 16, 1998) is an American actress best known for her role as Emma Shaw in ''Gen V'', and for her roles in ''The Rookie (TV series), The Rookie'', ''Splitting Up Together'', ''Here and Now (2018 TV series), Here an ...
); and their respective friends.
The original production produced on a total budget of US$145 million, has grossed nearly a billion worldwide. The spin-off films were released
direct-to-video
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...
. The original series has received mixed reviews from critics, while the spin-off series has received negative reviews.
Cast
Principal cast
Additional crew
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
Virginity is the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. The term ''virgin'' originally only referred to sexually inexperienced women, but has evolved to encompass a range of definitions, as found in traditional, modern ...
before their
high school graduation
Graduation is the awarding of a diploma to a student by an educational institution. It may also refer to the ceremony that is associated with it. The date of the graduation ceremony is often called graduation day. The graduation ceremony is al ...
. Jim pursues Czech
exchange student
A student exchange program is a program in which students from a secondary school (high school) or university study abroad at one of their institution's partner institutions.
A student exchange program may involve international travel, but d ...
Nadia, but his attempts fail after he
ejaculates prematurely twice during
foreplay
Foreplay is a set of emotionally and physically intimate acts between one or more people meant to create sexual arousal and desire for sexual activity. Although foreplay is typically understood as physical sexual activity, nonphysical activiti ...
, and instead pursues
band geek
A school band is a group of student musicians who rehearse and perform instrumental music together. A concert band is usually under the direction of one or more conductors (band directors). A school band consists of woodwind instruments, bra ...
Michelle, asking her to the
prom
A promenade dance, commonly called a prom, is a dance party for high school students. It may be offered in semi-formal black tie or informal suit for boys, and evening gowns for girls. This event is typically held near the end of the school y ...
. At Stifler's prom after-party, Jim has a
one-night stand
A one-night stand or one-night sex is a single sexual encounter in which there is an expectation that there shall be no further relations between the sexual participants. It draws its name from the common practice of a one-night stand, a single ...
with Michelle, and the rest of the friends lose their virginity as well.
In ''
American Pie 2
''American Pie 2'' is a 2001 American sex comedy film directed by James B. Rogers and written by Adam Herz and David H. Steinberg from a story by Herz. A sequel to the 1999 comedy film '' American Pie'', it is the second film in the ''American ...
'' (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
''American Wedding'' (known as ''American Pie 3: The Wedding'' or ''American Pie: The Wedding'', in some countries) is a 2003 American sex comedy film written by Adam Herz and directed by Jesse Dylan. It is the sequel to '' American Pie'' (1999 ...
'' (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
''American Reunion'' (also known as ''American Pie 4: Reunion'' or ''American Pie: Reunion'' in certain countries) is a 2012 American ensemble sex comedy film written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. It is the fourth installm ...
'' (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
sequel
A sequel is a work of literature, film, theatre, television, music or video game that continues the story of, or expands upon, some earlier work. In the common context of a narrative work of fiction, a sequel portrays events set in the same ...
s: ''
American Pie 2
''American Pie 2'' is a 2001 American sex comedy film directed by James B. Rogers and written by Adam Herz and David H. Steinberg from a story by Herz. A sequel to the 1999 comedy film '' American Pie'', it is the second film in the ''American ...
'', released on August 10, 2001, ''
American Wedding
''American Wedding'' (known as ''American Pie 3: The Wedding'' or ''American Pie: The Wedding'', in some countries) is a 2003 American sex comedy film written by Adam Herz and directed by Jesse Dylan. It is the sequel to '' American Pie'' (1999 ...
'', released on August 1, 2003, and ''
American Reunion
''American Reunion'' (also known as ''American Pie 4: Reunion'' or ''American Pie: Reunion'' in certain countries) is a 2012 American ensemble sex comedy film written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg. It is the fourth installm ...
'', 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
Hurwitz is one of the variants of a surname of Ashkenazi Jewish origin (for historical background see the Horowitz page).
Notable people with the surname include:
*Adolf Hurwitz (1859–1919), German mathematician
** Hurwitz polynomial
**Hurwitz m ...
and
Schlossberg. In August 2017,
Seann William Scott
Seann William Scott (born October 3, 1976) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Steve Stifler in the '' American Pie'' franchise, and also for his role as Doug Glatt in both '' Goon'' and '' Goon: Last of the Enforcers''. He has al ...
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.
Spin-off series
Additional crew
Production
Development
''
American Pie Presents: Band Camp'' (2005) follows Stifler's younger brother Matt Stifler (
Tad Hilgenbrink
Tad Hilgenbrink (born Tad Davie Hilgenbrinck Quintana, October 9, 1981) is an American actor, known for his role as Matt Stifler in '' American Pie Presents: Band Camp'', Chance Marquis in '' The Curiosity of Chance'' and Tyler in '' The Hills R ...
), 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
Jessica Schram (born January 15, 1986) is an American actress, model and singer. Her most notable roles include Hannah Griffith in ''Veronica Mars'', Rachel Seybolt in ''Life'', Karen Nadler in ''Falling Skies'' and Cinderella/Ashley Boyd in '' ...
), she gives Erik a free pass to go to the
University of Michigan
, mottoeng = "Arts, Knowledge, Truth"
, former_names = Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania (1817–1821)
, budget = $10.3 billion (2021)
, endowment = $17 billion (2021)As o ...
, where his cousin Dwight (
Steve Talley
Steven Douglas Talley (born August 12, 1981) is an American actor who grew up in Avon, Indiana. He is best known for his portrayal of Dwight Stifler in '' American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile '' and '' American Pie Presents: Beta House''.
Caree ...
) 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
Meghan Heffern (born October 3, 1983) is a Canadian actress. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and lives in Toronto, Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic easte ...
), 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
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...
spin-off ''Presents'' series; consisting of ''
Band Camp
A band camp typically refers to a high school, college, or university marching band summer camp. Band camp is often mandatory for members of the band and constitutes the majority of the preparation a marching band makes before its marching season ...
'', 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
Critical and public response
Home media
Blu-ray
References
External links
*
{{American Pie
American film series
Film series introduced in 1999
Comedy franchises