Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kooky college comedy about drug trip has language, bullying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pizza Movie
What's the Story?
College student Jack (Gaten Matarazzo) has been the campus punching bag ever since he accidentally sabotaged the football team at the start of PIZZA MOVIE. His roommate/best friend, Montgomery (Sean Giambrone)—or Monti—has a crush on cool girl Ashley (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), but he's too anxious and nerdy to attract her. After more bullying by a dorm crew led by Logan (Marcus Scribner), Jack insists they get drunk. But Logan steals their alcohol, so when they discover an LSD-like drug hidden in their dorm room, Jack convinces Monti to try it. What unfolds over the course of the night could change their lives forever, and they'll need the help of former friend Lizzy (Lulu Wilson) to outrun the bullies, avoid evil Resident Assistant (RA) Blake (Jack Martin), and deal with all the crazy hallucinations.
Is It Any Good?
This is a druggy college comedy for older teens and adults that hits just the right notes of goofy ridiculousness without falling into the same old Gen Z stereotypes. Everything Everywhere All At Once meets Animal House in Pizza Movie, which doesn't judge its characters for wanting to party but does give them consciences—about the wisdom of their own actions and the value of treating their friends with authenticity and kindness. Stranger Things' Matarazzo may be the draw, but Giambrone as his nerdy bestie steals the show. Martin is also pitch perfect as the evil RA.
The writing is particularly imaginative to keep this relatively simple concept from getting stale (which it threatens to do momentarily in the third act). Making a college dorm such a hostile environment is a great setup, and the militant RA squad hysterically exploits horror tropes. The hallucinations stay novel and unexpected—especially a scene involving a butterfly (voiced by Daniel Radcliffe)—and the film gets meta at the end in a kooky way. Obviously, Pizza Movie won't be for every audience, but—shocking as it sounds, given the premise—it has its heart in the right place.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they think Pizza Movie promotes drug and alcohol use. Explain.
Did the film keep your attention from beginning to end? What were highlights and lowlights for you?
What lessons did Jack and Monti learn from their experience?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 3, 2026
- Cast : Gaten Matarazzo , Sean Giambrone , Lulu Wilson
- Directors : Nick Kocher , Brian McElhaney
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Hulu
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship , School ( College & Graduate School )
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : April 14, 2026
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