No matter how old we get, most of us love to watch movies about life in high school. Everyone had their own unique experiences during this time of life, and viewing these films allows us to return to the days when life was just a bit simpler but also so new and exciting. The good news is that there are many fantastic films about this topic, and we consider the list below to be the best high school movies of all time.
High school films are also unique because you can find them in many different genres. There are typical high school comedies, such as “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “Easy A” that will keep you laughing for hours. If you like drama, you might enjoy “The Breakfast Club” or “Rebel Without a Cause,” which make things a bit more serious. There are even musicals (“Grease”), sports movies (“Friday Night Lights”), and fantasy films (“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) set in high school. There are also all-time classics we’ve all seen at least once, such as “Sixteen Candles” and hidden gems, like “River’s Edge.”
Whatever experience you had back in the day, you can relive it with a film on this list.
It’s fun to go back in time and remember what was popular when we were young. So, once you’re done enjoying the best high school movies, continue to relive your nostalgia with the most likable movie characters from the 1980s.
To determine the best high school movies, 24/7 Tempo developed an index of movies 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 March 2024, weighting all ratings equally. We considered only movies with at least 2,500 audience votes on either IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes. Documentaries were not considered. Directorial credits are from IMDb.
50. Thirteen (2003)
Source: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (83,437 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 77% (77 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 81% (154 reviews)
- Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
49. Clueless (1995)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (197,848 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (76 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 81% (116 reviews)
- Directed by: Amy Heckerling
48. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (99,940 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80% (80 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 77% (53 reviews)
- Directed by: Amy Heckerling
47. Better Luck Tomorrow (2002)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
N/A
- IMDb user rating: 7.0/10 (10,036 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (79 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 81% (108 reviews)
- Directed by: Justin Lin
46. The Lookout (2007)
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
N/A
- IMDb user rating: 7.0/10 (57,789 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 74% (74 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 87% (169 reviews)
- Directed by: Scott Frank
45. Risky Business (1983)
Source: Courtesy of Geffen Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (84,978 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 72% (72 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (49 reviews)
- Directed by: Paul Brickman
44. Scream (1996)
Source: Courtesy of AMC Theatres
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (301,022 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (79 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 79% (75 reviews)
- Directed by: Wes Craven
43. Easy A (2010)
Source: Courtesy of Screen Gems
- IMDb user rating: 7.0/10 (372,419 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 77% (77 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 85% (192 reviews)
- Directed by: Will Gluck
42. River’s Edge (1986)
Source: Courtesy of Island Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (18,731 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (76 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (40 reviews)
- Directed by: Tim Hunter
41. Grease (1978)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (253,446 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (87 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 75% (73 reviews)
- Directed by: Randal Kleiser
40. Pitch Perfect (2012)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (289,469 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (83 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 81% (154 reviews)
- Directed by: Jason Moore
39. The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015)
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
- IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (30,812 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 73% (73 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 95% (168 reviews)
- Directed by: Marielle Heller
38. Pump Up the Volume (1990)
Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema
N/A
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (27,530 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (84 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 80% (35 reviews)
- Directed by: Allan Moyle
37. The Spectacular Now (2013)
Source: Courtesy of A24
- IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (148,334 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (76 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 91% (170 reviews)
- Directed by: James Ponsoldt
36. Brick (2005)
Source: Courtesy of Focus Features
N/A
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (103,780 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (86 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 80% (142 reviews)
- Directed by: Rian Johnson
35. Sixteen Candles (1984)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.0/10 (110,041 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (85 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 84% (43 reviews)
- Directed by: John Hughes
34. Friday Night Lights (2004)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (64,155 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (85 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 82% (173 reviews)
- Directed by: Peter Berg
33. 21 Jump Street (2012)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (527,323 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 82% (82 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 85% (226 reviews)
- Directed by: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
32. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (574,211 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 74% (74 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (255 reviews)
- Directed by: Mike Newell
31. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (401,541 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (84 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 82% (273 reviews)
- Directed by: Edgar Wright
30. Submarine (2010)
Source: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
N/A
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (88,133 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (81 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (156 reviews)
- Directed by: Richard Ayoade
29. Flirting (1992)
Source: Courtesy of The Samuel Goldwyn Company
- IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (6,275 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76% (76 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (25 reviews)
- Directed by: John Duigan
28. Dope (2015)
Source: Courtesy of Open Road Films
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (82,817 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (83 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (160 reviews)
- Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa
27. Election (1999)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (93,961 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 79% (79 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (115 reviews)
- Directed by: Alexander Payne
26. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (357,084 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (85 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 81% (226 reviews)
- Directed by: Josh Boone
25. The Karate Kid (1984)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (208,387 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 82% (82 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (44 reviews)
- Directed by: John G. Avildsen
24. Carrie (1976)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (175,705 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 77% (77 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (67 reviews)
- Directed by: Brian De Palma
23. Cooley High (1975)
Source: Courtesy of American International Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (4,572 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (89 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 85% (13 reviews)
- Directed by: Michael Schultz
22. An Education (2009)
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
N/A
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (131,559 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80% (80 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (197 reviews)
- Directed by: Lone Scherfig
21. Precious (2009)
Source: Courtesy of Lionsgate
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (108,197 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 81% (81 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (238 reviews)
- Directed by: Lee Daniels
20. Splendor in the Grass (1961)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (20,007 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (90 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 78% (23 reviews)
- Directed by: Elia Kazan
19. Heathers (1989)
Source: Courtesy of New World Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (95,825 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (83 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (56 reviews)
- Directed by: Michael Lehmann
18. Donnie Darko (2001)
Source: Courtesy of Arrow Films
- IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (763,860 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 80% (80 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 86% (118 reviews)
- Directed by: Richard Kelly
17. Ghost World (2001)
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (117,647 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (84 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 93% (162 reviews)
- Directed by: Terry Zwigoff
16. The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Source: Courtesy of STX Entertainment
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (113,349 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 83% (83 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (216 reviews)
- Directed by: Kelly Fremon Craig
15. Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)
Source: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (33,165 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 86% (86 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 90% (50 reviews)
- Directed by: Todd Solondz
14. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (335,601 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (92 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 80% (71 reviews)
- Directed by: John Hughes
13. Superbad (2007)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (543,101 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 87% (87 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 88% (209 reviews)
- Directed by: Greg Mottola
12. American Graffiti (1973)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (85,398 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 84% (84 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 96% (53 reviews)
- Directed by: George Lucas
11. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Source: Courtesy of Summit Entertainment
N/A
- IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (481,434 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89% (89 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 85% (168 reviews)
- Directed by: Stephen Chbosky
10. To Sir With Love (1967)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (19,531 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (88 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 90% (29 reviews)
- Directed by: James Clavell
9. Say Anything (1989)
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
- IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (85,993 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 85% (85 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 98% (46 reviews)
- Directed by: Cameron Crowe
8. Juno (2007)
Source: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (503,178 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (88 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 94% (217 reviews)
- Directed by: Jason Reitman
7. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (86,895 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 88% (88 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (52 reviews)
- Directed by: Nicholas Ray
6. Dazed and Confused (1993)
Source: Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (174,013 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (90 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 92% (62 reviews)
- Directed by: Richard Linklater
5. Rushmore (1998)
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.7/10 (176,013 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 91% (91 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 90% (105 reviews)
- Directed by: Wes Anderson
4. Dead Poets Society (1989)
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (449,222 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (92 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 84% (58 reviews)
- Directed by: Peter Weir
3. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (372,267 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (92 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (65 reviews)
- Directed by: John Hughes
2. Almost Famous (2000)
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
- IMDb user rating: 7.9/10 (279,276 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92% (92 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 89% (174 reviews)
- Directed by: Cameron Crowe
1. The Last Picture Show (1971)
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
- IMDb user rating: 8.0/10 (45,056 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 90% (90 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score: 100% (58 reviews)
- Directed by: Peter Bogdanovich