The time has arrived. Back to School. Amongst the supply shopping, book buying, and school lunch prepping; why not add a bit of entertainment in the mix? There are some movies that I find fun and nostalgic to prepare for back to school and possibly make you feel better about your school situation. In the end these movies about school can help your school prep go by a little easier. 

THE BREAKFAST CLUB – 1985 

The Breakfast Club arrive in the library for their detention. Screenshot by Melissa Rothman for thegamesofnerds.com via Youtube. Copyright to Universal Pictures.

Let’s begin with a cult classic, and one of my favorites of all time. The Breakfast Club. Five students who have weekend detention meet in their school’s library, each from a different group of students. A geek, the popular girl, the loner, the jock, and the weirdo. They begin the day thinking they were all so different and through the day and some shenanigans they find that they have more in common than they thought. 

Starring: Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, and Ally Sheedy

Director: John Hughes 

Rating: R 

BILLY MADISON – 1995

Billy fights with a classmate. Screenshot by Melissa Rothman for thegamesofnerds.com via Youtube. Copyright to Universal Pictures.

Billy, who is an immature rich man needs to repeat grade 1-12 all over again in order to inherit his father’s estate. Follow him along his journey, where he actually learns something, all while battling against his uncle, who is determined to stop Billy from making his goal, so he can inherit the fortune instead. 

Starring: Adam Sandler, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras

Director: Tamra Davis

Rating: PG-13

CLUELESS – 1995 

Cher, Ty, and Dionne talk about their current drama around school. Screenshot by Melissa Rothman for thegamesofnerds.com via Youtube. Copyright to Paramount Pictures.

Rich and popular teen, Cher, find herself playing matchmaker with two of her teachers. Along the way she gives a classmate a makeover, finds her position at school shifting and her friends changing. Her journey brings her to a more mature and stable place. 

Starring:  Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy

Director: Amy Heckerling

Rating: PG-13

MATILDA – 1996 

Ms. Trunchbull investigates who’s ribbon she found. Screenshot by Melissa Rothman for thegamesofnerds.com via Youtube. Copyright to Sony Pictures.

Matilda Wormwood was born into a crude and criminal family. She is on her own growing up, as she is very intellectual and curious. She soon discovers not only is she gifted with intelligence, but also telekinetic powers. Matilda uses her smarts and her abilities to try to outwit her parents and evil headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. 

Starring: Danny Devito, Rhea Pearlman, Mara Wilson, Pam Ferris, Embeth Davidtz 

Director: Danny Devito 

Rating: PG 

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU – 1999

Kat distracts her teacher so Patrick can sneak out of class. Screenshot by Melissa Rothman for thegamesofnerds.com via Youtube. Copyright to Touchstone Pictures.

Bianca and Katarina’s father has a rule, neither of his daughter’s can date. He alters hs rule after Bianca sees the new guy at school, Cameron and fights her father for the permission to date. He sways a little saying that she can, only if her older sister Katarina dates as well. Her mission becomes to find someone her “shrewed” sister is willing to date. 

Starring: Julia Stiles, Larisa Oleynik, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Director: Gil Junger

Rating: PG-13

THE PRINCESS DIARIES – 2001 

Mia is forced to remove her hat, reveling her new straightened hair. Screenshot by Melissa Rothman for thegamesofnerds.com via Youtube. Copyright to Disney Pictures.

Mia Thermopolis is an average teen; she’s a little nerdy and sweet. Mia is unpopular and essentially invisible to most everyone around her, except her mom & her best friend and her brother. She soon finds out she is heir to the throne in Genovia. She finds herself in the midst of lessons on how to act like a princess all while dealing with normal high school life. Will she decide to take the thrown or give it over to new rule? 

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Hector Elizaondo, Heather Matarazzo, Caroline Goodall

Director: Garry Marshall

Rating: G

DONNIE DARKO – 2001

Something weird is happening. Screenshot by Melissa Rothman for thegamesofnerds.com via Youtube. Copyright to Pandora Cinema & Flower Films.

This one is another one of my favorites. It’s part psychological mystery, part coming of age, and part sci-fi. 

Donnie is an outcast with most of his school and his family. He doesn’t get along with his parents or his sister. One day he narrowly escapes a terrible accident, one that could have killed him. Soon after he starts to hallucinate a large bunny named Frank. Frank convinces Donnie to do some strange and illegal things. His parents send him to a psychiatrist, through which he unlocks memories that lead him to answers on how to end the turmoil. 

Starring: Jake Gyllenhall, Jena Malone, Maggie Gyllenhall, Mary McDonnell

Director: Richard Kelly 

Rating: R

There are many more movies about school, this list is just my top picks. What are some of your favorites? Let us know! Happy watching and have a good school year/hop your kids have a good school year. The lesson to take away from this list, is to be yourself and be open to learning new things. 

Disclaimer: While I watched these movies when I was younger, it was done so at my mother’s discretion. If you are a parent, please use your own judgment in allowing your kids to watch any of these movies. I did try to include something for everyone, so choose at your own discretion.