After Valentine’s day movies and Mother’s Day movies… Which you can check out here…. It’s time for April Fools Movies. Movies in which the pranks and practical jokes reign supreme. And this fine selection of April Fools Movies is inspired by none other than… April Fool’s Day.
April Fools Movies And April Fool’s Day
Indeed. In honor of every joker’s dream day, we at IndieGala wanted to share some of our prank-filled movies. But before I could go any further with this post… I thought that a nice reminder about the origins of this day in order. What’s April Fool’s Day all about? What’s the history behind it? And how it’s celebrated all over the world?
And of course, April Fool’s Day is a day of practical jokes and hoaxes. But many believe that the origin of this day lies in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales (1392). Furthermore, In “Nun’s Priest’s Tale”, a vain cock Chauntecleer is tricked by a fox. On Syn March began thritty dayes and two. So, the Readers apparently understood this line to mean “32 March”. Or… April 1st.
And in terms of the accompanying games that go well with April Fool’s day… We have a true gem in our IndieGala vault. Witch’s Pranks: Frog’s Fortune Collector’s Edition is available for purchase. And it’s waiting for you to devour it of course. But what about the movies? Our movies? As you can probably tell, we have a selection of 5 cool movies. All inspired by April Fools Day. Just scroll down and enjoy.
April Fools Movies: Which Flicks Made The Cut?
Well, it’s a mixed bag here on this list. Our selection of April Fools Movies has either the theme of April Fools Day in the core of the movie. Or in the very title of the movie itself. However, a nice portion of the movies are filled with deception, pranks and practical jokes… And because of that, we feel that they are well qualified to be on this list. Not to mention, they vary in genres and themes. We have horror movies on this list… Furthermore, we have romantic comedies. And even straight-up comedies. But as always we can’t wait to know your favorites. And your April Fools Movie picks as well. Which ones are your favorites? Let us know in the comment section. Now, prank away! And happy April Fools Day everyone.
Overboard
No, I’m not talking about the awful 2018 remake of Overboard. But the cool, funny and wholesome 80’s original movie. And the one with Goldie Haw and Kurt Russel in the lead roles. Overboard is about one wealthy and entitled brat slowly coming to terms with being the exact opposite. Poor, and down to earth. And on top of everything with a brand new family that she’s unaware of. Thanks to a bit of deception and memory loss. It has deception, pranks and yes. It’s very suitable for this list. Not to mention it’s one of my favorite 80’s movies, so yeah. I’m starting with Overboard.
Fun fact: Kurt Russell says that this and Captain Ron (1992) are the two movies everyone seems to have on their boats.
April Fool’s Day
Indeed. I’m staying in the ’80s with my second choice. But this time with a 1986 mystery slasher film. And it’s appropriately called… April Fool’s Day. And the movie is about a group of students staying on a remote island. On April Fool’s Day no less. But instead of enjoying the stay, they soon fell prey to an unseen murderer. Each of them has secrets of course. And bad things will start to happen as soon as they arrive on the island. Thomas F. Wilson, Deborah Foreman, Griffin O’Neal, Amy Steel, Ken Olandt are in some of the parts of April Fool’s Day. But the movie is also filled with jokes, pranks and yes. Murders too.
Fun fact: It’s one of three horror films from 1986 that take place on April Fool’s Day. The others being Killer Party (1986) and Slaughter High (1985).
The Parent Trap
Yes, I’m moving to the ’90s with The Parent Trap. And yes, the movie has a perfect cinematic blend of deception, charm and fun. Well, enough to qualify on this list. Lindsey Lohan stars in the dual role of twin daughters separated at birth. Both raised on different sides of the world, they’ll eventually meet at a summer camp. And form an elaborate plan to bring back their parents together again. Dennis Quaid and the late Natasha Richardson play the twin’s parents. And yes. This is one of the most delightful family movies of the ’90s. Filled with pranks and lots of childish deception. So naturally belongs on this list.
Fun fact: An oddity for a Disney film, this one shows a mother smoking a cigarette and getting deliberately drunk.
Animal House
Or, National Lampoon’s Animal House. Indeed. This is by far the oldest movie on this list, but a movie that’s considered a classic by many. Made by John Landis, and with the best of the best in Hollywood, Animal House is the perfect pick for April Fools Day. And it’s about one college dean’s mission to expel the trouble-making fraternity members in the fictional Faber College. However, that mission will not go according to plan, and mayhem will follow.
The late John Belushi has the center stage in the iconic role of John “Bluto” Blutarsky. While Bruce McGill, Kevin Bacon, Karen Allen and Donald Sutherland are in supporting roles. However, despite the fact that it’s considered a cult movie today, the initial response was mixed at best.
But yeah. It belongs here on this list.
Fun fact: John Belushi had to fly back and forth from Oregon to New York twice a week. In order to shoot the film while rehearsing and taping Saturday Night Live.
Super Troopers
Meow indeed! Super Troopers to bookend this post. And I for one cannot be happier about that. First and foremost I adore this movie. And secondly, I adore everything that Broken Lizard makes. Oh, and if you haven’t had a chance to watch Tacoma F.D. Do it! Immediately! You’ll thank me later.
But speaking of Super Troopers… How can I leave out this movie? It’s filled with practical jokes and hilarious characters as well. Directed by Broken Lizards’ very own Jay Chandrasekhar, Super Troopers is about… Super Troopers. Five Vermont state troopers, and avid pranksters. All of them with a knack for screwing up. However, when their jobs are on the line, they’ll pull themselves together and start solving some crime. Well, in their fashion anyway.
Fun fact: In the “Cat game” scene, the word “meow” was actually said 11 times.
And there you have it…
But Which Are Your Favorite April Fools Movies?
Let us know in the comment section. We’d love to know all about them.
