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| name = The Night Before
| name = The Night Before
| image = TheNightBefore2015poster.jpg
| image = TheNightBefore2015poster.jpg
| alt = Three men wearing Santa hats and festive sweaters
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Jonathan Levine]]
| director = [[Jonathan Levine]]
⚫
| producer = {{Plainlist|
⚫
* [[Evan Goldberg]]
⚫
* [[Seth Rogen]]
⚫
* James Weaver
⚫
}}
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
* Jonathan Levine
* Jonathan Levine
* Kyle Hunter
* Kyle Hunter
* Ariel Shaffir
* Ariel Shaffir
* Evan Goldberg
* [[Evan Goldberg]]
}}
}}
| story= Jonathan Levine
| story= Jonathan Levine
⚫
| producer = {{Plainlist|
⚫
* Evan Goldberg
⚫
* [[Seth Rogen]]
⚫
* James Weaver
⚫
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]]
* [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]]
* [[Seth Rogen]]
* Seth Rogen
* [[Anthony Mackie]]
* [[Anthony Mackie]]
* [[Lizzy Caplan]]
* [[Jillian Bell]]
* [[Mindy Kaling]]
* [[Michael Shannon]]
<!--PER BILLING ON POSTER-->
}}
}}
⚫
| cinematography = [[Brandon Trost]]
| narrator = [[Tracy Morgan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/11/16/the-night-before-clip-seth-rogen-anthony-mackie-joseph-gordon-levitt|title=Hear Tracy Morgan narrate the beginning of ''The Night Before'' in new clip|first=Dana Rose|last=Falcone|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 16, 2015|accessdate=November 16, 2015}}</ref>
⚫
| editing = [[Zene Baker]]
| music = {{plainlist|
| music = {{plainlist|
* [[Marco Beltrami]]
* [[Marco Beltrami]]
* Miles Hankins
* Miles Hankins
}}
}}
⚫
| production_companies = {{plainlist|
⚫
| cinematography = [[Brandon Trost]]
* [[Columbia Pictures]]
⚫
| editing = [[Zene Baker]]
* [[LStar Capital]]<ref>{{cite web|title=The Night Before (2015)|work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|accessdate=21 February 2021|url=http://catalog.afi.com/Film/70436-THE-NIGHTBEFORE?sid=8f20b229-e357-480b-be8f-c5e2100366de&sr=5.052388&cp=1&pos=2|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502063354/http://catalog.afi.com/Film/70436-THE-NIGHTBEFORE?sid=8f20b229-e357-480b-be8f-c5e2100366de&sr=5.052388&cp=1&pos=2|url-status=live}}</ref>
⚫
| production companies = {{plainlist|
* Good Universe
* [[Good Universe]]
* [[Point Grey Pictures]]
* [[Point Grey Pictures]]
}}
}}
| distributor = [[Columbia Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Sony Pictures Releasing]]
| released = {{Film date|2015|11|16|[[New York City]] premiere|2015|11|20|United States}}
| released = {{Film date|2015|11|16|[[New York City]]|2015|11|20|United States}}
| runtime = 101 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 101:06--><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/night-film | title=''THE NIGHT BEFORE'' (15) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=October 26, 2015 | accessdate=October 26, 2015}}</ref>
| runtime = 101 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 101:06--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/AVF324696 | title=''The Night Before'' (15) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=October 26, 2015 | access-date=October 26, 2015 | archive-date=August 3, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803074349/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-night-before-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtodc1mjkz | url-status=live }}</ref>
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $25–33 million<ref name=FilmLA>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmla.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2015_film_study_v5_WEB.pdf|title=2015 Feature Film Study|website=FilmL.A.|date=June 15, 2016|access-date=June 16, 2016|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160704082640/https://indd.adobe.com/view/87976431-f650-4be0-a9c3-392d676b5514|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BOM/>
| budget = $25 million<ref name="budget">{{cite web|last1=D'Alessandro|first1=Anthony|title=‘Mockingjay – Part 2’ Flying To $104M-$110M, Lowest In ‘Hunger Games’ Series But Still Great Business|url=http://deadline.com/2015/11/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-2-weekend-box-office-the-night-before-the-secret-in-their-eyes-1201631411/|website=Deadline|accessdate=November 20, 2015}}</ref>
| gross = $52.4 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=xmas2015.htm |title=The Night Before (2015) |website=Box Office Mojo |accessdate=January 20, 2016}}</ref>
| gross = $52.4 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=xmas2015.htm |title=The Night Before (2015) |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307172632/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=xmas2015.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''The Night Before''''' is a 2015 American [[Christmas]] [[comedy film]] directed by [[Jonathan Levine]], written by Levine, [[Evan Goldberg]], Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir. The film stars [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]], [[Seth Rogen]] and [[Anthony Mackie]] as three childhood friends who annually reunite on [[Christmas Eve]].
'''''The Night Before''''' is a 2015 American [[List of Christmas films|Christmas]] [[comedy]] [[stoner film]] directed by [[Jonathan Levine]] and written by Levine, [[Evan Goldberg]], Kyle Hunter, and Ariel Shaffir. The film stars [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]], [[Seth Rogen]], and [[Anthony Mackie]] as three childhood friends who annually reunite on [[Christmas Eve]] in search of the best party in [[New York City]]. [[Lizzy Caplan]], [[Jillian Bell]], [[Mindy Kaling]], and [[Michael Shannon]] also star.


[[Principal photography]] began on August 11, 2014, in [[New York City]]. [[Joseph Drake (film producer)|Good Universe]] and [[Point Grey Pictures]] produced the film, which [[Columbia Pictures]] released on November 20, 2015.
[[Principal photography]] began on August 11, 2014, in New York City. [[Good Universe]] and [[Point Grey Pictures]] produced the film, which [[Columbia Pictures]] released in North America on November 20, 2015. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $52 million worldwide.


==Plot==
==Plot==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summary should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
In December 2001, Ethan Miller ([[Joseph Gordon-Levitt|Gordon-Levitt]]) loses both of his parents in a car accident. Since that time, Isaac Greenberg ([[Seth Rogen|Rogen]]) and Chris Roberts ([[Anthony Mackie|Mackie]]), Ethan's best friends, resolve to spend every Christmas Eve with Ethan. Along the way, the friends learn of the Nutcracker Ball, a tremendous, invite only Christmas Eve party. Unable to find the party, the friends continue with their tradition. In 2015, the friends decide to end the tradition. Chris has become a famous football player, and Isaac is married, with a baby on the way. Privately, Chris and Isaac worry that Ethan, a struggling musician working at a hotel, is not ready for the tradition to end.
In December 2001, Ethan Miller loses his parents in a car accident. His best friends Isaac Greenberg and Chris Roberts resolve to spend every [[Christmas Eve]] with him so that he will not be alone. The three learn about the exclusive Nutcracker Ball party but are unable to find it.


The trio continue their collective holiday tradition every year until 2015, when they finally decide to end the tradition. Chris, now a famous [[American football|football]] player, and Isaac, married with a baby on the way, worry that Ethan, a struggling musician working dead-end jobs, is not ready for the tradition to end.
At the hotel, Ethan finds and steals invitations to the Nutcracker Ball. Later, at Isaac's house, Ethan presents the invitations to his friends. Prior to leaving, Betsy ([[Jillian Bell|Bell]]), Isaac's wife, gives him drugs to use during the evening, since he's been so supportive. The friends leave to follow their usual tradition, with the intention to go to the party afterward. Along the way, Chris, in an attempt to impress his teammates, purchases weed from their former high school dealer, Mr. Green ([[Michael Shannon|Shannon]]). While making the purchase, Mr. Green shares the weed with Chris, calling it the [[Ghost of Christmas Present|present]]. While at a karaoke bar, the friends run into Diane ([[Lizzy Caplan|Caplan]]), who recently broke up with Ethan for refusing to be serious, and Diane's friend Sarah ([[Mindy Kaling|Kaling]]). The friends learn that Diane and Sarah will be at the Nutcracker Ball, as well. While at the bar, Isaac begins to be negatively affected by the drugs he's taken, resulting in making a video phone message admitting that he's terrified of having a child. Chris also has his weed stolen by a supposed fan ([[Ilana Glazer|Glazer]]).


At work, Ethan steals tickets to the Nutcracker Ball. Before embarking on their last Christmas Eve together, the friends meet at Isaac's house, where his pregnant wife Betsy gives him various [[Recreational drug use|recreational drugs]], including [[magic mushroom]]s and [[cocaine]].
Needing more weed, the guys contact Mr. Green again, who meets them at Chris' mother's ([[Lorraine Toussaint|Toussaint]]) house. This time, Isaac meets Mr. Green, and is given weed showing him the [[Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come|future]], involving his daughter being a stripper, and his wife blaming him for it. The friends end up having dinner, cooked by Chris' mother, who encourages Ethan to make up with Diane. During dinner, Isaac realizes that he accidentally switched phones with Sarah.


The friends stop first at the [[Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree]], where Ethan reveals the tickets to the ball. In an attempt to impress his teammates, Chris purchases [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] from their former high school dealer Mr. Green.
While trying to find Isaac's phone, the same thief steals Chris' weed again. The three friends realize they have different goals, as Chris wants his weed back, Isaac wants his phone, and Ethan wants to go to the party. They end up splitting up. Chris fails to regain his weed, after getting a lesson on valuing his true friends from the thief. Isaac, intoxicated, makes a fool of himself after running into his family attending Midnight Mass. Ethan ends up beaten by two drunk Santas, after trying to defend the spirit of Christmas.


At a [[karaoke bar]], the friends run into Diana, who recently broke up with Ethan due to his failure to commit, and her friend Sarah, both of whom are also attending the Nutcracker Ball. Isaac, affected by the drugs he took, records a video phone message confessing that he is terrified of having a child. Chris hooks up with a supposed fan who steals his marijuana.
⚫
Upon meeting back at a subway station, the tension between the friends explodes. Ethan reveals that he and Isaac know that Chris' sudden success and popularity is due to steroids, and Chris reveals that he and Isaac think that Ethan is lost and making excuses for himself.


The friends contact Mr. Green again, who meets them at Chris' mother's, where they have dinner. She encourages Ethan to make up with Diana, and Isaac realizes he has accidentally switched phones with Sarah when he begins to receive [[sexting|sexts]]. While they search for Isaac's phone, the thief steals Chris' marijuana again.
⚫
Despite their revelations, the three friends still go to the Nutcracker Ball. Upon arriving, Chris learns that his teammates didn't really need the weed he struggled to obtain, and they're also making fun of him for a video shot of him earlier, with his friends. Isaac retrieves his phone, and learns that Sarah didn't reveal the embarrassing video message he recorded. Ethan finds Diane and, in an improvised moment, proposes to her in front of the entire party. While she accepts publicly, in private she declines, saying she only said yes because he put her on the spot, and thinks that the only reason why he proposal is because he's afraid of losing his friends.


The friends split up, as Chris wants his marijuana back, Isaac wants his phone, and Ethan wants to go to the party. Chris fails to recover the marijuana but through the thief learns the true value of his friends. Isaac, hallucinating from a mixture of drugs, meets his wife and her family and vomits on the church floor during [[Midnight Mass]]. Ethan is beaten by two drunk [[pub crawl]]ing men dressed as [[Santa Claus|Santa]] after defending the spirit of Christmas.
⚫
In shame, Ethan goes to the roof, where he sees Mr. Green. Mr. Green reveals that he created and has hosted the Nutcracker Ball since its inception. Mr. Green shares weed with Ethan, calling it the [[Ghost of Christmas Past|past]]. Ethan experiences a memory of his friends initiating their yearly ritual. Ethan rejoins his friends, who've been thrown out of the party after an altercation with Chris' teammates.


⚫
Meeting back at a subway station, the tension between the friends explodes as Ethan reveals that he and Isaac know Chris' sudden success is due to [[steroids]], and Chris reveals that he and Isaac think Ethan is lost.
As morning dawns, the friends reconcile, just as Isaac receives a message from Betsy that she is in labor. Rushing to the hospital, in Mr. Green's conveniently available car, the friends discover that it was a false alarm. Isaac shows his wife the video. Betsy reveals she's relieved that he's scared, too. The trio spend Christmas at Isaac's house, after which Chris has dinner with his mother and admits to his steroid use. Ethan goes to Diana's house, where he apologizes for how he acted and for not being ready to get serious. Diana admits she missed Ethan and accepts his request to finally meet her parents, signaling his readiness to be serious..


⚫
Despite their revelations, the friends go to the Nutcracker Ball. Chris learns that his teammates did not need the marijuana he struggled to obtain, and they mock him for a video shot earlier with Isaac and Ethan. Isaac retrieves his phone, learning Sarah never revealed his video message. Ethan finds Diana and spontaneously proposes to her in front of the entire party due to [[Miley Cyrus]]' encouragement. While she accepts publicly, she declines in private, saying that he only proposed out of fear of losing his friends and being alone.
One year later, the guys and their loved ones spend Christmas together, and are revealed to be happy, and still friends. Isaac's baby can't sleep, so the guys serenade her. It's shown that the story was all told from a book read by Santa, who is revealed to be the father of Mr. Green.

⚫
Ashamed, Ethan goes to the roof where he finds Mr. Green, who reveals that he is the creator and host of the Nutcracker Ball. After experiencing a memory of his friends initiating their yearly ritual, Ethan rejoins Chris and Isaac, who have been thrown out after an altercation with Chris' teammates.

As morning dawns, the friends reconcile just as Isaac receives a message that Betsy is in labor. Rushing to the hospital in Mr. Green's car, they discover it was a false alarm. Mr. Green is revealed to be an [[angel]], helping the friends in order to [[It's a Wonderful Life|earn his wings]]. Isaac shows his wife the video, and she admits she is also scared about becoming a parent.

The trio spend Christmas at Isaac's, after which Chris has dinner with his mother and admits to his steroid use. Ethan goes to Diana's, where he apologizes for his behavior and not being ready to commit. Admitting that she has missed him, Diana accepts his request to finally meet her parents.

One year later, the friends and their loved ones spend Christmas together. Isaac's baby cannot sleep, so the trio [[serenade]] her.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]]<ref name="Rogen-Levitt" /> as Ethan Miller
* [[Seth Rogen]]<ref name="Rogen-Levitt" /> as Isaac Greenberg<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl7v8p5KPPw</ref>
* [[Seth Rogen]]<ref name="Rogen-Levitt" /> as Isaac Greenberg
* [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]]<ref name="Rogen-Levitt" /> as Ethan Miller<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl7v8p5KPPw|title=The Night Before - Seth Rogen ( Behind the Scenes )|date=August 25, 2014|via=YouTube|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307000244/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl7v8p5KPPw|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Anthony Mackie]]<ref name="Mackie" /> as Chris Roberts
* [[Anthony Mackie]]<ref name="Mackie" /> as Chris Roberts
* [[Lizzy Caplan]]<ref name="Caplan" /> as Diana, Ethan's love interest
* [[Lizzy Caplan]]<ref name="Caplan" /> as Diana, Ethan's ex-girlfriend
⚫
* [[Jillian Bell]]<ref name="Bell" /> as Betsy Greenberg, Isaac's wife
⚫
* [[Michael Shannon]]<ref name="Trailer">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-xmas-gets-red-band-in-trailer-for-the-night-before-with-seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-anthony-mackie-20150728 |title=Watch: Xmas Gets Red Band In Trailer For 'The Night Before' With Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Anthony Mackie |website=[[Indiewire]] |first=Kevin |last=Jagernauth |date=July 28, 2015 |accessdate=October 20, 2015}}</ref> as Mr. Green
* [[Mindy Kaling]]<ref name="Trailer" /> as Sarah
* [[Mindy Kaling]]<ref name="Trailer" /> as Sarah
⚫
* [[Jillian Bell]]<ref name="Bell" /> as Betsy Greenberg, Isaac's wife
⚫
* [[Lorraine Toussaint]]<ref name=Toussaint>{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/caroline-presno/selmas-lorraine-toussaint_b_6203986.html |title=Selma's Lorraine Toussaint on Motherhood, a Childhood of 'Silent, Dark Terror' and Award Season Buzz |website=[[The Huffington Post]] |first=Caroline |last=Presno |date=November 25, 2014 |accessdate=October 20, 2015}}</ref> as Mrs. Roberts, Chris's mother
⚫
* [[Michael Shannon]]<ref name="Trailer">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-xmas-gets-red-band-in-trailer-for-the-night-before-with-seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-anthony-mackie-20150728 |title=Watch: Xmas Gets Red Band In Trailer For 'The Night Before' With Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Anthony Mackie |website=[[Indiewire]] |first=Kevin |last=Jagernauth |date=July 28, 2015 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019044241/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-xmas-gets-red-band-in-trailer-for-the-night-before-with-seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-anthony-mackie-20150728 |url-status=dead }}</ref> as Mr. Green
⚫
* [[Lorraine Toussaint]]<ref name=Toussaint>{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/caroline-presno/selmas-lorraine-toussaint_b_6203986.html |title=Selma's Lorraine Toussaint on Motherhood, a Childhood of 'Silent, Dark Terror' and Award Season Buzz |website=[[The Huffington Post]] |first=Caroline |last=Presno |date=November 25, 2014 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924221057/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/caroline-presno/selmas-lorraine-toussaint_b_6203986.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as Mrs. Roberts, Chris's mother
* [[Jason Mantzoukas]]<ref name="jones-mantzoukas"/> as Bad Santa #1
* [[Jason Mantzoukas]]<ref name="jones-mantzoukas"/> as Bad Santa #1
* [[Jason Jones (actor)|Jason Jones]]<ref name="jones-mantzoukas">[http://bedfordandbowery.com/2014/09/watch-jason-mantzoukas-joseph-gordon-levitt-and-jason-jones-celebrate-santacon-early/ Watch Jason Mantzoukas, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jason Jones Celebrate SantaCon Early]</ref> as Bad Santa #2
* [[Jason Jones (actor)|Jason Jones]]<ref name="jones-mantzoukas">{{cite web|url=http://bedfordandbowery.com/2014/09/watch-jason-mantzoukas-joseph-gordon-levitt-and-jason-jones-celebrate-santacon-early/|title=Watch Jason Mantzoukas, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jason Jones Celebrate SantaCon Early|last=Hoffman|first=Daniel|date=September 5, 2014|website=Bedford + Bowery|access-date=August 12, 2015|archive-date=April 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411142927/http://bedfordandbowery.com/2014/09/watch-jason-mantzoukas-joseph-gordon-levitt-and-jason-jones-celebrate-santacon-early/|url-status=live}}</ref> as Bad Santa #2
* [[Ilana Glazer]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XaXhOIzEkUk Seth Rogen Gets In The Holiday Spirit On Our ‘The Night Before’ Set Visit - MTV News]</ref> as Rebecca
* [[Ilana Glazer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaXhOIzEkUk|title=Seth Rogen Gets In The Holiday Spirit On Our 'The Night Before' Set Visit - MTV News|date=August 11, 2015|via=YouTube|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=October 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023043924/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaXhOIzEkUk|url-status=live}}</ref> as Rebecca Grinch
* [[Nathan Fielder]]<ref name="Trailer" /> as Joshua
* [[Nathan Fielder]]<ref name="Trailer" /> as Joshua
* [[Tracy Morgan]] as the Narrator/Santa Claus
* [[Tracy Morgan]] as the Narrator/Santa Claus
* [[Randall Park]] as Ethan's boss
* [[Randall Park]] as Ethan's boss
* Helene York as Cindy
* [[Heléne Yorke]] as Cindy
* [[Aaron Hill (actor)|Aaron Hill]] as Tommy Owens
* [[Aaron Hill (actor)|Aaron Hill]] as Tommy Owens
* [[Baron Davis]] as himself
* [[Baron Davis]] as himself
* [[James Franco]] as himself
* [[James Franco]] as himself
* [[Miley Cyrus]] as herself
* [[Miley Cyrus]] as herself
}}


==Production==
==Production==


===Development===
===Development===
On February 10, 2014, it was announced that [[Seth Rogen]] and [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]] would reunite in the film, following ''[[50/50 (2011 film)|50/50]]'', in which they co-starred. On May 13, [[Anthony Mackie]] joined the cast.<ref name=Mackie>{{cite news|last1=Sneider|first1=Jeff|title=Anthony Mackie in Negotiations to Join Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Christmas Comedy|url=http://www.thewrap.com/anthony-mackie-talks-join-seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-christmas-comedy-exclusive/|accessdate=August 17, 2014|publisher=thewrap.com|date=May 13, 2014}}</ref> [[Jonathan Levine]], director of ''50/50'', directed ''The Night Before'' from his own script.<ref name=Rogen-Levitt>{{cite news|last1=Siegel|first1=Tatiana|last2=Kit|first2=Borys|title=Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Reteam With '50/50' Director for 'Xmas'|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-678862|accessdate=August 17, 2014|publisher=hollywoodreporter.com|date=February 10, 2014}}</ref> Good Universe and [[Point Grey Pictures]] produced the film, which Sony's [[Columbia Pictures]] is distributing.<ref name="Rogen-Levitt" />
On February 10, 2014, it was announced that [[Seth Rogen]] and [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]] would reunite in the film, following ''[[50/50 (2011 film)|50/50]]'', in which they co-starred. On May 13, [[Anthony Mackie]] joined the cast.<ref name=Mackie>{{cite news|last1=Sneider|first1=Jeff|title=Anthony Mackie in Negotiations to Join Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Christmas Comedy|url=https://www.thewrap.com/anthony-mackie-talks-join-seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-christmas-comedy-exclusive/|access-date=August 17, 2014|publisher=thewrap.com|date=May 13, 2014|archive-date=August 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819104316/http://www.thewrap.com/anthony-mackie-talks-join-seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-christmas-comedy-exclusive/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jonathan Levine]], director of ''50/50'', directed ''The Night Before'' from his own script.<ref name=Rogen-Levitt>{{cite news|last1=Siegel|first1=Tatiana|last2=Kit|first2=Borys|title=Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Reteam With '50/50' Director for 'Xmas'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-678862|access-date=August 17, 2014|publisher=hollywoodreporter.com|date=February 10, 2014|archive-date=August 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819125628/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-678862|url-status=live}}</ref> Good Universe and [[Point Grey Pictures]] produced the film, which Sony's [[Columbia Pictures]] distributed.<ref name="Rogen-Levitt" />


===Casting===
===Casting===
On August 7, [[Jillian Bell]] was cast to play Betsy, the wife of Rogen's character.<ref name=Bell>{{cite news|last1=Yamato|first1=Jen|title=‘22 Jump Street’s Jillian Bell Joins Sony Christmas Comedy|url=http://deadline.com/2014/08/jillian-bell-sony-christmas-comedy-seth-rogen-22-jump-street/|accessdate=August 12, 2014|publisher=deadline.com|date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> On August 8, [[Lizzy Caplan]] joined the cast to play Diana, a love interest of Gordon-Levitt's character.<ref name=Caplan>{{cite news|last1=Ford|first1=Rebecca|title=Lizzy Caplan Joins Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Christmas Eve Comedy|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lizzy-caplan-joins-seth-rogen-724212|accessdate=August 12, 2014|publisher=hollywoodreporter.com|date=August 8, 2014}}</ref>
On August 7, [[Jillian Bell]] was cast to play Betsy, the wife of Rogen's character.<ref name=Bell>{{cite news|last1=Yamato|first1=Jen|title='22 Jump Street's Jillian Bell Joins Sony Christmas Comedy|url=https://deadline.com/2014/08/jillian-bell-sony-christmas-comedy-seth-rogen-22-jump-street-816014/|access-date=August 12, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 7, 2014|archive-date=August 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803074357/https://deadline.com/2014/08/jillian-bell-sony-christmas-comedy-seth-rogen-22-jump-street-816014/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 8, [[Lizzy Caplan]] joined the cast to play Diana, a love interest of Gordon-Levitt's character.<ref name=Caplan>{{cite news|last1=Ford|first1=Rebecca|title=Lizzy Caplan Joins Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Christmas Eve Comedy|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lizzy-caplan-joins-seth-rogen-724212|access-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=hollywoodreporter.com|date=August 8, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811084655/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lizzy-caplan-joins-seth-rogen-724212|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Filming===
===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] on the film began on August 11, 2014, in [[New York City]].<ref name="Caplan" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Day 1!!!!|url=https://twitter.com/Sethrogen/status/498881570951143424|publisher=twitter.com|accessdate=August 17, 2014|date=August 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=ON THE SET FOR 8/11/14: ‘JURASSIC WORLD’ WRAPS, ‘THE LAST FACE’ STARTS|url=http://www.studiosystemnews.com/on-the-set-for-81114-jurassic-world-wraps-the-last-face-starts/|accessdate=August 12, 2014|publisher=studiosystemnews.com|date=August 11, 2014}}</ref> On August 14, filming was taking place around 112th street and [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] in NYC.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Christine|title=Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon Levitt’s Untitled Christmas Movie begins filming in NYC|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/08/14/seth-rogen-and-joseph-gordon-levitts-untitled-christmas-movie-begins-filming-in-nyc/|accessdate=August 16, 2014|publisher=onlocationvacations.com|date=August 14, 2014}}</ref> On August 22, Rogen was spotted filming scenes outside a church in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Christine|title=Photos of Seth Rogen filming in New York City on Aug. 22|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/08/25/photos-of-seth-rogen-filming-in-new-york-city-on-aug-22/|accessdate=August 27, 2014|publisher=onlocationvacations.com|date=August 25, 2014}}</ref> On January 5, 2015, filming was taken place in and around [[Rockefeller Center]], where the crews were taking some shots of the [[Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The Untitled X-Mas Project, starring Seth Rogen & Joseph Gordon Levitt, is filming at Rockefeller Center today|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2015/01/05/the-untitled-x-mas-project-starring-seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-is-filming-at-rockefeller-center-today/|accessdate=January 9, 2015|publisher=onlocationvacations.com|date=January 5, 2015}}</ref>
[[Principal photography]] on the film began on August 11, 2014, in [[New York City]].<ref name="Caplan" /><ref>{{cite tweet|title=Day 1!!!!|number=498881570951143424|user=Sethrogen|access-date=August 17, 2014|date=August 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=On the Set for 8/11/14: 'Jurassic World' Wraps, 'The Last Face' Starts|url=http://www.studiosystemnews.com/on-the-set-for-81114-jurassic-world-wraps-the-last-face-starts/|access-date=August 12, 2014|website=studiosystemnews.com|date=August 11, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811214908/http://www.studiosystemnews.com/on-the-set-for-81114-jurassic-world-wraps-the-last-face-starts/|archive-date=August 11, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On August 14, filming took place around 112th street and [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]] in New York City.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon Levitt's Untitled Christmas Movie begins filming in NYC|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/08/14/seth-rogen-and-joseph-gordon-levitts-untitled-christmas-movie-begins-filming-in-nyc/|access-date=August 16, 2014|website=onlocationvacations.com|date=August 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022061230/https://onlocationvacations.com/2014/08/14/seth-rogen-and-joseph-gordon-levitts-untitled-christmas-movie-begins-filming-in-nyc/|archive-date=2021-10-22}}</ref> On August 22, Rogen was spotted filming scenes outside a church in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Photos of Seth Rogen filming in New York City on Aug. 22|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/08/25/photos-of-seth-rogen-filming-in-new-york-city-on-aug-22/|access-date=August 27, 2014|website=onlocationvacations.com|date=August 25, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211101022538/https://onlocationvacations.com/2014/08/25/photos-of-seth-rogen-filming-in-new-york-city-on-aug-22/ |archive-date=2021-11-01}}</ref> On January 5, 2015, filming took place in and around [[Rockefeller Center]], where the crews were taking some shots of the [[Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Untitled X-Mas Project, starring Seth Rogen & Joseph Gordon Levitt, is filming at Rockefeller Center today|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2015/01/05/the-untitled-x-mas-project-starring-seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-is-filming-at-rockefeller-center-today/|access-date=January 9, 2015|website=onlocationvacations.com|date=January 5, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211022072805/https://onlocationvacations.com/2015/01/05/the-untitled-x-mas-project-starring-seth-rogen-joseph-gordon-levitt-is-filming-at-rockefeller-center-today/|archive-date=2021-10-22}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
The film was originally scheduled to be released on December 11, 2015, but Sony moved the release date over to November 25, 2015,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fleming Jr|first1=Mike|title=Predictable Move: Sony Slots Untitled Xmas Pic For 11/25/2015|url=http://deadline.com/2014/10/sony-xmas-film-december-25-851249/|accessdate=October 15, 2014|publisher=deadline.com|date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> and later to November 20, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2015/film/news/seth-rogen-comedy-the-night-before-nov-20-1201605808/|title=Seth Rogen Comedy ‘The Night Before’ Moved up Five Days to Nov. 20|first=Dave|last=McNary|date=September 29, 2015|accessdate=December 1, 2015}}</ref>
The film was originally scheduled to be released on December 11, 2015, but Sony moved the release date to November 25, 2015,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title=Predictable Move: Sony Slots Untitled Xmas Pic For 11/25/2015|url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/sony-xmas-film-december-25-851249/|access-date=October 15, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=October 14, 2014|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016191229/http://deadline.com/2014/10/sony-xmas-film-december-25-851249/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and later to November 20, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/seth-rogen-comedy-the-night-before-nov-20-1201605808/|title=Seth Rogen Comedy 'The Night Before' Moved up Five Days to Nov. 20|first=Dave|last=McNary|date=September 29, 2015|website=Variety|access-date=December 1, 2015|archive-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616030608/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/seth-rogen-comedy-the-night-before-nov-20-1201605808/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==


===Box office===
===Box office===
''The Night Before'' has grossed $43 million in North America and $9.3 in other territories for a worldwide total of $52.4 million, against a budget of $25 million.<ref name=BOM />
''The Night Before'' grossed $43 million in North America and $9.3 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $52.4 million, against a budget of $25 million.<ref name=BOM />

⚫
In the United States, ''The Night Before'' opened alongside ''[[The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2]]'' and ''[[Secret in Their Eyes]]'' on November 20, 2015.<ref name="deadline">{{cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2015/11/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-2-global-box-office-1201625529/ |title= Katniss To Set The World On Fire As 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2' Shoots For $285M-$305M Global Debut – B.O. Preview |website= Deadline Hollywood |date= November 17, 2015 |access-date= April 17, 2020 |archive-date= November 17, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151117164016/http://deadline.com/2015/11/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-2-global-box-office-1201625529/ |url-status= live }}</ref> The film made $550,000 from its Thursday preview screenings and $3.6 million on its first day. In its opening weekend, the film grossed $9.9 million, and finished fourth at the box office behind ''Mockingjay – Part 2'' ($102.7 million), ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]'' ($15 million) and ''[[The Peanuts Movie]]'' ($13.2 million).<ref name="budget">{{cite web|last1=D'Alessandro|first1=Anthony|title='Mockingjay – Part 2' Flying To $104M-$110M, Lowest In 'Hunger Games' Series But Still Great Business|url=https://deadline.com/2015/11/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-2-weekend-box-office-the-night-before-the-secret-in-their-eyes-1201631411/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 20, 2015|archive-date=April 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415123216/http://deadline.com/2015/11/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-2-weekend-box-office-the-night-before-the-secret-in-their-eyes-1201631411/|url-status=live}}</ref> During its second week, the film grossed $8.4 million (a drop of 15.2%), finishing 6th at the box office.<ref name="Week2">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/11/thanksgiving-box-office-hunger-games-mockingjay-creed-the-good-dinosaur-1201639941/ |title=Katniss Rules Wednesday On Track For $78M-80M 5-Day; 'Good Dinosaur' Eyes $58M-$62M; 'Creed' Punching $39M-$42M |author=Anthony D'Alessandro |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=November 29, 2015 |access-date=November 30, 2015 |archive-date=November 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126233231/http://deadline.com/2015/11/thanksgiving-box-office-hunger-games-mockingjay-creed-the-good-dinosaur-1201639941/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Critical response==
⚫
In North America, ''The Night Before'' opened alongside ''[[The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2]]'' and ''[[Secret in Their Eyes]]'' on November 20, 2015. In its opening weekend, the film was projected to gross $12–13 million from 2,960 theaters.<ref name="deadline">{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2015/11/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-2-global-box-office-1201625529/ |title= Katniss To Set The World On Fire As ‘Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’ Shoots For $285M-$305M Global Debut – B.O. Preview |work=deadline.com}}</ref> The film made $550,000 from its Thursday preview screenings and $3.6 million on its first day. In its opening weekend, the film grossed $9.9 million, below expectations, and finished fourth at the box office behind ''Mockingjay – Part 2'' ($102.7 million), ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]'' ($15 million) and ''[[The Peanuts Movie]]'' ($13.2 million).<ref name="budget"/> In its second week, the film grossed $8.4 million (a drop of only 15%), finishing 6th at the box office.<ref name="Week2">{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2015/11/thanksgiving-box-office-hunger-games-mockingjay-creed-the-good-dinosaur-1201639941/ |title=Katniss Rules Wednesday On Track For $78M-80M 5-Day; ‘Good Dinosaur’ Eyes $58M-$62M; ‘Creed’ Punching $39M-$42M |author=Anthony D'Alessandro|work=''[[Deadline.com]]''|accessdate=November 30, 2015}}</ref>
⚫
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, and an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "''The Night Before'' provokes enough belly laughs to qualify as a worthwhile addition to the list of Christmas comedies worth revisiting, even if it isn't quite as consistent as the classics."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_night_before_2015|title=The Night Before (2015)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=January 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118000847/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_night_before_2015/|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-night-before |title=The Night Before (2015) Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110072808/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-night-before |url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="budget"/>


===Critical response===
==See also==
* [[List of Christmas films]]
⚫
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has a rating of 67%, based on 129 reviews, with an average rating of 6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "''The Night Before'' provokes enough belly laughs to qualify as a worthwhile addition to the list of Christmas comedies worth revisiting, even if it isn't quite as consistent as the classics."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_night_before_2015/ |title= The Night Before (2015) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |accessdate=March 3, 2016}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 58 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-night-before |title=The Night Before reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=December 9, 2015}}</ref> On [[CinemaScore]], audiences gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="budget"/>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|40em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|3530002}}
* {{IMDb title|3530002}}
* {{Mojo title|xmas2015}}
* {{Mojo title|xmas2015}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|untitled_christmas_eve_project}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|the_night_before_2015}}
* {{Metacritic|the-night-before}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* [http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=114724 ''The Night Before''] at [[ComingSoon.net]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140419012312/https://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=114724 ''The Night Before''] at [[ComingSoon.net]]


{{Jonathan Levine}}
{{Jonathan Levine}}
{{Point Grey Pictures}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Night Before}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Night Before}}
[[Category:2015 films]]
[[Category:2015 films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American films about cannabis]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s comedy films]]
[[Category:2010s buddy comedy films]]
[[Category:American Christmas films]]
[[Category:American Christmas comedy films]]
[[Category:American comedy films]]
[[Category:American buddy comedy films]]
⚫
[[Category:Buddy films]]
[[Category:Films about Christianity]]
[[Category:Films about Christianity]]
[[Category:Films about drugs]]
[[Category:Films about parties]]
[[Category:Films directed by Jonathan Levine]]
[[Category:Films directed by Jonathan Levine]]
[[Category:Films set in 2001]]
[[Category:Films set in 2001]]
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[[Category:Point Grey Pictures films]]
[[Category:Columbia Pictures films]]
[[Category:Columbia Pictures films]]
[[Category:Film scores by Marco Beltrami]]
[[Category:Films scored by Marco Beltrami]]
[[Category:Films produced by Seth Rogen]]
[[Category:2010s Christmas comedy films]]
[[Category:2015 comedy films]]
[[Category:Films produced by Evan Goldberg]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Evan Goldberg]]
⚫
[[Category:Hanukkah films]]
[[Category:2010s American films]]
[[Category:English-language Christmas comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language buddy comedy films]]

Latest revision as of 11:18, 24 December 2024

The Night Before
Three men wearing Santa hats and festive sweaters
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJonathan Levine
Screenplay by
Story byJonathan Levine
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBrandon Trost
Edited byZene Baker
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release dates
  • November 16, 2015 (2015-11-16) (New York City)
  • November 20, 2015 (2015-11-20) (United States)
Running time
101 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$25–33 million[3][4]
Box office$52.4 million[4]

The Night Before is a 2015 American Christmas comedy stoner film directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Levine, Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter, and Ariel Shaffir. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anthony Mackie as three childhood friends who annually reunite on Christmas Eve in search of the best party in New York City. Lizzy Caplan, Jillian Bell, Mindy Kaling, and Michael Shannon also star.

Principal photography began on August 11, 2014, in New York City. Good Universe and Point Grey Pictures produced the film, which Columbia Pictures released in North America on November 20, 2015. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $52 million worldwide.

Plot

[edit]

In December 2001, Ethan Miller loses his parents in a car accident. His best friends Isaac Greenberg and Chris Roberts resolve to spend every Christmas Eve with him so that he will not be alone. The three learn about the exclusive Nutcracker Ball party but are unable to find it.

The trio continue their collective holiday tradition every year until 2015, when they finally decide to end the tradition. Chris, now a famous football player, and Isaac, married with a baby on the way, worry that Ethan, a struggling musician working dead-end jobs, is not ready for the tradition to end.

At work, Ethan steals tickets to the Nutcracker Ball. Before embarking on their last Christmas Eve together, the friends meet at Isaac's house, where his pregnant wife Betsy gives him various recreational drugs, including magic mushrooms and cocaine.

The friends stop first at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, where Ethan reveals the tickets to the ball. In an attempt to impress his teammates, Chris purchases marijuana from their former high school dealer Mr. Green.

At a karaoke bar, the friends run into Diana, who recently broke up with Ethan due to his failure to commit, and her friend Sarah, both of whom are also attending the Nutcracker Ball. Isaac, affected by the drugs he took, records a video phone message confessing that he is terrified of having a child. Chris hooks up with a supposed fan who steals his marijuana.

The friends contact Mr. Green again, who meets them at Chris' mother's, where they have dinner. She encourages Ethan to make up with Diana, and Isaac realizes he has accidentally switched phones with Sarah when he begins to receive sexts. While they search for Isaac's phone, the thief steals Chris' marijuana again.

The friends split up, as Chris wants his marijuana back, Isaac wants his phone, and Ethan wants to go to the party. Chris fails to recover the marijuana but through the thief learns the true value of his friends. Isaac, hallucinating from a mixture of drugs, meets his wife and her family and vomits on the church floor during Midnight Mass. Ethan is beaten by two drunk pub crawling men dressed as Santa after defending the spirit of Christmas.

Meeting back at a subway station, the tension between the friends explodes as Ethan reveals that he and Isaac know Chris' sudden success is due to steroids, and Chris reveals that he and Isaac think Ethan is lost.

Despite their revelations, the friends go to the Nutcracker Ball. Chris learns that his teammates did not need the marijuana he struggled to obtain, and they mock him for a video shot earlier with Isaac and Ethan. Isaac retrieves his phone, learning Sarah never revealed his video message. Ethan finds Diana and spontaneously proposes to her in front of the entire party due to Miley Cyrus' encouragement. While she accepts publicly, she declines in private, saying that he only proposed out of fear of losing his friends and being alone.

Ashamed, Ethan goes to the roof where he finds Mr. Green, who reveals that he is the creator and host of the Nutcracker Ball. After experiencing a memory of his friends initiating their yearly ritual, Ethan rejoins Chris and Isaac, who have been thrown out after an altercation with Chris' teammates.

As morning dawns, the friends reconcile just as Isaac receives a message that Betsy is in labor. Rushing to the hospital in Mr. Green's car, they discover it was a false alarm. Mr. Green is revealed to be an angel, helping the friends in order to earn his wings. Isaac shows his wife the video, and she admits she is also scared about becoming a parent.

The trio spend Christmas at Isaac's, after which Chris has dinner with his mother and admits to his steroid use. Ethan goes to Diana's, where he apologizes for his behavior and not being ready to commit. Admitting that she has missed him, Diana accepts his request to finally meet her parents.

One year later, the friends and their loved ones spend Christmas together. Isaac's baby cannot sleep, so the trio serenade her.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

On February 10, 2014, it was announced that Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt would reunite in the film, following 50/50, in which they co-starred. On May 13, Anthony Mackie joined the cast.[7] Jonathan Levine, director of 50/50, directed The Night Before from his own script.[5] Good Universe and Point Grey Pictures produced the film, which Sony's Columbia Pictures distributed.[5]

Casting

[edit]

On August 7, Jillian Bell was cast to play Betsy, the wife of Rogen's character.[10] On August 8, Lizzy Caplan joined the cast to play Diana, a love interest of Gordon-Levitt's character.[8]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography on the film began on August 11, 2014, in New York City.[8][14][15] On August 14, filming took place around 112th street and Broadway in New York City.[16] On August 22, Rogen was spotted filming scenes outside a church in Manhattan.[17] On January 5, 2015, filming took place in and around Rockefeller Center, where the crews were taking some shots of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.[18]

Release

[edit]

The film was originally scheduled to be released on December 11, 2015, but Sony moved the release date to November 25, 2015,[19] and later to November 20, 2015.[20]

Box office

[edit]

The Night Before grossed $43 million in North America and $9.3 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $52.4 million, against a budget of $25 million.[4]

In the United States, The Night Before opened alongside The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 and Secret in Their Eyes on November 20, 2015.[21] The film made $550,000 from its Thursday preview screenings and $3.6 million on its first day. In its opening weekend, the film grossed $9.9 million, and finished fourth at the box office behind Mockingjay – Part 2 ($102.7 million), Spectre ($15 million) and The Peanuts Movie ($13.2 million).[22] During its second week, the film grossed $8.4 million (a drop of 15.2%), finishing 6th at the box office.[23]

Critical response

[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 69% based on 161 reviews, and an average rating of 6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "The Night Before provokes enough belly laughs to qualify as a worthwhile addition to the list of Christmas comedies worth revisiting, even if it isn't quite as consistent as the classics."[24] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[25] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.[22]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Night Before (2015)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "The Night Before (15)". British Board of Film Classification. October 26, 2015. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  3. ^ "2015 Feature Film Study" (PDF). FilmL.A. June 15, 2016. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "The Night Before (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d Siegel, Tatiana; Kit, Borys (February 10, 2014). "Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Reteam With '50/50' Director for 'Xmas'". hollywoodreporter.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  6. ^ "The Night Before - Seth Rogen ( Behind the Scenes )". August 25, 2014. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2015 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (May 13, 2014). "Anthony Mackie in Negotiations to Join Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Christmas Comedy". thewrap.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c Ford, Rebecca (August 8, 2014). "Lizzy Caplan Joins Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Christmas Eve Comedy". hollywoodreporter.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c Jagernauth, Kevin (July 28, 2015). "Watch: Xmas Gets Red Band In Trailer For 'The Night Before' With Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Anthony Mackie". Indiewire. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  10. ^ a b Yamato, Jen (August 7, 2014). "'22 Jump Street's Jillian Bell Joins Sony Christmas Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  11. ^ Presno, Caroline (November 25, 2014). "Selma's Lorraine Toussaint on Motherhood, a Childhood of 'Silent, Dark Terror' and Award Season Buzz". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Hoffman, Daniel (September 5, 2014). "Watch Jason Mantzoukas, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jason Jones Celebrate SantaCon Early". Bedford + Bowery. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  13. ^ "Seth Rogen Gets In The Holiday Spirit On Our 'The Night Before' Set Visit - MTV News". August 11, 2015. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2017 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ @Sethrogen (August 11, 2014). "Day 1!!!!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 17, 2014 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ "On the Set for 8/11/14: 'Jurassic World' Wraps, 'The Last Face' Starts". studiosystemnews.com. August 11, 2014. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  16. ^ "Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon Levitt's Untitled Christmas Movie begins filming in NYC". onlocationvacations.com. August 14, 2014. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  17. ^ "Photos of Seth Rogen filming in New York City on Aug. 22". onlocationvacations.com. August 25, 2014. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  18. ^ "The Untitled X-Mas Project, starring Seth Rogen & Joseph Gordon Levitt, is filming at Rockefeller Center today". onlocationvacations.com. January 5, 2015. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  19. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 14, 2014). "Predictable Move: Sony Slots Untitled Xmas Pic For 11/25/2015". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  20. ^ McNary, Dave (September 29, 2015). "Seth Rogen Comedy 'The Night Before' Moved up Five Days to Nov. 20". Variety. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  21. ^ "Katniss To Set The World On Fire As 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2' Shoots For $285M-$305M Global Debut – B.O. Preview". Deadline Hollywood. November 17, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  22. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony. "'Mockingjay – Part 2' Flying To $104M-$110M, Lowest In 'Hunger Games' Series But Still Great Business". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  23. ^ Anthony D'Alessandro (November 29, 2015). "Katniss Rules Wednesday On Track For $78M-80M 5-Day; 'Good Dinosaur' Eyes $58M-$62M; 'Creed' Punching $39M-$42M". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  24. ^ "The Night Before (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  25. ^ "The Night Before (2015) Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
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