The 'Keep It In The Family' Pairing
The Film: Beerfest (2006). Why it works: Before you dive into the latest chapter, it’s essential to appreciate the creators. Pairing the original Super Troopers with another Broken Lizard classic, Beerfest, is a celebration of the comedy troupe’s unique
brand of absurdity. The viewing order is simple: start with the international chugging competition of Beerfest to get the laughs rolling, then transition to the highway shenanigans of Super Troopers as the main event. This pairing highlights the ensemble’s chemistry, their knack for quotable one-liners, and their shared love of escalating chaos. It's a night dedicated to the architects of the madness themselves, reminding you that whether it's chugging beer or chugging syrup, the Broken Lizard crew delivers a very specific kind of joy. For bonus points, serve some schnitzel and some liter-o'-cola.
The 'Across The Pond' Pairing
The Film: Hot Fuzz (2007). Why it works: This double-feature creates a fascinating study in contrasts between American and British approaches to the cop-comedy. In Super Troopers, the Vermont troopers are lovable slackers who invent ways to pass the time. In Hot Fuzz, Nicholas Angel is a hyper-competent London cop exiled to a sleepy village where he uncovers a bizarre conspiracy. Both films satirize police work, but from opposite ends of the competence spectrum. Watching them back-to-back showcases two masterclass examples of the genre. Start with Super Troopers to ease into the goofy, improvisational-feeling humor. Then, hit them with the tightly scripted, fast-cutting, and brilliantly layered jokes of Edgar Wright’s masterpiece. You'll go from Farva's antics to a homicidal neighborhood watch, proving that law enforcement is a laughing matter everywhere.
The 'Spiritual Predecessor' Pairing
The Film: Police Academy (1984). Why it works: To truly appreciate where Super Troopers is now, it helps to see where its DNA came from. Police Academy set the original template for comedies about a band of misfit cops who probably shouldn't have a badge. While the humor is broader and more rooted in the 80s, the core concept of incompetent but ultimately endearing officers creating chaos is all there. Mahoney, Hightower, and Tackleberry are the spiritual godfathers of Thorny, Mac, and Rabbit. Watch Police Academy first to see the origins of the subgenre, then put on Super Troopers to see how Broken Lizard refined that formula with a stoner-comedy edge and a more naturalistic, buddy-comedy feel. It's a lesson in comedic evolution, tracing a direct line from one generation of cinematic buffoonery to the next.
The 'Undercover Chaos' Pairing
The Film: 21 Jump Street (2012). Why it works: This is the perfect pairing if you love comedies that find humor in the absurdity of police work and the friction between partners. Both films feature cops going 'undercover' (the troopers' 'drug deal' is a classic) and dealing with authority figures who are perpetually disappointed in them. But where Super Troopers has a laid-back, prank-focused vibe, 21 Jump Street is a high-energy buddy-cop story built on the chemistry between Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill. Start with Super Troopers to set a baseline of irreverent cop comedy. Then, follow it up with 21 Jump Street to see a more modern, meta, and action-packed take on the same theme. It’s a double dose of authority-mocking, rule-bending, and surprisingly effective police work that will have you laughing right meow.
