The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

86% of critics liked it
(180 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(912,472 ratings)

One man nervously ventures forth into the final frontier in this comedy starring comic actor Steve Carell. Andy Stitzer (Carell) is a cheerfully geeky guy who is settling into middle age with his large collection of comic books, action figures, and collectable models. Andy works in an electronics… More One man nervously ventures forth into the final frontier in this comedy starring comic actor Steve Carell. Andy Stitzer (Carell) is a cheerfully geeky guy who is settling into middle age with his large collection of comic books, action figures, and collectable models. Andy works in an electronics store, and seems reasonably happy with his life. However, one day his friends and co-workers David (Paul Rudd), Jay (Romany Malco), and Cal (Seth Rogen) discover that Andy has a secret -- due to his rather severe jitters around women, Andy is still a virgin. Andy's pals are appalled at this state of affairs, and set out to find a woman who'd be willing to get horizontal with him. After a number of disastrous dates, everyone thinks Andy has finally struck gold when he meets Trish (Catherine Keener), an attractive single mother who takes an immediate liking to him. What the other guys don't know is that Trish has just gotten out of a bad relationship, and has informed Andy she isn't ready to be intimate with him just yet. The 40-Year-Old Virgin was the first feature film directed by Judd Apatow, who previously served as a writer and producer for the well-regarded television shows Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, and The Larry Sanders Show. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 12 min.
Directed By: Judd Apatow
Written By: Judd Apatow, Steve Carell
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 19, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Dec 13, 2005
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
If it were 20 minutes shorter, it would be that much closer to perfect.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Count me among the naysayers.
David Denby, New Yorker
It's truly dirty and truly romantic at the same time, a combination that's very hard to pull off.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
It's worth making a date with The 40-Year-Old Virgin. You won't go home disappointed.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
The 40 Year-Old Virgin speaks to the geek in us all, it's democratic in its ridicule, and it makes you understand why sometimes a guy just wants to stay home and talk to his toys.
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
Despite a very lowbrow premise, the profanity-packed script is hilarious, and it also has a good heart.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
Judd Apatow might have been crowned the savior of American comedy, but the brutal truth is that he peaked with this, his first major hit. Sadly, so did Steve Carell. So savor this perfect moment that they shared, and scripted, together.
Matthew Pejkovic, Matt's Movie Reviews
A pleasant surprise, The 40 Year Old Virgin stands apart from other gross out comedies mainly because of how it deals with the films main theme.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Simultaneously subversive and reactionary
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Leave it to Judd Apatow to take a simple concept you'd find in basically any sex comedy, and add his own original twist on it.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
funny all way through
Joe Lozito, Big Picture Big Sound
Mr. Carell and Mr. Apatow traffic in random humor and though their ability to sustain it is impressive, it's at the expense of any real emotion. Which is a bit ironic.
Joshua Tyler, CinemaBlend.com
A must-have for anyone who's even a casual fan of Virgin or director Judd Apatow's other work.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
A sure-fire sign of a successful movie that's got 'legs' on DVD is the release of numerous editions on disc.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
Appeals equally to fans of no-holds-barred gross-out movies and those looking for something more intelligent. It's hilarious, surprisingly perceptive, and even sweet.
Kam Williams, Princeton Town Topics
An infuriatingly-offensive, soft-porn primer on how to treat girls as objects who exist at the disposal of men.
Kam Williams, Upstage Magazine
An infuriatingly-offensive, soft-porn primer on how to treat girls as objects who exist at the disposal of men.
Ethan Alter, Film Journal International
The movie belongs to Carell, who takes a one-joke role and turns him into a three-dimensional human being.
Peter T. Chattaway, Christianity Today
There are lots of stereotypes about grown-up virgins, but the film stands these stereotypes on their head, so much so that, by the end, our protagonist seems like the sanest character of the bunch.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
Apatow's sex comedy...hits its stride eventually, and keeps us rooting for it...thanks to its honesty and sweetness

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Typical Apatow production that succeeds, typically, on the strength of its topical referenced script and the charm of its cast, wherein no one shines simply on their own but particularly in the light of their fellow cast mates. More of a smile comedy that a laugh comedy though.
Scott G

Absolutely brilliant jokes and timing, its as if they actually spent 40 years making it.
Albert K

Sharp dialogue is the name of this movie. Yes, there are occasional fart, genitalia, or immature jokes thrown around but what elevates this comedy to be an incredible one is the performances and the dialogue. A must watch for all comedy fans. I loved it.
Graham J

Apatow's debut is hilarious though like many comedies of this type it seems to get less and less interesting and more ridiculous as the film goes on.
Directors C

Pleasantly suprised by the 40 year old virgin, it was charming and funny and not what you'd expect to find from a film with a name like this. Butwatching this you'll find you care for this virgin. Some bits of it were a bore though leaving you not knowing whether you should… More
Pleasantly suprised by the 40 year old virgin, it was charming and funny and not what you'd expect to find from a film with a name like this. Butwatching this you'll find you care for this virgin. Some bits of it were a bore though leaving you not knowing whether you should laugh or not.
Matthew S

Watching this again, I realized it's much like the Carell's latest movie, "Crazy, Stupid, Love." A man struggles with his manhood, gets tutored on how to be an ass hole and sleep with women who have no self respect, loses his self in the process, and in the end,… More
Watching this again, I realized it's much like the Carell's latest movie, "Crazy, Stupid, Love." A man struggles with his manhood, gets tutored on how to be an ass hole and sleep with women who have no self respect, loses his self in the process, and in the end, everyone finds their humanity and happiness. There is a lot of sincerity, laughs, and personality in all the characters to make it still feel brand new and refreshing.
Eric A

Fresh and definitely funny. I've never seen my dad laugh so hard.
Brad W

The 40-Year Old Virgin is one of the funniest comedies I have ever seen. What can I say about the plot, a 40 year old virgin named Andy (Steve Carell) becomes buddies with three guy he works with named Cal (Seth Rogen), Jay (Romany Malco), and David (Paul Rudd), and when he tells… More
The 40-Year Old Virgin is one of the funniest comedies I have ever seen. What can I say about the plot, a 40 year old virgin named Andy (Steve Carell) becomes buddies with three guy he works with named Cal (Seth Rogen), Jay (Romany Malco), and David (Paul Rudd), and when he tells them he is a virgin, they decide to train him to get laid. But soon Andy meets Trish (Catherine Keener) and he starts falling for her, but one problem, he has to tell her hes a virgin. The cast was perfect in my opinion, every single actors was amazing even if I think they could have found someone more attractive than Catherine Keener, they still managed to give her some good moments, but the true spotlight goes to Steve Carell, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and Romany Malco. The plot is a comedy laugh riot, maybe its just me but it started to have some sweet moments nere the end and I didn't like that, but its still managed to make me laugh my ass off all the way through. If you have ever been a nerd or didn't get laid for a long time, this movie will relate to you and you will love it, if you haven't you will probably laugh even harder because you will enjoy watching the hilarious moments. What a great movie.
Melvin W

Beth: We could do it in the... butt, if you want. Andy Stitzer: But if I want what? Beth: You know... butt! Andy Stitzer: But... what? The 40 Year Old Virgin is a raunchy and hilarious movie from the biggest name in comedy today, Judd Apatow. I'm a fan of his movies and… More
Beth: We could do it in the... butt, if you want. Andy Stitzer: But if I want what? Beth: You know... butt! Andy Stitzer: But... what? The 40 Year Old Virgin is a raunchy and hilarious movie from the biggest name in comedy today, Judd Apatow. I'm a fan of his movies and while this isn't my favorite of his, there is still a lot to like. Obviously, the story makes for a really funny movie by itself. Steve Carrell totally owns his role and is as funny as he has ever been. A couple of other regulars from Apatows movies Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen make good supporting appearances. The actresses in this are perfect. I love Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Bank, and Leslie Mann. They are all very beautiful and perform good in their roles. The 40 Year Old Virgin isn't an important movie, but it is a great comedy. None of it's jokes fall flat as they tend to do in a lot of raunchy comedies. The jokes also don't come off as over the top. After multiple viewings it still remains pretty funny.
Bethany M

Very funny but way too long. You get bored after a while and the ending is a little weird. Hysterical don't get me wrong, but it wasn't one of the greatest films I've seen Steve Carroll in, although I wouldn't hesitate to reccomend this film.
Dead A

Honestly, this was really funny. Especially the waxing part was hilarious. You must watch this. Steve Carrell is just awesome!
Drake T

I'd rate this higher if this weren't essentially a coming-of-age story with a complete cast that should have come-of-age already. It's weird really, Apatow delivers an emotional, mature relationship between Carell and Keener but barely holds it up by giving us the most… More
I'd rate this higher if this weren't essentially a coming-of-age story with a complete cast that should have come-of-age already. It's weird really, Apatow delivers an emotional, mature relationship between Carell and Keener but barely holds it up by giving us the most immature, juvenile bunch of grown men I've ever seen to place the premise on. It's a film that really makes more sense with a younger setting but I guess the hook of a 20 year old virgin just wouldn't work the same, would it? I also can't say I found the film thoroughly amusing, the gag comedy of these men trying to "get women" or Carell's "innocence" plays on such redundant "highschool" stereotypes. The best parts are Lynch and Dennings, one's actually funny and the other plays an actual legitimate support character.
Jeff "

40 Year Old Virgin is one the best films made by Judd Apatow. The story follows a middle aged man named Andy, who is a virgin and his friends a co workers.try to help him. The film takes a hilarious turn because Andy's friends try many unsuccessful times to hook Andy up, but to… More
40 Year Old Virgin is one the best films made by Judd Apatow. The story follows a middle aged man named Andy, who is a virgin and his friends a co workers.try to help him. The film takes a hilarious turn because Andy's friends try many unsuccessful times to hook Andy up, but to embarrassing results. Judd Apatow script and direction are brilliant, and the film provides many good laugh out loud moments as you see Andy's friends try to help him. The cast is well chosen cast of talented comedians. Starring is Steve Carrell in one of most memorable performances with Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Banks. 40 Year Old Virgin succeeds in creating something funny out of a totally embarrassing situation and thats why the film works well. The jokes aren't bland, and always feel fresh everytime you watch it. The film has many memorable quotes and terrific scenes. Judd Apatow has made a fine comedy film that is always a lot of fun to watch. Though at times uneven, the wacky characters and ridiculous story makes up for it's faults. 40 Year Old Virgin is a terrific film to watch with friends and have a good time. The 40 Year Old Virgin is a comedy with a great cast of varied talent and the film succeeds more than once in providing solid laughs. A well written comedy. Really for me the low point was the ending where all the characters start singing that song, I felt it didn't fit, and was extremely silly, even by the standards of this film. Other than that, this film is great.
Sophie B

Not that funny. The chest waxing bit was quite funny. But rather boring.
Matt G

Andy Stitzer: Oh man, Friday, I really wanted an egg salad sandwich and I was just obsessing about it and I was like, 'Man, I'm gonna make one of those.' So Saturday, I went out and got, like, a dozen eggs and then I boiled them all and I just, I spent, I dunno,… More
Andy Stitzer: Oh man, Friday, I really wanted an egg salad sandwich and I was just obsessing about it and I was like, 'Man, I'm gonna make one of those.' So Saturday, I went out and got, like, a dozen eggs and then I boiled them all and I just, I spent, I dunno, probably three hours, like three and a half hours making, you know, the mayonnaise, and the onions and paprika and, you know, the necessary accoutrement. And then, by the time I was done, I didn't really feel like like eating it. Andy Stitzer is a nice guy. He's shy, considerate, polite, lives alone, rides his bicycle to work at Circuit City, has a pristine collection of action figures, is pathologically nervous around women and at 40 years old, is still a virgin. When his co-workers discover this, they make it their mission to get Andy laid. He reluctantly goes along with their plan, but when he meets Trish, a single mother of three, she changes everything. Outrageous, over the top, and insane. The 40 Year Old Virgin is listed in my top 6 favorite films of all time. Honestly the funniest sex comedy I've ever seen. The acting is great, Steve Carell is so funny and I love his buddies. This is definitely Judd Apatow's best film. I've seen it over 30 times and I laugh every single time. This is one of those movies that you will grow old with. At least it's like that for me. In four words: go see this movie!
Lady D

For me this was better second time around, with a great comedy cast, who bounce off eachother. The scenario paints a humourous picture of an almost frustrating build up. The ending scene tops the film off nicely. One of my favourite comedies of the past few years.
Coxxie M

the only reason i cant give this 5 stars is because its a sex-comedy. and i think that means i have a little bit of an ego. wow...
Alice S

Good old Apatow raunch mixed with good old Apatow heart. I rather like Kat Dennings' screechy tirades. They seem organic...whatever that means.
Steven C

Judd Apatow's "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" works so well because it uses realistic and raunchy humor to connect with older audiences. Apatow and Steve Carell treat the character with sincerity and coupled with the utterly charming Catherine Keener the film really works.
Richard C

this movie is hilarious. A-