Tropic Thunder

Play trailer

Tropic Thunder

R

2008

1h 47m

Comedy

Action

Adventure

War

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

249 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), pampered action superstar, sets out for Southeast Asia to take part in the biggest, most-expensive war movie produced, but soon after filming begins, he and his co-stars, Oscar-winner Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), comic Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) and the rest of the crew, must become real soldiers when fighting breaks out in that part of the jungle.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

With biting satire, plenty of subversive humor, and an unforgettable turn by Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder is a triumphant late summer comedy.

Read Critics Reviews

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

01/27/2018

The bulk of this movie, alas, comes down to weak sketches held together by ridiculous action, vast explosions and more or less everything else it should be parodying.

Go to Full Review

Glenn Kenny

MUBI

12/13/2017

Given the incoherence of its satirical aspirations (the film does end with a suggestion that everyone involved still loves this business we call show), and finally too scattershot to really make it as parody, Tropic Thunder is best appreciated as a goof.

Go to Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

10/18/2008

The tension between what the film says and what the film does helps support one of a dozen (or so) layers of snarky, self-aware humour.

Go to Full Review

James Croot

The Post NZ

08/16/2023

4/5

Gleefully un-PC, Tropic is still one of the most hilarious Hollywood comedies of the 21st Century.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

02/15/2023

3.5/4

Rude and crude, Tropic Thunder displays minimal mercy toward its targets.

Go to Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

08/13/2021

Tropic Thunder certainly has flaws but at the end of the day, it is an over-the-top satire that shows everything that's wrong with Hollywood.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Findley S

@findleygsmith 15h

Tropic Thunder is a hilarious thrill-ride chock full of comedy and the least politically-correct humor in the name of absurdist satire. There was minimal character growth and story arch, but on the contrary of common opinion: I think that is what makes this movie so perfect. Comedy for the sake of it. Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey were amazing, they brought the energy that really carried Tropic Thunder to the finish line.

See more

Trevor W

@RT33550380 Mar 26

Great cast. one of those movies i go back to once or twice a year for a re-watch. RDJ steals every scene. would love a follow up / sequel but can see why they have so far avoided it which is a shame. anyway, im off to watch this again.

See more

Mohamed H

@RT05689662 Mar 13

Hands down best comedy movie of all time. RDJ with the best role ever in a comedy movie. I don’t understand how this movie doesn’t hit a 100% score. Don’t skip it, if you haven’t watched it.

See more

Thomas D

@Thom1967 Mar 8

Incredible… you can’t miss that ! So unapologetically funny, some unforgettable moments of pure fun, Jack Black as a total degenerate, R. Downey Jr is hilarious, Ben Stiller is brilliant as actor & director: he should be proud as F of that super funny / not politically correct jewel !

See more

Mark R

@Mrmarine1962 Mar 6

I love movies, especially comedies, Tropic Thunder is the funniest movie of all time. I laugh so hard I cry even now. RDJ is unbelievable, what a gift he is. There are no weak spots in the casting. Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, and Nick Nolte are at the top of their game. I’ve read hundreds of positive reviews on the movie and very few negative ones. If you give this movie a bad review you may have to realize that you were never given a sense of humor. This is comedy GOLD!

See more

Eddie Z

@RT04687948 Mar 1

From a time long before Hollywood became woke, comes this comedy classic.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Ben Stiller

Director

Ben Stiller

Tugg Speedman

Jack Black

Jeff Portnoy

Robert Downey Jr.

Kirk Lazarus

Nick Nolte

Four Leaf Tayback

Steve Coogan

Damien Cockburn

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - I'm Not Gay

2:12

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Simple Jack

0:46

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - I Killed a Panda

1:43

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Rick Peck, Hollywood Agent

1:46

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Epic Explosion

2:13

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Most Dramatic War Movie

2:13

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Never Go Full Retard

2:13

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - Tugg Speedman, Action Hero

1:10

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - You're My Really Cool Brother

2:13

Tropic Thunder: Official Clip - What Do You Mean, You People?

1:09

View more videos

30 Minutes or Less

45%

40%

30 Minutes or Less

Watchlist

Pineapple Express

68%

73%

Pineapple Express

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Pineapple Express

Smokin' Aces

31%

62%

Smokin' Aces

Watchlist

Hit & Run

49%

49%

Hit & Run

Watchlist

MacGruber

47%

36%

MacGruber

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Ten Years On, Tropic Thunder‘s Still a Brutal Kick In Hollywood’s A–

Rank Jack Black’s 10 Best Movies

Gremlins, Tropic Thunder, Boogie Nights, and More Certified Fresh Films and TV on Netflix and Amazon Prime This Week

Tropic Thunder: Tropic Thunder's Best Scenes

8:48

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), pampered action superstar, sets out for Southeast Asia to take part in the biggest, most-expensive war movie produced, but soon after filming begins, he and his co-stars, Oscar-winner Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), comic Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) and the rest of the crew, must become real soldiers when fighting breaks out in that part of the jungle.

Director: Ben Stiller
Producer: Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld, Eric McLeod
Screenwriter: Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux, Etan Cohen
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: DreamWorks SKG, Red Hour Films
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Material|Sexual References|Violent Content)
Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure, War, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 29, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $110.4M
Runtime: 1h 47m

Most Popular at Home Now