Critics absolutely despised this Ryan Reynolds comedy but I couldn't stop laughing —stream it on Prime Video

(Image credit: Prime Video) Whether it’s a paper company or a parks department or a fashion magazine, workplaces are rife for good comedy, and one of this writer’s favorite on-the-job flicks is officially coming of age this year. Starring a pre-fame Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris and Justin Long, among others, the 2005 restaurant-staff comedy “Waiting” turns the big 2-1 this year, a fitting anniversary given how raunchy and rambunctious the cult-favorite movie is. Riotously funny and relatable in its depiction of the messy dynamics between front-of-house staff and kitchen workers, the low-budget indie comedy has culled a devoted clientele of fans over the decades thanks to its strong cast, sharp timing and slacker charm.And you can celebrate 21 years of “Waiting” by streaming the mid-aughts comedy now on Prime Video for free. Here’s why you should add it to your watchlist.What is 'Waiting' about?Based on writer-director Rob McKittrick’s own time working as a waiter, “Waiting” follows the young and underpaid waitstaff and kitchen crew at the fictional chain restaurant Shenaniganz, the kind of casual franchise spot with its own signature happy birthday song and plenty of knickknacks and tchotchkes lining the dining-room walls.Taking place over a single chaotic day, the funny flick acquaints us with a slew of colorful characters, including Justin Long’s Dean (who is distraught that a former schoolmate has recently secured a plush engineering job while he’s been stuck at the less-than-glamorous serving gig for four years).There's also Ryan Reynolds’ Shenaniganz long-timer Monty (who’s busy flirting with the underage hostess Natasha) and staff newcomer Mitch (John Francis Daley), who undergoes a horrific, nudity-filled first day of training.Why I recommend you stream 'Waiting' (Image credit: Prime Video)A critical darling it was certainly not. “Waiting” has a pretty abysmal 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics panning the gross-out comedy for being “more gross than comic.”And though the movie’s signature crude humor and brazen slapstick are certainly a relic of mid-2000s bro-comedy humor, the underrated movie does serve up some service-industry realness in between all of those low-brow laughs, accurately capturing the rude customers, shift chaos and staff dynamics that restaurant workers know all too well.Like a chain-restaurant dinner, watching “Waiting” may not be the best meal of your life, but as long as you’re surrounded by lovably colorful characters, you’ll certainly have a good time.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Stream “Waiting” on Prime Video now Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow Tom's Guide Entertainment on TikTok and Instagram.More from Tom’s Guide5 best Ryan Reynolds movies to watch right nowNew on Prime Video in August 2026: Top picks and all the new movies and shows to watchOne of Ryan Reynolds’ thriller movies just crashed Netflix’s top 10 — but his gripping survival film on Prime Video is far more intenseWhether it’s a paper company or a parks department or a fashion magazine, workplaces are rife for good comedy and one of this writers’ favorite on-the-job flicks is officially coming of age this year. Starring a pre-fame Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris and Justin Long, among others, the 2005 restaurant-staff comedy “Waiting” turns the big 2-1 this year, a fitting anniversary given how raunchy and rambunctious the cult-favorite movie is. Christina Izzo is a writer-editor covering culture, food and drink, travel and general lifestyle in New York City. She was previously the Deputy Editor at My Imperfect Life, the Features Editor at Rachael Ray In Season and Reveal, as well as the Food & Drink Editor and chief restaurant critic at Time Out New York.