---
title: "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising"
year: 2016
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/neighbors-2-sorority-rising"
fi1m_id: "neighbors-2-sorority-rising"
imdb_id: "tt4438848"
tmdb_id: 325133
wikidata_id: "Q20899742"
fi1m_score: 58
critics_score: 62
critics_reviews: 20
published: "2026-10-13T22:03:22.028115+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-13T22:03:22.583682+00:00"
region: "SA"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)

Directed by Nicholas Stoller · 1h 32m · Comedy

## Identity

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/neighbors-2-sorority-rising
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** neighbors-2-sorority-rising
- **IMDb ID:** tt4438848
- **TMDB ID:** 325133
- **Wikidata ID:** Q20899742
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4438848/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/325133, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20899742

**Fi1m score: 58** · Critics 62 from 20 reviews

*In a sentence:* The sorority gets the house and the speeches; Zac Efron, oiled and lost, gets the laughs

> Nicholas Stoller swaps the fraternity for a sorority and keeps most of the jokes for the men. The result is amiable, scrappy and funny in patches, with a case about sisterhood it states clearly and then forgets. Zac Efron is the reason to bother.

## Synopsis

Mac and Kelly Radner (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) have a toddler, a second child on the way and a buyer for their house, with thirty days to go before the sale is final. The house next door, where the fraternity used to be, has stood empty since Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron) and his brothers graduated. Across campus, first-year Shelby (Chloë Grace Moretz) walks out of a fraternity party in disgust, learns that American sororities are not allowed to throw their own, and with Beth (Kiersey Clemons) and Nora (Beanie Feldstein) founds one that will. They need a house. Teddy, with no job and nowhere to live after his friend Pete (Dave Franco) gets engaged, offers to show them how it is done. The Radners have thirty days to keep the street quiet.

## Review

Nicholas Stoller’s sequel to [*Neighbors*](https://film.one/film/neighbors) (2014), released in British cinemas as *Bad Neighbours 2* on 6 May 2016, turns the fraternity next door into a sorority and asks whether the same jokes work with the sexes swapped. Mostly they do, and that is the trouble: the film is at its best when it is doing what the first one did, and least sure of itself when it is doing the thing it is proudest of. Mac and Kelly Radner (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) are thirty days from selling their house; Shelby (Chloë Grace Moretz) and her friends move in next door with a keg and a point to make. It is likeable, loose and often funny, and about a third of it is a lecture nobody finished writing.

Zac Efron is the reason to see it. Teddy Sanders has graduated, lost his best friend Pete (Dave Franco) to an engagement, and found that the world has no use for a man whose only qualification is his stomach. Efron plays him with a sweetness that is almost alarming, a big handsome boy who agrees with whatever was said last, and the one scene we have kept is a quiet one at the girls’ kitchen table, where Teddy explains, without self-pity, that he would like to be useful to somebody. We laughed at him for most of the running time and somewhere in the middle noticed the laugh had gone soft and sad. The script did not arrange that. Efron did.

The sorority is the problem. Shelby, Beth (Kiersey Clemons) and Nora (Beanie Feldstein) arrive with a case: in America a sorority may not throw its own parties, so the only parties on campus are the fraternities’, and anyone who has been to one knows why that is a bad deal. The film says this clearly and early, and then gives the three of them one personality between them. Moretz is game and loud; Feldstein gets the most from the least, a wide-eyed delivery that makes ordinary lines land; Clemons is barely written at all. They get the speeches. Rogen and Ike Barinholtz get the jokes. Byrne, who was the first film’s secret weapon, is again the best comic performer on screen, making Kelly’s panic funnier every time it comes round, and the film keeps cutting away from her to a man explaining something.

It looks like what it is. Brandon Trost lights the Radner house flat and bright, like a sitcom, and the parties in strobes and coloured smoke, and the two never feel like the same street. Theresa Guleserian turns the fraternity’s wreck of a house into a sorority’s with fairy lights and a mural, and the before-and-after is one of the few jokes told with pictures rather than words.

Several of the set pieces are the first film’s with the numbers changed. The airbags come back. The dean (Lisa Kudrow) comes back for a scene. Selena Gomez has about four lines as the president of the established sorority, Phi Lamda, and is gone. There is one scene in the middle, at a tailgate, in which Teddy, oiled to a shine and nearly undressed, holds a crowd’s attention for a purpose we will leave to the film, and we laughed hard and then felt a little cheap, because the film had spent the previous ten minutes telling us off for looking at people that way. We do not think it noticed the contradiction.

Stoller made *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* (2008), which understood that the funniest thing in a comedy is a person in pain who will not admit it, and the Teddy scenes are the only ones here that remember that. The first *Neighbors* had a clean idea, a couple who thought they were still young finding out they were not, and ran it for the whole length. This one has that idea, a second idea about women, and a running worry about whether the Radners are fit parents, and gets about halfway through each.

Worth an evening if you liked the first and are happy to hear the same jokes from the other side of the fence; not worth it for the sisterhood, which the title promises and the script has misplaced by the halfway mark. It runs 92 minutes and carries a 15.

*Fi1m score 58, published 13 October 2026.*

## Straight answers

**Is Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising worth watching?**

*Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising* is worth an evening only if you liked the first film and will take the same jokes from the other side of the fence; we scored it 58. Zac Efron, playing a graduate with nothing to offer but his stomach, is the reason to bother. The case about sisterhood is stated early and then mislaid.

**How long is Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and what is it rated?**

*Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising* runs 1h 32m. It is a comedy film.

**Where can I watch Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising in Saudi Arabia?**

*Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising* is not on any streaming or rental service in Saudi Arabia at the moment. It is available in 56 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How violent or frightening is Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and is it suitable for children?**

*Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising* carries a 15 certificate in the UK and an R in the United States, so it is not for children. There is no violence or fear to speak of; the certificate is for crude sex comedy, drink and drugs, and a good deal of language. Older teenagers who saw the first will know what they are in for.

**How does Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising compare to Neighbors?**

*Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising* is the looser and less certain of the two; [*Neighbors*](https://film.one/film/neighbors) had one clean idea, new parents finding out they are no longer young, and ran it the whole way. The sequel keeps the airbags and most of the set pieces but splits itself between three ideas and finishes none. See the first film first; Efron is the sequel's one real gain.

**What should I watch after Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising?**

After *Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising*, try [*Neighbors*](https://film.one/film/neighbors) (2014, Fi1m 70): The first go, with a cleaner idea and the same airbags. Then [*Booksmart*](https://film.one/film/booksmart) (2019, Fi1m 81): The girls’ campus comedy this one keeps promising, with the girls written in; and [*Bridesmaids*](https://film.one/film/bridesmaids) (2011, Fi1m 82): Rose Byrne being coolly awful; Kristen Wiig falling apart on a plane.

### Reviews we read (20)

- **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (A-): Ehrlich calls the sequel one of the greatest comedy sequels and praises its warm, humane humor. He especially singles out Zac Efron’s performance, while noting that the sorority sisters are less well-defined than the original’s supporting characters. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/neighbors-2-sorority-rising-review-seth-rogen-becomes-americas-new-movie-dad-in-the-years-funniest-film-290378/)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (B): Hassenger finds the film funny and empathetic, though less conceptually sharp than its predecessor. He singles out Zac Efron’s unexpectedly nuanced, touching performance as its standout. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/neighbors-2-is-a-good-comedy-with-a-surprisingly-great-1798187826)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Rebecca Keegan (70/100, inferred): Keegan finds the comedy goofy and overcrowded but unexpectedly witty and poignant. She especially praises Zac Efron’s vulnerable performance and his comic use of his physicality. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-neighbors-sorority-rising-review-20160515-snap-story.html)
- **The New Yorker** (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel more engaging than its predecessor, though its set pieces can be merely frantic. They single out its self-awareness and political themes as strengths. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/neighbors-2-sorority-rising)
- **Variety**, Guy Lodge (65/100, inferred): Lodge finds the sequel messy but lively, with its feminist angle adding a timely, if uneven, perspective. He particularly praises Zac Efron’s touching, deadpan portrayal of a former fratboy struggling to find his place. [Read](https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/neighbors-2-sorority-rising-review-zac-efron-seth-rogen-1201765621/)
- **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint could be verified. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/neighbors-2-sorority-rising-2016)
- **Screen Daily**, Fionnuala Halligan (64/100, inferred): The review’s verdict is unavailable because the article text is behind a paywall. The accessible page does not reveal what the critic praised or criticized. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/neighbors-2-sorority-rising-review/5103312.article)
- **Slant Magazine**, Christopher Gray (2.5/4): Gray finds the sequel’s social commentary intriguing but says its comedy lacks a confident pitch. He singles out Zac Efron’s empathetic performance as the film’s most consistently elevating element. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/neighbors-2-sorority-rising/)
- **Time Out**, Cath Clarke (3/5): The review presents the comedy as an entertaining return with a feminist twist. It singles out the renewed beer-pong and comic antics of Zac Efron, Seth Rogen and the gang. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/bad-neighbours-2)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (2/5): Bradshaw finds the sequel routine, with decent material diluted by ordinary sequel conventions. He praises Billy Eichner’s funny turn and some good lines, but says the script fails to sustain Zac Efron’s potential. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/04/bad-neighbours-2-review-zac-efron-seth-rogen-film-sequel)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, THR Staff (35/100, inferred): The review finds the sequel somewhat funny but ill-conceived, criticizing it as a weaker retread of the original. It particularly faults the film’s shallow, often clueless depictions of its female characters. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/neighbors-2-sorority-rising-film-890399/)
- **Vulture**, Sarah Caldwell (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film’s feminist ambitions superficial and says it does not merit the progressive praise it has received. She singles out how the female leads often feel like mouthpieces and get less room to be funny than the male characters. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2016/05/neighbors-2-woke-feminism.html)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (A-): Goldberg finds the sequel hilarious and smarter than the original, making it one of the best comedy sequels. He praises its thoughtful treatment of gender dynamics while noting that some jokes and pranks feel recycled. [Read](https://collider.com/neighbors-2-review/)
- **Den of Geek**, Edward Douglas (4.5 out of 5): Douglas calls it funnier than the original and a near-perfect sequel. He praises the more consistent laughs and the way the gender switch opens up comedy about gender issues. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/neighbors-2-sorority-rising-review/)
- **Polygon**, Arthur Gies (85/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel surprisingly better than the original: funny, self-aware, and grounded by a stronger heart. They single out the cast’s chemistry and the film’s thoughtful, humorous treatment of gender biases. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/2016/5/20/11723716/neighbors-2-sorority-rising-review/)
- **NME** (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel smarter and more mature than its predecessor, though it still needs editing. They praise its more purposeful take on growing up, while faulting scenes that feel improvised in place of written jokes. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-movie-16477-305907)
- **The Wrap** (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel reliably funny and entertaining despite its familiar story. They fault its oddly cautious treatment of the sorority sisters’ sexuality. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/neighbors-2-review-sorority-rising/)
- **Paste**, Brent McKnight (6.7/10): The critic finds the sequel formulaic and uneven but ultimately very funny, with more on its mind than laughs alone. He praises the cast’s comic chemistry and the moments where the absurd jokes expose gender hypocrisy. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/neighbors-2)
- **Consequence**, Allison Shoemaker (30/100, inferred): Shoemaker finds the film progressive and thoughtful but ultimately not very funny. She praises Rose Byrne and the cast’s comic performances, while faulting the sorority characters for feeling underdeveloped. [Read](https://consequence.net/2016/05/film-review-neighbors-2-sorority-rising/)
- **The Ringer**, Allison P. Davis (10/100, inferred): Davis dismisses the film as faux-woke rather than genuinely feminist. She faults its reliance on superficial gender jokes and name-checking feminist issues as substitutes for a meaningful progressive statement. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2016/05/23/movies/the-bullshit-feminism-of-neighbors-2-76deb9f6b8b5)

## Details

- **Director:** Nicholas Stoller
- **Director:** Nicholas Stoller
- **Writer:** Andrew J. Cohen, Evan Goldberg, Brendan O'Brien, Seth Rogen, Nicholas Stoller
- **Cinematography:** Brandon Trost
- **Editor:** Michael A. Webber, Zene Baker
- **Music:** Michael Andrews
- **Production design:** Theresa Guleserian
- **Costume design:** Leesa Evans
- **Producer:** Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver
- **Cast:** Seth Rogen as Mac Radner; Zac Efron as Teddy Sanders; Rose Byrne as Kelly Radner; Chloë Grace Moretz as Shelby; Dave Franco as Pete; Ike Barinholtz as Jimmy; Lisa Kudrow as Dean Carol Gladstone; Selena Gomez as Phi Lamda President
- **Runtime:** 1h 32m
- **First release (Germany):** 26 April 2016
- **Genres:** Comedy
- **Budget:** $35 million
- **Box office:** $108 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uldqs2kW25g

## Where to watch in Saudi Arabia

Not streaming, renting or buying in Saudi Arabia at the last check.

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Neighbors* (2014), Fi1m 70: The first go, with a cleaner idea and the same airbags — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/neighbors.md)
- *Booksmart* (2019), Fi1m 81: The girls’ campus comedy this one keeps promising, with the girls written in — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/booksmart.md)
- *Bridesmaids* (2011), Fi1m 82: Rose Byrne being coolly awful; Kristen Wiig falling apart on a plane — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/bridesmaids.md)
- *National Lampoon's Animal House* (1978): The fraternity film every fraternity film is still quoting
- *The Inbetweeners Movie* (2011): The British version of boys who should know better, cheaper and crueller

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/neighbors-2-sorority-rising