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Porky's

Porky's is a 1981 English-language teen sex comedy film directed by Bob Clark.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Porky's is a 1981 English-language teen sex comedy film directed by Bob Clark. Set in 1950s Florida, it follows a group of high school boys who seek revenge on the owner of a strip club after being humiliated there. The film became a major box-office hit and is widely cited as an influential example of the raunchy teen-comedy genre.

Plot

The story follows a group of teenage boys at Angel Beach High School in the 1950s as they pursue sex, confront school authority figures, and plot revenge against the owner of a local strip club.

Production

Porky's was directed by Bob Clark and made as a Canadian-linked production during the tax-shelter era. The film featured an American cast and was produced in a low-budget commercial comedy style.

Reception and legacy

The film was a large box-office success and is often remembered as one of the most prominent teen sex comedies of its era. It is also noted for influencing later films in the same subgenre.

Canadian significance

Although set in Florida, Porky's qualified as a Canadian film because it was partly financed in Canada. Canadian sources note that its profits helped build producer Harold Greenberg's Astral Communications empire.

Key facts

  • The film is set in 1950s Florida and centres on a group of male high school students.
  • Its plot involves the students seeking revenge on a nightclub owner known as Porky after a humiliating incident.
  • The film was partly financed in Canada and is commonly described as a Canadian film.
  • Porky's became a major commercial success and has been described as a template for later raunchy teen comedies.
  • The film spawned sequels, including Porky's II: The Next Day and Porky's Revenge!.
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Canadian context

Porky's is significant in Canadian film history because it was partly financed in Canada and is commonly classified as a Canadian film. Canadian sources also note that its profits helped support the growth of Astral Communications.

Frequently asked questions

What is Porky's about?
It follows Florida high school boys in the 1950s who try to get revenge on a strip-club owner after being humiliated at his establishment.
Who directed Porky's?
Porky's was directed by Bob Clark.
Is Porky's a Canadian film?
Yes. Canadian sources describe it as partly financed in Canada and therefore qualifying as a Canadian film.
When was Porky's released?
It was released in 1981, with a wider North American release in 1982.
Did Porky's have sequels?
Yes. It spawned sequels, including Porky's II: The Next Day and Porky's Revenge!.
Why is Porky's notable?
It became a major box-office hit and is widely seen as an influential example of the raunchy teen-comedy genre.

References

  1. Canadian Film Encyclopedia (TIFF)https://cfe.tiff.net/canadianfilmencyclopedia/content/films/porkys
    Supports: Year, runtime, director, producer, cast, production companies, plot summary, Canadian box-office significance.
  2. The Canadian Encyclopediahttps://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/porkys
    Supports: Canadian financing, Canadian film status, plot, sequel information, and commercial impact.
  3. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porky's
    Supports: Alternative corroboration for release year, cast, sequel titles, and film classification.
  4. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084522/
    Supports: Release date, country of origin, and alternate title information.