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20 Best Back-to-School Movies to Stream That’ll Make You Want to Hit the Books
Get in the school spirit with these classic films.
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Even though summer is still in full swing, back-to-school season is right around the corner. Soon students will be trading in their bathing suits for school supplies as fall approaches. So what better time than now to binge-watch a few school-centric films to jumpstart your family’s school spirit?
With countless movies set in schools, it’s easy to stream one that’s age-appropriate and suits your family’s taste. We’ve rounded up some of the best to celebrate the upcoming season, from picks that take place in small-town middle and high schools to prominent college campuses. If comedy and musicals are your jam, you’re in luck. Many of the following movies are packed with hilarious scenes and high-energy music — perfect for younger viewers and families to watch together as a back-to-school activity. However, if drama is more your speed, we’ve added a couple that boast a more serious tone. Oh, and if back-to-school time is a thing of the past, we’ve got you covered too. Retro classics round out the mix because who doesn’t enjoy an entertaining dose of movie nostalgia?
No matter the plot, attending school is something that just about everyone has experienced — making it a relatable and beloved genre with a winning formula. So, grab your popcorn and prepare to get schooled because class is in session.
'Clueless'
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Fashion, fun, and friendship are three words to describe this cult classic. Starring Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, and Paul Rudd, the 1995 runaway hit follows a pair of wealthy high schoolers who are adorable as they are self-absorbed. As if!
'Ferris Bueller’s Day Off'
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When a wise-cracking, charismatic teen from the Chicago suburbs decides to ditch school for a day, all hell breaks loose. Matthew Broderick stars in this quintessential story of freedom and adolescent adventure. Created and directed by John Hughes, the movie celebrates the Windy City and showcases all of its mid-80s glory.
'Pitch Perfect'
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Collegiate acapella singing shines in this comedy-musical. Anna Kendrick stars as a college freshman who reluctantly joins an all-female acapella group who make their mark and earn the limelight.
'The Breakfast Club'
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One of the Brat Pack’s (Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall and Emilio Estevez) most popular films, this iconic coming-of-age tale centers around five teens in detention. After being grouped together on a Saturday morning, they realize that while they’re different, they have a lot more in common than they thought.
'Accepted'
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When a high school senior can’t get accepted into college, he takes matters into his own hands. Justin Long and Blake Lively star in this comedy about a resourceful teen who creates his own institution of higher learning while fooling his parents and impressing his peers.
'Mean Girls'
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This classic fish-out-of-water tale centers around Cady Heron, a newbie to American public school life who gets a crash course in the ins and outs of adolescent cliques. Lindsay Lohan stars in this runaway hit.
'Grease'
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An enchanting summer romance begins between a flamboyant greaser and a demure exchange student in this timeless musical set in the 1950s. When the teenagers return to their high school, their cliques test their love.
'Fame'
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Talent and grit take center stage in this 1980 teen drama. Set in New York City at the prestigious High School for Performing Arts, students’ lives are chronicled through the years as they dream of making it big.
'Legally Blonde'
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When an ambitious California sorority girl gets dumped by her boyfriend, she sets her sights on winning him back by following him to an elite Ivy League school. Can Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) prove that blondes have more fun and brains?
'School Daze'
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Spike Lee’s sophomore effort puts the culture of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the spotlight. Loosely based on the filmmaker’s college days attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, the musical-dramedy depicts common rivalries between Greek life and other members of the student body during homecoming weekend.
'The Outcasts'
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When two nerdy best friends are pranked by their high school's queen bee and her crew, they don't sulk — they get even. The misfit pair seek revenge by rounding up their fellow outcasts to band against them in this 2017 teen comedy.
'Bring It On'
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When high school cheerleading captain Torrance Shipman (Kirsten Dunst) discovers that her seemingly unbeatable routine was stolen from a rival team, she has to put her pom-pom and cheer skills to the test to win the national championship.
'Drumline'
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An overly confident street drummer is recruited to join a marching band at a notable southern university. While exceptionally talented, there’s one catch: he only marches to the beat of his own drum. Nick Cannon stars in this 2002 film.
'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'
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Based on the best-selling book of the same name, this family comedy chronicles the growing pains of transitioning into middle school.
'Lean On Me'
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Based on a true story, this 1989 film tells the story of Joe Louis Clark, a real-life educator (Morgan Freeman) who teaches at an underperforming school in Paterson, New Jersey. If he doesn’t turn it around and get his students to improve their test scores, the school’s future might be in jeopardy.
'Booksmart'
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Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut focuses on two academically gifted high school seniors who’ve mastered their studies but are now determined to make up for lost time. How do they do it? By living it up and checking all the teenage-rebellion boxes in a single night before graduation.
'Akeelah and the Bee'
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An 11-year-old named Akeelah (Keke Palmer) embarks on a journey to win the National Spelling Bee by any means necessary. Thanks to the help of a devoted educator and the support of her South Los Angeles community, the talented student keeps her eyes on the prize.
'21 Jump Street'
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When two youthful-looking cops go undercover as high school students at their former school, they’re faced with familiar challenges and anxiety-inducing situations that they endured during adolescence. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum star in this film based on the popular ‘80s TV series of the same title.
'Cooley High'
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This 1975 coming-of-age drama follows best friends, Leroy "Preach" Jackson and Richard "Cochise" Morris in their last year of high school in Chicago. After skipping school, the teens partake in a variety of hijinks and juvenile antics, but then tragedy strikes in this classic that influenced prominent filmmakers.
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S
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Embracing and celebrating differences are at the heart of this 2018 Disney movie. Through catchy songs and dances, a cheerleader and a zombie show their school, Seabrook High and their small town how strong they can be when the community comes together.
Karla Pope is a longtime writer, editor and blogger with nearly two decades of editorial experience. She’s written for a variety of outlets including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, People, Parade, BET.com. WebMD and more. Her coverage includes entertainment, beauty, lifestyle, parenting and fashion content. If she's not exploring New York City with her two young children, you can find her curled up on the couch watching a documentary and eating gummy bears.
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