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Writer's pictureMickey Farmer

Back to School Movies for the Whole Family

*Originally posted on FathersofMultiples.com

Whether you’re a kid dreading your return to school and wanting to lay around in misery watching a movie that shows what you can expect once school starts back up or you’re a parent wanting to watch something to get you pumped and excited about sending your kids back to school, this list has the movie you’re wanting! Heck, they may even be the same movie.

The Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club is the quintessential high school movie. As with most John Hughes films, there's a lesson to be learned. Each character is a different archetype of the kids you’ll see in any given high school still today. The jock, the nerd, the rebel, the good girl, the weirdo. As they throw these different people together, having them really get to know each other proves even though they seem different, they are all similar.

Older kids and up

Ferris Beuller's Day Off

John Hughes strikes again! No lessons learned this time though, unless you count Cameron learning that he needs to experience life more and have more fun. Instead, Ferris is just the coolest kid ever. Everything goes his way, everyone loves him. Well, everyone except his principal and sister. Join him on a day where he skips school and forgoes all responsibility and see one of the most fun movies ever made.

Older kids and up

Middle School: Worst Years of My Life

I don’t want to spoil anything about this movie, but though it comes across, in any preview you’ll see, as a light-hearted comedy, this movie made me ugly cry like no other. Based on a book series by James Patterson, the story follows middle schooler Rafe and his mission to free his school from the tyranny of an oppressive, rule-driven principal. Will he prevail in his task? Watch the movie and find out!

All ages

The Karate Kid

Wax on, wax off. Crane kick. Sweep the leg. This movie is as iconic as you can get! A bullied kid learns the ways of karate, not to get revenge, but to learn to defend himself and find his inner confidence. Multiple morals here, non-violence, ignore the bullies, try hard at everything you do. Not to mention how to properly wax a car! If the bullies don’t leave you alone though? A crane kick can always come in handy.

All ages

Dead Poet's Society

A lot of topics covered in this movie aren’t for the little ones. Granted, younger kids would be bored with this movie anyway, but prepare for serious subject matter. Dead Poet’s Society proved Robin Williams’ acting chops beyond comedies. He’s simply wonderful as the teacher who truly cares for his students and wants them to learn to live, learn to enjoy life, learn to sound their barbaric yawps and seize the day!

Teens

Back to School

The late, great, Rodney Dangerfield decides at an old age (was he EVER young?) to go back to college so he can teach his son to enjoy the college life himself. Extravagant, boisterous, loud, uncaring about the rules, many of the college professors find him hard to deal with. Mr. Dangerfield learn a few lessons of his own in this comedy. Rodney goes back to school, but the school may not survive the experience!

Teens

Mean Girls

Another movie that shows the trouble with cliques and bullies. A girl (Lindsey Lohan) arrives in a new school divided by the cliques and ran by the titular mean girls. Quickly, she has to learn the ropes and learn how to deal with the bullying. Just watching the movie reminds us that the more things change in schools, the more they are really the same. The language content, especially of the mean girls, is not for younger kids.

Teens

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter is a modern day fairy tale. It has all the fairy tale clichés, dragons, monsters, giants, and the mistreated kid that has to overcome all the things stacked against him. However, the book series and the movies grow so much past that. They’re fun to watch. Oh so adventurous. Some may say they’re even magical. You grow to love the characters or at least the ones whose names you’re allowed to say out loud.

All ages, especially for the earlier installments

Kindergarten Cop

Ah-nold (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is generally known for his action movies. However, as the out of place strong man, he is often very hilarious. No time is he more out of place that being in charge of a bunch of little kids! Don’t worry, though, this movie still ALSO has plenty of action. He is a cop after all. Who will get the most of the experience - he or the kids? Remember, though, don’t suggest his headache is a tumor!

Older kids and up

Real Genius

Real Genius is pure fun. A school filled with super genius kids gets embroiled in a scheme by a teacher, working with the government, to develop advanced weapons. Don’t worry, though, a young, rebellious Val Kilmer is there to save the day and have fun while doing it! Plus, you’ll never be able to hear Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” again without thinking of this movie…and popcorn.

Older kids and up

Akeelah and the Bee

The stress of getting up in front of all of your classmates, the entire school, for a spelling bee. The chance of potentially being humiliated, and forever being reminded of the failure. Being judged in front of friends and foes alike. These things definitely scream “back to school.” In this movie, Akeelah discovers she has a talent for spelling and she combines that talent with perseverance to reach for her dreams in this film.

All ages

Monsters University

In the prequel to Monsters, Inc, you get to watch how Mike and Sully came to be the most successful scare team ever as the guys head off to college. How different is school for monsters compared to the same here for us? Just like the rest of us, the monsters have to deal with bullies, cliques, humiliation, tests, grades, and failure. There is only one big difference? When they do it, it’s animated and utterly hilarious.

All ages

School of Rock

A rock’n’roller gets kicked out of his band and finds himself down on his luck. In a desperate ploy to make some money, he pretends to be a substitute teacher. Of course, the only topic he knows is rock’n’roll, so what does he do? He teaches THAT, (of course!). Along the way, he does succeed at teaching the kids confidence, how to really be kids, and how to not worry too much. In turn, they teach him to be an adult!

All ages

High School Musical

It’s exactly like any typical high school. Well, any typical high school that just happens to include musical numbers! The school jock falls for the school nerd and joins the school musical to spend time with her. With all their time being spent in the musical, they neglect their responsibilities to the basketball team and the academic decathlon, sending ripples throughout the entire school. Will love really conquer all in the end?

All ages

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

This is the first in a series of Wimpy Kid movies, based on the books written and illusrtated by Jeff Kinney. Entering into middle school, the main character, Greg Heffley schemes and connives to be the most popular boy in school. Though most of his plans backfire, they sure are fun to watch. The wildly successful book series gets turned into a really fun and family friendly movie series, and it's a great journey.

All ages

With this list, your kids will be prepared to go back to hitting the books, and you'll be filled with nostalgia of your bygone school days. Did your favorite school movies make the list? Maybe you were expecting Footloose, Hoosiers, or even Billy Madison? Let us know what films you would have included. While you're hitting play on these movies, check out our other movie lists.

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