Film
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise
- Comedy
- Light-hearted
A cheerful 1980s comedy sequel where the Lambda Lambda Lambda nerds head to Fort Lauderdale for a fraternity conference and immediately clash with their rivals. It's broad, silly, and deeply of its era—earnest about celebrating misfits while being casually offensive in ways that date it instantly. For anyone who loves '80s comedy or has nostalgia for the original.
If you liked this
Revenge of the Nerds1984
The original that started it all. Sharper, funnier, and more inventive than the sequel, with genuine heart beneath the comedy and a real sense of outsiders finding their people.
But The humour is dated and includes sexual assault played for laughs. Some scenes have aged badly in ways that make it uncomfortable to watch.

Porky's1981
The spiritual DNA of '80s comedy raunchiness. Dumb, energetic, and genuinely fun if you're in the mood for high school hijinks and ensemble antics without pretension.
But It's basically a sexualised farce with one-dimensional characters. The plot is thin and the humour is crude—though that's entirely the point.

Weird Science1985
John Hughes and Ilan Mitchell-Smith at peak imagination. Two nerds accidentally create a woman via computer, leading to genuinely clever sci-fi comedy and surprisingly sweet character work beneath the chaos.
But The gender politics are messy and the fantasy of the 'perfect woman' feels creepy in retrospect. Some of the charm relies on outdated attitudes.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Ghostbusters II1989
Both are about underdogs (nerds, then Ghostbusters) crashing elite spaces (fraternities, New York institutions) and proving they belong there through sheer audacity and weird specialisation.
Broad, effects-driven comedy that nails ensemble chemistry and New York location comedy. Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray riffing off each other while battling supernatural nonsense. Pure pleasure.
But It's basically a retread of the first film with a slightly different plot. The innovation was in the original; this is comfortable formula. Some will find it lazy.

More like this (7)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High1982
Ensemble comedy that nails the texture of '80s high school without being mean-spirited. Sharp, funny, and full of characters who feel lived-in. Boasts one of the best casts ever assembled.
But The plot is loose and episodic—some scenes don't land, and the pacing can feel slack. It's more slice-of-life than a tight narrative.

The Breakfast Club1985
John Hughes' masterpiece about five archetypes forced together in detention. Funny and surprisingly tender; it actually has something to say about the way we categorise teenagers.
But The resolution is a bit neat and optimistic for the real stakes involved. Some of the dialogue feels more like Hughes speaking than teenagers actually talking.

Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation1992
If you're committed to the series, this one at least tries fresh locations (Hawaii) and introduces new nerds while bringing back familiar faces. Maintains the spirit of daft ensemble comedy.
But The magic has faded by the third outing. It feels like a TV-movie and the formula has completely worn out its welcome.

Ski Patrol1990
Scrappy, earnest ski-resort comedy with a similar ensemble spirit and low-budget charm. Fun if you want something in the same register but completely different setting.
But It's obscure for good reason—thin plot, forgettable jokes, and the kind of production value that screams late-'80s direct-to-video. Not widely available.

Can't Buy Me Love1987
A nerd-finds-popularity high school comedy from the exact same year, with genuine sweetness and Patrick Dempsey's charm. Lighter and more earnest than the Nerds franchise.
But The central premise (buying a girl's affection) is hollow, and the emotional payoff is predictable. It coasts on likability rather than wit.

Nerds of a Feather1989
A low-budget indie comedy that celebrates dorkiness with heart. Amateur in the best way, with an affectionate tone toward its outsider characters.
But The production is genuinely rough, the jokes don't always land, and it's almost impossible to find. Requires patience and goodwill.

Heathers1989
Where Nerds II says 'the underdogs win and it's fun', Heathers asks 'what if the social ladder itself was the real enemy?' Same high school setting, opposite philosophies about whether those hierarchies deserve salvation.
Dark comedy about high school hierarchies, but it goes genuinely sinister. Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, jet-black humour, and actual stakes. Brilliantly written satire of the social order.
But It's a satire of the *values* that Revenge of the Nerds celebrates. Cruel, cynical, and ends in body count. The tone whiplash is significant if you're expecting something lighter.

People
Cast
Robert CarradineLewis Skolnick
Larry B. ScottLamar Latrell
Timothy BusfieldArnold Poindexter
Courtney Thorne-SmithSunny Carstairs
Anthony EdwardsGilbert Lowell
Curtis ArmstrongDudley Booger Dawson
Andrew CasseseHarold Wormser
Donald GibbOgre
Bradley WhitfordRoger
Ed LauterBuzz Mussinger
Barry SobelStewart
Tom HodgesTiny
Directing
- Joe RothDirector
- Jim ChoryFirst Assistant Director
- Susana PrestonScript Supervisor
- Ellen H. SchwartzSecond Assistant Director
Writing
- Jeff BuhaiCharacters
- Miguel Tejada-FloresCharacters
- Steve ZachariasCharacters
- Tim MetcalfeCharacters
- Dan GuntzelmanWriter
- Steve MarshallWriter
Production
- Barbara HarrisADR Voice Casting
- Sam TedescoAssistant Location Manager
- Paul SchiffAssociate Producer
- Richard ChewAssociate Producer
- Pam DixonCasting
- Carol LefkoCasting Associate
- Joe RothExecutive Producer
- Dee MillerLocal Casting
- Sherry ThorupLocation Manager
- Peter BartProducer
- Robert W. CortProducer
- Ted FieldProducer
- Gary WeddingtonProduction Accountant
- Celia RandolphProduction Office Coordinator
- Art SeidelUnit Production Manager
Recommended by
Revenge of the Nerds, Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation