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Best Greg Mottola Movies
11th Nov 2025
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Get ready to celebrate the quirky and heartwarming films of Greg Mottola! From his breakthrough indie hits to his ventures into television, Mottola has consistently delivered stories filled with relatable characters, sharp wit, and a keen eye for the awkward realities of life. This list gathers some of his most beloved works, exploring the director's distinct style and his ability to capture the nuances of human connection with both humor and sincerity. Prepare to revisit some familiar favorites and maybe discover a hidden gem or two. Now it's your turn! Explore the titles below and cast your votes to determine the ultimate best Greg Mottola movies. Whether you're a fan of suburban angst, coming-of-age comedies, or heartwarming romances, be sure to share your opinion. Consider which films have resonated with you the most, making you laugh, think, and maybe even feel a little bit less alone. Your votes will help shape the definitive ranking of Mottola's best work, so get clicking and let your voice be heard!
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#2.
The Daytrippers (1996)
2/6
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"The Daytrippers" (1996) is a poignant and character-driven ensemble piece that follows Eliza D'Amico's escalating anxiety when she discovers a mysterious love note addressed to her husband, Louis. Seeking guidance, Eliza enlists the help of her mother, setting in motion a chaotic and illuminating road trip. The destination: the city, to confront Louis. Along for the ride are Eliza's parents, her sister Jo, and Jo's boyfriend, five disparate souls crammed into a station wagon, their shared journey becoming a catalyst for unexpected conversations, introspection, and encounters with a colorful cast of supporting characters. This film is a quintessential Greg Mottola offering, showcasing his early mastery of capturing the awkward realities and underlying tenderness of family dynamics. "The Daytrippers" demonstrates Mottola's keen eye for authentic dialogue and his ability to weave together multiple character arcs with warmth and humor, even amidst simmering tension. It lays the groundwork for the observational humor and relatable characters that would define his later acclaimed works like "Superbad" and "Adventureland," making it an essential entry in any list of his best movies.
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Superbad (2007)
High school best buddies are facing separation anxiety as they prepare to go off to college. While attempting to score alcohol for a party with help from a fake ID-toting friend, the guys' evening takes a turn into chaotic territory, leading to an unforgettable night of awkward encounters, unexpected adventures, and a desperate dash to prove their worth before they go their separate ways. This coming-of-age comedy captures the quintessential anxieties and absurdities of teenage life with sharp wit and genuine heart. *Superbad* undeniably belongs on a list of Greg Mottola's best films because it showcases his distinctive talent for crafting relatable, character-driven comedies that resonate with a youthful energy and a surprising emotional depth. Mottola's directorial touch perfectly balances the R-rated humor with an authentic portrayal of male friendship, a recurring theme in his work. He allows the awkwardness and vulnerability of the characters to shine through, creating moments of genuine hilarity that stem from relatable social anxieties. The film’s success cemented Mottola’s reputation as a director who can capture the often-messy, but ultimately meaningful, experiences of adolescence.
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The Daytrippers (1996)
"The Daytrippers" (1996) is a poignant and character-driven ensemble piece that follows Eliza D'Amico's escalating anxiety when she discovers a mysterious love note addressed to her husband, Louis. Seeking guidance, Eliza enlists the help of her mother, setting in motion a chaotic and illuminating road trip. The destination: the city, to confront Louis. Along for the ride are Eliza's parents, her sister Jo, and Jo's boyfriend, five disparate souls crammed into a station wagon, their shared journey becoming a catalyst for unexpected conversations, introspection, and encounters with a colorful cast of supporting characters. This film is a quintessential Greg Mottola offering, showcasing his early mastery of capturing the awkward realities and underlying tenderness of family dynamics. "The Daytrippers" demonstrates Mottola's keen eye for authentic dialogue and his ability to weave together multiple character arcs with warmth and humor, even amidst simmering tension. It lays the groundwork for the observational humor and relatable characters that would define his later acclaimed works like "Superbad" and "Adventureland," making it an essential entry in any list of his best movies.
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Paul (2011)
This listing for "Paul (2011)" celebrates a comedic gem from director Greg Mottola, expertly weaving a tale of extraterrestrial escape and unlikely friendship. For six decades, the sarcastic and surprisingly knowledgeable alien named Paul has been a clandestine advisor from a top-secret military base. However, fearing his impending dissection, Paul orchestrates a daring escape, inadvertently landing in the path of an RV carrying two devoted sci-fi enthusiasts. What follows is a hilarious road trip filled with close calls, pop culture references, and genuine heart as Paul and his newfound companions attempt to evade capture and find him a safe haven. Greg Mottola's signature blend of sharp wit, relatable characters, and a touch of poignant coming-of-age sensibility shines through in "Paul." Mottola's ability to imbue even the most outlandish scenarios with grounded emotional stakes is on full display here. The film’s success in balancing laugh-out-loud humor with a touching narrative of finding belonging and friendship, even across species, makes it a standout in his filmography. It's a testament to Mottola's skill that he can craft a film about a wise-cracking alien that feels both wildly entertaining and surprisingly moving, solidifying its place as one of his best works.
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Adventureland (2009)
In the sweltering summer of 1987, a recent college graduate finds himself taking what he considers a "nowhere" job at his local amusement park, Adventureland. What begins as a dead-end gig quickly transforms into an unexpected, rite-of-passage experience. As he navigates the quirky colleagues, awkward romances, and the sheer absurdity of working the rides, he discovers that this seemingly insignificant summer job is, in fact, the perfect, albeit unconventional, course to prepare him for the complexities and uncertainties of the real world. Adventureland undeniably belongs on a list of Greg Mottola's best movies due to its masterful blend of coming-of-age nostalgia and sharp, observational humor. Mottola excels at capturing the often-messy, yet profoundly impactful, experiences of young adulthood, and here he uses the backdrop of a 1980s amusement park to explore themes of identity, friendship, and first love with a raw authenticity. The film's authenticity, coupled with its relatable characters and poignant moments, showcases Mottola's signature ability to find the profound in the ordinary, making it a standout in his filmography.
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Confess, Fletch (2022)
Greg Mottola's distinctive directorial voice is clearly evident in **Confess, Fletch (2022)**, a film that revitalizes the beloved detective character with a contemporary sensibility. Mottola, known for his ability to blend sharp wit with genuine character exploration, imbues this latest iteration of Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher with a charmingly disheveled intelligence and a knack for finding himself in absurdly complicated situations. The film's success lies in Mottola's masterful handling of comedic timing and his gift for crafting dialogue that crackles with an understated, observational humor. He allows Jon Hamm to inhabit Fletch with a perfect blend of old-school suavity and modern-day world-weariness, creating a protagonist who is both effortlessly cool and relatable in his perpetual state of being in over his head. **Confess, Fletch (2022)** firmly plants itself on any "Best Greg Mottola Movies" list due to its successful reinterpretation of a classic character through Mottola's signature lens. Much like his previous acclaimed works such as *Superbad* and *Adventureland*, Mottola excels at capturing the messy, often hilarious realities of life through the eyes of likable, albeit flawed, individuals. Here, he navigates the intricacies of a neo-noir mystery with a light touch, prioritizing character-driven humor and the inherent absurdity of Fletch's predicament. The film demonstrates Mottola's continued talent for delivering smart, funny, and ultimately satisfying cinematic experiences that resonate with audiences seeking both intelligent comedy and engaging storytelling.
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Keeping Up with the Joneses (2016)
In "Keeping Up with the Joneses" (2016), suburban couple Jeff and Karen Gaffney find their ordinary lives hilariously upended by the arrival of their impossibly gorgeous and ultra-sophisticated new neighbors, the titular Joneses. Their initial attempts to emulate the Joneses' seemingly perfect lifestyle quickly spiral into a comedic whirlwind as they uncover a shocking secret: Mr. and Mrs. Jones are not just stylish and wealthy, but covert operatives engaged in international espionage. What follows is a chaotic clash of suburban mundanity and high-stakes intrigue, as the Gaffneys are inadvertently dragged into a dangerous mission, leading to a series of increasingly absurd and action-packed encounters. This film earns its spot on a "Best Greg Mottola Movies" list for its signature blend of relatable, often awkward, character-driven comedy and a surprisingly engaging plot that leans into genre conventions. Mottola, known for his nuanced portrayal of characters navigating transitional or uncomfortable phases in life, excels here at capturing the everyday anxieties and aspirations of the Gaffneys, making their descent into espionage all the more entertaining. The film showcases his knack for sharp dialogue, clever situational humor, and the ability to inject a dose of absurdity into otherwise grounded scenarios, making "Keeping Up with the Joneses" a prime example of his directorial voice in a lighthearted, action-comedy package.
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