Movies can make us laugh, cry, think, flinch, empathize. This page is dedicated to the first one of that list. Specifically, high school comedy movies. 

Now, these are not necessarily the top five high school comedy movies ever; these are recommendations of movies that may be underappreciated. Also included are ratings of how funny the movies are and their plots. Jeff Spicoli from “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” would probably say these movies are “awesome, totally awesome!”

“Fast Times at Ridgemont High”

R     90 minutes     1982

Funny:

Plot:

Surely one of the most quotable movies of all time, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” has something for just about everyone, with three separate storylines. Stoner and wanna-be surfer Jeff Spicoli faces off against strict history teacher Mr. Hand; Brad Hamilton struggles as his senior year goes downhill; and Stacy Hamilton, Mark Ratner and Mike Damone are caught in a love triangle. “Fast Times” also includes early minor roles from future Hollywood stars Forest Whitaker and Nicolas Cage. This movie was big enough in the ’80s — deservingly so — that it got a mention in the season three finale of the Netflix series “Stranger Things.”

“Booksmart”

R     102 minutes     2019

Funny:

Plot:

“Booksmart” is not a stereotypical nor predictable high school comedy, which contributes to its 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It embraces modernity, effectively integrating current trends and pop culture. The night before graduation, dedicated students Molly and Amy realize they’ve never partied because they’ve been too focused on school. To make up for it, they try to pack four years of fun into one night. Other than Jason Sudeikis and Lisa Kudrow, who play fairly small roles, the cast is not star-studded, but it gets the job done and then some. 

“Napoleon Dynamite”

PG     96 minutes     2004

Funny:

Plot:

A low-budget film for which the lead actor (Jon Heder) was originally paid just $1,000, “Napoleon Dynamite” was shot in only 23 days in southeastern Idaho, where the movie takes place. Even so, the titular character with his “Vote for Pedro” T-shirt has become ingrained in pop culture. Napoleon aims to help his new — and essentially only — friend, Pedro, win the class presidency over one of the most popular girls in school. Meanwhile, at home Napoleon has to deal with his eccentric relatives, Kip and Uncle Rico. Frankly, not all that much happens in this movie, which in some ways actually makes it funnier. 

“Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”

PG     90 minutes     1989

Funny:

Plot:

In Keanu Reeves’ breakout movie, Bill and Ted find themselves in a situation many high school students can relate to: putting together a project the night before it’s due. The airheaded and always positive duo must get an A+ on their history report, or else they flunk the class and Ted will be sent to military school. Bill and Ted take an “excellent” (Bill and Ted say this word 30 times throughout the movie, according to IMDb, as well as “dude” 70 times) adventure back in time to pick up a handful of historical figures for their project. As Bill would describe it, this is certainly a “most bodacious” comedy.

“Mean Girls”

PG-13     97 minutes     2004

Funny:

Plot:

Possibly the most well-known high school comedy, “Mean Girls” does deserve high praise. Cady Heron moves from homeschooled to public school, and it isn’t long before she walks alongside “the Plastics,” the leader of which is the reprehensible Regina George. But getting too close to the Plastics causes Cady to become one of them herself. Despite how the title makes it sound, “Mean Girls” appeals to a wide audience. Its emphasis on high school cliques and rumors is intentional and serves as a message that helps make the movie not solely a comedy.