Let's be real for a second. Most comedy sequels are just lazy cash grabs that recycle the same jokes in a different city. We’ve all seen it. But when you sit down to watch the neighbors 2 full movie—officially titled Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising—you quickly realize it’s trying to do something a bit more interesting than just throwing more air bags at Seth Rogen.
Released in 2016, this follow-up brings back the chaos of the first film but flips the script by swapping the frat boys for a sorority. Honestly, it’s one of the few raunchy comedies that actually has a brain behind the fart jokes. It tackles sexism in Greek life and the "quarter-life crisis" of growing up, all while keeping the ridiculous energy that made the original a hit.
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The Plot: Why Mac and Kelly Are Panicking (Again)
So, here’s the setup. Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) are finally moving into the "adult" phase of their lives. They have a toddler, another baby on the way, and they've just put their house into escrow. For those who aren't real estate nerds, that basically means they have a 30-day "grace period" where the buyers can back out if anything goes wrong.
Then Shelby (Chloë Grace Moretz) shows up.
Shelby is a freshman who realizes that sororities aren't allowed to throw their own parties because of weird, real-life sexist rules. Tired of the "creepy" vibe at frat parties, she teams up with Beth (Kiersey Clemons) and Nora (Beanie Feldstein) to start Kappa Nu. Their goal? A sorority where they can party on their own terms. Naturally, they move in next door to Mac and Kelly.
The Radners are desperate to keep the peace for those 30 days, but the girls aren't having it. Things get so bad that Mac and Kelly have to call in their old nemesis, Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron), to help them take down the new neighbors.
Where to Watch the Neighbors 2 Full Movie Right Now
If you're looking to stream this legally, you've got a few options. Availability shifts around depending on licensing deals, but as of early 2026, here is the deal:
- Premium Streaming: It frequently pops up on platforms like Max (formerly HBO Max) or Peacock, though it rotates in and out.
- Digital Rental/Purchase: You can pretty much always find it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. It usually costs around $3.99 to rent or $14.99 to buy in HD.
- Live TV/Cable: If you still have a cable package, check the Starz or FX schedules; they love running this on weekend afternoons.
Don't bother with those sketchy "free movie" sites. They’re basically just traps for malware and endless pop-up ads for "hot singles in your area." Not worth the risk to your laptop.
The Secret Ingredient: Zac Efron’s Mid-Life (At 22) Crisis
Zac Efron is arguably the best part of this sequel. In the first movie, Teddy was the king of the campus. In Sorority Rising, he’s a guy who realized he has no skills other than being "really, really, ridiculously good-looking."
Watching him struggle with the fact that his best friend Pete (Dave Franco) has moved on and gotten engaged while he’s stuck in a retail job at Abercrombie & Fitch is surprisingly grounded. He starts out helping the girls of Kappa Nu, but when they realize he’s basically a "grandpa" in college years, they kick him out. His alliance with Mac and Kelly is born out of pure, pathetic desperation, and it's hilarious.
Why Critics Actually Liked It (Mostly)
Usually, sequels get trashed. However, Neighbors 2 holds a respectable 64% on Rotten Tomatoes. Why? Because it actually has something to say.
The movie highlights the very real rule that sororities in the U.S. generally cannot host parties with alcohol, while fraternities can. It uses this unfairness as the catalyst for the conflict. The girls aren't just being "bad neighbors" for the sake of it; they're fighting for the right to be as messy and irresponsible as the guys were in the first movie.
Director Nicholas Stoller managed to balance the "gross-out" humor—like the infamous scene involving a toddler and a certain adult toy—with a genuine message about female friendship and empowerment. It’s a weird mix, but it kinda works.
Key Facts About the Production
- The Budget: It cost about $35 million to make, which is modest for a major studio sequel.
- Box Office: It pulled in over $108 million worldwide. Not as massive as the first one, but definitely a win.
- The Cast: Besides the leads, you get early appearances from stars like Awkwafina and Beanie Feldstein, who have since become huge names.
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Re-watch?
Honestly, yeah. If you want a movie that you don't have to think too hard about but isn't completely mindless, this is a solid pick. The chemistry between Rogen and Byrne is top-tier—they actually feel like a real, tired couple trying their best.
And let’s be honest, watching Zac Efron get hit in the face with various objects never really gets old.
If you're planning a movie night, start by checking your current subscriptions on JustWatch to see if it's currently on a service you already pay for. If not, the $4 rental on Amazon is a fair price for 92 minutes of solid laughs. Avoid the "full movie" YouTube uploads that are just zoomed-in, pitched-shifted messes; they’ll just ruin the experience.
Check your local streaming guides or the Starz app to see if it's currently included in your library before you drop the cash on a rental.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check Availability: Use a site like JustWatch to see if Neighbors 2 is currently streaming for free on any of your active subscriptions (like Max or Peacock).
- Double Feature: If you haven't seen the first one in a while, watch them back-to-back. The character arc for Teddy Sanders is much more satisfying when you see his "rise and fall" in one go.
- Look for the "Unrated" Version: If you're renting it on digital platforms, look for the unrated cut. It usually includes a few extra minutes of improvised riffs that didn't make the theatrical 92-minute runtime.