April 1st is the unofficial holiday of pranksters. Once a year we are able to gather around and harmlessly, prank our friends, colleagues and loved ones. So, in honor of this very unserious holiday here are 5 hilarious on-screen movie pranks.
Stand By Me
Rob Reiner’s 1986 classic, “Stand By Me,” features a great use of a story within a story. As Gordie and the boys sit around a fire, he tells them the tale of David ‘Lard-Ass’ Hogan. The fictional Hogan gets revenge on his entire town of bullies by orchestrating a barf-o-rama. As the whole town barfs on each other Hogan sits back in his victory and the boys cheer with uncontrolled laughter.
Neighbors
“Neighbors” a constant prank war between Seth Rogan and Zac Efron. The premise: Efron and his band of frat bros move in next door and disrupt Rogan’s quiet suburban life. So, obviously, the two must prank each other until one leaves. While there are a ton of great pranks throughout “Neighbors,” perhaps the most memorable is the air bag prank.
Dazed and Confused
“Dazed and Confused” features another revenge themed prank. After O’Bannion (Ben Affleck) terrorizes a group of incoming freshmen, the boys get their payback. O’Bannion is lured out of the local bar to paddle one of the freshman. However, he’s been set up and instead gets two buckets of paint poured on him.
Zombieland
In this hilarious cameo by Bill Murray, Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone attempt to prank Jesse Eisenberg. “Zombieland’s” ‘Bill Murray Zombie Prank’ is a great example of using all the elements at your disposal. This prank pushes the plot forward, works in a celebrity cameo and takes a jab at Garfield. What more could you want?
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Similarly, “Home Alone 2” uses a prank as a way for Kevin to escape the suspicious hotel staff. Kevin brings back the “Angels with Filthy Souls” movies when the dimwitted staff, led by Tim Curry, attempt to capture him. In a scene that mirrors the first film, Kevin tricks the adults into thinking they’re are being shot at by a TV. Poor Cliff.
