It’s nearly that time again. One last bask in the summer sun before the bell rings, doors open, and back to school many will head. However, the return to academia need not be fully ignored, with theworld’s best streamers offering plenty of relevant tales that can make the ordeal seem much more bearable. From unquestionable classics to sidesplitting comedies, these flicks will make even the most frequent detention-goer crack a smile at the thought of math class. So, with that in mind, here’s a look at the best back-to-school movies streaming right now.
Thinking about trying something else? Why not skim our list of thebest horror movies on Netflix? Or how about thebest movies on Prime right now?
‘Freedom Writers’ (2007)
Rotten Tomatoes: 70% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Freedom Writers
This 2007 tale is set in Long Beach in 1994 and tells the story ofHilary Swank’s Erin Gruwell, a new teacher starting her first job at Woodrow Wilson High School. Faced with the challenge of a set of students most had given up on due to bad behavior and a racially discriminatory academic hierarchy, Erin will stop at nothing to try and help them pave their own way toward a prosperous future beyond high school. A moving tale of passion and ambition,Freedom Writersis a call to arms for those who feel lost in a modern education system. There is always hope if you look hard enough, with this movie symbolizing that in Swanks' inspirational lead performance. Tearful and life-affirming,Freedom Writersis a worthwhile viewing experience for anyone needing a boost.
Watch on Paramount+
‘Stand and Deliver’ (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.3/10
Stand and Deliver
Co-written and directed byRamón Menéndez,Stand and DeliverfollowsEdward James Olmos' math teacher, Jaime Escalante, as he attempts to carve futures out of a class of unruly teens. Set against the backdrop of financial insecurity, the teacher sees potential in a group of kids many had long given up on and tries to help them find their path to happiness. A heartfelt reminder of the power of giving,Stand and Deliverfeels as poignant now as it did in 1988. Escalante is the one teacher almost everyone can relate to — the reminder that education can be energizing if delivered by the right person. An infectiously hopeful but never unrealistic movie,Stand and Deliverstands tall and delivers excellence.
Watch on Roku
‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ (2012)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.9/10
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Fresh out of playing Hermione Granger for most of her early acting life,Emma Watsonstars in this offbeat romantic drama. Based on the novel written byStephen Chbosky, who actually wrote and directed the movie,The Perks of Being a Wallflowerfollows 15-year-old Charlie (Logan Lerman) as he navigates the trials and tribulations of a difficult teenage life, including tragic heartbreak and painful first love. Narratively simple but emotionally complex,The Perks of Being a Wallflowerplays out like every angst-fueled teenage dream,fronted by Lerman in a role that felt perfectly crafted for him. An imploringly honest and longingly hopeful rendition of adolescence,The Perks of Being a Wallfloweris simply a gem.
‘Legally Blonde’ (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Legally Blonde (2001)
The movie that made a star out of a then 25-year-oldReese Witherspoon,Legally Blondefollows her portrayal of Elle Woods, a fashion-loving girl who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School after he ends their relationship. Against all odds, Woods realizes that her decision to join the school may ignite a passion inside her she had no idea existed. It’s impossible to recommend this movie without simply gushing overWitherspoon’s iconic performance. Everything from her nuanced character choices to the way she works every costume turns Elle Woods into one of the rom-com genre’s best-ever characters. Add that to an inspiring plot and brilliantly funny script that never shies away from genuine moments of emotion, and you have a recipe for a movie that will stand the test of time.
Watch on Max
‘Matilda’ (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.0/10
BeforeMatthew Warchusbrought the musical version to life in 2022,Danny DeVitowas directing and starring inMatildaalongside the talentedMara Wilsonin the titular role. The film follows young Matilda Wormwood, mistreated by her greedy parents, as she starts school and fears for her safety from the dastardly headmistress Trunchbull (Pam Ferris). Using her brilliant intellect and psychic powers,Matilda fights to overturn her school’s terrifying regimeand stand up for what’s right. Bolstered by a brilliant ensemble, fronted by Wilson in one of the best young casting decisions ever,Matildais a charming movie that works magic with the whimsical mind ofRoald Dahl. By taking some creative liberties compared to the source material,Matildashines as one of the best adaptations of Dahl’s many works of fiction.
Watch on Netflix
‘The Breakfast Club’ (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.8/10
The Breakfast Club
Perhaps the greatJohn Hughes' best movie,The Breakfast Clubtells the tale of a ragtag bunch of school students, all of whom end up in Saturday detention for a variety of sins. Stuck together with nowhere to go and with a shared enemy in Richard Vernon (Paul Gleason), the teens suddenly realize that they have much more in common than they once thought. At some point in a teenager’s life,The Breakfast Clubshould be required viewing. Neatly examining the confusing social pressures that often push kids into social stereotypes, the movie slowly but intelligently breaks them down, leaving behind a group of kids who all share the same desperate anxieties and wishful dreams. Supported by an iconic soundtrack,The Breakfast Clubis undoubtedly one of the best in a decade oflegendary coming-of-age flicks.
‘Mean Girls’ (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 7.1/10
Mean Girls
The quintessential comedy of the noughties,Mean GirlsstarsLindsay Lohanas Cady Heron, a girl who accidentally falls into the clutches of the most popular girl group in school: the Plastics. Led by Regina George (Rachel McAdams), the Plastics show no mercy in their mockery of other girls — something that poses a problem for Cady as she starts to fall in love with Regina’s ex-boyfriend, Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett). Lohan’s best-ever performance comes in this iconic flick, withMean Girlscited by many as their all-time favorite teen movie. Perfectly showcasing the volatile world of high school and its various social hierarchies,Mean Girlsnever misses a comedic beat on the road to carving one of the most quotable movies in modern memory.
‘Easy A’ (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Before she won two Academy Awards for Best Actress,Emma Stonemade a breakthrough inWill Gluck’sEasy A. Stone stars as Olive, an innocent high schooler whose life is turned upside down when a rumor spreads about her losing her virginity. Not one to let an opportunity go, Olive ends up taking ownership of the rumor and using it to her advantage — but just how far will she push her luck? Not interested in dramatic bells and whistles,Easy Ais a beautifully simplistic movie with easy-to-love characters and a story that anyone can follow. Stone shows her talents even at such a young age as Olive, with all the endearing heart and devilish bite thatMolly Ringwaldwas known for in similar roles several decades prior.Easy Ais an easy watch that easily pleases.
‘Bottoms’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 6.7/10
Emma Seligman’sBottomsmight just be the must-see coming-of-age comedy of the past two years. The movie starsAyo EdebiriandRachel Sennottas best friends Josie and PJ, who, after injuring the school’s star quarterback, become overnight icons and find fame in the halls of high school. Not wanting to miss a trick, the girls concoct a web of lies that involves starting their own self-defense classes, framing them as a way of keeping other girls safe but, in fact, are actually so they can get laid before school ends. Sennott andEdebiri are two of the biggest rising stars in Hollywood, with the pair fully grasping the nuanced differences between comedy and drama and managing to deftly blend them. Add this to the detailed eye of Seligman, and you have a recipe for success.Bottomsis a raucous roller coaster ride that never wastes a single second.
Watch on Prime
‘The Edge of Seventeen’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.3/10
The Edge of Seventeen
Not to be confused with the iconicStevie Nickssong,The Edge of SeventeenseesHailee Steinfeld’s Nadine, a young girl already struggling with teen life, have her world turned upside down when her best friend starts dating her older brother. In her directorial debut,Kelly Fremon Craigshows a superb sense of maturity in the telling of an oft-told tale — that of the struggling adolescent sure of the world’s desperation to ruin her life. Anxiety is a very real phenomenon for teenagers, withThe Edge of Seventeenneatly realizing this while never dropping an ounce of comedy. Together, Craig and Steinfeld produce a top-quality coming-of-age flick with plenty of heart.
‘The Half of It’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 6.9/10
The Half of It
Written and directed byAlice Wu, this sweet teen drama follows Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), a high-achieving introvert who gets roped into helping the inarticulate school jock, Paul (Daniel Diemer), woo the woman of his dreams. However, unbeknownst to Paul, Ellie is also madly in love with the dream girl, leading to an intricate developing friendship between the two that battles the desire for love and the fear of losing it. At a time when new coming-of-age comedies seem destined to fall to the legacy of the classics,The Half of Itproves that stories for a new generation can be just astimelessly touching. Managing to balance the genre’s oldest tropes with refreshing ideas is no mean feat, but Wu beautifully captures the heartache of adolescence with a sense of progression. Wholesome, heartwarming fun,The Half of Itis so much more than a cliché coming-of-age flick.
‘10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | IMDb: 7.3/10
10 Things I Hate About You
This coming-of-age classic follows Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), the new kid at school who falls head over heels for Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik). However, Bianca isn’t allowed to date until her older sister finds a partner, leaving Cameron with no choice but to ask the campus bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) for help. This refreshing spin onWilliam Shakespeare’sThe Taming of the Shrewtakes the very human elements of the playwright’s story and twists them into an American high school setting. Gordon-Levitt and Ledger are unstoppable forces of coming-of-age gold, both proving just how incredible their careers would be destined to become. Sometimes cheesy but marvelously so,10 Things I Hate About Youis one of the best teen options right now on Disney+.
Watch on Disney+
