🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Fortenberry
- Genre: Comedy, Music, Romance
- Release year: 1998
- Runtime (length): 1h 22min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (67K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 11%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two brothers who head-bob to Haddaway think they’re too good for their dad’s fake flower shop and want to open a club, but mostly just annoy Richard Grieco.
🍿 A Night at the Roxbury: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction of the Butabi Brothers
Steve and Doug Butabi are two brothers obsessed with clubbing and getting into the Roxbury, the hottest club in town. They live at home, work in their father’s artificial plant store, and spend their nights attempting (and failing) to impress women and gain access to exclusive nightclubs. Their signature move is head-bobbing to Eurodance music, particularly Haddaway’s ‘What Is Love’.

The Accident and Opportunity
One night, while driving around in search of an ATM to bribe a club bouncer, the Butabi brothers are rear-ended by actor Richard Grieco. To avoid a lawsuit and potential bad press, Grieco uses his celebrity status to get them into the Roxbury. This marks a turning point for the brothers as they finally experience the club they’ve idolized.

Dreams of Owning a Club
Inside the Roxbury, they meet Benny Zadir, the club owner, and pitch him their idea for a unique nightclub where the interior looks like the exterior and vice versa. Zadir is intrigued and sets up a meeting. They also attract the attention of two gold-digging women, Vivica and Cambi, who believe the brothers are wealthy and connected.

Falling Out and Reconciliation
After being snubbed by Zadir’s bodyguard and dumped by Vivica and Cambi when they learn the brothers aren’t rich, Steve and Doug have a falling out. Doug moves into the guest house, and Steve is pressured by his father to marry Emily, the girl next door. Their eventual reconciliation comes at Steve’s wedding to Emily, which Doug hilariously interrupts.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Doug Butabi (Chris Kattan): One of the dim-witted Butabi brothers, Doug dreams of owning a nightclub and relentlessly pursues entry into the exclusive Roxbury.
- Steve Butabi (Will Ferrell): The other half of the Butabi duo, Steve shares Doug’s ambition for club ownership and struggles with his father’s expectations for him to marry Emily.
- Kamehl Butabi (Dan Hedaya): The stern father of Doug and Steve, Kamehl owns a fake plant store and disapproves of his sons’ clubbing aspirations, pushing Steve to marry for business reasons.
- Emily Sanderson (Molly Shannon): The persistent and somewhat clingy neighbor who desires to marry Steve, driven by her father’s and Kamehl’s ambition to merge their businesses.
- Richard Grieco (Richard Grieco): A celebrity who inadvertently grants the Butabi brothers access to the Roxbury after a minor car accident, playing a humorous exaggerated version of himself.
- Benny Zadir (Chazz Palminteri): The owner of the Roxbury nightclub, Benny sees potential in Doug and Steve’s unorthodox club ideas, eventually making them part-owners.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Doug: “Emilioooooo!” – Doug’s excited exclamation upon seeing Emilio Estevez, a celebrity icon for the brothers.
- Doug: “Is that a mirror in your pocket? Because I can see myself in your pants.” – A line used by Doug in an attempt to pick up women, showcasing his lack of suave.
- Steve: “Noooo…. Yes!” – Steve’s response when asked if he and Doug are brothers.
- Steve: “What is love? Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me no more.” – Singing along with Haddaway, encapsulating the brothers’ clueless and repetitive nature.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $17,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $30,331,165
- Worldwide Gross: $30,331,740
💥 A Night at the Roxbury Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘A Night at the Roxbury’ isn’t going to win any Oscars, but I freaking love it! The head-bobbing, the ‘What is Love?’ anthem, the sheer cluelessness of the Butabi brothers – it all cracks me up. I remember watching this with my friends in high school and just losing it. It’s a movie that doesn’t take itself seriously, and sometimes that’s exactly what I need. The scene where Doug interrupts the wedding is comedy gold!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan”
- “Viewers who enjoy silly, over-the-top comedies”
- “Those who appreciate 90s Eurodance music and club culture”
- “Saturday Night Live fans”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Suggestive humor”
- “Mild language”
- “Some adult situations”
Professional Reviews
- Indiewire: “While ‘Saturday Night Live’ has a rough track record of turning sketches into movies, the simple premise sometimes works. ‘A Night at the Roxbury’ is more proof that a simple and consistent joke can sometimes stretch the distance.
- Original: “The movie isn’t high art, but it’s a fun, silly ride that perfectly captures the late 90s club scene. Ferrell and Kattan are hilarious, and the soundtrack is absolute fire. If you need a good laugh, this one delivers.
Audience Reactions
The repetitive head-bobbing to ‘What is Love?’ becomes strangely hypnotic and hilarious.: Viewers consistently praise the movie’s infectious humor and nostalgic soundtrack.
Richard Grieco’s self-deprecating cameo is a major highlight.: Fans appreciate the movie’s lightheartedness and its ability to provide consistent laughs.
Overall Consensus: While critics were mixed, ‘A Night at the Roxbury’ has become a cult classic, beloved for its silly humor, catchy soundtrack, and nostalgic appeal.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie is based on a recurring sketch from Saturday Night Live featuring Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan as the Butabi brothers.”
- “The film’s soundtrack, featuring the song ‘What Is Love’ by Haddaway, played a significant role in the movie’s popularity and became synonymous with the Butabi brothers’ head-bobbing dance.”
- “The movie features several cameos, including Richard Grieco playing himself, poking fun at his own career.”
- “According to Chris Kattan, after completing the film, Will Ferrell didn’t speak to Kattan again until the 23rd season of Saturday Night Live due to an on set relationship between Kattan and producer Amy Heckerling having upset Ferrell.”
🖥️ How to Watch A Night at the Roxbury?
A Night at the Roxbury is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for possible TV airings. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed A Night at the Roxbury, you might like these similar films:
- Wayne’s World (1992): Another SNL sketch turned into a movie, featuring quirky characters and a love for music.
- Dumb and Dumber (1994): Features two dim-witted friends on a ridiculous adventure, similar to the Butabi brothers’ quest for club entry.
- Saturday Night Fever (1977): Explores the nightlife and disco scene, with a focus on dancing and social aspirations.
- Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016): A mockumentary about a musician out of touch with reality, delivering similar humor.
- Office Space (1999): A comedy that, like A Night at the Roxbury, resonates with those who appreciate offbeat, relatable humor.
🛒 A Night at the Roxbury Related Products
- A Night at the Roxbury [Blu-ray]: Relive the head-bobbing hilarity with the high-definition Blu-ray release. Perfect for adding to your comedy movie collection.
- Haddaway – What Is Love? (CD Single): Get the iconic song that defines the movie. Perfect for reliving the head-bobbing moments. Available as a digital download and CD.
- Butabi Brothers T-Shirt: Show your love for Doug and Steve with this hilarious tee. Perfect for any fan of the movie.
- Richard Grieco Autographed Photo: A unique collector’s item from the movie featuring Richard Grieco’s unforgettable performance.
🎧 Soundtrack
A Night at the Roxbury features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “What Is Love?” – performed by Haddaway
- “Be My Lover” – performed by La Bouche
- “Show Me Love” – performed by Robin S.
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, A Night at the Roxbury is not based on a true story. It originated as a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live, featuring Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan as the Butabi brothers.
The song is ‘What Is Love’ by Haddaway. It became synonymous with the film and the Butabi brothers’ signature head-bobbing dance.
A Night at the Roxbury is typically available for rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region.
🔥 Bonus Content
ONE HIT WONDERLAND: “What Is Love” by Haddaway
Remember that catchy song from the movie? Ever wondered why it became such a phenomenon? Todd in the Shadows breaks it down in this hilarious and insightful video. Honestly, I never knew there was so much to unpack about a single song!
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