A Korean-American office worker and his Indian-American stoner friend embark on a quest to satisfy their desire for White Castle burgers.A Korean-American office worker and his Indian-American stoner friend embark on a quest to satisfy their desire for White Castle burgers.A Korean-American office worker and his Indian-American stoner friend embark on a quest to satisfy their desire for White Castle burgers.
- Awards
- 3 nominations total
Rob Tinkler
- J.D.
- (as Robert Tinkler)
Paula Garcés
- Maria
- (as Paula Garcès)
Angelo Tsarouchas
- Mean Tollbooth Guy
- (as Angelo Tsachouras)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
OK, maybe I "got" this movie because I'm a recent graduate of an ivy-league school (and I can relate to Harold and Kumar, and know about 200 people like them), but I didn't stop laughing. And I'm not a person who is into "American Pie" type movies- yet this was still totally hilarious. I think it is going to be one of those cult comedies, like "Office Space" or "Old School" that people watch over and over again.
Listen, don't go in expecting an academy award winning film, but just go in ready to laugh. I thought the writing had real wit, not to mention the hidden references and one liners that any film buff will appreciate.
Go see this movie- I really don't think it will disappoint. I'm a real cinephile, I see everything and am usually quite picky, but I loved this film!!
Listen, don't go in expecting an academy award winning film, but just go in ready to laugh. I thought the writing had real wit, not to mention the hidden references and one liners that any film buff will appreciate.
Go see this movie- I really don't think it will disappoint. I'm a real cinephile, I see everything and am usually quite picky, but I loved this film!!
Harold Lee (John Cho) is a meek Asian who gets picked on all the time. He can't even get up the courage to talk to his neighbor Maria (Paula Garcés). Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) is his highly inappropriate slacker roommate who works hard NOT to get into medical school. They get stoned together and feel the need for White Castle.
This is full on slacker humor. The two guys make great comedic chemistry without the usual comedian. Their humor really comes from their friendship. The fact that they're both Asians is almost a side issue except for some ignorant racists characters in the movie. NPH makes a hilarious outrageous cameo.
This is full on slacker humor. The two guys make great comedic chemistry without the usual comedian. Their humor really comes from their friendship. The fact that they're both Asians is almost a side issue except for some ignorant racists characters in the movie. NPH makes a hilarious outrageous cameo.
When my best friend said that she was going to go see this movie, I said I wanted to come, not even knowing what the movie was about, but just so I could have a good time (and because I love White Castle). I'm so glad I saw it. I can honestly say that I have never laughed so hard in a theatre before. This is by far the funniest movie I have ever seen. I love it!! Too good!!! I will definitely go to see it again! I'm telling everyone I know what a great movie it is! Sure, there are a lot of people that are going to say it looks stupid and it's for teens. But seriously, people go to see movies to have a good time, and this movie certainly delivers. If only those Oscar morons would start nominating good stuff, I can say that this has a great chance to win.
I can guarantee I'll be buying it the day it comes out on DVD!
I can guarantee I'll be buying it the day it comes out on DVD!
Yes this film is rude, crude, over the top, full of choppy editing (probably to ensure an R not NC-17)and sometimes cliché', but it works. Yes there is plenty of Drug Humor and sex humor, but the funniest stuff is actually the on going humor involved with racial inequality and characters who learn how to break those typifications because of their symbolic journey to White Castle. This film pushes the line between being too crude and sometimes too smart for it's own good. The Acting is Right on from the 2 leads and there are quite a bit of funny cameos.
This film is similar to the American Pie films, but substitute the cutesy wootesy sub plots and messages with a realistic and brash message about race and class equality and beating the typifications we in life get tagged with constantly.
The film has plenty of raunchy humor which acts as a great balance to the theme. It does dabble with some stereotypes but the times the stereotpyes are broken especially from Kumar who brings a light fun and jovial spirit to the film and has some of the funniest moments.
At times the editing is so bad, especially when Kumar is peeing by the bush.
The editing ruins a perfectly cast cameo which gets wasted it just ends up making no sense because of obvious excessive cuts.
But overall I found it very very funny, and I did not leave feeling stupid like I did after the funny yet inherently stupid Dodgeball, but left thinking about these social and racial issues. Overall, I left a funny satire with some strong points and ideas that sometimes get overshot but still resonate . . . . a little anyway. Still funny as hell though even if you miss the hidden almost subliminal message within the film.
This film is similar to the American Pie films, but substitute the cutesy wootesy sub plots and messages with a realistic and brash message about race and class equality and beating the typifications we in life get tagged with constantly.
The film has plenty of raunchy humor which acts as a great balance to the theme. It does dabble with some stereotypes but the times the stereotpyes are broken especially from Kumar who brings a light fun and jovial spirit to the film and has some of the funniest moments.
At times the editing is so bad, especially when Kumar is peeing by the bush.
The editing ruins a perfectly cast cameo which gets wasted it just ends up making no sense because of obvious excessive cuts.
But overall I found it very very funny, and I did not leave feeling stupid like I did after the funny yet inherently stupid Dodgeball, but left thinking about these social and racial issues. Overall, I left a funny satire with some strong points and ideas that sometimes get overshot but still resonate . . . . a little anyway. Still funny as hell though even if you miss the hidden almost subliminal message within the film.
This movie is enjoyable only if you don't try to take it seriously. It was bust a gut laughs from start to finish. Next to DodgeBall, I would say this was tied as the funniest film of 2004. It starts out with Harold(John Cho) an overworked and very passive guy, who has a crush on the beautiful Maria(Paula Garces, remember her from ClockStoppers and T.V.'s Guiding Light). Harold has a best friend and roomate named Kumar(Kal Penn) who rather be stoned, then get a job. One night decide to go to White Castle fast food place. Then begins an unenjoyable night, where thing that could go wrong, really do. That is all I'm gonna say. Get ready to laugh your head off. It was quite edgy. But for some people, don't see it, if you get easily affended.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAs a "thank you" for all of the free advertising the film gave them, White Castle arranged to have collectible "Harold and Kumar" cups at all of their locations during the film's release. It marks the first time an R-rated comedy is advertised on fast food containers.
- GoofsThe cheetah roars during the film. Cheetahs cannot roar, they can only purr, hiss, and growl.
- Crazy creditsThe denouement is shown during the start of the end credits.
- Alternate versionsThere is approximately one extra minute of scenes in the "Unrated" version of the movie:
- At the Asian party, two women flash the shy guy in order to get some weed. Harold and Kumar stop and stare, as does a campus police officer chasing them. The women then cover themselves after noticing the campus police.
- After the kayak stunt, the guys talk a little longer about how "extreme" the stunt was and one picks up a bag of Doritos Extreme Cheddar and eats it.
- The scene with Neil Patrick Harris and the two strippers is slightly longer.
- Cindy Kim is shown kissing Goldstein (when his mouth is full of food) at Hotdog Heaven.
- The Extreme guys have more dialogue after Harold steals their truck.
- ConnectionsEdited into Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)
- SoundtracksChick Magnet
Written by Mike Herrera
Performed by MXPX
Courtesy of Tooth & Nail Records by arrangement with Position Soundtrack Services
Courtesy of Thirsty Moon River Publishing (ASCAP) (c) 1998
Administered by EMI Christian Music Publishing
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Harold y Kumar - aventura nocturna
- Filming locations
- 16544 Hurontario St, Caledon, Ontario, Canada(White Castle)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $9,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $18,250,550
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,200,000
- Aug 1, 2004
- Gross worldwide
- $23,936,908
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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What is the streaming release date of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) in France?
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