American Pie (film)

American Pie is a 1999 American teen sex comedy film directed by Paul Weitz and written by Adam Herz.

American Pie is a 1999 American teen sex comedy that follows four high school friends who make a pact to lose their virginity before graduation. The film became a major box-office hit and launched a long-running franchise.

What it is

The story centres on Jim, Kevin, Oz, and Finch, four teenage friends in East Great Falls, Michigan, who agree to lose their virginity before high school graduation. Their efforts lead to a series of awkward, humiliating, and comedic situations that defined the late-1990s teen comedy genre.

Key details

Directed by Paul Weitz and written by Adam Herz, American Pie was released on July 9, 1999. It starred an ensemble cast including Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott, and Alyson Hannigan. The film had a runtime of 1 hour 35 minutes and was produced on a modest budget.

Why it matters

American Pie was a commercial success and became a cultural touchstone for teen comedies of its era. It helped launch the careers of several cast members and spawned a franchise of theatrical sequels and direct-to-video spin-offs, making it one of the best-known comedy franchises of its time.