Year: 2009
Runtime: 100 min
Language: English
Director: Todd Phillips
A bachelor party in Las Vegas takes a disastrous turn when Doug and his friends find themselves in the middle of a chaotic night they can't remember. They wake up the morning after to discover their hotel suite trashed and their groom-to-be, Doug, missing. As they struggle to recall the previous evening's events, they must retrace their steps and confront the escalating consequences of their wild night out, hoping to find Doug and salvage the wedding.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Hangover yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of The Hangover (2009), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Doug and Tracy are on the brink of their wedding day, but complications arise when Tracy’s parents, Sid (Jeffrey Tambor) and Linda (Sondra Currie), express their disapproval of Doug, played by Justin Bartha. Just five hours before the ceremony, Tracy receives a distressing call from Doug’s friend Phil, who informs her that they can’t locate Doug.
Two days prior to the wedding: Doug, excited to celebrate his impending marriage to Tracy (Sasha Barrese), decides to head to Las Vegas with his close friends. The group includes Phil (played by Bradley Cooper), a teacher; Stu (Ed Helms), a dentist; and Tracy’s quirky brother Alan (played by Zach Galifianakis), who struggles with social ineptitude and ADHD. Despite Doug’s reservations about the trip, especially with wedding preparations underway, Tracy insists they go, as Alan has been eagerly waiting for too long.
Alan, well-known for his gambling prowess and previous run-ins with the law, isn’t meant to be too close to children or places like Chuck E. Cheese. Tracy warns Doug to keep Alan in check, ensuring he doesn’t overindulge. The group’s dynamic becomes evident as they depart in Sid’s luxury vintage Mercedes-Benz W111, making their way to a Caesars Palace hotel villa, which they book for a staggering $4,200 a night.
As they toast to their Las Vegas adventure on the hotel rooftop, Stu reveals plans to propose to his girlfriend, Melissa, upon returning, holding a ring he saved from World War II. The following morning, when Phil, Stu, and Alan wake up, confusion sets in as they discover Doug is missing. The suite is in disarray: a tiger occupies the bathroom, a chicken roams the living area, and a baby is found concealed in a closet.
Their search for Doug leads them to shocking discoveries, including Doug’s mattress seen impaled on a statue outside Caesars Palace. A hospital tag hanging from Phil signals a troubling night, prompting the trio to visit a hospital where Dr. Valsh (Matt Walsh) reveals they were drugged, leading to their memory loss. Their investigation unveils that the previous night included a hasty marriage between Stu and a stripper named Jade (Heather Graham), and they find themselves entangled with gangsters on the prowl for someone.
Amid frenzied encounters with the law and unexpected surprises, like a wild tiger and a mysterious figure named Chow (Ken Jeong), they eventually race against time to find Doug before the wedding. Through unexpected twists and unplanned antics, the men manage to navigate through the chaos, culminating in an epic chase that results in Doug being located in an odd predicament atop the hotel.
As fate would have it, the group arrives just in time for the wedding, with Doug revealing he woke up with $80,000 worth of poker chips in his pockets. In a turn of events, Stu finally stands up to his overbearing girlfriend Melissa and breaks up with her at the reception. As the celebrations wind down, Alan discovers a digital camera that holds photographic evidence of their wild night. Together, they decide to relive their chaotic adventure before choosing to delete the memories forever, each hoping to never repeat such a misadventure again.
Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 07:18
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Hangover in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Hangover is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Hangover with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like The Hangover that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Hangover (2009) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Hangover (2009) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like The Hangover – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Bachelor Party (1984) Movie Recap & Themes
Drunk Wedding (2015) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Rough Night (2017) Movie Recap & Themes
Honeymoon in Vegas (1992) Full Summary & Key Details
Last Vegas (2013) Full Summary & Key Details
Big Bear (2017) Film Overview & Timeline
Bachelorette (2012) Full Summary & Key Details
Very Bad Things (1998) Complete Plot Breakdown
What Happens in Vegas (2008) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
21 and Over (2013) Complete Plot Breakdown
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Wedding Ringer (2015) Full Movie Breakdown
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016) Complete Plot Breakdown
Wedding Crashers (2005) Film Overview & Timeline
Van Wilder (2002) Full Movie Breakdown