•
Jesse Eisenberg as James Brennan, a recent graduate of
Oberlin College who majored in
Comparative Literature and
Renaissance Studies. He is an aspiring journalist planning to go to
Columbia University in New York. •
Kristen Stewart as Em Lewin, one of James's Adventureland co-workers. She hates her stepmother and resents her father for remarrying so soon after her mother's death from cancer. She is a student at
New York University majoring in
Art History. She does not need to work, as her father is a rich lawyer, but she works at the theme park to get out of the house. •
Martin Starr as Joel, one of James's co-workers at the games in Adventureland. He is a college student studying
Russian Literature and
Slavic Languages, a degree which he claims will get him a job as a "cabbie, hot dog vendor," or "marijuana delivery guy." •
Kristen Wiig as Paulette, Bobby's wife and the manager of Adventureland. She is much quieter than her husband. •
Bill Hader as Bobby, Paulette's husband and the assistant manager of Adventureland. He is extremely intolerant of people who litter but very supportive of his employees and wife. •
Ryan Reynolds as Mike Connell, the park's maintenance man, married to a woman named Ronnie. He is also a part-time musician who claims to have
jammed with
Lou Reed. He has cheated on his wife with many women, including Em. •
Margarita Levieva as Lisa P., one of the ride operators at the Adventureland park. A seductive girl to whom all the park's employees are attracted. Her father was injured and is now unable to work, and she bonds with James after he shows some sympathy. •
Jack Gilpin as Mr. Brennan, James's father. He loses his job and transfers to a different office. He is an alcoholic, but he tries to hide his drinking from his family. •
Josh Pais as Mr. Lewin, Em's father and Francy's husband. He met Francy at a temple while his first wife was slowly dying in the hospital. He married Francy soon after Em's mother died. •
Wendie Malick as Mrs. Brennan, James's mother. She supplies the discipline of the two parents. At the end of the film, she decides to let James go to New York City. •
Mary Birdsong as Francy, Em's stepmother. She married Em's father shortly after the death of Em's mother. After her first divorce, she lost her hair from the stress of a nervous breakdown and wears a wig. •
Matt Bush as Tommy Frigo, James' childhood best friend. Although they aren't good friends anymore, James still manages to tolerate Frigo's immaturity and cruelty. Frigo constantly teases James and hits him in the testicles. •
Paige Howard as Sue O'Malley, Pete's sister, another of the young workers at Adventureland. •
Dan Bittner as Pete O'Malley, Sue's brother, another of the young workers at Adventureland. •
Michael Zegen as Eric, a college friend of James. • Barrett Hackney as Munch, a young worker at Adventureland. • Ryan McFarland as Brad, another college friend of James. == Production ==