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Iconic College-Themed Movies You Don’t Want to Miss

Iconic College-Themed Movies You Don’t Want to Miss

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Courtesy of Universal Pictures

25. Happy Death Day 2U (2019)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

24. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

23. Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Jason Merritt / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

22. Fandango (1985)

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

21. Neighbors (2014)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

20. Liberal Arts (2012)

Courtesy of IFC Films

19. Kicking and Screaming (1995)

Courtesy of Trimark Pictures

18. Legally Blonde (2001)

Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

17. Happy Death Day (2017)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

16. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

15. Mistress America (2015)

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

14. The Outsiders (1983)

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

13. Old School (2003)

Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution

12. Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

11. Real Genius (1985)

Courtesy of TriStar Pictures

10. The Paper Chase (1973)

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

9. 22 Jump Street (2014)

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

8. Monsters University (2013)

Jason Kempin / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

7. The Sure Thing (1985)

Courtesy of Embassy Pictures

6. Pitch Perfect (2012)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

5. Love & Basketball (2000)

Courtesy of New Line Cinema

4. National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

3. The Social Network (2010)

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

2. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Courtesy of Miramax

1. 3 Idiots (2009)

Courtesy of Reliance Big Pictures

25. Happy Death Day 2U (2019)
24. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)
23. Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)
22. Fandango (1985)
21. Neighbors (2014)
20. Liberal Arts (2012)
19. Kicking and Screaming (1995)
18. Legally Blonde (2001)
17. Happy Death Day (2017)
16. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
15. Mistress America (2015)
14. The Outsiders (1983)
13. Old School (2003)
12. Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
11. Real Genius (1985)
10. The Paper Chase (1973)
9. 22 Jump Street (2014)
8. Monsters University (2013)
7. The Sure Thing (1985)
6. Pitch Perfect (2012)
5. Love & Basketball (2000)
4. National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
3. The Social Network (2010)
2. Good Will Hunting (1997)
1. 3 Idiots (2009)

College is an exciting time of growth, change, and self-discovery. It is when young adults are on their own for the first time and are learning to manage everything from the school system and homework to friendships and romantic relationships. This complex time is so ripe with possibilities that it is easy to understand why so many films are made about college students and campus life.

Every college experience tells a different story, ensuring filmmakers will never run out of material about higher education, from stories about students who study hard and stay focused on their classes to those who get caught up in the social aspect and spend their time partying with friends and experimenting with drugs and alcohol to stories about first love to forbidden romances between students and professors; the possibilities are endless.

The world of college-themed movies is vast, and this list of the best college films ranges from wild comedies that celebrate the Greek life of fraternities and sororities, like "National Lampoon's Animal House" and "Pitch Perfect," to introspective films that delve into the angst and confusion of early adulthood, such as "Kicking and Screaming." The college setting is perfect for films that explore the complexities of the pressures of academic and social life.

Whichever type of college movie is closest to resembling your own college experience, we bet you will find one on the list of best college movies. From wacky comedies to existential crises, these movies cover the turbulent times of the university years and beyond. (If you love fun films, check out 15 of the Most Underrated Action Films of All Time.)

To determine the best college movies, 24/7 Tempo developed an index using average ratings on IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon, and a combination of audience scores and Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator, as of May 2024, weighting all ratings equally. Only movies with at least 1,000 reviews on IMDb were considered, and documentaries were not excluded. Director information is from IMDb.

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