Those who want to get back in the mood for school can just turn on their televisions and rewatch several standout movies that were released between the 1980s and early 2000s. While these films from earlier decades encompass a wide range of genres, they are set in school environments and centered on topics like education and friendship.

“The Breakfast Club” (1985)

“The Breakfast Club,” considered a classic by many growing up in the 1980s, still attracts people today and will certainly get people in the mood to make new friends at school. The movie features five different students who have to endure eight hours of detention with their insane principal on a Saturday. How cruel is detention on a Saturday? These five students include a jock, a princess, a basket case, a criminal and a brainiac. None of them are friends; in fact, their differences make them antagonistic towards each other at times.

During detention, the students have the chance to tell their life stories, which helps the others to understand each other a little better. The movie forces people to confront that no matter what someone looks like on the outside, people have no idea what they are going through. The story reminds viewers not to judge people by the masks they put on every day, a good lesson for the start of a school year.

“Clueless” (1995)

With its stylish depiction of high school life and playful take on teenage social lives, “Clueless” makes returning to the classroom feel like a runway of possibilities. Cher, played by Alicia Silverstone, is a rich and socially successful high school student. After receiving a C in debate class, Cher decides to play matchmaker for her debate teacher with the hopes of improving her grade, but her cluelessness eventually leads her to regret it. 

“Clueless” is an entertaining movie with many small life lessons like the idea that growth and confidence stem from self-reflection rather than the opinions of others. A few more important things that can be taken away from this movie are that material things do not define you, friendship is more important than popularity and helping others should not inflate people’s egos. 

“Dead Poets Society” (1989)

In this movie, a new English teacher named Mr. Keating joins an all-boys prep school known for its traditions and high expectations and uses unusual methods to teach his students to break out of their shells and think for themselves. He also teaches them the Latin phrase “Carpe Diem,” or “seize the day.” The boys, used to stricter, soulless teachers, find him to be unusual but warm up to him and his message quickly. 

Although the movie is a tear jerker with endearing characters, the narrative emphasizes the value of seizing opportunities despite fear or uncertainty and recognizing that time is limited–such important life lessons for those starting a new chapter of their lives or a new school year.

“Mean Girls” (2004)

Although the 2024 musical adaptation is greatly loved due to Reneé Rapp’s performance as Regina George, the 2004 version of “Mean Girls” continues to reign supreme with a higher rating. The movie delivers sharp humor and lives up to its title, portraying characters whose hostility serves as the central driver of the plot. “Mean Girls” could almost be described as a playbook for surviving high school. Even in college, most of the rules still apply. Cliques still factor in immensely. Friendships also still take a lot of work, and drama is almost always unavoidable.

The movie has wonderful life lessons amidst the comedy. One lesson is that most people are mean as a security blanket around themselves. Another important thing to remember from this movie is that everybody has an ugly view of themselves at times. It is not just you, so be nicer to others and yourself. Also, humor can help almost any situation. 

“Freedom Writers” (2007)

Freedom Writers is based on a true story and takes place after the Los Angelos riots in the mid-1990s. The movie is about a new teacher, Erin Gruwell, who is put in a classroom with students deemed incapable of learning, but instead of giving up on them, she pushes them to become the best that they can be. By doing this, most of the students are able to move on from their lives of crime.

This movie inspires people to acknowledge that they can achieve so much if they put their mind to it and work for it. 

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

In this movie, main character Ferris Bueller, played by Matthew Broderick, is an excellent class cutter because of his charm and quick wits. In his senior year, he takes one last “day off” before graduation, which includes borrowing a Ferrari and adventuring through the streets of Chicago with his best friend and girlfriend. This movie reminds you to stop and smell the roses. In other words, don’t get so caught up in life that you forget to live, but do not take Ferris’ mindset to the extreme and ignore University President Mark Keenum’s advice “go to class.”

During this back-to-school time, do not forget that you can watch some movies from the past that will get you in the mood for new classes and opportunities. These movies can make you laugh, cry and can even help you learn a few things.