Rotten Tomatoes created a list of the "50 Best High School Movies of All Time." Let's change it up a little bit, take some of their best, and place them in order of audience ratings. There's something for everyone--John Hughes films, cult favorites, love stories--it's all here. High school can be both an exciting and horrifying time. That's why there are so many great movies about the high school experience.
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With streaming capabilities like never before, it's easy to find some of these films. The 1980s clearly wins as the best decade for high school movies, so you may even have some of these treasures in your own collection somewhere. Go ahead and check out the list, pick out some favorites, and see what high school through the ages has been like. Here are our ten best high school movies, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.
Risky Business (1983): 72%
The Tom Cruise classic Risky Business is immediately recognized for Cruise's iconic socks and underwear scene. It has been parodied over and over again but is still great. While this is technically a high school movie, some may not realize that it's a pretty risque film.
Its R rating is accurate, as the movie certainly incorporates adult situations. Cruise's character, Joel, opens a teenage brothel in his home while his parents are away.
American Graffiti (1973): 84%
Though American Graffiti came out in 1973, it is set in the year 1962. Ron Howard starred in this film just before his show Happy Days began. American Graffiti was directed and co-written by George Lucas, and it is basically one last hoorah for teenagers on the precipice of adulthood.
They have graduated from high school and are living it up at the end of their summer vacation. The film captures the zeitgeist of the early 1960s with classic cars and music.
Friday Night Lights (2004): 85%
Friday Night Lights is based on H.G. Bissinger's book, Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream. The story showcases 1988's Permian High Panthers, a high school football team in a financially struggling Texas town, Odessa.
Football movies like this one did remarkably well in the 2000s because they brought people together over the spirit of teamwork and the hope of winning. In 2006, Bissinger's book was also adapted into a television series by the same name, which ended in 2011.
Sixteen Candles (1984): 85%
It's no surprise that there is more than one John Hughes film on this list. Molly Ringwald plays Samantha in Sixteen Candles. As the title indicates, Samantha is turning sixteen. The problem is, her family is too busy with her sister's wedding to remember Samantha's birthday.
It's a pretty big day to forget, but things just get worse at Samantha's house. She goes to the school dance, wishing for the attention of her crush, Jake.
Juno (2007): 88%
Juno is one of 2007's best gifts. It tells the story of a teenager named Juno as she navigates her unexpected pregnancy. Her parents are supportive of her when she wants to get acquainted with Mark and Vanessa, a wealthy couple looking to adopt a baby. Juno and Mark bond over music, but Mark starts to get weird, and he is leaving Vanessa.
Juno is hurt by the turn of events but leaves Vanessa a note that says "Vanessa, If you're still in, I'm still in," and after Juno's baby is born, Vanessa still gets to become a mother. Juno and the baby's father, Bleeker, make amends and close the movie with their song "Anyone Else But You."
The Breakfast Club (1985): 92%
The Breakfast Club needs no introduction, and those who haven't seen it should watch it right away. It is a pop-culture institution, created by an unlikely group of kids doing time in Saturday school detention.
The R-rated 1980s film is one of John Hughes's most celebrated works. His excellent combination of characters, Allison, John, Brian, Andrew, and Claire, join forces to rise against the school principal who is monitoring them.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986): 92%
Okay, one more John Hughes movie. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is about as iconic as it gets. Matthew Broderick plays Ferris Bueller, the Chicago teen who knows how to get himself out of school.
With Jennifer Grey playing his tattle-tale sister, Jeanie, and Alan Ruck and Mia Sara as his hooky companions, Ferris has quite the day off. Principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) may be on the hunt for Ferris, but that doesn't stop the young lad from hopping on a float and singing The Beatles' "Twist and Shout."
Dead Poets Society (1989): 92%
Set in 1959, Dead Poets Society is one of Robin Williams' best roles. Williams plays a teacher named John Keating at the prestigious Welton Academy. Keating is one of the most creative educators ever depicted in a film, and he opens his students' minds, particularly with poetry.
Rotten Tomatoes notes that "Dead Poets Society was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Williams; it won one, for Tom Schulman's original screenplay."
Back to the Future (1985): 94%
Michael J. Fox brought the world a formidable trilogy of Back to the Future movies, but most fans prize the first one above them all. Marty McFly goes on a wild ride back to 1955 in Doc Brown's DeLorean.
The 17-year-old 80s kid gets a whole new view of high school in this pillar of cinematic greatness. The film actually has a website where fans can learn more about the trilogy and buy some merch.
Love and Basketball (2000) 95%
Two childhood sweethearts are both passionate about basketball. The 2000 movie follows them through different ages, and when they are in high school, they are each the star of their school's basketball team.
They both played college ball at USC, and then they play in separate professional arenas. Watch what happens when Quincy and Monica learn how to balance their dreams with their love for one another.