Sara Stewart

Sara Stewart

Movies

‘Awkward’ is the latest evolution in bromantic comedy

“That Awkward Moment,” out tomorrow and starring Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller, is the latest entry in an expanding genre: the bromantic comedy. This testosterone-infused equivalent of the chick flick has seen various incarnations over the past few decades — here are seven of the most iconic.

‘Diner’ (1982)

Mickey Rourke, Steve Guttenberg, Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Daniel Stern and Tim Daly hash out their love lives over hash (and, notably, roast beef) at a local eatery.

‘Kicking and Screaming’ (1995)

The first film from Noah Baumbach follows a group of college grads (including Chris Eigeman, Josh Hamilton and Eric Stoltz) who can’t quite seem to move on. It also introduced the concept of being nostalgic for things that haven’t happened yet.

‘Swingers’ (1996)

Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau are best friends trying to make it in LA, a tough town for both work and love. One of the most amusingly quotable movies of the ’90s (“You’re so money!” and “Vegas, baby!”) until it became one of the most irritatingly over-quoted movies of the ’90s.

‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’ (2005)

Judd Apatow’s first feature sees Steve Carell in the title role, surrounded by pals Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen and Romany Malco, who aim to help him do the deed. It includes a discussion of why grown men shouldn’t own action figures. (“Is that the Six Million Dollar Man’s boss??”)

‘The Hangover’ (2009)

Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha have a night to remember — but can’t — in this comedy that spawned two sequels and launched the film career of Galifiankis as a spectacular weirdo.

‘I Love You, Man’ (2009)

Paul Rudd is a newly engaged man who’s never had a guy best friend. He finds one in the form of Jason Segel, who proudly owns a man cave and teaches Rudd to be more of a dude. Gave the world the oft-quoted “Slappin’ da bass!” and “Totes McGotes.”

‘Crazy, Stupid, Love.’ (2011)

It has many intertwining plot lines, but the best is the blossoming friendship between Steve Carell’s lonely schlub and Ryan Gosling’s slick pick-up expert. It broke new ground in the bromantic comedy field by adding a shopping montage.