American Pie (film series)
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 and American Wedding were released; the fourth, American Reunion, was released in 2012. A spin-off film series entitled American Pie Presents consists of five direct-to-video films that were released from 2005 to 2009, with the fifth one being set for release sometime in 2020.
Throughout the first film in the original series, Jim Levenstein tries to develop a relationship with his school classmate Nadia. Jim and his best friends Kevin Myers, Paul Finch, and Chris Ostreicher make a pact to lose their virginity before their high school graduation. In the second film, the four friends host a summer party with Finch's frenemy, Steve Stifler, and Jim becomes interested in his friend, Michelle Flaherty. In the third film, Jim and Michelle plan to marry, although the forced invitation of Stifler could ruin everything. In the fourth film, the gang gets back together in anticipation of their thirteenth high school reunion. The spin-off series revolves around relatives of Stifler, including his brother Matt ; his cousins Erik, Dwight, Scott ; and their respective friends.
The original series, produced on a total budget of US$145 million, has grossed over 800 million 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
Additional crew
Production
Development
In the original American Pie, Jim Levenstein and his friends Kevin Myers, Paul Finch, and Chris Ostreicher attempt to lose their virginity before their high school graduation. Jim pursues Czechoslovakian 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, 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, and goes to a recital where she is performing to reveal this to her.
American Wedding 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 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, 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 announced on August 4, 2012, with Hurwitz and Schlossberg returning as directors and screenwriters. 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.Spin-off series
Additional crew
Production
Development
' follows Stifler's younger brother Matt Stifler, 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.' follows Erik Stifler, the only Stifler to possibly graduate from high school a virgin. After a failed attempt at sex with his girlfriend Tracy, she gives Erik a free pass to go to the University of Michigan, where his cousin Dwight attends, to lose his virginity. In the process, Erik's loyalty is put to the test.
' 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, a girl he met in the co-ed bathrooms in their dorm.
' 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. 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.
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 ', released on December 26, 2005, ', released on December 12, 2006, ', released on December 26, 2007, and ', released on December 22, 2009. All four spin-offs center around relatives of Steve Stifler, who include his brother Matt and his cousins Erik, Dwight, and Scott 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
DVD release
Blu-ray| Blu-Ray name | Region 1 A | Region 2 B | Region 4 B |
| American Pie | March 13, 2012 | March 19, 2012 | May 4, 2012 |
| American Pie 2 | March 13, 2012 | March 19, 2012 | May 4, 2012 |
| American Wedding | March 13, 2012 | March 19, 2012 | May 4, 2012 |
| American Reunion | July 10, 2012 | September 10, 2012 | August 22, 2012 |
| American Pie Presents: Band Camp | |||
| American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile | |||
| American Pie Presents: Beta House | |||
| American Pie Presents: The Book of Love | December 22, 2009 |