American Pie Movies In Order: How To Watch All 9 Installments Of The Comedy Franchise In Order Of Release Date

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

To some audiences, American Pie is not much more than a crass, foul, mindless, sex-obsessed teen comedy, but we would argue that is a more accurate description of the straight-to-video spin-offs. Despite some elements that have certainly not aged well, what many often seem to forget about the 1999 original and its three main, theatrically released sequels is their heartfelt and honest exploration of self-discovery and the pains and joys of growing up at the center of their crudely humorous antics.

That being said, if crass, foul, mindless, sex-obsessed R-rated comedies are also something you tend to enjoy, we can also help point you in the right direction of where to find the additional five loosely-connected installments of the American Pie Presents series. The following is a quick, convenient guide on how to watch all the American Pie movies in order of release date, starting with the very first slice.

Jason Biggs in American Pie. — (Image credit: Universal Pictures)

American Pie (1999)

Not to be confused with the 1971 Don McLean hit “American Pie,” this hit coming-of-age comedy (and one of the best high school movies of its time) from directors Paul and Chris Weitz and writer Adam Herz tells the story of four high school seniors. The friends — Jim (Jason Biggs), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Oz (Chris Klein), and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) — make a pact to finally lose their sexual innocence by prom night.

The American Pie cast boasted many rising stars also experiencing their first times… with fame (such as Natasha Lyonne, Shannon Elizabeth, and Seann William Scott as one of the best ‘90s movie supporting characters, Steve Stifler). Of course, the biggest scene-stealer is easily Eugene Levy as Jim’s Dad, Noah Levenstein, who would become a staple of the franchise.

American Pie 2 cast — (Image credit: Universal)

American Pie 2 (2001)

The second chapter of the saga picks up roughly a year after the first installment as the gang (including Stifler) reunites after finishing up their freshman year of college. They decide to rent a beach house in Lake Michigan where they plan to throw a huge party to close out the summer.

Herz returns to write the screenplay, but James B. Rogers is at the helm this time for American Pie 2. The sequel is about as good as its predecessor with even more uproarious mishaps and a thankful dose heart and sincerity in between more prevalent moments of outright crudeness.

Alyson Hannigan and Jason Biggs in American Wedding — (Image credit: Universal)

American Wedding (2003)

One of the most endearing twists from American Pie 2 saw Jim give up his long-awaited chance at a night with Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) after realizing that he would rather be in a real relationship with the woman who took his virginity, Michelle (Alyson Hannigan). In the opening scene of American Wedding, he asks her to be his wife.

As one of the least aggressively crude installments of the franchise, director Jesse Dylan’s threequel (for which Herz also returns to write) is somewhat more concerned with genuine, monogamous romance than sleazy sex. It even sees Stifler become a bit less of a jerk after very nearly ruining the big ceremony and developing feelings for Michelle’s sister, Cadence (January Jones).

Tad Hilgenbrink in American Pie Presents: Band Camp — (Image credit: Universal)

American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005)

The first straight-to-video spin-off of the franchise takes a cue from one of the original film’s most famous lines: "This one time, at band camp..." Thus, the coming-of-age crudeness is brought straight to the source in director Steve Rash’s aptly titled comedy, American Pie Presents: Band Camp.

This time, the spotlight is placed on Steve Stifler’s younger brother, Matt (Tad Hilgenbrink), who is forced by East Great Falls’ guidance counselor, Chuck “The Sherminator” Sherman (Chris Owen), to become a “bandee” at Tall Oaks after pulling a prank that goes a little too far. However, before finding romance with his childhood friend, Elyse Houston (Ariel Kebbel), he begins to reevaluate this punishment as an opportunity to make a dirty documentary about what goes on at the camp, where Mr. Levenstein also happens to be filling in as the counselor.

John White in American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile — (Image credit: Universal)

American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (2006)

Would you believe us if we told you that one of the American Pie movies is actually inspired by a true story? Well, as reported by The Michigan Daily, from 1985 to 2000, there existed an annual event at the University of Michigan in which participating students would run across the campus with absolutely no clothes on. The occasion would serve as the basis for Joe Nussbaum’s American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile.

In this movie — the franchise’s second straight-to-video spin-off — the protagonist is Steve and Matt Stifler’s cousin, Erik (John White), who receives a “hall pass” from his girlfriend of two years, Tracy (Jessy Schram). He then conspires to lose his virginity before graduating high school at the titular event, which is kicked off by University of Michigan alumnus, Mr. Levenstein.

The cast of American Pie Presents: Beta House — (Image credit: Universal)

American Pie Presents: Beta House (2007)

Serving as a direct sequel to The Naked Mile, director Andrew Waller’s American Pie Presents: Beta House follows the newly single Erik Stifler (John White, reprising his role) and his best friend, Mike "Cooze" Coozeman (Jake Siegel). It is their freshman year at the University of Michigan and they are pledging the eponymous fraternity, led by Erik’s cousin, Dwight Stifler (Steve Talley).

The Beta House’s rivalry with the wealthier (and nerdier) Geek House comes to a head when they are challenged to participate against each other in a long-awaited return of the “Greek Olympiad.” This series of absurdly inappropriate games is officiated by the event’s previous winner: former Beta House member, Mr. Levenstein.

The cast of American Pie Presents: The Book Of Love — (Image credit: Universal)

American Pie Presents: The Book Of Love (2009)

After showing us a summer at band camp and offering two tours of the college life, director John Putch’s American Pie Presents: The Book of Love would return to East Great Falls High. This time, we get another story about a group of friends — Rob (Bug Hall), “Lube” (Brandon Hardesty), and Nathan (Kevin M. Horton) — vying to become sexually experienced.

The answer to their prayers comes in the form of a “bible” consisting of sex tips compiled by various students over the past several decades — the first being none other than Mr. Levenstein. The movie also features appearances by Rosanna Arquette, musician Bret Michaels, Saved by the Bell’s Dustin Diamond, Curtis Armstrong from Revenge of the Nerds, and Sherman Hemsley in his final role.

The cast of American Reunion — (Image credit: Universal)

American Reunion (2012)

After nearly a decade of straight-to-video spin-offs, the American Pie franchise would return to the big screen. From writing and directing duo Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, American Reunion continue the chronicles of Jim and the gang as they reflect on how much their lives have changed through adulthood.

Prompting the reminiscing is a reunion for East Great Falls High’s Class of 1999, during which long dormant feelings and memories are rekindled in mostly awkward ways, especially with former lovers crossing paths. Speaking of crossing paths, the now single Mr. Levenstein has an amusing run-in with Stifler’s mom (Jennifer Coolidge).

The cast of American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules — (Image credit: Universal)

American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules (2020)

Nearly a decade after American Reunion, the American Pie franchise would revive its series of straight-to-video spin-offs with the first installment to be told primarily from a female perspective — director Mike Elliott’s American Pie Presents: Girls’ Rules. While the movie is noted as the first to not feature Eugene Levy as Mr. Levenstein, it should also be noted as a must-watch for fans of Madison Pettis, who stars as Annie alongside Piper Curda as Kayla, Natasha Benham as Michelle, and Lizzie Broadway as the film's resident Stifler, Stephanie.

What could have easily been a gender-swapped reimagining of the original film sees the four main protagonists each conspiring to achieve more unique goals by the end of their senior year at East Great Falls, such as Michelle and Stephanie's competition for the affection of a guy named Grant (Darren Barnet). However, Annie's main plot does, indeed, revolve around her strides to lose her virginity.

That concludes our guide to the American Pie movies… so far. In recent years, Sean William Scott has expressed interest in reprising Stifler in another sequel, but time will only tell if we will see a new chapter of the saga or a new spin-off. Until then, enjoy the first nine slices.

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Jason Wiese writes feature stories for CinemaBlend. His occupation results from years dreaming of a filmmaking career, settling on a "professional film fan" career, studying journalism at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO (where he served as Culture Editor for its student-run print and online publications), and a brief stint of reviewing movies for fun. He would later continue that side-hustle of film criticism on TikTok (@wiesewisdom), where he posts videos on a semi-weekly basis. Look for his name in almost any article about Batman.