These Back-to-School Movies Will Make You Actually Want to Hit the Books Again
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I know, I know: Summer (and more importantly, summer TV) has only just begun, but since most of us haven't left the couch for more time than it takes to grab a snack from the kitchen since, um, March, the nostalgia of physically being IN school is already setting in. Global pandemic aside, there's no doubt something magical about heading back to school: You spend at least a few hours picking out your super fresh first-day 'fit, then you beeline for your crew as soon as you get to campus, suss out the new kids, and scan your list of classes to see if you have any good teachers. My fingers and toes are crossed that you'll get to experience an IRL first day of school again soon, bb!
Whether you’re a newly-minted middle-school grad ready to take over high school or a college sophomore yearning for dorm life (or, hey, maybe you’re just an adult sentimental for cafeteria pizza and Lisa Frank folders, no judgment), streaming a marathon of school-centric hits is definitely in order.
Here we’ve rounded up the very best back-to-school movies to last you until winter break, including classics like 'Dead Poet's Society' and new favorites like 'Pitch Perfect.' Bonus points to whichever one of you smartypants can turn watching one of these movies into a homework assignment for your film studies class.
'Freedom Writers'
Every school year we cross our fingers and hope that we get the best teachers. You're going to wish there were more teachers like Erin Gruwell IRL and, for some lucky students, she actually was. You won't believe her amazing story when you tune in and watch.
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'A Walk to Remember'
Yes, this is a very sad movie. But if the pandemic taught us anything it's that sometimes we need to take a chance at love, even with the most unexpected people, which is what this movie is all about.
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'Heathers'
If you're looking for something much darker than most of the movies on this list then Heathers is the best choice for you! With Winona Ryder and Christian Slater co-starring, you're gonna fall in love with this film just as fast as JD and Veronica fell for each other.
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'The House Bunny'
We've all been obsessing over #RushTok this summer. So why not celebrate our faves getting their bids with the perfect film that sheds a different light on greek life?
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'The Duff'
We have to admit, this movie a little bit of a cliché. But it does feature a bunch of our favorite actors growing up which makes us absolutely obssessed.
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'Booksmart'
Yes, Booksmart actually takes place during the last 24 hours before a high school graduation. But it'll definitely remind you to make the most of the time you all have together before you go your separate ways.
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'School of Rock'
Imagine if we all had teachers like Dewey Finn? We would absolutely get nothing done, but at least we'd be the fan favorite at Battle of the Bands. Follow a group of private school kids as they get their worlds turned upside down thanks to their brand new substitute teacher who isn't who he says he is.
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'Remember the Titans'
Even if you're not a big football fan, you're still going to fall in love with this movie. Following the true story of the 1971 Alexandria City High School football team, players from a brand new integrated school in Virginia have to learn how to work together, despite what their town thinks about their new team.
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'Lady Bird'
Senior year can be rough, and watching Lady Bird try to balance her friends *and* her relationship with her parents *and* getting into college makes me feel pretty relieved that part of my life is over. But then Timothée Chalamet comes on the screen and suddenly I'm crushing again.
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'She's the Man'
Here's some fun trivia: this movie is loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, a story that had literally nothing to do with school—so yeah, you could say certain creative liberties were taken. But leave it to Amanda Bynes to take a 400-year-old story and turn it into something you wanna rewatch at least once a year.
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'Pitch Perfect'
Possibly the most musical back-to-school movie apart from, ya know, actual musicals. If this doesn't make you wanna be a freshman in college so you can join an a capella group with Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, then something's wrong because it looks aca-awesome. (Sorry, had to.)
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'Dead Poet's Society'
This movie is emotional for sev-er-al reasons ("O Captain, my Captain," anyone?), and man oh man what I would give to have had a poetry-loving Robin Williams as my high school English teacher!
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'Legally Blonde'
If you're heading off to law school in the fall, let Ms. Elle Woods teach you a thing or two about making an entrance. Who knows, maybe one day you too will catch someone mid-perjury because of hair-perm etiquette!
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'High School Musical'
I think we can all admit now that Gabriella is kinda the worst (I'm hardcore Team Sharpay, don't @ me). Regardless of whose side you're on, this movie made everyone dream of meeting an adorable Zac Efron over winter break and then starting at a new school that he just so happens to attend. Fate!
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'Accepted'
What do you do when you don't get into any college you applied to? You just create your own school, duh. By the way, this movie's cast is low-key stacked. It's got Jonah Hill, Blake Lively, Justin Long, and Kellan Lutz.
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'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'
Definitely one of the heavier movies on this list, Perks of Being a Wallflower is a really moving watch. Starring Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, it's a coming-of-age story about mental health, surviving abuse, and making new friends.
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'Billy Madison'
Billy literally heads back to school to redo grades one through 12 in order to prove to his dad that he's smart enough to handle the family biz. It's Adam Sandler in all his '90s glory and an utter delight to watch.
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‘Mean Girls’
Nothing gets you in the back-to-school mood like a dose of catty drama, amirite? Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) takes on the ringleader of the Plastics Regina George (Rachel McAdams) in this high-school classic. It’s written by Tina Fey, so you know it's good.
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‘Easy A’
Emma Stone plays Olive, who lies about losing her virginity but can’t reveal the truth before the whole school finds out. Alongside all the social-scene antics, the film tries to answer the question we’ve been pondering for years: Why the heck is “Pocketful of Sunshine” so damn catchy?
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‘Friday Night Lights’
Nope, not the show. (Though if you aren't familiar with the human god known as Tim Riggins, go get your fix stat.) This movie's about the football-obsessed town of Odessa, Texas, and stars Billy Bob Thornton as Coach Gaines.
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‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’
Arguably the best school-themed movie about, er, skipping class. A charming young Matthew Broderick is the goofy bad boy who makes you want to duck out of school, regardless of your perfect attendance record.
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‘Superbad’
Probably the most NSFW movie on our back-to-school list, but no shade to McLovin. Having a sh*tty fake ID is basically a rite of passage for all high school kids.
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‘She’s All That’
Everybody loves a good prom movie, especially when it stars Freddie Prinze Jr. in the height of his rom-com glory days. Popular guy Zach accepts a bet to make outcast Laney Boggs prom queen. Throw in some underage partying and a classic makeover scene and you’ve got yourself a Kids Choice Award winner.
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‘To All the Boys I Loved Before’
Can we put this on every must-watch list ever? Great, glad that's settled. Lana Condor (Lara Jean) and Noah Centineo (Peter) star in this super heartwarming YA flick that is way palatable to even non-YA lovers.
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‘Bring It On’
Be honest: You have the entire first cheer sequence memorized. Admit it! I’ve personally never wanted to be anyone more than I wanted to be Kirsten Dunst as head of the Toro squad (before she dropped the Spirit Stick, that is).
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‘Clueless’
A back-to-school movie list without the legendary Cher Horowitz, her drool-worthy closet, and a young Paul Rudd? As if.
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‘21 Jump Street’
Absolute Unit Channing Tatum somehow posing as a high school student is a comedy in itself. Throw some Jonah Hill in there and you’ve got yourself a dynamic duo if I’ve ever seen one.
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‘The Breakfast Club’
A classic Molly Ringwald + gang dealing with a very high school problem: Saturday detention. And Don’t You Forget About that final scene.
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‘Grease’
If I can’t be Kirsten Dunst leading a cheer squad at the high school basketball game, I’d like to be a post-makeover, leather-clad Sandy crushing a cigarette beneath my red strappy pumps.
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