15 All-Time Best High School Movies
Photo: Paramount Pictures
By Common Sense Media
It’s movies like these that make you think high school will be the greatest – or most tragic – time of your life. From the adventures of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to the first crush of Sixteen Candles, the best high school movies offer laughs, love, and a few hi-jinks. Some more recent high school love stories – like High School Musical and Clueless – have us pining for those summer nights (sing it, Danny and Sandy!), it’s John Hughes’ films that really capture the spirit, angst, and excitement of high school.
High School Musical
A modern-day Grease for tweens.
Recommended for ages 8 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by Kenny Ortega
Napoleon Dynamite
One-of-a-kind high school comedy for the whole family.
Recommended for ages 11 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by Jared Hess
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Hilarious comedy classic has some strong language.
Recommended for ages 12 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Directed by John Hughes
Grease
Musical phenomenon is still great fun, but has some racy parts.
Recommended for ages 12 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by Ken Annakin
Never Been Kissed
Sweet, romantic story for teens has some edgy scenes.
Recommended for ages 13 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by Raja Gosnell
10 Things I Hate About You
Engaging but edgy update of Taming of the Shrew.
Recommended for ages 14 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
Directed by Gil Junger
Clueless
Charming, funny take on Jane Austen’s Emma.
Recommended for ages 14 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by Amy Heckerling
The DUFF
High school comedy is racy but unexpectedly insightful.
Recommended for ages 14 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by Ari Sandel
Mean Girls
Mature and often-hilarious teen comedy.
Recommended for ages 14 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by Mark Waters
Pretty in Pink
Dated, but still fun for teens.
Recommended for ages 14 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by John Hughes
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School
The Ramones still rock in comedy with some adult material.
Recommended for ages 14 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
By Allan Arkush
Some Kind of Wonderful
Typical '80s teen movie is still relevant today.
Recommended for ages 14 and older
Quality 4 out of 5
Directed by Howard Deutch
The Breakfast Club
Quintessential '80s flick is timeless for teens.
Recommended for ages 15 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by John Hughes
Say Anything
A gem of a coming-of-age story.
Recommended for ages 15 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Directed by Cameron Crowe
Sixteen Candles
Racy, drunken, hilarious '80s high school comedy.
Recommended for ages 16 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by John Hughes
Check out Common Sense Media for thousands of movie reviews (and more!) for your family.
Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org
