Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PRANKINGTON — If you haven't realized yet it’s April Fools' Day, watch your back because something is coming. I don’t know what, but there’s something.
With that warning now given, we thought we’d highlight some of the great pranks from movies. Sure, there are some classics, such as the “Carrie” prank, but we are going with some that maybe you've forgotten. Plus, that one didn’t end too well; these others had better outcomes.
(We also threw in a TV prank because it was just too good to pass up.)

Before “Star Wars” took the world by storm and made him a billionaire, George Lucas gave us “American Graffiti.”
The movie follows a group of high school friends enjoying one more night on the town before taking off for college.
This film's prank features a young Richard Dreyfuss, a street gang, a rope and a cop car. The rest is prank history.
Do not try outthis prank for real, please. The felonies and lawyers' fees really aren’t worth it.

If you don’t remember 1985’s “Real Genius,” don’t worry; most people don’t.
The quirky little film stars Val Kilmer as a teen genius who has a penchant for being a huge pain to anyone who doesn’t understand him, which is mostly everyone.
At one point Kilmer’s character, Chris Knight, and his friends devise a plan to hijack a military laser and use it to make popcorn. A lot of popcorn.
You can try this one, but I don’t think insurance covers popcorn-related foundation issues. Also, messing with military weaponry is always a little sketchy and dangerous.

The 1990 film “Home Alone” may be set at Christmas, but it’s really tailor-made for April Fools'.
If you want to figure out ways to prank your family, roommates or neighborhood criminals, make sure to hang out with Kevin McCallister.
This little guy is brutal. While I agree that the Wet Bandits deserved what they got, I also think it’s safe to say that little Kevin could have killed Marv and Harry and possibly been tried as an adult.
That kid knew what he was doing.
So, for a fun April Fools' prank, go ahead and borrow some inspiration from Kevin, but dial it back just a touch.
I know, I know. “The Office” is a TV show, but this one was just too perfect.

Jim Halpert made Dwight Schrute’s life a living hell at times, but in Jim’s defense, Dwight usually deserved it.
While some of Jim’s pranks are pure gold, like the classic stapler in Jell-O or the personal belongings in the vending machine, Future Dwight takes the cake.
If I started receiving faxes from my future self on my own stationery I’d probably be wary of the coffee as well, but I think I’d also be trying to figure out why we’re still using fax machines.
What are your favorite movie or TV pranks? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.











