Intro: After the breakout success of The Hangover, Todd Phillips co-wrote and directed “Due Date,” which is loosely inspired by the 1987 movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles. This road trip comedy explores what happens when an anxious father-to-be is forced to road-trip with a stranger he can’t stand.
The difficulty: Under the proposed plan, Gaza would be temporarily administered by a Palestinian technocratic committee operating under an international “Board of Peace,” led by President Trump. Hamas strongly opposes any oversight by the U.S. or Israel, insisting that governance of Gaza must remain in Palestinian hands. They refuse to disarm while Gaza remains under occupation, insisting that any surrender of weapons is only negotiable as part of a broader political agreement guaranteeing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders and full integration of Gaza with the West Bank.
Read more details in our full write-up: Peace by Piece.
Plot: Peter Highman, played by Robert Downey Jr., reaches Atlanta airport to get home in time for the birth of his first child, but his encounter with Ethan, played by Zach Galifianakis, derails his schedule. The movie follows a series of disaster events right after Peter steps out of the cab at the airport. What started as a bag switch argument between the two ends led to them getting banned from the airlines.
Zach Galifianakis plays a disaster magnet who invites unwelcome scenarios. They travel cross-country in a rented car, eventually discovering newfound friendships, the dark side of Ethan, and the stress of becoming a father. Apart from the nerve-wrecking crash, arrest, and police car theft, this road trip movie also featured cameos by Jamie Foxx, Juliette Lewis, and Michelle Monaghan as Peter’s wife.
Summary: Due Date may rely on classic road-movie formulas, but it distinguishes itself through standout performances and surprising moments of sincerity. Lawrence Sher’s cinematography captures the shifting landscapes with style, while the fast-paced editing mirrors the film’s chaotic energy and keeps the comedy sharp. Director Todd Phillips also allowed Zach Galifianakis to improvise on set, resulting in some of the film’s most memorable awkward and offbeat lines.
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A screenwriter sued Warner Bros., claiming that Due Date was stolen from his unpublished script. The case never made it far but added controversy to the film’s release. Due Date blends absurd slapstick with moments of genuine emotion. While it doesn’t reinvent the buddy comedy formula, it delivers laughs through sharp timing, strong performances, and unexpected emotional beats.
#5 Get him to the Greek (2010)
Russell Brand and Jonah Hill in Get Him to the Greek (2010). Credits: IMDb
Get him to the Greek, starring Jonah Hill and Russell Brand in the lead roles, focuses on an aspiring music executive assigned to deliver a rock star for his comeback concert. This movie takes a humorous jab at the music industry and the fame culture. This movie is a story about confronting one’s flaws and the commercialization of art.
#4 War Dogs (2016)
Miles Teller and Jonah Hill in “War Dogs”. Credits: The New Yorker
In this movie, Todd Phillips shifts the gear from directing The Hangover to arms dealing in Iraq. Inspired by a true story, the War Dogs cast includes Whiplash’s star Miles Teller and ever-humorous Jonah Hill for this dramedy. It narrates the journey of two childhood friends involved in the lucrative but shady business of global arms dealing.
#3 Horrible Bosses (2011)
Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis in Horrible Bosses. Credits: IMDb
A comedy movie about three friends who plan to kill their bosses and their master plan to control the company. Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day hire a ‘professional’ to execute their plan. The generic comedy touches upon toxic work culture and the exploitation of power.
#2 We’re the Millers (2013)
Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis in Horrible Bosses. Credits: IMDb
This is another road-trip movie like the Due Date, but this one involves more crime, intensity, and drugs laced with humor. We’re the Millers follows a weed dealer who, after being robbed, is forced to take a trip to Mexico with his boss. For his assignment, he devised a camouflage with a fake family to transport a massive shipment of weed into the US from Mexico. What makes every scene hilarious is the comedy that comes from a dysfunctional, fake family pretending to be normal.
#1 The Hangover (2009)
This comedy movie has been a fan favorite with an irreplaceable cast. Their epic journey to Vegas will be remembered forever. The Hangover is about three long-time friends who plan a weekend-long bachelor party in Vegas. As they retrace their steps, they uncover a trail of bizarre events involving a tiger, a stolen police car, a baby, and a mysterious man named Mr. Chow. They follow Todd Phillips’s trope of throwing unlikely people into chaos and letting the dysfunction drive both laughs and heart.
Summary: This movie will always be remembered for showcasing male bonding and the effortless chemistry between the cast. The film parodies the idea of “manhood” and presents how one night of reckless partying can spiral into chaos. It’s a rare mix of mystery, comedy, and adventure.
The film features a real tiger in a bathroom, a baby named Carlos, and Mike Tyson singing Phil Collins. Its randomness keeps you entertained even after multiple viewings. The film grossed over $460 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated comedy at the time. This inventive, raunchy, and absurdly funny ride became a pop-culture phenomenon for a reason.