Back to School Movie List

If the calendar hasn't reminded you, the TV commercials certainly have... it's Back-to-School Season! A time of the year when you buy notebooks, pens, erasers, binders, new clothes, new shoes, backpacks, lunchboxes and all of the things we hope will bring us a happy new year of learning. Or for parents, back to the regular schedule, which may be more or less stressful depending on your child's schedule.

In honor of this holiday season, I have compiled a list of movies to get you excited about a new year of school or (in my case) miss the confining and liberating walls of an education.

Enjoy!

Billy Madison (1995)

Although Adam Sandler is on my "Least Favorite Actors" list, this movie is pretty funny. Who doesn't love to see 5th graders beat a grown adult at math problems? There's a whole show about it! It may also make you feel better when you feel like an idiot on the first day of school.

Legally Blonde (2001)

I have to admit, I wasn't all on board with this film the first time I saw it. A movie about the pretty girl getting brains and a guy? Leave some for the brainy and not so attractive girls! But after seeing the musical, I appreciate this film much more and feel bad for this girl who believes that this jerk is worth something.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone(2001)

Sadly, we can't all get an acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But we can all watch the first movie of the tale of the Boy Who Lived.

Matilda (1996)

Be very glad that you don't go to a school like Crunchem Hall run by Principal Agatha Trunchbull. And have to gorge yourself with cake or get put into the Chokey.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

High school is hard. And having to spend your Saturday in detention with a Brain, an Athlete, a Nutcase, a Princess and a Criminal can get interesting.

The School of Rock (2003)

Having Jack Black as your teacher would be one way to have a rockin' school year! Look out for the musical version.

Freaky Friday (2003)

I know it's a remake and it has the not-so-great actress Lindsay Lohan.... BUT Jamie Lee Curtis is awesome! And she totally rocks the teenager-stuck-in-her-mother's-body thing. And mom going to school supposed to be a teenager- well, I think all teenagers wish that could happen.

Fame (2009)

It breaks my heart that this movie didn't revive the "famed" 1980 movie and TV series. But I think it had the potential- it included some of the original material, new modern material, and all of the heart and heartbreak that came with the original series and film.

Dead Poets Society (1984)

I didn't watch this movie until I was in college, but I wish I would've watched it earlier. Not only does it speak to the power of literature but the power of a great teacher.

Election (1999)

Did you ever run for a student election? I don't think anyone's was this crazy. This is Reese Witherspoon at her very best as the controlling OCD student who will stop at nothing to win. (Maybe Elle Woods should have taken some advice from Tracy Flick)

An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000)

Going to college is supposed to be a time when you move away from home and learn to live on your own, but not for Max Goof, Goofy's son. Goofy finds out that he has to go back to college so he decides to kill two birds with one stone by spending more time with his son and going back to school. This movie instilled my love of disco music and extreme sports.

Did I miss any of your favorite back to school movies? Leave me a comment and tell me what I missed.

Happy Back-to-School!