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The Greatest College Movies of All Time

The Greatest College Movies of All Time

Updated: by

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

23. Happy Death Day 2U (2019)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

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

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

21. Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Source: Jason Merritt / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

20. Fandango (1985)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

19. Neighbors (2014)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

18. Liberal Arts (2012)

Source: Courtesy of IFC Films

17. Kicking and Screaming (1995)

Source: Courtesy of Trimark Pictures

16. Legally Blonde (2001)

Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

15. Happy Death Day (2017)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

14. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

13. Mistress America (2015)

Source: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

12. Old School (2003)

Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution

11. Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

10. Real Genius (1985)

Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures

9. The Paper Chase (1973)

Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

8. Monsters University (2013)

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

7. The Sure Thing (1985)

Source: Courtesy of Embassy Pictures

6. Pitch Perfect (2012)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

5. Love & Basketball (2000)

Source: Courtesy of New Line Cinema

4. National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

3. The Social Network (2010)

Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

2. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Source: Courtesy of Miramax

1. 3 Idiots (2009)

Source: Courtesy of Reliance Big Pictures

23. Happy Death Day 2U (2019)
22. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)
21. Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)
20. Fandango (1985)
19. Neighbors (2014)
18. Liberal Arts (2012)
17. Kicking and Screaming (1995)
16. Legally Blonde (2001)
15. Happy Death Day (2017)
14. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
13. Mistress America (2015)
12. Old School (2003)
11. Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
10. Real Genius (1985)
9. The Paper Chase (1973)
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)

Going to college has been romanticized in movies for decades. It is a place where we can escape the monotony of small-town life and branch out on our own, embarking on a new journey where we can discover life, and figure everything out all in the span of four years. It may not all work out quite like Hollywood portrays but it is still an exciting adventure, a time to learn about the world, about ourselves, and perhaps about life. It is when most young adults are on their own for the first time, navigating school, and social life. Hollywood often depicts these scenarios perfectly, which makes the greatest college movies of all time a must-see.

Whichever type of college movie best fits your own college experience, you should find something similar on this list. 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 greatest college movies of all time, 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.

Here are the greatest college movies of all time.

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