Nimrods is a flashback good time reminding us of the John Hughes (Planes, Trains and Automobiles) movies of the ‘80s while still bringing something fresh to the coming-of-age genre. It has that same feeling of watching a group of young characters get themselves into situations where they are completely over their heads while trying to figure out who they are along the way.
L-R: Mason Thames as Tommy and Kylr Coffman as Fred in NIMRODS. Photo courtesy of Inaugural Entertainment.
While introducing us to a story about a band getting pranked into thinking they’re opening for the legendary band Green Day, the movie immediately sets itself up for a ridiculous adventure that keeps getting bigger and more entertaining as it moves along. The multiple excellent cameos from Green Day themselves are another major highlight, giving it an authenticity that most movies about young musicians don’t always have.
L-R: Mason Thames as Tommy and Mckenna Grace as Olivia in NIMRODS. Photo courtesy of Inaugural Entertainment.
The chemistry between the three leads is so great that we believe that they’ve been hanging out all their lives and not just for making Nimrods (formerly New Year’s Rev). Their friendship feels natural and that chemistry carries a lot of the movie’s humor and emotional moments. You believe that these characters would actually stick together through all of the ridiculous situations they find themselves in. That is important for a coming-of-age movie because the audience needs to care about the characters before they can care about where the story is taking them.
There is something incredibly nostalgic about Nimrods without the movie feeling like it is simply copying everything that came before it. The influence of John Hughes is obvious in the best possible way, capturing that ‘80s feeling of young people getting into trouble, chasing something bigger than themselves, and learning important lessons without realizing they are learning them.
There is a charm here where everything doesn’t have to be overly dramatic or depressing to have meaning — something that feels almost forgotten in modern coming-of-age movies.
It’s one of the best coming-of-age movies of the past 20 years and may be the best rock and roll coming-of-age movie since Almost Famous (2000). That is a pretty big comparison, but Nimrods earns it through the way it understands the relationship between music and growing up.
Music is more than just background noise here. It becomes part of the identity of these characters and helps define the time in their lives that they are going through. Anyone who has ever had a favorite band or listened to an album that completely changed their life will understand that feeling.
The movie works for both fans and non-fans of Green Day alike as it never feels like you need to be a hardcore Green Day fan to enjoy the story. The appearances from the band are handled in a way that adds to the comedy and excitement without completely taking over the movie. Their presence feels like the perfect bonus for fans while the actual story remains strong enough to stand on its own.
The soundtrack to Nimrods also stands out as one of the year’s best soundtracks and is worthy of a purchase on vinyl for hardcore collectors. The music fits the tone of the movie perfectly and helps create that nostalgic rock and roll atmosphere that runs throughout the entire story. It is the kind of soundtrack that could easily become something fans associate with the movie long after the credits have rolled.
L-R: Ryan Foust as Chad, Kylr Coffman as Fred, and Mason Thames as Tommy and in NIMRODS. Photo courtesy of Inaugural Entertainment.
The pacing is ferociously fast and keeps you engaged for the whole film. There is rarely a moment where the story feels like it is dragging and each new situation keeps pushing the characters further into the chaos. That fast pace works because the movie knows exactly what kind of experience it wants to be. It wants to be funny, energetic, nostalgic, and heartfelt without getting bogged down by unnecessary drama.
L-R: Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool, and Mike Dirnt as themselves in NIMRODS. Photo courtesy of Inaugural Entertainment.
Nimrods is ultimately a reminder that coming-of-age movies can still be a lot of fun. It captures the excitement of youth, the importance of friendship, and the power that music can have during some of the most memorable years of our lives. With its excellent cast chemistry, great Green Day cameos, fantastic soundtrack, and John Hughes-inspired charm, Nimrods is a movie that will have you smiling throughout its entirety.
In select theaters August 14th, 2026.
For more information, head to the official Nimrods website.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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