The geek chic movies really were 2007's film genre of the year with the likes of Knocked Up and Superbad doing well both critically and commercially.Stars like Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller used to be the faces of comedy on the big screen and then Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell were the toast of tinsel town.But now regular band of buddies Johan Hill, Seth Rogan Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann are gate-crashing the party and there is just one man to thank for that, Judd Apatow.It all started back in 2004 and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, produced by Apatow and starring Will Ferrell.But despite Anchorman's success it was perhaps 2005's The 40 Year Old Virgin that really kicked the Geek Chic genre into life.The 40 year Old Virgin brought together Apatow, who directed, produced and penned the script, with Seth Rogan, who produced, and Steve Carell who starred as Andy Stitzer.

The film was the surprise hit of the year grossing over $177 million at the global box office, taking just over $109 million in the U.S. alone.

The film propelled both Carell and Apatow into the spotlight.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, starring Will Ferrell, followed and Blades of Glory.

However it was 2007 that Geek Chic really showed it's popularity amongst movie goers and the critics.

Knocked Up took summer cinema by storm as Apatow and Rogan reunited: Apatow once again directing, writing and producing as Rogan produced and starred in the film as Ben Stone.

The film was a global critical and commercial success grossing over $218 million, not bad having been made on a budget of $30 million.

Unlike Evan Almighty, which was the most expensive comedy ever made with a $175 million budget, Apatow and co have proved that a big budget is not always the best way to get a laugh.

Rogan and Apatow were on a roll and teamed up again for Superbad both producing and Rogan, with the help of Evan Goldberg, penning the script.

As with Knocked Up, Superbad enjoyed similar critical and box office success grossing over $169 million worldwide.

It seems that their key to success lies in their everyday storylines of unexpected pregnancy and wanting to get laid before leaving high school, accompanied by some witty dialogue that you will be quoting the second the credits role, that makes these movies a hit.

And 2008 looks like it's also going to be a successful year as Apatow produces Seth Rogan's Drillbit Taylor script that stars Owen Wilson, before Rogan steps in front of the camera again in Pineapple Express, a script he also wrote.

Long live Geek Chic!

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw

Drillbit Taylor is released 28th March