13-movies-to-get-you-in-the-back-to-school-mood

13 movies to get you in the back to school mood

Summer lovin' had me a blast

Depending upon where you are, it feels as if summer could last forever and school is nothing more than a vague notion. I hate to burst your bubble but unfortunately… summer is ending whether you like it or not. With that comes the struggle of switching from “Summer Mode” to “School Mode.” Let’s be real, no one likes to do it and everyone is looking for any reason not to dread the upcoming school year. Let this list serve as a survival guide of sorts. After all, what better way to get in the mood to be inside all day listening to your teachers drone on and on than sitting inside all day bingeing movies? Without further ado, here are 13 that’ll never fail to get you into the school groove.

1. 10 Things I Hate About You

This was a no brainer. A young Heath Ledger (RIP), a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the difference between like and love? This is one film you absolutely cannot miss. It also has one of THE most iconic rom-com speeches of all time.

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2 & 3. 21 Jump Street/22 Jump Street

The chemistry between Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill is palpable. You will be in stitches by the time you finish watching the two as cops who first have to go back to both High School and College as a pair of cops trying to thwart drug rings. Nothing says back to school like watching adults pretend to be teenagers.

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4. Accepted

No one likes that summer is over and no one certainly likes rejection. When the idea of continuously going to school gets tiresome, pop in Accepted and see what would happen if you just created your own college. Surely you’d come up with a better name than the South Harmon Institute of Technology.

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5. Animal House

Would it really be a back-to-school list without Animal House? It’s pretty much the film about college. It’s certainly the reason toga parties exist.

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6. The Breakfast Club

Homages have been made to The Breakfast Club since its release in 1985. One can’t think of saturday detention without wondering if they’re going to be the brain, athlete, basket case, princess, or criminal.

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7. Clueless

A 90s take on Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless reminds you that you’re not alone when it comes to back-to-school problems. Even the popular kids have them. It’s also full of timeless one-liners that can be used no matter what’s going on in your life.

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8. Easy A

While Clueless was a modern take on Emma, Easy A finds its roots in The Scarlet Letter. Emma Stone is in top form as Olive. Even when she’s down she keeps the burns coming, just like you’ll be able to make it through the next school year.

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9. Legally Blonde

Everybody loves a good underdog story. While Elle Woods isn’t your conventional underdog, her sheer enthusiasm and will to succeed at Harvard will give you all the motivation you need to set your alarm and make it to class.

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10. Mean Girls

No back-to-school list would be complete without Mean Girls. This film has inspired a generation of Regina Georges and Cady Herons. Fetch may never happen but that essays deadline always will.

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11. Never Been Kissed

There’s something about watching Drew Barrymore struggle through trying to be cool in high school that always puts me in a good mood. Her drive and determination to complete her task (and maybe get the guy) is all you need to crack open the book you purchased for a class you weren’t sure about taking.

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12. Pitch Perfect

You better aca-believe that Pitch Perfect was going to be on this list. In fact, the whole series needs to be a watch party all on its own. The first film takes you through Anna Kendrick’s freshman year as Beca and the second one serves as a nice bookend to the entire school experience. Plus the soundtrack is lit and something you’ll want to play to keep you motivated on all-nighters.

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13. The Waterboy

You may be asking yourself, “If this is a list about back to school films, why did you pick The Waterboy over Billy Madison?” Well the answer is simple, this is arguably Adam Sandler’s greatest film next to The Wedding Singer and if seeing Bobby Boucher get “extra credit” with his science professor doesn’t put you in the mood to go to school, I don’t know what will.

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