Hamlet 2

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Hamlet 2

R

2008

1h 34m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

144 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Hapless high school theater teacher Dana Marschz writes pretentious musical adaptations of Hollywood blockbusters for his indifferent students to perform. His home life is equally shambolic, with his hostile and unhappy wife having an affair with their lodger. When Dana's latest brainstorm, a musical version of Hamlet that includes time travel and a visit from Jesus, threatens to get him fired, his students band together on his behalf.

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Critics Consensus

The script's biting premise and Steve Coogan's endearing, off-the-handle performance make Hamlet 2 an hysterical -- if slightly painful -- ride.

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Amy Nicholson

I.E. Weekly

09/12/2008

D+

Oddly, what's supposed to be a great comedy about a bad play is in fact a bad comedy about a play that looks pretty frigging amazing

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

08/28/2008

B+

A high school musical that would make John Waters proud.

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Philip Kennicott

Washington Post

08/22/2008

[A] dazzling little comedy.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

09/05/2023

3/4

There are hints of commentary in the film where, if we squint, we might just walk away with some social significance, but mostly, we’re just laughing at the outrageous moments of mockery toward Shakespeare’s play and religion

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

11/28/2020

6/10

Dysfunction and eccentricity are the fuel for this funny experiment.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

11/13/2019

To laugh or not to laugh - that is the question. And with Hamlet 2, there is most definitely only one answer - laugh laugh laugh!!!! Wildly inventive, irreverent and beyond entertaining...

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Deep A

@RT71045444 08/17/2025

This movie also deals with genuinely deep and tragic themes but disguises its message with hilarious comedy... I can only suppose that this movie went over the heads of the critics because this is a wonderful film all the way around.

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tim s

@TPSreport94 07/17/2025

Hamlet 2 is the epitome of zany and irreverent humor. It playfully critiques everything from Jesus to Shakespeare. Steve Coogan's portrayal of a desperate high school drama teacher is an unsung comedic marvel. His hapless mannerisms and drunken stupors elevate this film into the realm of truly underrated comedies.

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Will G

@Wgoodeve 05/13/2025

A funny movie. I watched this with my family when I was younger. It is about a high school drama teacher who wrote, produced, and directed a play that is a sequel to “Hamlet”.

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Autumn M

@RT26919073 02/15/2025

This is one of those movies that is so bad it is actually good. Hamlet 2 is the story of a hapless, drama teacher who is determined to make his mark in high school theater. The actual play is so absurd that you can't help but laugh. Once you push back dated stereotypes and tropes, you will find a cute little story with a lot of heart that any Shakespeare aficionado can appreciate.

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Harry H

@RT61704092 02/12/2025

It’s a phile you bingos!

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03/15/2024

Steve Coogan has his own type of humor and it’s very funny to me! It’s a very simple straight forward movie but the performances all work and there are many laugh out loud moments!

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Andrew Fleming

Director

Steve Coogan

Dana Marschz

Catherine Keener

Mrs. Marschz

David Arquette

Gary

Marshall Bell

Principal Rocker

Melonie Diaz

Yvonne

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Synopsis

Hapless high school theater teacher Dana Marschz writes pretentious musical adaptations of Hollywood blockbusters for his indifferent students to perform. His home life is equally shambolic, with his hostile and unhappy wife having an affair with their lodger. When Dana's latest brainstorm, a musical version of Hamlet that includes time travel and a visit from Jesus, threatens to get him fired, his students band together on his behalf.

Director: Andrew Fleming
Producer: Eric D. Eisner, Aaron Ryder, Leonid Rozhetskin
Screenwriter: Andrew Fleming, Pam Brady
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Focus Features, ContentFilm International , Bona Fide Productions
Rating: R (Language|Brief Nudity|Sexual References|Some Drug Content)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 27, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.9M
Runtime: 1h 34m

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