Back to School Movies

Around this time of the year, school kids everywhere are getting ready to go back to school. While it may not be a happy time there are some things that could be done to make it more fun such as having a movie marathon of classic back to school movies. Here are a couple that you may want to check out.

Grease (1978)

Everyone loves this movie about love-struck Danny and Sandy who meet over the summer to find that once they get to the politics of high school they are quite the mismatched pair. Most everyone in the world knows all the words to all the songs in this movie and it makes everyone feel good when they listen and sing along. And everyone can relate to the feeling of not belonging in high school, or not feeling good enough for the one you want to be with and it is a movie that shows teenagers as they are and not some sugar coated version of the truth. Starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, this movie should definitely make the list.

Never Been Kissed (1999)

Who doesn't, in some way, want to relive their high school years and be a different person? Starring Drew Barrymore as Josie Gellar, a journalist who does exactly that only to find herself in the same position she was in when she went to high school. It's not until her brother Rob (played by David Arquette) comes in with his charismatic self that she is accepted only to find out that the popular person she wanted to be all along is not really important once you are in the real world. A cute movie that brings back memories of high school for everyone, no matter what side of social lines you were on, this shows us that no matter what, the person we are (or were) in high school in reality has no bearing on us the adult.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

A modern retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew set in high school this makes the list for many reasons. First it stars the late Heath Ledger in the role that let America first catch glimpse of him as well as Julia Stiles. Younger sister Bianca (Larisa Olyenik) can't date unless her older sister Kat (Stiles) does which prompts Cameron (Joseph Gordon Levitt) to hire Patrick (Ledger) via Joey Donner (Andrew Keegan) to try to take Kat out so Bianca can date as well. Seems confusing yes but this is a hilarious movie with an English teacher who hates his students, a guidance counselor who wants to be a romance novelist, and the father of the sisters who is a OB-GYN who sees many teenagers delivering babies (which prompts his dating rule to begin with). You will love this movie. Plus who doesn't laugh at the scene where the father (played by funny man Larry Miller) says "I'm down. I got the 411 and you are not going out and getting jiggy with some boy I don't care how dope his ride is! My mama didn't raise on fool!"

Pretty in Pink (1986)

A classic eighties 'Brat Pack' movie by the late John Hughes about a poor girl who falls for a rich a guy while her nerdy best friend pines for her. You've got to love how clichéd eighties this movie is from James Spader as the rich bad buy who tries to convince Blane (Andrew McCarthy) that Andie (Molly Ringwald) is not good enough for him. You have to love Andie's creativity as she makes her own prom dress and you cheer to Duckie (Jon Cryer) and his love for Andie. A great romantic movie that builds into the typical high school pinnacle; the prom and who Andie chooses.

Mean Girls (2004)

Everyone feels like a fish out of water in some aspect when they're in high school. But Cady (Lindsey Lohan) really is, starring as a home-schooled teenager who is thrust into high school and it's social hierarchy including an abrupt introduction to the 'Plastics' and their rule over the school. Everyone loves this movie because they can relate in some way to the mean girls and Cady who is trying to fit in but is caught in between her outcast and popular friends. Also starring Rachel McAdams as Regina (the Queen B) and Lizzy Caplan as Janis this movie chronicles one year in high school as Cady falls in love with Regina's ex and finds herself victim to how mean the girl can be.

Clueless (1995)

"Whatever" became a catchphrase when this movie was released as "As if!". A teenage version of Jane Austen's Emma this movie is about Cher and how she tries to help her peers in her own unique (and sometimes selfish) way. You love Cher's naivete as she tries to validate what she does from hooking up classmates to her debates and teenage girls everywhere envied her wardrobe (who didn't want a closet with revolving racks to make it easier to dress?) This movie shows fun, rich, albeit a little stupid teenagers trying to figure out the world around them. Starring Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, Stacy Dash, and Brittney Murphy.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Yet another 'Brat Pack' movie taking place during a Saturday detention where five kids from all different worlds of high school are forced to spend one day with each other. This movie is one of the first people think of when they think of eighties school movies because it is a very emotional and good movie when people think of the angst of trying to fit in when you're in high school. While this movie also deals with some dark subject matter (such as Paul Gleason as the very intimidating Principal Vernon) everyone loves watching this movie because it makes them feel happy at the end when the kids don't allow themselves to be broken by his tyrannical rule. Starring Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, and Ally Sheedy.

She's All That (1999)

A high school version of Pygmalion as well as My Fair Lady this movie has popular guy Zach (Freddie Prinze Jr) take on a bet made by fellow jock Dean (Paul Walker) that he can't turn unpopular girl Laney (Rachael Leigh Cook) into the prom queen. He tries to mold her into what a popular girl should be but finds himself falling in love with her along the way and she in turn with him. This movie is classic nineties with a prom dance sequence choreographed by R&B Usher's character and some of the pranks in this movie will make you laugh and cringe (just look at the scene in the cafeteria with the pizza and you'll know what I mean). Also starring Matthew Lillard and Anna Paquin.

American Pie (1999)

Raunchy yes but it is still a great back-to-school movie. Four friends who vow to lose their virginity by prom and their hilarious hijinks that ensue when they try to do this make for a classic movie. And the ending to this movie is one of the best with everyone winning the bet but the fun is in how they do. You will laugh as you watch this movie and you will somewhat admire the lengths the guys go to try and win the bet makes as well as showing how some teenagers really act help it to make this list. Starring Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, and Alyson Hannigan.

Not Another Teen Movie (2001)

This parody movie is a riot, combining elements from all the aforementioned movie in an union that makes it the first of many great parody movies to come in the new century. It is hilarious and pokes fun at all teen movies, no matter how old. You will definitely want to watch this one once you are done with the others, as it is a good mash-up off all the movies on this list. Starring Chyler Leigh, Jamie Pressley, and Chris Evans.

Enjoy!