Back-to-School Movies

Already feeling the back-to-school blues creeping up? Brush them away with this list of back-to-school movies that'll get your kids excited to hear the bell ring. From Harry, Ron, and Hermione's magic classes at Hogwarts to the high school struggles of Napoleon Dynamite, school has been the setting for some of America's most popular movies. Some of these movies push boundaries, so be sure to check them out first and have conversations about your rules for the school year. For other fun back-to-school options, check out our list of Back-to-School Books and Best High School Movies.

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Emily's First 100 Days of School Poster Image
MOVIE

Emily's First 100 Days of School

age 3+

Short, fact-filled animated version of popular kids' book.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2007)
Schoolhouse Rock! Poster Image
MOVIE

Schoolhouse Rock!

age 5+

Classic, clever, kitschy songs that teach.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1977)
Teacher's Pet Poster Image
MOVIE

Teacher's Pet

age 5+

Fast, fresh, funny and entertaining for all.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2004)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Poster Image
MOVIE

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

age 7+

First Potter movie is a magical ride but also intense.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2001)
Akeelah and the Bee Movie Poster: Akeelah stands at a microphone in a pink shirt, with various other characters' faces above her
MOVIE

Akeelah and the Bee

age 8+

Inspiring drama about a young spelling champ has swearing.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2006)
Freaky Friday Poster Image
MOVIE

Freaky Friday

age 8+

Mother-daughter switch is fun comedic chaos.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2003)
High School Musical Poster Image
MOVIE

High School Musical

age 8+

A modern-day Grease for tweens.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2006)
High School Musical 2 Poster Image
MOVIE

High School Musical 2

age 8+

High School magic strikes again.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2007)
Mad Hot Ballroom Poster Image
MOVIE

Mad Hot Ballroom

age 8+

Enchanting dance documentary hits all the right beats.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2005)
Matilda Poster Image
MOVIE

Matilda

age 9+

Offbeat dark fantasy gem is intense, sometimes scary.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1996)
Sky High Poster Image
MOVIE

Sky High

age 8+

Cartoony high school superhero drama; OK for tweens.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2005)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Poster Image
MOVIE

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

age 9+

Adorable comedy about middle-school anxieties...and farts.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2010)
Mr. Holland's Opus Poster Image
MOVIE

Mr. Holland's Opus

age 10+

'90s drama about inspiring teacher has some cursing.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1997)
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)
School of Rock Poster Image
MOVIE

School of Rock

age 10+

Strong communication, teamwork in funny, charming comedy.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2003)
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)
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 and sassy movie, but expect raunchy humor, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2000)