The 25 Best High School Movies Of All Time

January 8th, 2009 by Wendy

Love it or hate it, we all had our high school experiences – and lived to tell about it. Check out Movie Crunch’s list of the 25 Best High School Movies of All Time. Did we leave any of your favorites off the list?

25. Fame (1980)

Cast:
Irene Cara
Debbie Allen
Gene Anthony Ray
Lee Curreri
Paul McCrane

The School of the Performing Arts, where people break into song and spirited choreographed dance routines! It could happen… but probably doesn’t in real life. Coco, Bruno, Leroy and company have their fair share of real world troubles too though – it’s not all taxi top dance fun.

24. Lucas (1986)

Cast:
Corey Haim
Kerri Green
Charlie Sheen

First crushes aren’t easy when you’re a dorky, awkward teenager who gets teased endlessly at school. But you gotta give the kid credit for joining the football team to impress the girl he’s infatuated with. Plus, the nostalgia of a sweet, adorable Corey Haim versus his current washed up status lets us remember Haim in the happy 80s.

23. Carrie (1976)

Cast:
Sissy Spacek
Piper Laurie
Betty Buckley
Amy Irving

Oh shit, Carrie is all kinds of creepy, but her whack job mom doesn’t exactly help her fit in at school. And then that disgusting pig blood soaked prom scene. Kids can be so fuckin cruel, but don’t piss off a girl with telekinetic powers. Carrie exacts her revenge in the end. That’ll teach ‘em.

22. Friday Night Lights (2004)

Cast:
Billy Bob Thornton
Lucas Black
Garrett Hedlund
Derek Luke
Jay Hernandez

Friday Night Lights presents high school football as an obsession for the economically depressed town of Odessa, Texas. With little else going on in this small town, Friday night football is something to look forward to, but hopes of winning the championship is a lot of pressure for these players fighting for an escape from the same dead-end lives their parents endure.

21. Dead Poets Society (1989)

Cast:
Robin Williams
Robert Sean Leonard
Ethan Hawke
Josh Charles

Dramatic and truly inspiring, Dead Poets’ English professor John Keating (Robin Williams) teaches his students to seize the day by thinking outside the confines of their prep school. Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby for this high school tale – there wasn’t a dry eye in the theater when I saw it the first go-around.

20. Rushmore (1998)

Cast:
Jason Schwartzman
Bill Murray
Olivia Williams

From the quirky mind of Wes Anderson, we get our first look at Jason Schwartzman as the eccentric over-booked prep school student who finds a father figure and nemesis in Bill Murray – as student and rich dude vie for the affection and attention of elementary school teacher Miss Cross.

19. Donnie Darko (2001)

Cast:
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jena Malone
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Mary McDonnell

It’s a cult classic – cue “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” – well, at least as teenager Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) knows, via a big burned bunny. All the sci fi coolness, while hitting the high school themes, Donnie Darko is an original, no doubt about it. We’re still scratching our head about a few things though.

18. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Cast:
Jon Heder
Efren Ramirez
Tina Majorino

Oh, awkward youth – Napoleon Dynamite has you rooting for this majorly uncool title character with Jon Heder’s brilliant performance. And we never see such energy from the low vibe Napoleon as when he performs his dance routine in front of the entire school. Vote for Pedro!

17. Risky Business (1983)

Cast:
Tom Cruise
Rebecca De Mornay
Curtis Armstrong

It launched Tom Cruise (for better or for worse) into the stratosphere of super stardom, gave us the memorable air guitar underwear scene – and oh, yeah… one of the hottest sex on a train scenes ever. This is one high school experience that takes Cruise’s straight-laced character, Joel, on a wild ride.

16. Say Anything (1989)

Cast:
John Cusack
Ione Skye
John Mahoney
Lili Taylor

He’s the loveable underachiever – she’s the class valedictorian. The star-crossed lovers in Say Anything are meant to be despite the odds. Check out Lloyd Dobler as he proves his love in that classic boom box scene. Sigh. A million John Cusack fans were born from this movie.

15. Sixteen Candles (1984)

Cast:
Molly Ringwald
Michael Schoeffling
Anthony Michael Hall

Sixteen Candles is when we fell in love with freckly Molly Ringwald – her family forgets her birthday, nerds want to see her panties, and her infatuation with Jake (ultimately) leads to a happy ending. Even nerdy Anthony Michael Hall finds love with the most popular girl in school. So, all’s well that ends well.

14. Hoop Dreams (1994)

Cast:
William Gates
Arthur Agee

The inspiring true story of two kids trying to make it out of the Chicago slums on a basketball dream, this documentary follows both the struggles and the joy, making it a must-watch on our high school film list. Hoop Dreams follows Arthur Agee and William Gates for five years, from high school to college recruitment.

13. Superbad (2007)

Cast:
Jonah Hill
Michael Cera
Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Raunchy and ridiculous, Superbad gave us so many things that were oh-so-wrong, yet oh-so-right. The comedy duo of Michael Cera and Jonah Hill combined with a script by Seth Rogan and his buddy struck a chord with audiences with this hilarious high school tale of two buddies. And c’mon… McLovin? It’s all good.

12. Clueless (1995)

Cast:
Alicia Silverstone
Paul Rudd
Stacey Dash
Brittany Murphy
Donald Faison

Alicia Silverstone is such a Betty in this movie! Plus Clueless put Paul Rudd on the map – so thank the heavens for that. An adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, director Amy Heckerling nailed this funny look at a rich girl who learns there’s more to her than just the superficial, shallow Cher.

11. Boyz n the Hood (1991)

Cast:
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Ice Cube
Morris Chestnut
Larry Fishburne
Angela Basset

Boyz n the Hood was a masterpiece for director John Singleton, capturing the gritty realities of high school life for three high school friends on different paths – one an athlete, one with college aspirations and one a drug dealer. Nothing is easy in this tale and Tre, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., learns hard life lessons when his friend is murdered. With guidance from his dad, he escapes the cycle of crime and violence and gets out of the hood.

10. Mean Girls (2004)

Cast:
Lindsay Lohan
Rachel McAdams
Lacey Chabert
Amanda Seyfried

Can Tina Fey do no wrong? Mean Girls was a killer script by Fey, featuring Lindsay Lohan before she had a party-girl reputation, and included turns by Rachel McAdams, Lizzy Caplan and Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia) before they were bigger names. Mean Girls confirmed that girls can be so bitchy – and cruel.

9. Grease (1978)

Cast:
John Travolta
Olivia Newton-John
Stockard Channing
Jeff Conaway

The original High School Musical… well, sorta. Singing and dancing was never so cool as in Grease, what with Sandy, Danny and the gang at 1950s Rydell High. Who doesn’t love the Goody Two Shoes/Bad Boy dynamic in Grease, but please answer this burning question – what the hell with Sandy and Danny flying off in the car at the end? Never got that one.

8. Hoosiers (1986)

Cast:
Gene Hackman
Barbara Hershey
Dennis Hopper

Everybody loves a story with heart – small-town Indiana high school basketball underdogs beat the odds and win the state championship in this early-50s tale of redemption. Gene Hackman gives a fantastic performance as a washed up former collegiate coach who has a lot to prove to the town – and himself.

7. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Cast:
Matthew Broderick
Alan Ruck
Mia Sara
Jeffrey Jones
Jennifer Grey

If you could have gotten away with the shit that Ferris Bueller did when he skipped school, wouldn’t you have done it? Matthew Broderick rocks this John Hughes classic, taking audiences along for one helluva ride – from Ferrari to Abe Froman (The Sausage King of Chicago), to riding atop a parade float. Ditching school has never been more fun.

6. Election (1999)

Cast:
Reese Witherspoon
Matthew Broderick
Chris Klein

Forget her Academy Award win for Walk the Line, Reese Witherspoon’s role as uber annoying overachiever Tracy Flick in Election was easily her best work. Ever. Throw in pathetic Matthew Broderick, his contempt for Tracy and his ill fortunes (that’s one mother of a bee sting reaction!), and you’ve got one darkly funny look at the politics of high school.

5. Heathers (1989)

Cast:
Winona Ryder
Christian Slater
Shannen Doherty

With lines like “Well, fuck me gently with a chainsaw,” Heathers takes high school bitches to a whole new level. Smarmy Christian Slater has never been better and hot fingers Winona Ryder plays bitchy with precision in this dark high school tale. Heathers was a stark contrast to the feel good high school flicks of the 80s, for sure.

4. Dazed and Confused (1993)

Cast:
Jason London
Rory Cochrane
Wiley Wiggins
Matthew McConaughey

This is familiar territory, given that Dazed and Confused topped our Stoner Movies list. Dazed captures the life of seventies high schoolers, as the upcoming seniors ceremoniously haze the incoming freshmen on the last day of school in 1976. Sex, drugs and music of the day comes into play and Matthew McConaughey gives one of the best performances ever with his classic line: “That’s what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age.”

3. American Pie (1999)

Cast:
Jason Biggs
Seann William Scott
Shannon Elizabeth
Alyson Hannigan
Thomas Ian Nicholas
Tara Reid
Chris Klein

When American Pie hit theaters, no one could have guessed how an actual pie would be so affectionately regarded by a horny high schooler. Pie was like the Porky’s of the 90s, with four friends making a pact to lose their virginity by graduation. Plus, American Pie gave us classics like MILF and the ever popular “this one time?… at band camp?”

2. Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)

Cast:
Sean Penn
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Judge Reinhold
Phoebe Cates

Penned by Cameron Crowe and directed by Amy Heckerling, Fast Times introduced us to Sean Penn as ultimate stoner Spicoli and a host of other interesting characters, including Jennifer Jason Leigh and Phoebe Cates (which led to Judge Reinhold’s infamous bathroom scene – yikes). Fast Times was a coming-of-age story that hit all the right notes with audiences.

1. The Breakfast Club (1985)

Cast:
Judd Nelson
Molly Ringwald
Emilio Estevez
Anthony Michael Hall
Ally Sheedy

We’ve got the classic high school types (jock, princess, brain, basket case, criminal) locked together for Saturday detention in this John Hughes’ classic. They each learn that they’re not so different after all… and The Breakfast Club became the quintessential high school movie, but seriously? Saturday detention?

86 Comments, add yours

86 Responses to “The 25 Best High School Movies Of All Time”

On January 8th 2009, Shevonne wrote:

These are great choices! I would have deleted “Rushmore” and added “Pretty in Pink”
On January 8th 2009, SynthetiThespis wrote:

I propose that “Brick” be added to that list as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cVzHeJ0Z3I

It’s a film noir “whodunnit” story set in a high school setting. All the characters speak as if they were in a Humphrey Bogart flick and are able to act it out without being completely ridiculous and amazingly believable.
On January 8th 2009, Terry the Tiger wrote:

I disagree with Shevonne. Rushmore belongs on a list of best high school movies.

But where was AMERICAN GRAFFITI ??
On January 8th 2009, Sebastian Shaw wrote:

Well you’re an idiot. Rushmore is an amazing movie and deserves to be on this list much more than Pretty in Pink.
On January 9th 2009, greg s wrote:

I would have included “American Teen”, an update to the Breakfast Club.
On January 9th 2009, Daniel Ted wrote:

Good thing you did not include the High School Musical trio.
On January 9th 2009, Matt wrote:

Where’s “Brick”? Disagree with the other commenter — “Rushmore” rocks.
On January 9th 2009, Panzie wrote:

Rock & Roll High School should be on the list
On January 9th 2009, Steve wrote:

have any of the list’s creators ever seen 10 Things I Hate About You?
On January 9th 2009, Chippy wrote:

Buried for lack of “Class of Nuke’Em High”
On January 9th 2009, John Spehn wrote:

How, just how is Mean Girls better than Risky Business? 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 can in any order but I can’t believe Mean Girls is where it’s at. It need to be between Napoleon Dynamite and Donnie Darko.
On January 9th 2009, bigone wrote:

wheres 10 things i hate about you? and hair spray – most of the top 10 i’ve never heard of!
On January 9th 2009, neri wrote:

I also didn’t get the ending of Grease but it definitely rocked.
On January 9th 2009, Mark wrote:

And I would have moved Rushmore into the top 10 and removed Napolean Dynamite. It’s just a matter of preference, and you can’t please everybody. I think Molly Ringwald is pretty well represented here already.
On January 9th 2009, LC wrote:

I really like “not another teen movie”.
On January 9th 2009, » Superbad - The best high school movie of all time? thrive wrote:

[...] going to have to disagree with this list of the 25 Best High School Movies Of All Time. How is Superbad not number 1? Ok. Still a really good read. But come on… Superbad [...]
On January 9th 2009, Jess Wilder wrote:

Excellent! As soon as I saw the title I though hmm, Fast Times at Ridgemont High or Breakfast Club! LOL

Jess
http://www.web-privacy.pro.tc
On January 9th 2009, cdog wrote:

Stand and Deliver should be on this list.
On January 9th 2009, Iva wrote:

I’d add “10 things I hate about you” ;
and Breakfast club is my favourite:)
On January 9th 2009, jamEs wrote:

I think American Pie is too high on the list. Maybe it’s just tainted in my mind by the sequels, but that movie just never did it for me, especially when compared to other stuff in the top 10.
On January 9th 2009, Wood wrote:

TEEN WOLF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On January 9th 2009, Sam wrote:

What about 3 o’clock high?
On January 9th 2009, Johnny wrote:

Can’t Hardly Wait?
On January 9th 2009, Ben wrote:

What about “Can’t Hardly Wait”?
On January 9th 2009, Jon wrote:

Thumbsucker also would’ve been a worthy addition.
On January 9th 2009, Jordan wrote:

It’s about post-high school malaise, but I’d have to add “Breaking Away.” Touching and hilarious, with a climax that’s hard to beat.
On January 9th 2009, brandon wrote:

What about 10 Things I Hate About You?

Or Orange County?
On January 9th 2009, Dave wrote:

Christian Slater’s 2nd best high school-era film PUMP UP THE VOLUME should definitely be on here. That movie changed my life.
On January 9th 2009, JP wrote:

How’d you forget to put “Cooley High” on the list as one of the greatest. It had ample doses of sentiment and comedy. Also, it inspired the 70′s sitcom “What’s Happening!!”
A glaring omission from a pretty good list. Also, “Heathers” should be higher than “American Pie.”
On January 9th 2009, Hail Mary Jane | Hail Mary Jane wrote:

[...] Top 10 Worst Questions from Your [...]
On January 9th 2009, 25 mejores peliculas de la Prepa | Musica Cine y Television wrote:

[...] Via: The 25 Best High School Movies Of All Time [...]
On January 9th 2009, Biz wrote:

I vote for Carrie and Donnie Darko
On January 9th 2009, lee wrote:

Over the Edge

Blackboard Jungle [the 1st hllywd movie with rock and roll]

Zapped w/ Scott Baio

Gummo

Kids

certainly these are better than the tcruise mringwold tripevomit
On January 9th 2009, lee wrote:

yeah Cooley High as well.
Good one JP.

American Graffiti.

Foxes

Whoever made this list must be verrrry young
On January 9th 2009, lee wrote:

Maybe the best of all:
Suburbia
On January 9th 2009, Ninny wrote:

I would also say put 10 Things I Hate About You

or Never Been Kissed
On January 9th 2009, Erik wrote:

No Porky’s?
On January 9th 2009, SHOUTIT wrote:

No Porky’s? No Rock&Roll High School? No Wild Things? No Cooley High? Lean on Me? Stand By Me? The Outsiders? Varsity Blues? Cruel Intentions?
On January 9th 2009, ak wrote:

I thought Rocket Science was really deserving of a nod or at least a mention. A supremely funny movie that was too overshadowed by Spellbound, I think.
On January 9th 2009, John Boyd wrote:

Not a bad list, but I didn’t see:

1. Varsity Blues

2. Over The Edge

I think they’d make the top 25.
On January 9th 2009, Katie B wrote:

Am I the only one who saw “Reckless” w/ Aidan Quinn? He was ridiculously sexy doing his James Dean thing…
On January 10th 2009, Neon Wind wrote:

Ferris bueller number 7?!?
On January 10th 2009, Rodj wrote:

Where is Valley Girl!
On January 10th 2009, Mark N wrote:

Was worried when I got to no.4 but there it was at number 1, Breakfast club.
Porky’s was a classic and Revenge of the Nreds was another. What about American Grafitii?
On January 10th 2009, Weekend Coffee Break « The High Definite wrote:

[...] 25 Best High School Movies Of All Time – [Pop Crunch] Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Coffee Break15 Reasons Mr Rodgers was the Best [...]
On January 11th 2009, Dave wrote:

Where is Valley Girl!!
On January 11th 2009, Nexus6 wrote:

What ? no jawbreaker ?
On January 11th 2009, kev wrote:

Dazed and confused should be number two. rushmore should be higher and seriously, where the hell is 10 things i hate about you. that should have gone top five. other than that pretty good list.
On January 11th 2009, Brandon Hong wrote:

Better off Dead should be on there…. I want my two dollars.
On January 14th 2009, Hugh wrote:

every movie here EXCEPT “Mean Girls” are great high school movies.
On January 19th 2009, Wella wrote:

What about 10 Things I Hate About You?

Or Orange County??
On January 20th 2009, Gibi wrote:

I vote for Carrie and Donnie Darko.
On January 22nd 2009, Maureen wrote:

What about My Bodyguard and Fame? A little dated, but good flicks.
On January 22nd 2009, tara wrote:

pump up the volume.
On January 22nd 2009, melanie wrote:

OMGGG WHAT ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALL!?!?! LYKK SRSLY! ITS THE BESTEST!
On January 22nd 2009, The Baroness wrote:

Seriously? American Pie is 3rd and Dead Poets Society is in the bottom?
On February 11th 2009, Cyclonus wrote:

Wheres Porky’s, Weird Science, Better off Dead or High School High. They should be on the list.
On February 21st 2009, Lolerskates wrote:

Remember the Titans anyone? That trumps all of these by far.
On March 5th 2009, meskerem wrote:

is greet but i woud like more dremating and i am from Ethiopia ok Addis Ababa.
On March 26th 2009, Mo wrote:

CAN’T HARDLY WAIT needs to be on the list….DAZED AND CONFUSED is definately #1
On March 28th 2009, Monika wrote:

Most of the list is unknown movies..maybe 12% saw them all..
On April 12th 2009, Aggie wrote:

Hey can anyone help me!…I cant rememer the name of the movie all I know that the word “High” was in the title. Its an OLD highschool movie all I remember was that there was a popular crowd and 1 of the girls had to go on a date with a dork I believe it was a bet and they ended sleeping with eachother and I guess she fell for him and transformed him from a geek to a popular guy. Does anyone know the name of this movie?????!!!!
On May 15th 2009, Moss wrote:

Fast Times at Ridgemont High is the best. and Weird Science should have been there
On May 18th 2009, robert wrote:

what about ONE TREE HILL???
On July 13th 2009, Claire wrote:

This is a reply to Aggie’s comment….

I know exactly which movie you are talking about! It is from the 80′s….It is called “Can’t Buy Me Love”…Here is the plot summary from Imdb:

“Ronald Miller is tired of being a nerd, and makes a deal with one of the most popular girls in school to help him break into the “cool” clic. He offers her a thousand dollars to pretend to be his girlfriend for a month. It succeeds, but he soon learns that the price of popularity may be higher than he expected.”

So there you go….I’m pretty positive that is the movie you’re talking about.

And I think that Pretty in Pink and Pump up the Volume should be on there as well.
On July 22nd 2009, J wrote:

this is a reply to aggie’s and claire’s comment

there is also a re-make of that film called Love Don’t Cost A Thing with christian Milian in it… which i nmy opinion is much better.. also stars Nick Cannon (married to mariah carey)
On August 23rd 2009, Michael wrote:

Where in the world is Varsity Blues? And how did Election rank so high?
On December 16th 2009, Anika wrote:

Hi guys,

I’m looking for a title of a movie too..

It’s about a girl who’s an artist and makes sculptures and paintings..
Then a populair guy makes a bet that he can make her go to prom with him.
In the end they, of course, fall in love.

Does anyone know the movie i mean?
On December 17th 2009, Tisha wrote:

She’s all that.
I’m pretty sure this is the one!
On December 25th 2009, Daavvv wrote:

I think mean girls is an AWESOME movie. (: GREASEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<3 it!!
On February 8th 2010, david jubril wrote:

i luv american pie
On February 10th 2010, stacey wrote:

Does anyone know which movie i’m thinking of…..i think it has the word academy in the title. It has a guy who likes a girl so decides to act like and dress up like a girl. One of the teachers finds him in bed with that girl at the end. so they figure out he is a man. It is an 80′s movie.
On February 26th 2010, ferdie wrote:

Emperor’s Club and Life As A House should also make it to top 10.
On April 2nd 2010, magg wrote:

Cruel intentions and 10 things i hate about you should be on there
On April 19th 2010, sharon george wrote:

wat abt wild child…its de best movie….n the perfect man…it simply rocks
On April 24th 2010, Mike wrote:

Good list, but there are alot more movies out there that do with high school that should be on this list, and to the person that said “Revenge Of The Nerds” should be on there..That movie was a college movie, not a high school movie.
On May 1st 2010, Mona wrote:

The Breakfast Club is absofruitly the best high school movie in the world.
When I saw this movie, I laughed, cried and had a great time.
It totally deserves to be #1!
On August 29th 2010, luca wrote:

VAN WILDER!!!!!
On September 16th 2010, phil allen wrote:

Hmmm..”Rebel Without A Cause” should be required viewing for students AND faculty. For this picture to be omitted, you tacitly admit your listing is specious. And where are the Andy Hardy movies? “Splendor in the Grass”..and the movie with Brandon de Wilde and Carol Lynley and their out-of-wedlock unborn? Lindsay Anderson’s “If”.
On September 16th 2010, Charles wrote:

I know it’s a lightly older film, but how can they possibly overlook American Graffiti? It’s the same kind of classic as “Fast Times” for an earlier generation.
On September 22nd 2010, mak tempo wrote:

the breakfastclub hell yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the greatest oneever but i hopet for other movies in the top 10
On September 22nd 2010, mak tempo wrote:

the breakfastclub
yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the greatest oneever but i hopet for other movies in the top 10
On December 27th 2010, mitchell wrote:

I guys and gals I’m looking for a title from a old 80′s movie its about a high school kid that is a scientist and makes this potion that he drinks it and he can be invincible or see thro walls and he hide his stuff in this place in side the high school . Thanks
On January 2nd 2011, petros wrote:

not a bad list but “Dead Poets Society” must be in the top-3.
and “outsiders” has a place too.
On September 19th 2011, Off to the movies: Popcorn anyone? | Writing • Photography • Blogs • Journalism wrote:

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On October 17th 2011, colleen wrote:

seriously….AMERICAN GRAFFITI??? it started it all!