Summary
- Apatow’s early work was infused with witty dialogue and R-rated humor, challenging societal norms in a humorous way.
- His collaborations with stars like Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig have left a lasting impact on comedy movies of the 2000s and 2010s.
- Apatow’s style often delves into the complexities of relationships and growing up, blending humor with heartfelt moments.
As a writer, director and producer, Judd Apatow has been one of the most influential voices in the comedy genre for the past 20 years, and his best quotes prove it. Apatow started his career in comedy movies with The 40-Year-Old Virgin. His debut feature highlights his flair for witty dialogue, and his love of R-rated subjects. Apatow doesn’t just use sex for shock value, however, as he always finds a way to expose society’s weird hang-ups in the funniest way.
Although he was initially known for his romcoms, Apatow has branched out since the early days of his career. He has worked with other writers and directors, and stars such as Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig and more. Apatow has had a huge impact on comedy movies. As well as contributing to some of the best comedies of the 2000s and 2010s, Apatow’s style has influenced countless other filmmakers to approach dialogue and physical humor differently.
Related Every Time Judd Apatow’s Daughters, Maude & Iris, Starred In His Movies & TV Shows
Since debuting as sisters in Knocked Up, the real life siblings Maude and Iris have appeared in plenty of their father Judd Apatow’s projects.
10 Yeah, Yeah… I Don’t Feel Like That Applies To Me But I… I Appreciate The… The Thought.
Aaron in Trainwreck (2015)
Trainwreck Where to Watch
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Director Judd Apatow Release Date July 17, 2015 Cast amy schumer , LeBron James , Tilda Swinton , Colin Quinn , Brie Larson , Bill Hader
Trainwreck is one of Judd Apatow’s more mature movies, but he still finds the time for a few sex jokes here and there. The story follows two New Yorkers with their flaws and hang-ups, trying to navigate a new relationship while treading lightly around their own and each other’s baggage. In this way, it’s a fairly standard romcom, but the leading man’s best friend is LeBron James.
LeBron’s presence satirizes the romcom trope of the best friend who always offers advice.
LeBron James is surprisingly capable as a comedic actor in Trainwreck. He’s much more comfortable in his limited, deadpan role here than he is on an epic, emotional adventure in Space Jam: A New Legacy. His presence satirizes the romcom trope of the best friend who always offers advice. He tries to relate to Aaron’s struggles by talking about bouncing back from losing the NBA Finals, but his friend can’t quite see how this applies to his life.
9 I’m Sick Of You Being So Dark When I’m So Impish And Whimsical.
Paul McCartney in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Where to Watch
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Director Jake Kasdan Release Date December 21, 2007 Cast Nat Faxon , John C. Reilly , Tim Meadows , Conner Rayburn , Chip Hormess , Raymond J. Barry
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is a brilliant parody of overly indulgent music biopics. It predicted the likes of Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis and Rocketman years in advance, using a fictional rock star with elements of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles and many more musicians. Unlike many of Judd Apatow’s other movies, Walk Hard doesn’t have a hint of genuine emotion, sticking to straight parody throughout.
It’s funny for people without much knowledge of The Beatles, but even better for devoted Beatles fans.
One of Walk Hard‘s most memorable scenes takes place in India, as Dewey Cox sits in on a guided meditation with The Beatles that quickly devolves into a petty fight. The scene features great cameos from Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Jason Schwartzman and Justin Long as the Fab Four. It’s funny for people without much knowledge of The Beatles, but even better for devoted Beatles fans.
8 I Work At A College As A Janitor Even Though I Feel Like I’m Smarter Than Most Of The People Who Go There. Sometimes I See An Equation Written On A Blackboard, Like Half An Equation, And… I Just Figure It Out.
Dale in Step Brothers (2008)
Step Brothers Where to Watch
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Director Adam McKay Release Date July 25, 2008 Cast Adam McKay , Will Ferrell , John C. Reilly , Adam Scott , Richard Jenkins
Judd Apatow has produced a few of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s movies, with Step Brothers being one of the funniest. The movie lets Ferrell and John C. Reilly’s great comedic chemistry flourish as they play two immature men living with their parents who suddenly find themselves living in close quarters as stepbrothers. Like with Apatow’s other movies about manchild characters, they try to grow up eventually, but Step Brothers revels in its facile humor for much longer.
Clearly, Dale’s only knowledge of therapy has come from the movie
Good Will Hunting,
so he inhabits the shoes of Matt Damon’s character.
When Dale and Brennan’s parents force them to go to therapy, they each find their own ways of devaluing the experience. Brennan falls in love with his therapist, while Dale retreats into his world of fantasy. Clearly, his only knowledge of therapy has come from the movie Good Will Hunting, so he inhabits the shoes of Matt Damon’s character. As he recites the plot of the movie, it shows just how disconnected from reality he is.
7 Next Time Just Say “I Don’t Want A Hot Dog.”
Ray in The King of Staten Island (2020)
The King of Staten Island Where to Watch
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Director Judd Apatow Release Date June 12, 2020 Cast Bill Burr , Maude Apatow , Pauline Chalamet , Domenick Lombardozzi , Machine Gun Kelly , Moises Arias , Pamela Adlon , Kevin Corrigan , Carly Aquilino , Bel Powley , Pete Davidson , Jimmy Tatro , Adriana DeMeo , Steve Buscemi , Marisa Tomei Expand
In some ways, The King of Staten Island is just like any of Judd Apatow’s other movies, since it follows a young man struggling to transition into fully functioning adulthood. However, since Scott has some genuine emotional trauma, rather than mere comedic immaturity, The King of Staten Island is a more heartfelt prospect. If Apatow hadn’t followed it up with the almighty stinker of The Bubble, it could have represented a new dawn in his career.
Although Bill Burr is most famous as a comedian, he shows a tender side in
The King of Staten Island.
Pete Davidson delivers a likable performance as Scott, but The King of Staten Island also benefits from a well-rounded supporting cast. Although Bill Burr is most famous as a comedian, he shows a tender side in The King of Staten Island as Scott’s potential new stepfather. When the two attend a baseball game together, Scott shocks Ray’s friends by going into graphic detail about his intestinal issues. Ray offers him some succinct advice, and the duo gradually begin to bond through humor.
6 “America Is All About Speed. Hot, Nasty, Badass Speed.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, 1936
Opening Text in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
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Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Where to Watch
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Director Adam McKay Release Date August 4, 2006 Cast Will Ferrell , John C. Reilly , Sacha Baron Cohen , Gary Cole , Michael Clarke Duncan , Leslie Bibb , Jane Lynch , Amy Adams
Talladega Nights is Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s take on sports movies, produced by Judd Apatow. Ferrell has often played comically stupid characters in his career, and none are as empty-headed as NASCAR champion Ricky Bobby. John C. Reilly is his disgruntled sidekick, perennially stuck on the next step of the podium, but without the fortitude or the cunning to ever go for the top spot.
The fake quote strikes at the heart of America’s conflicted national identity.
The movie opens with a fake quote from Eleanor Roosevelt about America’s lust for speed. It’s a funny incongruity between the modern, colloquial language and Roosevelt’s status as the First Lady of the United States during the Dust Bowl. However, the quote also strikes at the heart of America’s conflicted national identity, since the country tries to claim both its prestigious history and the hyper-commercialized, lascivious consumption of modern sport as key tenets of the American spirit.
5 I’m Glad He’s Single Because I’m Going To Climb That Like A Tree.
Megan in Bridesmaids (2011)
Bridesmaids Where to Watch
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Director Paul Feig Release Date May 13, 2011 Cast Kristen Wiig , Rose Byrne , Maya Rudolph , Melissa McCarthy , Ellie Kemper , Wendi McLendon-Covey
Bridesmaids was a breath of fresh air in 2011, as comedy movies often assembled large ensemble casts full of men, but women never seemed to have their own chance. Written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Bridesmaids features some common trends from comedies of the time, and plenty of Judd Apatow’s touches. There are dysfunctional adults, squabbling friends, and a wildcard who sets out to cause chaos, but Bridesmaids is all about female friendships.
The role helped fast-track McCarthy on her way to the A-list, and it remains one of her funniest performances.
Melissa McCarthy’s Megan is the unpredictable member of the group, constantly about to say or do something that will derail proceedings. The role helped fast-track McCarthy on her way to the A-list, and it remains one of her funniest performances. Megan’s absurd self-confidence never lines up with how other people see her. This is emphasized by her nonsensical but somehow overtly sexual remark about climbing a man “like a tree.”
4 It’s Doggie Style. It’s Just The Style. It’s Not Like A Dog. We Don’t Have To Go Outside Or Anything.
Ben in Knocked Up (2007)
Knocked Up Where to Watch
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Director Judd Apatow Release Date June 1, 2007 Cast Jason Segel , Seth Rogen , Katherine Heigl , Jay Baruchel , Paul Rudd , Leslie Mann
Released just two years after The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up proved that Judd Apatow was more than just a one-hit wonder. Just as he did with his first movie, Apatow landed on a brilliant romcom premise for Knocked Up, and one that allowed his R-rated comedy to shine. Seth Rogen plays a slacker with no direction forced to grow up fast after a one-night-stand results in a surprise pregnancy.
Just as he did with his first movie, Apatow landed on a brilliant romcom premise for
Knocked Up,
and one that allowed his R-rated comedy to shine.
Ben is not one of life’s big winners, but his uncomfortable new relationship makes him easy to relate to. While in bed with Allison, they get into a tiff when he suggests they switch positions, and he is forced to defend himself. This quote sums up so much of what makes Apatow’s comedy stand out. He has a natural ear for comedic dialogue, and he frequently manages to expose the ludicrous taboos surrounding sex, and the way people talk about it.
3 This Guy Is Either Gonna Think “Here’s Another Kid With A Fake I.D.” Or “Here’s McLovin, A 25-Year-Old Hawaiian Organ Donor.”
Evan in Superbad (2007)
Superbad
Director Greg Mottola Release Date August 17, 2007 Cast Seth Rogen , Bill Hader , Jonah Hill , Christopher Mintz-Plasse , Michael Cera , Emma Stone
Superbad could be the defining teen comedy of its time, with a gloriously profane script and some superb comedic performances all over. Superbad‘s best quotes show the movie’s raunchy, foul-mouthed style, which has made it a relatable high school comedy with staying power. Judd Apatow served as producer, with Adventureland director Greg Mottola at the helm.
Jonah Hill is in high-stress mode all throughout
Superbad,
which contrasts perfectly with Michael Cera’s timid, deer-like persona.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse plays Fogell, also known as McLovin, after he gets a terrible fake I.D. to score some alcohol for him and his friends. His ridiculous choices on the fake I.D. draw the anger of his friend Evan. Jonah Hill is in high-stress mode all throughout Superbad, which contrasts perfectly with Michael Cera’s timid, deer-like persona. McLovin is the joker in the pack, designed specifically to make his two friends as upset as possible.
2 I Respect Women. I Love Women. I Respect Them So Much That I Completely Stay Away From Them.
Andy in The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Although it was his directorial debut, The 40-Year-Old Virgin remains one of Judd Apatow’s best movies. The movie has plenty of Apatow essentials, including a lovable loser as the lead, a good balance of humor and heart, and an ensemble cast just as funny as the stars. Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, Jane Lynch, Catherine Keener, Kat Dennings, Elizabeth Banks and more help flesh out the world of The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
The movie has plenty of Apatow essentials, including a lovable loser as the lead, a good balance of humor and heart, and an ensemble cast just as funny as the stars.
Andy’s best quote in The 40-Year-Old Virgin shows the way that he spins his lack of confidence into being a positive virtue. The real reason he doesn’t talk to women is that he is terrified of them, especially because of his lack of sexual experience. Andy is a kind-hearted guy, but he can certainly come across as creepy at times. Another character jokes that he has the demeanor of a serial killer.
1 Boy That Escalated Quickly… I Mean That Really Got Out Of Hand Fast.
Ron Burgundy in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
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Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Where to Watch
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Director Adam McKay Release Date July 9, 2004 Cast Will Ferrell , Christina Applegate , Paul Rudd , Steve Carell , David Koechner , Fred Willard
Judd Apatow acted as the producer for Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. The script was written by the formidable comedy duo of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Anchorman is endlessly quotable, with several Apatow regulars on top form, including Paul Rudd as a self-obsessed TV reporter and Steve Carell as the Channel 4 news team’s lovable dolt, Brick Tamland.
Ron Burgundy sums up the absurdity of the fight they just took part in with a quote that instantly became a meme, and with good reason.
Anchorman‘s funniest scene is capped by one of its best quotes. After a street fight between rival local news teams which escalates into the realm of fantasy, the Channel 4 team regroup back at the station. Ron Burgundy sums up the absurdity of the fight they just took part in with a quote that instantly became a meme, and with good reason. It’s a brilliant moment of sober levity to counteract the melodrama of the fight.