Alcohol is the great equalizer: it can make a great movie into something hilarious and a bad movie into something bearable. Of course, that's not to suggest that drinking games solely exist to make fun of movies. A lot of times, they're often a celebration of the movie's specific qualities, highlighting minor imperfections or unique traits that make it stand out in our memory.

Drinking games are easier to make up if you've already seen the movie you're drinking to. But, if the movie is new to you, there are countless suggestions online for the best times to drink. The best part is that you can pick which rules to follow, or make them up your own as you go! To join in on the fun, we compiled a list of movies to play fun drinking games with. If you partake, just be sure to drink responsibly.

Updated Dec. 27, 2023: This article has been updated with even more information about the best movies to play drinking games with.

The Room (2003)

The Room is a movie that's difficult to sit through without a stiff drink. It is regarded as one of the worst and most absurd movies, but its poor qualities gave it a legendary status alongside its star and director, Tommy Wiseau. Set in sunny California, The Room sees Wiseau playing Johnny, a man caught in the middle of a love triangle with his fiancée, Lisa (Juliette Danielle), and his best friend, Mark (Greg Sestero). What follows, however, is arguably one of the most baffling film productions ever conceived, one that would shoot Wiseau to infamous stardom in addition to setting a new standard for bad movies to come.

This movie has become such a cult classic, there was even a separate film made, The Disaster Artist, about Tommy and the film's creation. It featured James Franco directing and playing the role of Wiseau. Needless to say, it's just as good of a movie for elevating your blood alcohol content.

Take a Drink When:

• You hear "Oh hi."
• Lisa is described as "sexy" or "beautiful."
• You feel confused about why a scene is happening.
• Mark is referred to as a best friend.
• You hear the phrase: "Don't worry about it."
• Someone throws a football.

The Room is not available on streaming.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult classic '70s movie that works as a drinking game and as an interactive experience. Regarded as one of the greatest musical films of all time, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is based on the 1973 musical of the same name, telling a bizarre story involving mad scientists, spooky castles, and more colorful costume designs than you can count. Though it wasn't a critical darling during its initial release, it has since become an international hit.

This movie is often seen in theaters with live fans acting out the movie in front of the screen as shadow casts. These shadow cast showings have strict rules for their game, but the rules are wildly fun and the experience is unlike any other. This game has a list of props, callbacks for certain lines, and even encourages audiences to dress up. This game can be modified and played at home — or you can keep the corset in your closet and imbibe instead.

Take a Drink When:

• Brad says “Janet.”
• Someone dies.
• People randomly break out into a dance.
• Frank snaps his gloves.
• Janet faints.
• Anyone smokes.
• Confetti or rice is thrown.
• Rocky grunts.

Stream The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Hulu.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001 – 2003)

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is as grandiose as it is beloved. Based on the original series of novels by J. R. R. Tolkien, this trilogy of films was directed by Peter Jackson and released throughout the early 2000s. To say that they were a cultural phenomenon would be an understatement. Incredible visual effects for the time, a focus on action-oriented storytelling, and an incredible ensemble cast amounted to one of the most beloved movie trilogies of all time, with its enduring legacy still felt to this day.

Legendary fantasy and adventure franchises like Lord of the Rings are filled with plenty of opportunities for fans to get a little overserved. From the relationship of Frodo and Sam to certain characters speaking different languages, Middle Earth enthusiasts will have plenty of chances to take drinks.

Take a Drink When:

• Gandalf smokes his pipe.
• Legolas shoots anything with an arrow.
• Frodo addresses Sam by his name.
• Any character speaks another language that isn't English.
• Gimli and Legolas try to kill more orcs than each other.
• The words "my precious" are said.
• Frodo puts on the ring.
• Aragorn thinks of Galadriel.

Stream The Lord of the Rings trilogy on Max.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

The Great Gatsby is a movie based on the book of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, so unlike many other movies on this list, it is categorized as a classic work. However, that doesn't mean the viewing experience can't be improved with a touch of rotgut. For a story set in the prohibition era, there's a lot to drink about.

Directed by Baz Luhrmann, The Great Gatsby sees Leonardo DiCaprio playing the role of the titular Jay Gatsby. After a chance encounter with his neighbor, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), he and Nick are taken on the journey of a lifetime through New York City, right in the middle of the Roaring Twenties. Like Luhrmann's recent depiction of Elvis Presley in Elvis, The Great Gatsby is incredibly stylish, superbly slick, and loaded with tropes to drink to.

Take a Drink When:

• Gatsby says "sport."
• A green light is visible in the distance.
• Tobey Maguire is wasted.
• Text appears on the screen.
• A modern song plays in the background of this movie that takes place in the 1920s.
• You see a pinky ring.
• Gatsby is peering through a window.

Buy or Rent The Great Gatsby on Prime Video and Apple TV.

Zombieland (2009)

Zombieland came out alongside the horde of zombie media that dominated pop culture throughout the early 2010s. That being said, it stands out above its contemporaries for a plethora of reasons. Jesse Eisenberg stars as Columbus, a young survivor who teams up with an older survivor named Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), as well as a pair of sisters named Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), as they attempt to find a new home. The film saw praise for its morbid humor, its numerous "rules" for survival, and its stylish presentation.

Zombieland is a comedy, which makes it the perfect movie for a drinking game. Unlike other comedies, however, it rarely presents its brain-eating antagonists as something to laugh at. If you are a heavyweight drinking champion, there's a sequel that most of these drinking rules would work for to make a Zombieland double feature.

Take a Drink When:

• A rule comes up on the screen.
• Twinkies are talked about.
• Tallahassee kills a zombie.
• A character is named after a location.
• Someone talks about life before the zombies.
• You hear the phrase "nut up or shut up."
• A title drop occurs.

Buy or Rent Zombieland on Prime Video and Apple TV.

This Is the End (2013)

This Is the End is an incredibly crass comedy ripe for an alcohol-fueled evening. Serving as Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's directorial debut, This Is the End sees a group of celebrities caught in the middle of the apocalypse during a visit to James Franco's house. With their backs against the wall, all that's left to do is scrounge for supplies, reminisce, and indulge in recreational drugs.

This Is the End is one of the few great movies out there with a comedic twist on an apocalyptic storyline. With an all-star cast that includes James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and Emma Watson, This Is the End is bound to make movie lovers interested in having a fun time.

Take a Drink When:

• Any time a character mentions a film they acted in.
• Someone dies.
• Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel fight over their friendship.
• A demon or evil creature shows up.
• The group fights over food and water.
• Jonah Hill is sarcastic toward anybody.

Buy or Rent This Is the End on Prime Video or Apple TV.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Arguably the most well-known project by the British comedy troupe Monty Python, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a treasure trove of surreal comedy. A satirization of King Arthur's Court, Holy Grail is the first original feature-length production by Monty Python, retelling the classic tale of King Arthur (Graham Chapman) searching for the Holy Grail. The members of Monty Python, like Eric Idle and John Cleese, all play multiple roles in this film's cast of memorable characters.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail gives off a hilarious vibe that encourages you to just kick back and relax. It's a movie you really can't take seriously at all, especially when you consider its hilariously abrupt ending. Loaded with memorable quotes, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is ultimately a movie that can be enjoyed at all levels of intoxication.

Take a Drink When:

• There are butt trumpets.
• Someone says, “I’m not dead yet.”
• Lancelot kills someone.
• The Black Knight loses a limb.
• The king is ignored by someone.
• A cat screams.
• Someone runs away.

Stream Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Netflix.

National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)

Animal House is one of the most iconic comedy films ever made. Directed by John Landis, Animal House sees John Belushi starring in his first-ever feature-length film following his successful stint on Saturday Night Live. Belushi plays John Blutarski, a college student involved with the Delta Tau Chi Fraternity, as he and his fellow fraternity brothers take on the malicious Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon).

Animal House is one of the greatest comedy films of all-time, especially because it comes from an old, much-appreciated era of laughter. It's an incredibly influential film alongside The Kentucky Fried Movie, with both leading to the eventual creation of the "gross out" subgenre. Since it is a movie that has to do with partying at college and fraternities, it may just be the perfect movie for a drinking game.

Take a Drink When:

• "Faber" is said.
• "Toga" is said.
• Bluto takes a drink.
• Someone crashes a car.
• A beer bottle is broken.
• "Probation" is said.
• Neidermeyer shouts.

Stream Animal House on AMC+.

Legally Blonde (2001)

Legally Blonde features Reese Witherspoon in one of her most hilarious roles to date. Witherspoon plays Elle Woods, a sorority sister whose life is suddenly challenged by negative stereotypes. In order to win the affection of her ex-boyfriend, Woods attempts to get a law degree at Harvard in a bid to disprove the "dumb blonde" stereotype.

Legally Blonde is a beloved comedy chock-full of drink-worthy moments. From Woods' video submission for Harvard Law to her iconic comebacks, this movie is hilarious even if you're stone-cold sober. With these common drinking rules, any players are sure to be legally drunk.

Take a Drink When:

• Elle throws out a legal term.
• Bruiser gets a costume change.
• Someone calls out an early 2000s trend.
• Elle is seen in a different pink outfit.
• Anyone says "Harvard."
• Elle has a new hairstyle.
• You hear a reference to being blonde.
• A wedding/engagement ring is referenced.
• A fashion item is referenced.

Stream Legally Blonde on Max.

Mean Girls (2004)

After directing Freaky Friday in 2003, Mark Waters would return to direct Mean Girls just one year later. Lindsay Lohan stars as Cady Heron, a teenage girl who transfers to a new high school after growing up in Africa. However, nobody said that navigating the cultural landscape of an American high school would be so easy. Tina Fey is also featured in the film as both an actor and writer, with Mean Girls being her first feature-length writing credit.

Mean Girls has got to be one of the most highly quoted movies, even though it's been almost 20 years since its release. If a drink was taken every time an iconic line was said, things would get hectic before the film even gets going. To ensure every moment of this comedic masterpiece is seen, we've compiled some pretty strict rules for the game.

Take a Drink When:

• Someone says Regina George’s full name.
• A character drinks at a party.
• Someone says the word “Fetch.”
• The Burn Book is mentioned.
• Someone talks about Africa.

Stream Mean Girls on Paramount+.

Twilight (2008)

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson famously co-starred in Twilight, one of the most popular romance franchises of the late 2000s. Stewart plays Bella Swan, an isolated girl who finds herself falling for the distant and mysterious Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). Unfortunately, when Cullen reveals himself to be a vampire, Bella is thrown into the center of a bloodthirsty conflict as she tries to navigate her feelings for Edward.

Twilight was a pop culture phenomenon when it debuted in theaters, and some would even argue that the film's reception has changed in the 2020s. Somehow, despite some of its sillier elements, this movie is still wildly popular today. Despite that, whether you're on Team Edward or Team Jacob, there are moments in this movie that are made more palatable with a touch of alcohol.

Take a Drink When:

• A vampire sparkles.
• Bella touches her hair or bites her lip.
• Edward and Bella stare at each other wordlessly.
• Unhealthy behavior is passed off as romantic.
• The rivalry between vampires and werewolves is mentioned.
• You feel vaguely uncomfortable.

Stream Twilight on Starz.

Titanic (1997)

Titanic was, at one point, one of the biggest films of all time in terms of box office returns and cultural osmosis. It's not hard to see why. Directed, written, and co-produced by James Cameron, Titanic is a monolithic disaster film with a compelling romance story at its core, featuring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as its two leads. As an elderly Rose Calvert recounts her time on the RMS Titanic, a star-crossed romance will blossom before tragedy strikes for all those onboard.

Though it may be a cheesy romantic movie set on a real ship that historically sunk, Titanic remains iconic to this day. That's not to say that it's exempt from drinking games, however.

Take a Drink When:

• There's an instance of ominous foreshadowing.
• Economic classes create a dicey situation.
• Rose and Jack refer to each other by name.
• Anyone says “Titanic.”
• Anyone references the Titanic’s grandeur.
• There’s a cigarette in someone’s mouth.
• You see the full exterior of the ship.

Stream Titanic on Paramount+.

Jurassic Park (1993)

Still an all-time classic 30 years after it was released, Jurassic Park brought the world of dinosaurs back to the present day. Based on the original novel by Michael Crichton, Steven Spielberg's film adaptation sees a group of scientists reviving nature's long-lost group of reptiles at the request of a wealthy industrialist named Hammond (Richard Attenborough). Unfortunately, when a planned sabotage destroys the safety precautions in place, the dinosaurs are able to freely roam around the premises.

It could get a bit monotonous seeing the same people making the same mistakes every movie, thinking that dinosaurs will suddenly become safe, and that their subpar technology will keep the dinosaurs where they are supposed to be. That's why these movies are perfectly set up for a drinking game. Jurassic Park is an iconic movie franchise and, with a few revisions, these rules could be made into a drinking game for every movie in the series. With these rules, it is unlikely you'll make it through even one Jurassic Park movie sober.

Take a Drink When:

• A dinosaur appears on-screen.
• Someone is killed.
• You hear the John Williams soundtrack.
• Outdated technology is mentioned.
• Someone says “DNA.”
• Jeff Goldblum speaks.
• The Tyrannosaurus rex eats the lawyer.
• The water ripples or the ground shakes ominously.

Buy or Rent Jurassic Park on Prime Video and Apple TV.

Scream (1996)

The original meta horror movie, Scream, made horror history for its incredible self-aware screenplay. Created by Wes Craven of A Nightmare on Elm Street fame, Scream sees David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, Matthew Lillard, and more squaring off against the infamous Ghostface killer, all while utilizing their knowledge of horror films to hopefully avoid a grisly fate.

Horror movies are often the best movies to drink to. Scream is a classic slasher film where the characters break all the horror rules and pay for it. Play along with these drinking game rules, and you'll definitely have more fun than these poor characters did.

Take a Drink When:

• A phone rings.
• There is discussion about a deceased mother.
• Gale is bossy with the camera operator.
• Ghostface is on the screen.
• There's a reference to a different horror movie.
• A horror movie rule is broken.

Stream Scream on Max.

Zoolander (2001)

Ben Stiller both directed and starred in Zoolander, a hilarious comedy ripped straight out of the early 2000s. Stiller plays Derek Zoolander, an idiotic supermodel, whose personal troubles inadvertently tie him to an assassination plot in the heart of Malaysia. Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor, and Will Ferrell star alongside Stiller in this incredible film, which saw a sequel in the form of Zoolander 2 more than a decade after it originally premiered.

Zoolander is a movie that is so absurd and goofy it only makes sense to play along with the madness. Playing a drinking game is the closest viewers can get to Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson's antics. These rules will have you mimicking their modeling faces in no time.

Take a Drink When:

• Zoolander makes a funny face.
• Anyone says “blue steel."
• You spot a celebrity cameo.
• A word is said incorrectly.
• A variation of the word "balls" is said (ball, ballstein).
• Someone walks down a runway.

Stream Zoolander on Paramount+.