The Aristocrats (2005)
74%RT Audience Score: 61%
Awards & Nominations: 6 nominations
Can a joke stand up to repeated tellings? Hilarious and revealing of the way comedy works, The Aristocrats demonstrates that it’s possible
The Aristocrats is a documentary that’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for a good laugh and a glimpse into the minds of comedians, this is the film for you. It’s like a masterclass in comedy, with each comedian putting their own spin on “the dirtiest joke in the world.” And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good poop joke? Overall, it’s a hilarious and insightful film that’s definitely worth a watch.
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros., Lakeshore Entertainment, Malpaso Productions,
Distributor
ThinkFilm
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2005
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Stereo
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 29m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 22, 2005 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 4, 2014
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, stand-up comedy, dirty joke, improvisation, camaraderie, obscenity, Paul Provenza, Peter Adam Golden, Chris Albrecht, Jason Alexander, Hank Azaria, Steven Banks, Shelley Berman, Lewis Black, critic reviews, The Aristocrats, Tomatometer, audience score, box office, ThinkFilm, English, 1h 29m, genre, MPAA rating, producer, director, writer, actor, budget, reviewed by David Ansen, David Fear, Sandra Hall, Chris Hewitt, Ken Tucker, Nathan Rabin, Danielle Solzman, Micheal Compton, Miles Fielder, Thomas Peyser, Felix Vasquez Jr., Cole Smithey, Alice S, Sylvester K, Lucas M, Wahida K
Worldwide gross: $6,809,089
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $10,376,938
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,956
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,131,618
US/Canada gross: $6,377,461
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $9,719,144
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,623
US/Canada opening weekend: $243,796
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $371,541
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,477
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Jason Alexander – Self
Hank Azaria – Self
Steven Banks – Billy The Mime
Shelley Berman – Self
Lewis Black – Self
Director(s)
Paul Provenza
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Peter Adam Golden
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
6 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (151) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (120) | Rotten (31)
The first feel-good movie made out of fecal matter.
November 1, 2007
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
This all-star open-mike night loses its luster before its own loud laughter dies down.
February 9, 2006
David Fear
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
With a showman’s respect for the power of the build-up, Provenza touts his product thoroughly before unveiling it.
January 27, 2006
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
A stunning comedy masterclass. For those with strong stomachs, obviously…
January 7, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Chris Hewitt (UK)
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
… The Aristocrats proves that sometimes you don’t have to be a great filmmaker to make a great documentary.
December 9, 2005
Ken Tucker
New York Magazine/Vulture
TOP CRITIC
Within a single joke, The Aristocrats unlocks an entire universe of comedy.
September 26, 2005
Nathan Rabin
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
While filmmakers will try their best over the years to get a group of comedians together to discuss jokes, nothing will ever be better than The Aristocrats.
January 10, 2022
Danielle Solzman
Solzy at the Movies
A fascinating documentary that is more than a one-joke movie; it’s a film that really takes its audience inside the minds of comedians, showing the essence of comedy and improvisation.
November 19, 2019 | Rating: B
Micheal Compton
Bowling Green Daily News
Beyond being utterly hilarious and really quite shocking, Provenza’s film says a lot about the nature of stand-up comedy and the people who are compelled to do it. And that makes The Aristocrats a great documentary.
April 26, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
Miles Fielder
The List
A joyful film, full of men and women alight with the pleasure that comes from negating every compliment civilization has ever paid itself.
June 3, 2009
Thomas Peyser
Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)
A very funny and entertaining simple documentary
April 29, 2009
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
A plethora of comedians discuss and tell their own inspired rendition of “the dirtiest joke in the world” in a contagiously funny documentary that symptomatically gives context to the lasting influence of vaudeville humor.
April 15, 2009 | Rating: A+
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com…
Plot
Comedy veterans and co-creators Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza capitalize on their insider status and invite over 100 of their closest friends
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The cast of The Aristocrats features over 100 stand-up and performing comedians, including Chris Albrecht, Jason Alexander, Hank Azaria, and Lewis Black.
Paul-Provenza.jpg
