Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Zoolander

  • 2001
  • R
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
306K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,497
181
Ben Stiller in Zoolander (2001)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:24
1 Video
99+ Photos
SatireSlapstickComedy

At the end of his career, a clueless fashion model is brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia.At the end of his career, a clueless fashion model is brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia.At the end of his career, a clueless fashion model is brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

  • Director
    • Ben Stiller
  • Writers
    • Drake Sather
    • Ben Stiller
    • John Hamburg
  • Stars
    • Ben Stiller
    • Owen Wilson
    • Christine Taylor
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    306K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,497
    181
    • Director
      • Ben Stiller
    • Writers
      • Drake Sather
      • Ben Stiller
      • John Hamburg
    • Stars
      • Ben Stiller
      • Owen Wilson
      • Christine Taylor
    • 602User reviews
    • 121Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 11 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:24
    Official Trailer

    Photos164

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 158
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Ben Stiller
    Ben Stiller
    • Derek Zoolander
    Owen Wilson
    Owen Wilson
    • Hansel
    Christine Taylor
    Christine Taylor
    • Matilda Jeffries
    Will Ferrell
    Will Ferrell
    • Mugatu
    Milla Jovovich
    Milla Jovovich
    • Katinka
    Jerry Stiller
    Jerry Stiller
    • Maury Ballstein
    David Duchovny
    David Duchovny
    • J.P. Prewitt
    Jon Voight
    Jon Voight
    • Larry Zoolander
    Judah Friedlander
    Judah Friedlander
    • Scrappy Zoolander
    Nathan Lee Graham
    Nathan Lee Graham
    • Todd
    Alexandre Manning
    • Brint
    • (as Alexander Manning)
    Asio Highsmith
    Asio Highsmith
    • Rufus
    Alexander Skarsgård
    Alexander Skarsgård
    • Meekus
    Donald Trump
    Donald Trump
    • Donald Trump
    Christian Slater
    Christian Slater
    • Christian Slater
    Tom Ford
    Tom Ford
    • Tom Ford
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Cuba Gooding Jr.
    Steve Kmetko
    • Steve Kmetko
    • Director
      • Ben Stiller
    • Writers
      • Drake Sather
      • Ben Stiller
      • John Hamburg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews602

    6.5305.7K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    erialc0

    A Classic of the Idiot Genre

    Since Zoolander was released, I think I can safely say that it's become one of the most popular dumb comedies of the past ten years (a decade that was all too saturated with dumb comedies). Maybe it's the tongue-in-cheek attitude, or the clever writing, or the fact that it's immensely quotable ("I'm pretty sure there's more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking"). But whatever it is, it makes for a terrifically fun movie.

    Ben Stiller is Derek Zoolander, three-time male model of the year, whose brainpower never quite caught up to his really, really ridiculous good looks. After losing his title to up-and-coming model Hansel (he's so hot right now), played by a Zen-ed out Owen Wilson, and the death of three of his model friends in a tragic gasoline fight accident, he goes on a quest to find his purpose in life. Turns out, his purpose in life is as the face of Mugatu (Will Ferrel with the world's best hair)'s new Derelicte fashion campaign--or so he's led to believe.

    The plot is not strong. The characters are not fleshed out. But Ben Stiller keeps Derek's stupidity hysterical instead of irritating, and the rest of the cast adds gimmick after gimmick to keep things running. (Come on, the coal mines of New Jersey? Tell me that's not funny.)
    sittler

    Stiller and Wilson are great together

    A hilarious, ridiculous comedy that does a great job of poking fun at celebrity. Ben Stiller seems to think that fame is rather silly and he shows his contempt for it in the form of male super-model Derek Zoolander. The intellect-challenged, self-absorbed Zoolander pouts, struts and mispronounces wonderfully throughout this comedy that's aimed at being stupid.

    The "plot-line" begins when Derek is targeted by a clandestine fashion alliance in need of a dim-witted, male super-model. Fitting the bill to a tee, Derek is brainwashed via a Clockwork-Orange-esque treatment that orders him to kill the visiting Prime Minister of Malaysia, whose progressive take on child-labour laws and sweatshops has become a serious thorn in the side of the fashion cartel. Whenever Derek hears "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, that's his trigger to kill the Prime Minister.

    Some movies try so hard at being ridiculous that it actually kills its comedic value (see "Scary Movie" and "Scary Movie 2"). It's quite a feat to maintain a balance, which Zoolander accomplishes.

    You'll either love or hate this movie. If you like silly, you'll like Zoolander. Also, I found that this movie gets better with age, so don't be so quick to cast it aside.
    7Screen_Blitz

    Zoolander is funny enough to excuse for how spectacularly goofy it gets

    Ben Stiller is the titular character of this comedy that does not believe in being particularly smart. It is dumb, but with such infectious comedic energy by Stiller and friend Owen Wilson poured on screen, it is funny enough to look past how ridiculous it gets. Stiller, also filling in the director's chair, conducts a comedy that lends a satirical look at the modeling industry and how competition can bring out both the best and the worst in those who compete for the big prize. This is where the small, but significant amount of cleverness comes into the picture. But it is Stiller and Wilson are smoke the air with their comedic energy to make this into a film that offers just enough laughs and fun to compensate for its short runtime. While it certainly isn't consistently funny, with occasional botched attempts at humor, it knows how to tickle the funny bone for a film that resists against engaging the brain. This film follows acclaimed fashion model Derek Zoolander (played by Ben Stiller), a three-time consecutive award winner who is on his way to claiming his fourth prize as "Model of The Year". All this hopes are eventually crushed when the prize goes to his rival Hansel (played by Owen Wilson). To make matters worse, he find himself on the cover of a magazine mocked as an "idiot" by columnist Matilda (played by Christine Taylor). Throwing in the towel, Zoolander decides to pursue on a new path, possibly opening up an institute for children who have trouble reading. His goals are soon put a halt by dubious fashion designer Mugatu (played by Will Ferrell) who uses a machine to brainwash him into killing the prime minister of Malaysia as an outcry against child labor. With this mind out of whack, you must turn to Matilda and form a bond with his rival Hansel to help from committing this diabolical plot.

    Ben Stiller leads a cast of comedic veterans who seem to have fun acting like dimwits, and the result is a ride through whacky stupidity. But if you are willing to scoot past the dominating stupidity and the politically offensive plot of assassinating a foreign leader for a debatable cause, you are rewarded with a hilarious good time. This film offers a clever escapism into dumb territory where acting foolish equates to gut-busting laughter and its cast prove their ability for displaying solid comedic timing, even when it fails on an occasional basis. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson cook up an infectious comic energy in nearly scene they both meet on screen, and the energy unravels into funny laugh-out-loud sequences including a fashion showdown scene, another segment owing homage to '2001: A Space Odyssey', and the final scene showcasing their attempts at turning the tables on the comically antagonistic Will Ferrell. Supplementing these scenes are loads of unexpected celebrity cameos including David Bowie, Natalie Portman, Lenny Kravitz, Cuba Gooding Jr. and many others. On the other hand, there are moments where the cast falls shorts when taking a stab at the funny bone, whether it is from attempting slapstick gags that are better fit for 'The Three Stooges', or spewing vulgar, but PG-13 friendly dialogue. No need to worry though, Stiller, Wilson, and Ferrell manage to compensate for some of the dull moments. Christine Taylor, Stiller's wife, and Jerry Stiller (playing Zoolander's agent), his dad, have a few good lines, but perhaps not enough to count for memorable roles. For Taylor, her most memorable would be an orgy scene that demands for editing cuts when the film was initially slapped with an R-rating.

    Zoolander is a comedy loaded with laughter and infectious charisma, and Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Will Ferrell deserve the credit for this. Yes, it is goofy, but it is a goofy ride that is worth hopping into if you are hungry for some feel-good laughs. While the movie isn't consistently with its hilarity, it is definitely enough to warrant a viewing for a fair number of comedic fanatics.
    7daveisit

    Man It's Exhausting

    Derek (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) are the worlds greatest two models. And nobody in the world could play them quite like Stiller and Wilson. Stiller was also a writer and the director of Zoolander and knows how to put together a movie.

    While the movie often focuses on Derek and Hansel out modelling each other, I believe the real contest was off screen being played out on screen between the two. This being who could play the more sarcastic and larger than life model. Stiller may win this, but the sheer arrogance of Wilson's on screen demeanor tips the scale in his favour for me. When the two work together they are up there with the great duo's of comedy.

    This is far from Stiller's best work however, moving along a little too slowly at times. Having said this it is still well worth a look and should give you plenty of laughs providing you appreciate the Stiller Wilson combo.
    ken_gewertz

    An absurd but smart send-up of our image-obsessed culture

    Released a few short weeks after Sept. 11, Zoolander became the target of "this is why they hate us" diatribes. I didn't see it until months later and immediately recognized what I can only hope I would have seen if I had watched it earlier--that this is a superb satire/farce. There aren't many movies that manage to be both silly and smart at the same time, and this is one. It is not only a send-up of the modeling and fashion industries, admittedly easy targets, but of our whole image-obsessed culture which commodifies love, spirituality, patriotism, heroism just as easily and unthinkingly as it does kitchen appliances. This is not a "stupid" movie, even though it is about stupid people and stupid situations. It keeps the targets of its satire within its sights at every moment, never letting that focus flag to pursue maudlin subplots, but at the same time, it is unfailingly hilarious, with marvelous comic acting, sight-gags, sets, and costumes. The screen is just packed with visual jokes at almost every moment. This is not a movie that anyone needs to be embarrassed to watch or enjoy. But it is also just plain damned fun!

    More like this

    Zoolander 2
    4.7
    Zoolander 2
    Tropic Thunder
    7.1
    Tropic Thunder
    Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
    6.7
    Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
    Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
    7.1
    Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
    Step Brothers
    6.9
    Step Brothers
    Meet the Parents
    7.0
    Meet the Parents
    Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
    6.7
    Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
    Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
    6.6
    Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
    Happy Gilmore
    7.0
    Happy Gilmore
    Blades of Glory
    6.3
    Blades of Glory
    School of Rock
    7.2
    School of Rock
    The Other Guys
    6.7
    The Other Guys

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Derek's repetition of the line "But why male models?" for the second time, in the cemetery scene, was an ad-lib by the actors; Ben Stiller forgot his line and simply repeated the earlier line again, and David Duchovny ran with it and gave him a straight answer.
    • Goofs
      A large premise of the movie is that Zoolander is unable to turn left, but he is seen doing that several times in the film: When Maury calls out to Derek at the red carpet for the award show; during the award show's montage (although this could be explained as the footage being flipped); when startled by J.P. Prewitt in the cemetery; when leaving the cemetery; and when Derek finishes talking to Matilda on the Walkie Talkie in Maury's office he turned left to go back to helping Hansel look for the computer files.
    • Quotes

      Derek Zoolander: Rufus, Brint, and Meekus were like brothers to me. And when I say brother, I don't mean, like, an actual brother, but I mean it like the way black people use it. Which is more meaningful I think.

      Derek Zoolander: If there is anything that this horrible tragedy can teach us, it's that a male model's life is a precious, precious commodity. Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, it doesn't mean that we too can't not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.

    • Alternate versions
      The original theatrical version included a goat in the orgy scene. (The goat can be seen, briefly, the morning after).
    • Connections
      Edited from VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Relax
      by Peter Gill, Holly Johnson (as William Johnson) & Mark O'Toole

      Performed by Frankie Goes to Hollywood

      Courtesy of ZTT Records Ltd. and Courtesy of Universal Records

      By Arrangement with Universal Music Enterprises

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ20

    • How long is Zoolander?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 28, 2001 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Germany
      • United States
      • Australia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Derek Zoolander
    • Filming locations
      • Ogdensburg, New Jersey, USA(coal mine scenes)
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Village Roadshow Pictures
      • VH1 Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $28,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $45,172,250
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,525,043
      • Sep 30, 2001
    • Gross worldwide
      • $60,780,981
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Ben Stiller in Zoolander (2001)
    Top Gap
    What is the streaming release date of Zoolander (2001) in Canada?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.