Everyone has that one friend who swears there’s a secret fourth movie. They’ll tell you they saw a trailer on YouTube where Bradley Cooper is waking up in a dumpster in Tokyo or something. Honestly? It’s all fake. If you’re looking for the hard truth about how many hangover movies actually exist, the answer is three. Just three.
The "Wolfpack" trilogy—consisting of The Hangover (2009), The Hangover Part II (2011), and The Hangover Part III (2013)—defines an era of R-rated comedy that basically doesn't exist anymore. We’re talking about a franchise that pulled in over $1.4 billion. That’s "superhero movie" money but for guys losing their teeth and finding tigers in bathrooms.
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The Core Trilogy: A Quick Refresher
You probably remember the beats. A bachelor party goes south. Someone gets roofied. A baby appears. But when you look at the timeline, it’s wild how fast Todd Phillips (the director) pumped these out.
- The Hangover (2009): This is the one that started it all. It cost about $35 million to make and turned Bradley Cooper into a global superstar. Before this, he was just "that guy from Alias."
- The Hangover Part II (2011): Set in Bangkok. It’s basically a beat-for-beat remake of the first one, just grittier and with more monkeys. Critics hated the lack of originality, but audiences didn't care. It actually made more money than the first one ($586 million worldwide).
- The Hangover Part III (2013): They tried something different here. No actual "hangover" or blackout. It was more of a dark action-comedy/heist movie. It felt like the air was starting to leave the balloon, though it still made plenty of cash.
Why People Think There Are More
So, why does the question of how many hangover movies come up so often? Part of it is the "Mandela Effect" of comedy sequels. There are dozens of low-budget rip-offs with names like The Hungover Games or Bachelor Party Massacre that clutter up streaming services. If you’re scrolling through Netflix at 2 AM, it’s easy to get confused.
Also, the "concept trailers" on YouTube are out of control. In 2025 and early 2026, AI-generated trailers for The Hangover 4 have racked up millions of views. They look just real enough to trick your uncle into thinking a new movie is coming to theaters this summer. It isn't.
Will There Ever Be a Hangover 4?
It’s the million-dollar question. Or the billion-dollar one, technically.
The cast is actually pretty split on this. Bradley Cooper told The New Yorker Radio Hour not too long ago that he’d do a fourth movie "in an instant" because he loves the crew so much. Ed Helms has said similar things. They’re down.
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The holdout? Director Todd Phillips.
Phillips has moved on to "serious" cinema, like the Joker films. He’s gone from Mike Tyson’s tiger to Joaquin Phoenix’s psychological breakdowns. Reports from late 2025 suggest he has zero interest in returning to the Wolfpack. Without Phillips, the studio (Warner Bros.) likely won't touch it. They know the chemistry is fragile.
Then there’s Zach Galifianakis. Just last year, at a premiere for Lilo & Stitch, he told reporters that he doesn't think people "care anymore" and that the world has moved on from that style of comedy. He’s kinda right. The R-rated, "bro-trip" comedy has largely migrated to streaming or evolved into something less... well, less 2009.
The Cultural Impact of the Three-Film Run
Even though we only have three movies, their footprint is massive. They didn't just make money; they changed how Vegas marketed itself. They made Ken Jeong a household name.
Why the Trilogy Still Matters:
- The Budget-to-Profit Ratio: The first movie is still a case study for film students. A $35 million investment returning nearly half a billion is a unicorn in the film industry.
- R-Rated Power: It proved that you don't need a PG-13 rating to dominate the summer box office.
- The Formula: It perfected the "mystery comedy." It wasn't just about jokes; it was a "whodunnit" where the characters were their own suspects.
What to Watch If You’ve Seen All Three
If you’ve binged the trilogy and you’re craving that specific vibe, you aren't totally out of luck. While there aren't more "Hangover" movies, there are spiritual successors.
- Due Date (2010): Also directed by Todd Phillips and stars Zach Galifianakis. It’s basically Alan on a road trip with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.).
- Old School: The blueprint for the Hangover. Same director, same chaotic energy.
- Game Night: If you liked the mystery/puzzle element of the first movie, this is the best modern version of that.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is just re-watch the original 2009 film. It holds up surprisingly well, even if some of the jokes feel a bit "of their time."
If you're still hoping for a surprise announcement in late 2026, don't hold your breath. The Wolfpack has officially retired to the suburbs. But hey, three perfect (or near-perfect) entries is better than a fourth one that ruins the legacy.
Next Steps for the Wolfpack Fan:
Go check out the 15th-anniversary "Behind the Scenes" documentaries released by Warner Bros. They include footage of the original casting tapes for Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis that shows exactly why their chemistry worked before the cameras even started rolling.