--- title: "The Hangover Part II" year: 2011 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-hangover-part-ii" fi1m_score: 44 critics_score: 42 critics_reviews: 25 published: "2026-09-20T09:45:33.415196+00:00" updated: "2026-09-20T09:45:45.119769+00:00" region: "US" 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." --- # The Hangover Part II (2011) Directed by Todd Phillips · 1h 42m · MPA R · Comedy **Fi1m score: 44** · Critics 42 from 25 reviews *In a sentence:* The same lost night, moved to Bangkok, with a monkey doing the work the script has stopped doing > Todd Phillips has remade his own film scene for scene, swapped Las Vegas for Bangkok and turned the malice up. Galifianakis and a well-shot city keep it watchable; nothing in it surprised us, and a fair amount of it made us wince. ## Synopsis Two years on from Las Vegas, dentist Stu Price (Ed Helms) is getting married in Thailand to Lauren (Jamie Chung), whose father regards him as a disappointment. Stu has planned a brunch instead of a stag night. Phil Wenneck (Bradley Cooper) and Doug Billings (Justin Bartha) fly out with him and, against Stu’s wishes, so does Alan Garner (Zach Galifianakis), along with Lauren’s sixteen-year-old brother Teddy (Mason Lee), a medical student and cellist his parents adore. One beer each at a bonfire on the beach, and Stu, Phil and Alan wake in a filthy Bangkok hotel room. Alan’s head is shaved, Stu has a tattoo across his face, there is a monkey on the wardrobe and Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) is asleep on the floor. Teddy is gone. His finger is in a bowl of ice, and the wedding is the next day. ## Review Todd Phillips’s *The Hangover* was a mystery in the shape of a comedy. Three men wake up, a fourth is missing, and the laughs come from working out what they did. *The Hangover Part II* is the same mystery again, in Bangkok. Stu Price (Ed Helms) is getting married in Thailand, Alan Garner (Zach Galifianakis) has been invited against everyone’s better judgement, and the bride’s sixteen-year-old brother Teddy (Mason Lee) vanishes after one beer on the beach. Phillips, Scot Armstrong and Craig Mazin have written it beat for beat: the wake-up, the animal in the hotel, the missing body part, the photographs at the end. It is the first film done again. Galifianakis is the reason it is watchable. He plays Alan as a large child who has picked up some dangerous words, and the film’s best stretches are the camera simply left on him: the way he unpacks at the resort, the way he introduces himself at the bonfire, the way he treats Teddy as a rival for Phil’s attention. There is a real meanness under it this time, and Galifianakis lets it show without asking to be liked for it. We laughed twice in 102 minutes, and both times it was him. The city is the other thing the film has. Lawrence Sher shoots Bangkok at night in sodium orange and neon, with the camera down at street level among the tuk-tuks and the food carts, and the hotel room the men wake in is a real achievement of squalor by Bill Brzeski: brown water, a dead ceiling fan, a monkey on the wardrobe. Christophe Beck scores it with low, thudding menace rather than comedy cues, which is the right call. Louise Mingenbach keeps the three of them in the same crumpled cotton throughout, so that by the last act they look like they smell. The trouble is that the structure was the joke. In 2009 we did not know there would be a tiger in the bathroom, or a baby in the cupboard, or where Doug (Justin Bartha) had gone, and the pleasure was in the drip of clues. Here we know what kind of thing has happened before the lights are off, and the script confirms it item by item. Debra Neil-Fisher and Michael L. Sale cut the wake-up at the same rhythm as the first film’s, and we found ourselves saying the next reveal a beat before it arrived. By the halfway point we had stopped waiting to be surprised and started keeping a tally. It is also a nastier film, and the nastiness buys nothing. The first film’s humiliations were things the men did to themselves. This one hands most of them out to the city and its people, and a run of gags about Bangkok’s sex trade lands with a sourness we had not expected and did not enjoy. We laughed at one of them, then felt grubby about it, and the film did not seem to notice the difference. Ken Jeong’s Mr. Chow, a shock in small doses last time, is given a full part and becomes a shout. Paul Giamatti arrives as a gangster called Kingsley and gets one good scene of bored menace before the plot moves on without him. Bradley Cooper does what he did before, ably. Helms is left to carry the film’s few moments of feeling, and does, and the script hurries him off them. Phillips used to be better at this. [*Old School*](https://film.one/film/old-school) and the first *Hangover* had a looseness that let performers wander off the page. Here every scene has a job and does it. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, who wrote the first film, are credited for the characters and nothing more, and the difference shows: the new script knows what these men are and has them do the same thing again. If you loved the first film and want to see it with the colours changed, this will fill an evening, and there are worse ways to spend 102 minutes. The 15 certificate is stretched thin. Most critics landed close to where we have, and we understand the ones who went lower; we laughed a couple of times more than they did, and we are not proud of when. *Fi1m score 44, published 20 September 2026.* ### Reviews we read (25) - **Little White Lies**, Matt Bochenski (3/4/4): The sequel is bigger, dumber and louder than the original but surprisingly funnier too, thanks to a breezy confidence and escalating absurdity. It delivers irresistible laughs through the Wolfpack's familiar comic set-pieces despite being a shameless rehash. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-hangover-part-ii) - **The Telegraph** (***): The sequel sticks rigidly to the original's structure and gags but moves the action to Thailand, delivering a semi-surreal, taut thriller-like experience full of crude jokes and suspense that keeps viewers engaged until the end credits despite feeling stiffer and more calculated than the first film. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/8539422/The-Hangover-Part-II-review.html) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, THR Staff (60/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel less lively and fun than the original due to repeated gags and lack of surprise, but notes it still delivers more laughs than most comedies and is worth watching. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hangover-part-ii-movie-review-190754/) - **The New Yorker**, David Denby (60/100, inferred): The sequel replicates the characters, structure, and terrors of the original with somewhat less fizz, offering some very funny moments and outlandish dirty jokes but feeling at times like a routine adventure film. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/06/06/where-the-boys-are-david-denby) - **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (2/4): The sequel recycles the original's plot structure almost exactly but shifts the setting to Bangkok, delivering raunchy laughs primarily through Galifianakis's character while testing the limits of its R rating. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-hangover-part-ii-2011) - **Screen Daily** (50/100, inferred): The film simply re-hashes the original comedy with new characters and setting but follows the template surprisingly closely, making many scenes familiar and less funny. The new Bangkok setting gives it more edge and makes it a touch darker, helping it open bigger though it lacks the original's legs. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/the-hangover-part-ii/5027961.article) - **Total Film**, Jane Crowther (50/100, inferred): The sequel amps up the original's shock-value gross-out gags and chaotic Bangkok setting to entertaining effect, with strong turns from Cooper and Helms. It falters by over-expanding Alan and especially Mr Chow's roles, which feel like cynical franchise padding at the expense of plotting. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-hangover-part-ii-review/) - **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (40/100, inferred): The film is a largely mirthless sequel that numbingly recycles the first movie's script and structure with diminishing returns, though Galifianakis gives Alan a strong current of menace. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/movies/the-hangover-part-ii-3-men-and-a-monkey-baby.html) - **Variety**, Andrew Barker (35/100, inferred): The film is little more than a faded copy of its predecessor, with rote professionalism that verges on cynicism and ranks as a considerable disappointment despite occasional sparks. [Read](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/the-hangover-part-ii-1117945291/) - **Empire**, Nick de Semlyen (30/100, inferred): The film is a pale Xerox and listless remake of the original, recycling the exact structure and gags with only superficial changes like the Bangkok location. It delivers some raunchy moments but lacks the first film's surprises and energy. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hangover-2-review/) - **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (30/100, inferred): This unapologetic money grab is a headache-inducing rehash that loses the fresh perverse pleasure of the original, though it delivers some horribly hilarious moments amid the chaos. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-may-26-la-et-hangover2-20110526-story.html) - **Time Out**, Nigel Floyd (25/100, inferred): The film is exactly the same as the first but set in Bangkok and minus the laughs, serving up a tasteless, warmed-over version with contrived action and overacting. It leaves a sour aftertaste due to homophobia and racial stereotyping despite the predictable happy ending. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-hangover-part-ii) - **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager (20/100, inferred): The critic describes it as a cowardly cash-in that rehashes the original without novelty or daring, focusing on familiar elements in a new setting but lacking development or surprises. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-hangover-part-ii/) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (1/5): The film is a laboured, self-conscious remake rather than a sequel that drains all the fun and invention from the original by repeating every element in a new setting. It feels like a feature-length Christmas special of a sitcom, with only rare flashes of wit amid the formulaic repetition. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/may/26/the-hangover-part-2-review) - **The Times** (20/100, inferred): The near-humourless sequel squanders the original's absurd tone with predictable, flaccid jokes and a story that feels like toxic sludge as the wolfpack's antics are transplanted to Bangkok with undercurrents of racism and cheap shock value. It is a franchise heading for terminal decline. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/asia-travel/thailand/the-hangover-part-ii-q6q6hbvhv8x) - **Vulture**, David Edelstein (20/100, inferred): The reviewer calls the film atrocious, criticizing its lack of laughs, artistic bankruptcy, and darker, more repulsive tone without the redeeming qualities of the first film. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2011/05/movie_review_the_hangover_2.html) - **Evening Standard** (10/100, inferred): The sequel slavishly replicates the original's setup, plot beats and device of piecing together the missing night, relocating everything to Bangkok with intensified humiliations but no freshness. The tone turns sour and exploitative, making the whole thing ugly and unfunny. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-hangover-doesn-t-work-twice-7425070.html) - **The Wrap** (70/100, inferred): The sequel delivers more of the same raunchy humor as the original, with its predictability being the point; fans of the first film will likely enjoy the deja vu in Bangkok instead of Las Vegas. Galifianakis’ Alan stands out as the strongest and least predictable character, providing the wildest non-sequiturs and laughs. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/hangover-part-ii-new-city-same-old-story-27716/) - **Digital Spy**, Stella Papamichael (3/5): The film delivers expected déjà vu but benefits from the Bangkok setting and Galifianakis's oddball performance. Phillips keeps it steady without bold changes, steering the sequel safely home. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a321625/the-hangover-part-ii/) - **/Film**, David Chen (60/100, inferred): The critic notes that the film is essentially a remake of the first with duplicated story beats and settings changed to Bangkok but still finds it watchable and enjoyable in a packed screening due to vicious jokes and fantastical scenarios. The lack of originality is acknowledged but the sense of place and gross-out moments help. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/515793/the-hangover-part-ii/) - **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (C): The sequel clings too closely to the original film's formula and plot beats, delivering familiar laughs but losing its spark amid a Bangkok setting. It trades too much on familiarity at the expense of fresh jokes and pacing, though it offers a grander scale and some solid comic set-ups. [Read](https://collider.com/hangover-2-review/) - **Den of Geek**, N P (2/5): The sequel feels like a familiar retread of the first film with fewer surprises and original ideas. The critic enjoyed the photo sequence reveal and found it rude and crude but ultimately disappointing due to repetitive gags. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-hangover-part-ii-review/) - **HeyUGuys**, Adam Lowes (2/5): The critic finds the film an uninspired retread of the original that hits all the same beats but barely comes to life with laughs. Familiar elements like the monkey and Mr. Chow fail to compensate for the lack of originality and predictability. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-hangover-part-ii-review/) - **The Playlist**, The Playlist Staff (D): The critic deems the film a lazy, unpleasant and unfunny mess that is a near carbon copy of the original with no surprises or fresh ideas. The Bangkok setting adds little beyond more outrageous but ultimately stale and phoned-in gags. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-the-hangover-part-ii-is-a-lazy-unpleasant-unfunny-mess-20110525/) - **Eye for Film**, David Graham (30/100, inferred): The critic calls it the definition of a lazy sequel that repeats the first film's tricks in a new setting without the charm or imagination. While the Thailand scenery is a highlight, the repetition, tonal issues and lack of fresh ideas make it disappointing overall. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-hangover-part-ii-film-review-by-david-graham) ## Details - **Director:** Todd Phillips - **Director:** Todd Phillips - **Screenplay:** Scot Armstrong, Craig Mazin, Todd Phillips - **Writer:** Jon Lucas, Scott Moore - **Cinematography:** Lawrence Sher - **Editor:** Debra Neil-Fisher, Michael L. Sale - **Music:** Christophe Beck - **Production design:** Bill Brzeski - **Costume design:** Louise Mingenbach - **Producer:** Todd Phillips, Daniel Goldberg - **Cast:** Bradley Cooper as Phil Wenneck; Ed Helms as Stu Price; Zach Galifianakis as Alan Garner; Justin Bartha as Doug Billings; Mason Lee as Teddy; Ken Jeong as Mr. Chow; Paul Giamatti as Kingsley; Jeffrey Tambor as Sid Garner - **Runtime:** 1h 42m - **Certificate (MPA):** R - **Release (the US):** 26 May 2011 - **Genres:** Comedy - **Budget:** $80 million - **Box office:** $587 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohF5ZO_zOYU ## Where to watch in the US - Paramount+: streaming, hd, leaving 2026-10-01 - Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd - The Roku Channel: add-on, hd, leaving 2026-10-01 - Hulu: add-on, hd, leaving 2026-10-01 - Apple TV: add-on, hd - Apple TV: rent $4.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $4.99, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $7.99, uhd - Apple TV: buy $14.99, hd *Checked 2026-09-20.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, 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 - *The Hangover* (2009), Fi1m 72: The same film, done first, when not knowing what happened was still the joke — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-hangover.md) - *After Hours* (1985), Fi1m 80: Scorsese’s one long bad night in Manhattan, funnier and far more frightening than this — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md) - *Withnail and I* (1987), Fi1m 88: Two men, one bender, the English countryside; the hangover as a way of life — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/withnail-and-i.md) - *Bridesmaids* (2011), Fi1m 82: A wedding comedy from the same year that remembers its characters are people — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/bridesmaids.md) - *Only God Forgives* (2013): Bangkok at night with no jokes at all; the film this one keeps edging towards --- © 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/the-hangover-part-ii