"September will forever be back-to-school season. As you’re refreshing office supplies, updating your closet, and making your fall bucket list, a movie night is almost guaranteed to be at the forefront of your mind. And while I’ll never miss my annual rewatch of nostalgic movies You’ve Got Mail and Hocus Pocus, there’s something to be said about back-to-school movies that are set around late August and early September. Maybe my Millennial is showing, but the vibes of back-to-school are just too good!
I may not be going back to school anymore, but I still channel the same energy each time September rolls around with some nostalgic movies. It’s the low buzz of excitement that comes with a new beginning—that’s the kind of back-to-school magic I’m talking about. If you also love the feel of a fresh start, these 11 classic back-to-school movies will get you in the mood for fall.
1. Pitch Perfect
My college didn’t have a capella groups, but I was most definitely in choir all through high school. ‘Pitch Perfect’ encapsulates a capella culture in the most silly, over-the-top way—and it’s just plain fun. You come for the comedy, but you stay for the music: The a capella arrangements throughout the film are incredible. ‘Pitch Perfect’ follows college student Beca (Anna Kendrick) as she begrudgingly joins an all girls a capella group, and takes the group of eclectic characters to compete in one of the country’s top college a capella competitions. The whole cast is hilarious, but Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow completely steal the show.
2. Mean Girls
I will never not love the original ‘Mean Girls.’ This film has truly stood the test of time, and while it’s a movie I’m happy to watch no matter what time of year it is, it starts at the beginning of a school year, making it perfect for fall. Lindsey Lohan stars, Tina Fey’s screenplay should go down in history as one of the best adaptations of a book ever, and it essentially launched Amanda Seyfreid’s career. The musical version of the film premiered earlier this year, but I have to admit, I prefer the original! It’s perfect for turning on while you swap your summer wardrobe for fall.
3. School of Rock
Jack Black is a national treasure. ‘School of Rock’ is honestly one of my favorite movies, because he is so effortlessly hilarious and fun to watch on screen. He plays Dewey Finn, a musician who poses as a substitute teacher at an elite private elementary school. Naturally, he introduces his love of rock music to the kids and starts a band. The film also features a young Miranda Cosgrove and a standout performance by Joan Cusack. Consider this your pregame Jack Black viewing before you watch ‘The Holiday’ come November and December!
4. 10 Things I Hate About You
I was definitely a theater kid growing up, and knowing that this movie is an adaptation of ‘Taming of the Shrew’ delighted me to no end. Julia Stiles was really having her moment in 1999, and this teen romance very well may have started my love for romantic comedies. Stiles plays Kat, an abrasive high schooler whose sister Bianca can’t date until Kat does. Kat ends up falling for Patrick, played by a very dreamy Heath Ledger—but not without first seriously resisting the chemistry, of course.
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
‘Harry Potter’ was made for cozy movie nights. The first film is quintessential back to school vibes, as Harry is introduced to Hogwarts. There are plenty of nods to fall, including pumpkins, trolls, and professors, making it perfect for a September rewatch. Make a batch of homemade butter beer, grab a chocolate frog or two, and settle in for a magical night.
6. Clueless
The ’90s are alive and well in ‘Clueless.’ I have very specific childhood memories of lusting over Cher’s closet (it moves!) and it’s a quintessential ’90s coming of age teen movie. Set in Beverly Hills, this movie stars Alicia Silverstone as Cher, a popular high schooler who plays matchmaker for the new girl, Tai, who then becomes even more popular than she is. Paul Rudd and Brittany Murphy are standouts in this ’90s film, and all of the driving scenes continue to make me giggle even now. Cher’s just “a virgin who can’t drive,” after all!
7. Easy A
A criminally underrated movie IMO, ‘Easy A’ is Emma Stone’s star turn. She plays Olive, an average high school student whose world gets turned upside down when a lie about losing her virginity gets blown out of proportion. She’s completely charming and hilarious, and to top it off, the adult cast is equally amazing. Stanley Tucci, Lisa Kudrow, and Patricia Clarkson are perfect in smaller roles. Turn on ‘Easy A’ while you organize your WFH desk, meal prep for the week, or make a loaf of pumpkin bread for all the back-to-school vibes.
8. Bring It On
With the popularity of the Netflix docuseries ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,’ rewatching ‘Bring It On’ is perfect for scratching that cheerleader itch you may be feeling. When the Toros, a champion cheerleading squad, get a new captain named Torrence (an adorable Kirsten Dunst), she discovers that their cheer routines are stolen from the East Compton Clovers (led by the iconic Gabrielle Union). Torrence has to whip her team into shape so they can beat the Clovers fair and square. This film was made in 2000, so there’s lots of high school nostalgia to be found, and of course, cheerleading.
9. Lady Bird
While all of these films are focused on teen friendships and romance, ‘Lady Bird’ has that and more. It hones in on the mother-daughter relationship between Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) and her mom Marion (Laurie Metcalf). Written and directed by Greta Gerwig pre-Barbie fame, it’s a solid script and cast, featuring Timothee Chalamet and Beanie Feldstein. I consider this a cozy fall movie, and prefer to watch it bundled up on the couch with a mug of something warm. It takes me back to being a senior in high school with all the challenges and growth that happened during that time.
10. The Breakfast Club
The ‘Breakfast Club’ is the most nostalgic movie on this list—it’s an OG teen film by none other than John Hughes. He wrote and directed other 80s teen classics like ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,’ ‘Sixteen Candles’ and ‘Pretty In Pink,’ but ‘The Breakfast Club’ makes the list because of its setting. It follows five high schoolers from different cliques at a Saturday detention. It’s a true classic and many say it’s timeless. It’s even featured in ‘Pitch Perfect,’ so pairing the two together as a marathon could be a fun way to spend a fall Saturday afternoon!
11. Center Stage
The way I love this movie! There’s something about dance films that are so fun—ballet plus all the drama that comes with a 2000s teen movie is perfection. ‘Center Stage’ follows dancer Jody Sawyer as she begins her first year at the fictional American Ballet Academy, which very closely resembles the American Ballet Theatre in New York City. We see all the ups and downs that come with training to be a professional ballerina, including love interests, steep competition, and a magical transition that includes red point shoes. This film ticks all the nostalgic boxes, and it’s a movie that never gets old for me.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Kristen Garaffo, Contributing Writer
Kristen Garaffo is a Washington, D.C. based freelance writer who has been writing for The Everygirl since 2022. She has a background in musical theater and is a self-taught interior stylist. In addition to The Everygirl, her writing has appeared in Apartment Therapy, Hunker, and The Daily Beast.