Released in theaters in February 2016, Dirty Grandpa is a comedy directed by Dan Mazer, a longtime screenwriter and collaborator of Sacha Baron Cohen. The film stars two actors stepping outside their usual lanes: Robert De Niro, as a libertine grandfather, and Zac Efron, in the role of his uptight grandson. This anarchic and provocative comedy follows the zany misadventures of this unlikely duo, swept along in a series of delirious escapades during a road trip to Florida. Available for streaming on Prime Video starting August 1, 2026, Dirty Grandpa blends crude humor with politically incorrect situations.
Jason Kelly (Zac Efron) is an ambitious, serious and slightly uptight young lawyer, about to marry his boss's bossy daughter, Meredith. His future looks all set: a prestigious wedding and a promising career in his future father-in-law's firm. But everything changes when her grandfather, Dick Kelly (Robert De Niro), widower and notorious sex maniac, takes her on an unexpected road-trip to Florida. This trip, on the eve of his wedding, turns Jason's well-ordered life upside down.
Dick has only one goal: to enjoy life to the full, regardless of convention. He embarks his grandson on a series of wild adventures: drinking parties, bar brawls and even a memorable karaoke contest. As these events unfold, Jason begins to question his future marriage, while discovering another side of life alongside his wacky grandfather. Dirty Papy is an irreverent comedy that plays on the clash of generations and the contrast between the serious young man and the eccentric grandfather.
Dirty Papy will appeal above all to fans of offbeat comedies, with their sometimes crude humor and deliberately exaggerated situations. The film will particularly appeal to viewers who appreciate irreverent comedies like Very Bad Trip or Our Worst Neighbors, which aren't afraid to break taboos or go beyond the limits of political correctness. Robert De Niro, usually associated with dramatic roles, surprises here by slipping into the skin of an insolent, libidinous grandfather, while Zac Efron explores the role of the uptight young man with ease.
The film's strength lies in this generational contrast, with Dick, an unfiltered older man who challenges social conventions, and Jason, a young professional stuck in a monotonous, predictable life. The road-trip thus becomes a journey of initiation for Jason, who rediscovers the pleasures of life under the unpredictable influence of his grandfather. With increasingly far-fetched situations, Dirty Papy plays on the confrontation between these two worlds, while offering moments of pure comedy.
Available on Prime Video beginning August 1, 2026 , Dirty Papy is a bold, offbeat comedy led by the excellent duo of Robert De Niro and Zac Efron. The film promises plenty of laughs thanks to its zany scenarios and politically incorrect dialogue. Perfect for a friends' night, Dirty Papy takes you on a memorable road trip where the boundaries are constantly pushed.
Our take on Dirty Grandpa (2016):
Screenwriter John M. Phillips conceived Dirty Grandpa, drawing inspiration from his own father to shape the character of Dick. He was surprised that a heavyweight star like Robert De Niro agreed to such a part: "He needed to be a little terrifying and very smart—and De Niro nails both."
Indeed, the veteran actor still brings plenty of punch. From the opening moments, you see him effortlessly banging out pull-ups right after getting caught in a awkward moment with Jason (Zac Efron)—the tone is set from the start.
The film leans heavily into crude humor and a thousand and one ways to party. With Florida as the playground, grandfather and grandson embark on a booze-soaked adventure that leaves them scarred—and their pride dented—in equal measure. It wouldn’t be funny otherwise: De Niro plays the reckless old man while Efron plays the uptight retiree-in-disguise. One guy trusts luck; the other plans every detail—especially with the specter of a manic woman looming over him.
The unfiltered, slightly devil-may-care humor of De Niro might evoke the vibe of Little Miss Sunshine’s granddad, only dialed up to eleven. It’s clear that this easygoing facade masks a past as murky as it is painful. Who is this super-grandpa taking on gangsters, wooing younger women, and not batting an eyelid at his own liver?
As for Zack Efron, he’s obviously come a long way since the glory days of High School Musical. Very convincing opposite the colossal De Niro, he still keeps a distinctly “Paperboy” swagger—evidenced by his fiancée forcing him to drive a pink car. In Dirty Grandpa, the actor isn’t shy about laughing off that “pretty boy” label—whether he’s joining in a spirited karaoke session or donning a “bee-thong” moment, for example!
To go further, also check out our guide to Prime Video releases for August 2026, our selection of streaming releases across all platforms and our guide What to watch today on streaming.
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