Best High School Movies

Last updated: October 17, 2025

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 high school love stories -- like High School Musical and Clueless -- have us pining for those summer nights (sing it, Danny and Sandy!), others help make the angst and heartache of this time of life feel relatable and real. For more memorable stories about teens, try our lists of Best Prom Movies and Teen Romance Novels.

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High School Musical movie poster: Teens jump happily on a stage in front of red curtains

MOVIE

High School Musical

age 8+

Feel-good musical has positive messages for tweens.

January 20, 2006 2006 PG (98 minutes)

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Chang Can Dunk Movie Poster: Bloom Li alone on the court.

MOVIE

Chang Can Dunk

age 10+

High school underdog tale has bullying, life lessons.

March 10, 2023 2023 PG (107 minutes)

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McFarland, USA Poster Image

MOVIE

McFarland, USA

age 10+

Poignant story about Latino runners a winner for families.

February 20, 2015 2015 PG (128 minutes)

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Spider-Man: Homecoming movie poster: Spider-Man lies on the ground next to NYC skyline and the East River

MOVIE

Spider-Man: Homecoming

age 10+

Diverse, entertaining reboot has some language, violence.

July 7, 2017 2017 PG-13 (130 minutes)

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Stargirl Poster Image

MOVIE

Stargirl

age 10+

Gentle book-based school drama has positive messages.

March 13, 2020 2020 PG (104 minutes)

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The Archies movie poster: The gang of the comic now set in India.

MOVIE

The Archies

age 10+

Comic book-based Indian musical has mild language.

December 7, 2023 2023 NR (141 minutes)

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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.

June 16, 1978 1978 PG (110 minutes)

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Napoleon Dynamite Poster Image

MOVIE

Napoleon Dynamite

age 11+

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

June 11, 2004 2004 PG (82 minutes)

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Ferris Bueller's Day Off Poster Image

MOVIE

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

age 12+

Classic teen comedy has language, lack of consequences.

June 11, 1986 1986 PG-13 (103 minutes)

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My Hero Academia: You're Next movie poster: Collage of characters in hero costumes, features Deku, Giulio, Anna, and All Might.

MOVIE

My Hero Academia: You're Next

age 12+

Teamwork saves day in brawling continuation of hero anime.

October 11, 2024 2024 PG-13 (110 minutes)

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School Ties Poster Image

MOVIE

School Ties

age 12+

Stirring teen movie has adult themes, antisemitic bullying.

September 18, 1992 1992 PG-13 (101 minutes)

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She's the Man Poster Image

MOVIE

She's the Man

age 12+

Cute but crass comedy based on Shakespeare play.

March 17, 2006 2006 PG-13 (105 minutes)

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Tall Girl Poster Image

MOVIE

Tall Girl

age 12+

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

September 13, 2019 2019 NR (101 minutes)

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10 Things I Hate About You Poster Image

MOVIE

10 Things I Hate About You

age 13+

Engaging but edgy update of Taming of the Shrew.

March 31, 1999 1999 PG-13 (100 minutes)

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Bring It On Poster Image

MOVIE

Bring It On

age 13+

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

August 25, 2000 2000 PG-13 (98 minutes)

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Candy Jar Poster Image

MOVIE

Candy Jar

age 13+

Drama about debate team rivals has some cursing.

April 27, 2018 2018 NR (92 minutes)

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Clueless Poster Image

MOVIE

Clueless

age 13+

High school take on Jane Austen's "Emma" has sex, drugs.

July 26, 1995 1995 PG-13 (97 minutes)

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Dead Poets Society Poster Image

MOVIE

Dead Poets Society

age 13+

Inspiring, intense story of a teacher and his students.

June 9, 1989 1989 PG (128 minutes)

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Empire Waist movie poster: Five teen friends wearing colorful clothes

MOVIE

Empire Waist

age 13+

Empowering teen dramedy about body positivity has bullying.

September 27, 2024 2024 PG-13 (94 minutes)

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HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle Movie Poster: Teams of volleyball players face off in an intense stand-off

MOVIE

HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle

age 13+

Epic volleyball anime highlights teamwork, perseverance.

May 31, 2024 2024 PG-13 (85 minutes)

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