Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
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74% of critics liked it
(27 reviews) -
68% of users liked it
(55,082 ratings)
Revenge of the Nerds is the juvenile sex comedy perhaps most synonymous with the 1980s, alternating gags and scantily clad women with a power to the underdogs mentality that prompted three sequels. The handsome jocks of Alpha Beta, led by Stan (Ted McGinley), run Adams College, which means that when… More Revenge of the Nerds is the juvenile sex comedy perhaps most synonymous with the 1980s, alternating gags and scantily clad women with a power to the underdogs mentality that prompted three sequels. The handsome jocks of Alpha Beta, led by Stan (Ted McGinley), run Adams College, which means that when they burn down their house after a stunt involving grain alcohol and an open flame, they kick a bunch of socially inept freshman out of their dorm and into the gymnasium. But sleeping on cots is only the beginning of their worries, as the so-called nerds soon become the target of pranks by Alpha Beta, assisted by Betty (Julie Montgomery) and the gorgeous gals of Pi Delta Pi. Instead of taking the abuse sitting down, the displaced freshman, led by Gilbert (Anthony Edwards) and Lewis (Robert Carradine), buy a ramshackle house, affiliate themselves with the only national chapter who will take them (the all-black Lambda Lambda Lambda), and use their superior intellect to launch a counterstrike. The bespectacled but loveable geeks set up surveillance cameras in the Pi bathroom and put liquid heat in the athletes' jock straps, then draft a sister sorority of misfits (Omega Mu) to strengthen their resources. The frats quickly become bitter rivals, and the goal is to win the annual fraternity decathlon, which involves such feats as a burping contest and a go-cart race, with bragging rights (and perhaps peace of mind) at stake. Look for John Goodman and future thirtysomething cast member Timothy Busfield in small roles, and expect a torrent of nasal laughter. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jeff Kanew
- Written By
- Jeff Buhai, Miguel Tejada-Flores, Steve Zacharias
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jul 20, 1984 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Mark Pfeiffer, Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema
The nerds perpetuate a nasty streak of behavior toward women that violates the film's general live-and-let-live attitude, and it stains what is otherwise intended as raunchy but lighthearted fun.
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Ellen Dendy, Common Sense Media
Racy college comedy has heart; OK for older teens.
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Todd Gilchrist, IGN Movies
Nerds get their overdue revenge with this deluxe DVD featuring commentary tracks, featurettes and deleted scenes.
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Ryan Cracknell, Calgary Movies
Somewhere in all the fluff and garbage is just enough heart to make Revenge of the Nerds one of the forefathers of a generation of light-hearted comedies like American Pie, American Pie 2 and American Wedding.
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Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
It's got everything for this kind of film %u2013 nudity, sex, swearing and dirty jokes.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Robert Carradine
as Lewis
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Anthony Edwards
as Gilbert
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Ted McGinley
as Stan
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Bernie Casey
as U.N. Jefferson
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Julia Montgomery
as Betty
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Timothy Busfield
as Poindexter
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Andrew Cassese
as Wormser
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Curtis Armstrong
as Booger
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Larry B. Scott
as Lamar
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Brian Tochi
as Takashi
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Donald Gibb
as Ogre
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David Wohl
as Dean Ulich
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John Goodman
as Coach Harris
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James Cromwell
as Mr. Skolnick
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Adam Frank
as Blonde Nerd
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Alice Hirson
as Mrs. Lowe
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Henry Max Kendrick
as Trainer
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Kres Mersky
as Mrs. Wormsey
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Michelle Meyrink
as Judy
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Marianne Muellerleile
as Woman
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Susan Myers
as Pi
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F. William Parker
as Sergeant
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Matt Salinger
as Burke
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Kelly Reed
as Lap Girl
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Lance Lombardo
as Lamar's Date
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Lisa Welch
as Suzy
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Lisa Kolasa
as Pi Member



