As one of the most universal experiences for viewers watching these films, everyone can recall their school days and the drama that followed. But what good is this play? Well, whether it’s magic school, prep school, or secret missions, lessons are learned – albeit not always the expected ones.
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
screenwriter: Steve Kloves and JK Rowling
The most magical school story came to audiences many years ago through the eyes of a boy named Harry Potter. exist magic stonehe is invited to join Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first year of his seven-year journey – the beginning of an eight-film saga that has captured the hearts of fans around the world.
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ferris bueller’s day off (1986)
screenwriter: John Hughes
Skipping school has never looked so crazy when Ferris Bueller convinces his friends and girlfriend to call in sick. In this iconic 1980s romp starring Matthew Broderick, the trio get into a lot of mischief while skipping school because they might get caught.
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Read more: How John Hughes and Ferris Bueller taught us all to relax
21 Jump Street (2012)
screenwriter: Michael Bacall, Jonah Hill and Patrick Hasberg
In the spirit of the TV show of the same name, two police officers go undercover at a high school to bust a drug ring. Little do they imagine that as they become further entrenched in teenage environments, their covers will become a bigger problem, even to the point of damage.
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Heathers (1989)
screenwriter: Daniel Waters
Politics is certainly a key part of many successful high school stories, but other great stories also involve death. Veronica finds herself in a dilemma when her new bad boy boyfriend’s solution to Sister Heather, the “it” girl at her school, appears to be murder.
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Read more: Comedy goes dark: dark comedy movies that make us laugh into the abyss
Easy A (2010)
screenwriter: Bert V. Royal and Will Gluck
One of the “good kids,” Oliver craves excitement and begins lying about losing her virginity and selling her reputation by having classmates engage in sexual escapades with her as their imaginary partner. After all, it doesn’t take long for Oliver to learn the hard way how lies and secrets are spread in school.
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breakfast club (1985)
screenwriter: John Hughes
Five kids were stuck at school and bickering with each other in detention on Saturday before realizing they weren’t all that different. Their long day and decidedly unfamiliar situation highlights their hidden selves and helps them understand each other better by the end of it all.
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Read more: Generation: The Prolific John Hughes
school of rock (2003)
screenwriter: Mike White
When an unemployed musician accepts a job as a substitute teacher, pretending to be his best friend, he discovers he’s unprepared to teach anything except the subject he knows best: how to play in a rock band. Of course, his agenda quickly changes when he realizes he has a talented team on his hands.
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Read more: Sound Stories: The Cinematic Magic of Musical Movies
inability (1995)
screenwriter: Amy Heckerling
Her thinly veiled attempts to get her own needs met by hooking up with teachers who failed her, and her vain attitude toward the school’s new kids, make Cher feel invincible until her efforts backfire. Having made the new kid popular and her own romantic career in the doldrums, Cher seems to be increasingly noticing her former stepbrother’s idealistic intelligence and even falling in love with him.
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dead poets society (1989)
screenwriter: Tom Schulman
John Keating began teaching boys at a traditional prep school about “seizing the moment,” encouraging them to embrace the soul of art rather than just academic pursuits. As they begin to question the rigidity of school life, authority and family resistance become unexpected and dangerous sources of difficulty.
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Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
screenwriter: Jerry Hess and Jerusha Hess
As the pop culture kickstart of deadpan comedy in American movies, Napoleon Dynamite It follows the socially awkward life of the protagonist as she forms her first lasting friendship and works through a crush. Napoleon had fewer guardrails to navigate than ever before, as his brother and grandmother could no longer provide as much practical guidance for his high school experience.
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Carrie (1976)
screenwriter: Lawrence D. Cohen and Stephen King
Adolescence can be hell, the subject of Stephen King’s first published novel, Carriea girl faces changes far beyond normal puberty. Carrie now has the power to change the way she handles the abuse she receives at home and at school, but the power in her hands can still have serious consequences.
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something to keep (2023)
screenwriter: David Hemingson
Set in the 1970s, two staff members spend the Christmas holidays at a prep school with the only remaining child. A blunt, unkind teacher, a mourning chef, and their only remaining student are forced to band together to solve their personal dilemmas.
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Read more: 7 Best Christmas Movies to Celebrate the Holidays
buffy the vampire slayer (1992)
screenwriter: Joss Whedon
High school is full of changes: new friends, new responsibilities, new powers… at least for Buffy. After all, she is the Chosen One, a vampire slayer destined to use her powers to stop the darkness. But isn’t it more important to enjoy your teenage years? Buffy faces the same problem, but – well, you know what they say about powerful forces.
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Pretty in pink (1986)
screenwriter: John Hughes
Maintaining an image comes at a cost. On both sides of the tracks, Andy is ashamed of her socioeconomic status, and the popular kids pressure preppy boy Brian to keep his distance from her – despite their prom plans. When who you are is matched by who you want to be around, you experience high school as effortlessly portrayed by John Hughes.
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10 things I hate about you (1999)
screenwriter: Karen McCullagh and Kirsten Smith
in modern retellings Taming of the ShrewCameron begins to orchestrate a complicated solution after learning that his crush’s family strictly forbids dating until her relatively antisocial sister starts dating him. Over time, the arrangement evolves into a timeless romance – as if Shakespeare himself had written a ’90s romantic comedy.
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back to the future (1985)
screenwriter: Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale
It’s time! Yes, this movie actually involves time travel. A student and scientist in the 1980s finds himself in the same predicament as he was 30 years ago. In trying to get back to “when” they came from, Marty must also protect the future from his actions in this new version of the past.
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Read more: The 15 most quoted movies of all time
Rushmore (1998)
screenwriter: Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson
In a high school setting, a revenge story is an easy thing to devise—just like a love triangle—but it’s not always as complicated as the story goes. rushmore. In this story, student Max Fisher befriends a wealthy tycoon who becomes romantically involved with a teacher with whom he has a crush. The conflict that ensues in this drama makes his extracurricular activities the least of Max’s worries.
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mean girls (2004)
screenwriter: Tina Fey
Speaking of revenge, October 3rd has come and gone, but the rivalry between queen bees lasts much longer! This high-octane comedy, created by Tina Fey and featuring “girls on girls,” begins with a secret coup in the high school’s monarchical social structure.
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Learning life lessons, dismantling social class systems, or protecting your own future are all good reasons to be a different person or see the world differently. After all, that’s what school is for!
So whether it’s fantasy, drama, comedy or thriller, the collection above has some school year pranks to inspire your storytelling. All you need to do is find the ones that resonate with you and the vibe of the current semester.
Read more: Classic Performances: Landmark Graduation Movies
