New Jersey films

The New Jersey films are five motion pictures, written and directed by Kevin Smith with his "View Askew" production company, and partially or completely set in New Jersey.

The films are characterized by crude and usually politically incorrect humor, particularly tasteless sexual humor (such as when a character in Clerks inadvertently has sex with a corpse).

The same performers often appear in several films, playing the same or different characters. Two characters appear in all five films: Jay, played by Jason Mewes, who talks incessantly; and Silent Bob, played by Kevin Smith, who usually has barely enough lines to qualify as a speaking part. Jason Lee and Ben Affleck appear in several films as various characters. Joey Lauren Adams had a minor part in Mallrats and starred in Chasing Amy. Dwight Ewell played an important role in Chasing Amy and a minor one in Dogma. Most repeat performers had at least a cameo (often making ironic observations about the films) in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

There is limited continuity across the films. Clerks and Mallrats occur within a day or so of each other, though with unrelated stories. Chasing Amy takes place several years later. All three movies refer to certain unfortunate anecdotes. Dogma happens shortly after Chasing Amy but there is little continuity between it and the earlier films.