Best High School Movies

It's movies like these that make you think high school will be the greatest -- or most tragic -- time of your life. From the adventures of Ferris Bueller's Day Off to the cruhes of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, the best high school movies offer laughs, love, and a few hijinks. While some more recent high school love stories -- like High School Musical and Clueless -- have us pining for those summer nights (sing it, Danny and Sandy!), it's the heartache of John Hughes' films that anchors our list of favorite high school movies of all time. For more memorable stories about teens, try our lists of Best Prom Movies and Teen Romance Novels.

High School Musical Poster Image
MOVIE

High School Musical

age 8+

A modern-day Grease for tweens.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2006)
McFarland, USA Poster Image
MOVIE

McFarland, USA

age 10+

Poignant story about Latino runners a winner for families.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
Spider-Man: Homecoming Poster Image
MOVIE

Spider-Man: Homecoming

age 10+

Diverse, entertaining reboot has some language, violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
Stargirl Poster Image
MOVIE

Stargirl

age 10+

Gentle book-based school drama has positive messages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2020)
Napoleon Dynamite Poster Image
MOVIE

Napoleon Dynamite

age 11+

One-of-a-kind high school comedy for the family.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2004)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off Poster Image
MOVIE

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

age 12+

Classic teen comedy has language, lack of consequences.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1986)
Grease Movie Poster: Sandy and Danny stand cheek to cheek
MOVIE

Grease

age 11+

Musical hit is still great fun but quite racy, has sexism.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1978)
She's the Man Poster Image
MOVIE

She's the Man

age 12+

Cute but crass comedy based on Shakespeare play.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2006)
Tall Girl Poster Image
MOVIE

Tall Girl

age 12+

Coming-of-age comedy about feeling different; mild cursing.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2019)
Bring It On Poster Image
MOVIE

Bring It On

age 13+

Smart, sassy movie, but expect raunchy humor, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2000)
Candy Jar Poster Image
MOVIE

Candy Jar

age 13+

Drama about debate team rivals has some cursing.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2018)
Clueless Poster Image
MOVIE

Clueless

age 13+

Charming take on Jane Austen's Emma has sex, drugs.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1995)
Dead Poets Society Poster Image
MOVIE

Dead Poets Society

age 13+

Inspiring, intense story of a teacher and his students.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1989)
The Half of It Poster Image
MOVIE

The Half of It

age 13+

Touching, smart teen story deals with sexuality; drinking.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2020)
Hoop Dreams Poster Image
MOVIE

Hoop Dreams

age 13+

Stunning documentary addresses race and class issues.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1994)
Love, Simon Poster Image
MOVIE

Love, Simon

age 13+

Affecting, lovable romcom about gay teen has a little edge.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2018)
Lucas Poster Image
MOVIE

Lucas

age 13+

A realistic look at a teen's coming-of-age.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1986)
Never Been Kissed Poster Image
MOVIE

Never Been Kissed

age 13+

Sweet, romantic story for teens has some edgy scenes.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1999)
The Perfect Date Poster Image
MOVIE

The Perfect Date

age 13+

Solid romcom fun with two charismatic leads; swearing.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2019)
Pretty in Pink Poster Image
MOVIE

Pretty in Pink

age 13+

Dated high school tale is still fun for teens.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1986)