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Revenge of the Nerds

Play trailer Poster for Revenge of the Nerds R 1984 1h 30m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Geeky college students Gilbert (Anthony Edwards) and Lewis (Robert Carradine) are evicted from their dormitory when the Alpha Betas -- who recently burned down their own fraternity house by accident -- confiscate the building. When the college forces the freshmen to live in the gym, Gilbert, Lewis and their fellow dorks relocate to a run-down house. When the Alpha Betas, led by jock Stan (Ted McGinley), repeatedly humiliate them, the nerds plot revenge.
Revenge of the Nerds

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Undeniably lowbrow but surprisingly sly, Revenge of the Nerds has enough big laughs to qualify as a minor classic in the slobs-vs.-snobs subgenre.

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Critics Reviews

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Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter 07/20/2017
While much is in the Animal House vein and quite funny, several tasteless episodes mar the film. Go to Full Review Rita Kempley Washington Post 10/02/2015
If you've seen Porky's, Animal House, D.C. Cab, or Police Academy, you've seen Nerds. And if you liked the prototypes, you'll like the latest of the genre, low humor and all -- belching, mooning, panty raids, peeping at girls and booger jokes. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 03/26/2009
Simple-minded romp about a group of freshmen outcasts doesn't qualify for the dean's list, but Revenge of the Nerds shows more than enough smarts to deserve passing grades. Go to Full Review David Sterritt Christian Science Monitor 10/02/2015
The underlying intelligence of director Jeff Kanew glimmers through at times, and is reflected in a couple of nice performances. Go to Full Review John Ferguson Radio Times 10/02/2015
1/5
There is a theory that every Hollywood star has a turkey or two in their closet, so today, step forward Anthony Edwards, star of the hit TV series ER. Go to Full Review Film4 Staff Film4 10/02/2015
It's one of the great unfathomable mysteries of Hollywood that this unspeakably awful comedy was successful enough to spawn no less than three (count 'em) sequels. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Woodruff F. @Woodrufffoley Feb 25 An American classic. Lots of boobies too. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Dec 3 It's not a minor classic. It IS a classic. I love this movie. See more Georgan G @RT98616417 02/02/2025 Goofy but some funny parts in this 1980s comic classic. See more J.J. E @RT89399181 08/16/2024 Best movie of 1984. Period. See more Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life 01/31/2024 This is a classic 80's Movie with terrific characters and hilarious moments. I absolutely love this movie. Tim Treakle See more Erik B @Atma-X 11/06/2023 Perfect 80's movie depicting The Jocks vs. The Nerds - all stereotypes included. An early example of Nerd Power, this movie has a lot of super-iffy scenes and concepts, but remains a fun watch if you keep it in the context of the time. See more Read all reviews
Revenge of the Nerds

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Cast & Crew

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Jeff Kanew

Director

Robert Carradine

Lewis Skolnick

Anthony Edwards

Gilbert Lowell

Ted McGinley

Stan Gable

Timothy Busfield

Arnold Poindexter

Andrew Cassese

Harold Wormser

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Revenge of the Nerds

Revenge of the Nerds (1984) Revenge of the Nerds (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Geeky college students Gilbert (Anthony Edwards) and Lewis (Robert Carradine) are evicted from their dormitory when the Alpha Betas -- who recently burned down their own fraternity house by accident -- confiscate the building. When the college forces the freshmen to live in the gym, Gilbert, Lewis and their fellow dorks relocate to a run-down house. When the Alpha Betas, led by jock Stan (Ted McGinley), repeatedly humiliate them, the nerds plot revenge.
Director
Jeff Kanew
Producer
Ted Field, Peter Samuelson, David Obst, Peter Bart
Screenwriter
Jeff Buhai, Steve Zacharias, David Obst, Miguel Tejada-Flores, Tim Metcalfe
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox, Interscope Communications
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 20, 1984, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 2, 2019
Runtime
1h 30m