Despite the fact that the 1st of April is not celebrated as a national holiday, people have been taking part in the foolishness and pranking the holiday is known for since 1582! Specifically speaking, April Fools’ Day may be the only day where practical jokes are both warranted and welcomed. In honor of the “Day of Pranks,” I have decided to compile of list of not only epic but also entertaining pranks that have endured the test of time on both movie and television screens.
1. Movie: Home Alone, Prankster: Kevin McCallister
Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, is arguably the most sadistic and creative prankster ever to grace the screen. He camps out in front of a doggy door and shoots a burglar in the genitals with a BB gun and sets up a series of booby traps including, smacking an iron into the face of one burglar and icing the basement steps to cause a painful, but hilarious slippery fall. If anyone is looking for some pranking inspiration, this is your go-to film.
2. TV Show: Ellen DeGeneres Show, Prankster: Ellen DeGeneres
For those of you who don’t watch the show religiously (I may be guilty…), Ellen may seem like a random choice. However, she is known as one of the all time best pranksters – mostly because every prank is documented for millions of viewers to enjoy. She employs practical jokes on her audience members, coworkers and even her celebrity guests. If you haven’t seen this clip of her Taylor Swift prank, check it out now!
3. Movie: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Prankster: Ferris Bueller and Cameron Frye
This movie has so much to offer. Not only does it have a totally impromptu, albeit random, dance/sing along number, it also features one of the most imaginative and lovable pranksters to date. Matthew Broderick plays Ferris Bueller, a wise, yet underachieving high school kid who doesn’t want to miss a second of life. This goal encourages Bueller and his two best friends to prank their way out of class and into a day of frivolity. The most memorable prank: when Bueller and his best friend Cameron Frye accomplish the most realistic prank call in history. Watch it here.
4. Movie: Harry Potter Movies, Pranskter(s): Weasley Brothers
With wit and magic, the pranks these two twins are capable of pulling off is truly limitless. Although their characters may be fictional (pause for a depressed sigh) their practical jokes have been entertaining people for years, both in the Harry Potter books and movies. They constantly prank their friends, relatives and take certain delight in pranking first-year students with their Zonko’s merchandise. But, what is their most epic prank? Ruing the OWLs in the fifth installment by chasing out Umbridge with a Chinese dragon made of fireworks.
5. Movie: Dumb and Dumber, Prankster: Jim Carrey
The last prankster rounds out my list with a successful, yet disgusting prank. Floyd Christmas, played by Carrey, will stop at nothing to win the girl of his dreams – this includes essentially stealing her briefcase full of ransom money, driving across country with it and then blowing it all on an ugly orange suit. When his love interest becomes more interested in his best friend Harry Dunne, played by Jeff Daniels, Floyd decides to take matters into his own hands. I think we all remember the laxative scene…
Although this short list may not encompass every celebrity prankster – Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap, evil high school classmates in Carrie and duh, Ashton Kutcher all come to mind – I hope these pranksters provided some much needed entertainment and inspiration for this April Fools’ Day!