6 Should-See Comedies Set in New Jersey

What higher solution to kick off the summer time than with a feel-good film certain to elicit a number of laughs? Whether or not your style tends extra in direction of romance or apocalyptic fiction, there isn’t any scarcity of films to look at that happen within the Backyard State. Beneath is a listing of six must-see comedies based mostly partially or totally in New Jersey so as to add to your summer time watchlist.

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1. Miss Congeniality (2000)

“Miss Congeniality” casts Sandra Bullock within the position of an FBI agent going undercover as a magnificence pageant contestant and follows her efforts to thwart a terrorist focusing on the Miss United States pageant.

Whereas the majority of the movie takes place in New York Metropolis and San Antonio, Texas, Bullock’s character, Gracie Hart, is a New Jersey native residing in Weehawken. She later adopts the persona “Gracie Lou Freebush”— the consultant for the Backyard State.

The movie was a field workplace success and the winner of the Teen Selection Award for the comedy film class. Though critics didn’t obtain it favorably, it’s nonetheless a traditional woman energy film of the early aughts with a karaoke-worthy soundtrack as well.

You’ll be able to watch “Miss Congeniality” on HBO Max.

2. Backyard State (2004)

No checklist could be full with out the inclusion of “Backyard State,” which is each directed by and stars Zach Braff. The movie follows his character, Andrew, a younger man who struggles to really feel any robust feelings as he flies again to New Jersey following the demise of his mom.

Though its themes and material verge a little bit on the heavier facet, “Backyard State” remains to be thought of a cult traditional with a tasteful dose of deadpan humor. The movie additionally features a star-studded solid, amongst which the likes of Natalie Portman, Ian Holm and Peter Saarsgard are featured.

“Backyard State”’s filming areas span Braff’s hometown of South Orange to Cranford, Livingston, Maplewood, Tenafly, Newark and Wallington.

You’ll be able to watch “Backyard State” on Prime Video and Hulu.

3. Jersey Woman (2004)

For a household function movie with an ending that’s virtually teeth-rottingly candy, “Jersey Woman” is a powerful contender. The film follows Ben Affleck as Ollie Trinké, a disgraced New York public relations bigshot reeling from the demise of his spouse and his makes an attempt at mending the connection together with his daughter.

“Jersey Woman” is nothing if not heartwarming and tracks the highs and lows of the father-daughter relationship in websites akin to Cherry Hill, Highlands and Paulsboro, together with the latter’s highschool and municipal constructing.

You’ll be able to watch “Jersey Woman” on HBO Max, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

4. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

For a extra traditional, laugh-out-loud comedy, “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” is at all times a winner. This New Jersey comedy traditional is centered round Kevin James’ character, the eponymous Paul Blart, and his mission to save lots of the hostages on the mall he patrols.

Though New Jersey and its state police type are featured prominently within the film, filming passed off in Massachusetts, with scenes from the fictional West Orange Pavilion Mall really being shot in Burlington Mall.

You’ll be able to watch “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” on Prime Video and Apple TV.

5. Morning Glory (2010)

“Morning Glory” is a comedy that stars Rachel McAdams as a novice TV producer trying to revive a failing morning present on a significant New York community. Alongside the way in which, she tries to reconcile two feuding information hosts performed by Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton.

McAdams’ character, Becky, is a New Jersey native lately laid off from her job at her native information station. One of many movie’s earliest scenes options her hopping on the ferry on her solution to an interview in Manhattan. Allendale and Six Flags Nice Journey in Jackson are among the many included filming areas.

You’ll be able to watch “Morning Glory” on Prime Video and Apple TV.

6. Searching for a Pal for the Finish of the World (2012)

A world nearing its finish is an unconventional setting for a romantic comedy, however it’s precisely what makes “Searching for a Pal for the Finish of the World” distinctive. The movie follows Dodge (performed by Steve Carrell) and Penny (performed by Keira Knightly) on a cross-country street journey to search out Dodge’s highschool sweetheart earlier than the meteor hits Earth. Alongside the way in which, the pair finally progress from strangers to lovers.

Included amongst their stops on their journey throughout America are Trenton, the place Dodge and Penny get arrested, and Camden.

Although “Searching for a Pal for the Finish of the World” carried out poorly on the field workplace, the efficiency of its two main actors is a degree of reward.