People around the world are familiar with the inner workings of American schools. Characters who look 30 often despise school, throw wild parties, and create dramas that would make any Brazilian soap opera envious. Filmmakers love American schools, and audiences seize the opportunity to observe outsiders, weirdos, nerds, newcomers, bad teachers, and neglectful parents. It's enjoyable to watch a school life that's far removed from reality. In this collection, you'll find the 7 best movies about American schools that will leave a lasting impression.
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Easy A
IMDb: 7/10
2010, Comedy, Drama, Romance
USA, PG-13
Director: Will Gluck
Top cast: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley
Easy A is a much deeper film than it may seem at first glance. The main character, played by Emma Stone, laments, John Hughes isn’t directing my pathetic life. Hughes is the creator of iconic teen films like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, which established the enduring myth of American high school life that we encounter today. The film is presented in soft pastel tones, yet the characters’ issues are anything but childish. Its plot is inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel The Scarlet Letter, which explores themes of scapegoating in traditional society. In the story, straight-A student Olive tries to orchestrate her life, but her innocent deception spirals out of control. She must confront the deep-rooted Puritanical ostracism that has persisted since the time of The Scarlet Letter. Although people around her are quick to judge and label her, she finds solace in her overly understanding family and a sweet boyfriend. While a 2010 comedy may not surprise modern audiences, it’s worth revisiting in another ten years to see how our perceptions might change.
Looking for Alaska
IMDb: 8/10
2019, Drama, Romance
USA, TV-MA
Director: Josh Schwartz
Top cast: Charlie Plummer, Kristine Froseth, Denny Love
Looking for Alaska unfolds in the unconventional American school, Culver Creek, which resembles a summer camp. Miles Halter has a unique hobby: he collects the last words of great people. Fortunately, he finds friends with rebellious spirits at his new school, the most captivating of whom is the beautiful Alaska Young, and he falls for her at first sight. Together, they ponder life's eternal questions, explore world religions, read books, clash with the local jocks, and engage in some light-hearted mischief. However, their school dreams and daily lives are soon shattered by a tragic event. Looking for Alaska is an adaptation of John Green's novel that explores how to understand and cope with the loss of a loved one, fit into the school environment, and ultimately find oneself. It's a bittersweet story, filled with light, color, and a fantastic soundtrack.
Mean Girls
IMDb: 7.1/10
2004, Comedy
USA, PG-13
Director: Mark Waters
Top cast: Lindsay Lohan, Jonathan Bennett, Rachel McAdams
Mean Girls has remained relevant since its release in 2004. The main character, Cady Heron, has been homeschooled and finds herself in high school for the first time — a place where it’s far more dangerous for kids than in Africa, from where Cady has just arrived. The rules of the girl world, girl friendships, and even girl Halloween are explained to her by the most popular girls at school — the so-called Plastics, led by Regina George, the school legend and true queen bee. This sets the stage for a series of natural metaphors and adventures for Cady, especially since Regina's ex-boyfriend catches Cady's eye. Above all, it’s a story about how to overthrow a school dictator without becoming one yourself and losing all your friends in the process.
Bad Teacher
IMDb: 5.7/10
2011, Comedy, Romance
USA, R
Director: Jake Kasdan
Top cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake
Bad Teacher is the story of a teacher who has no desire to work around the clock like her well-meaning colleagues. Adventurous Elizabeth Halsey decides she needs a new breast, the cost of which exceeds her school salary, so she resorts to various antics, including pretending to befriend her colleagues and actually doing her job. Unlike typical dramas about teachers, the creators of this film take a comedic approach — an effective way to exaggerate the daily lives of educators who really don’t want to adhere to school rules.
17 Again
IMDb: 6.4/10
2009, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sport
USA, PG-13
Director: Burr Steers
Top cast: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann
17 Again is a light comedy with a simple premise that boasts high ratings. The storyline may feel familiar to audiences: a grown man magically finds himself back in high school, where he must navigate the challenges of adapting to a new environment while trying to return to his former life. Michael O’Donnell believes his high school choices defined his future, and when he magically transforms into a teenager, he finally confronts his past. This new perspective helps him bond with his children and repair his relationship with his wife. The film features a young Zac Efron and a slightly older Matthew Perry, along with an intriguing lineup of supporting characters.
Euphoria
IMDb: 8.3/10
2019, Drama
USA, TV-MA
Director: Sam Levinson
Top cast: Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi
The creators of Euphoria have approached the exploration of American high school life with great care. The series doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects and drama; it deeply examines the diverse paths of students and their parents. Instead of focusing on a single character, the true protagonist is the school itself, with all its traumas, glitz, secrets, and emotions. Watching a series about the search for identity is both painful and beautiful, and its portrayal of drug use is more instructive than any social advertisement. The show has received numerous awards, likely due to the honesty and vibrancy of its characters and settings.
Superbad
IMDb: 7.6/10
2007, Comedy
USA, R
Director: Greg Mottola
Top cast: Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Superbad follows the misfit graduates Evan, Seth, and Fogell, who set out to procure alcohol for a school party, leading to a series of wild misadventures. While watching, you can’t help but think, If only our problems were this trivial. Even today, the film feels like a refreshing breath of air, especially when viewed with a sense of nostalgia.
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