25 Best College Movies That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Best College Movies

In Hollywood, the collegiate setting has been a popular one. There has always been a strong demand for college-themed movies, whether they are comedies or dramas.

The following is our list of the top 25 college movies of all time, as determined by your votes.

25. National Lampoon’s Van Wilder (2002)

National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002)

“Van” Wilder (Ryan Reynolds) has been a student at Coolidge College for seven years because it’s such a great place to be. However, the prankster has a nice heart and does share some important information with his fellow undergrads. Although the film was panned by reviewers, it spawned two less popular sequels in the franchise (a sequel and straight-to-video prequel).

24. Sydney White (2007)

This one certainly went unnoticed by most people, but cable television helped it gain some traction. As Sydney, an outspoken freshman at the fictional SAU played by Amanda Bynes, we follow her as she gets into a scrap with the school’s sorority queen bee, played by Sara Paxton, and makes friends with a group of seven geeky classmates who help her get back at Rachel and boost her own popularity for the betterment of all.

23. The Waterboy (1998)

The Waterboy (1998)

One of Adam Sandler’s best-known characters is this one. As Bobby Boucher, a socially awkward and sluggish varsity football water boy for the dismal University of Louisiana, he plays an important role. While being harassed as a child, Bobby eventually vented his frustrations by viciously striking their quarterback. He later went to college and joined the team, where he helped the team recover from a poor season.

22. The Program (1993)

College football fans love it. This James Caan film delved into the sport’s darker side. Powerhouse ESU has a win-at-all-costs program that has resulted in steroid use, dishonesty, emotional hardship, and more. Controversy erupted over the movie. Shortly after the film’s premiere, a traffic scene in which a man is shown lying in the middle of the road was removed.

21. Necessary Roughness (1991)

Just for amusement, this is a good movie to watch. Actor Scott Bakula plays a 30-year-old farmer who is recruited by Texas State University to achieve his long-lost collegiate football aspirations after the school was forced to rebuild following a series of serious breaches. Fans of the 1980s and 1990s, like Sinbad or Kathy Ireland, can appreciate their great performances.

20. The Rules of Attraction (2002)

The Rules of Attraction (2002)

Another one of Bret Easton Ellis’ best books is based on this film. At Camden College, there’s a lot of heated intrigue and a lot of heat. When it comes to Sean (James Van Der Beek), Lauren (Shannyn Sossamon), and Paul (a bisexual actor) the drug-dealer (Ian Somerhalder). In the same vein as Less Than Zero and American Psycho, this is another another Ellis novel that was successfully adapted for the film.

19. With Honors (1994)

One of a few films on our list that takes place on the campus of Harvard University. Monty (Joe Pesci) develops a close friendship with a group of attractive classmates, including Brendan Fraser, Patrick Dempsey, Moira Kelly, and Josh Hamilton (Fraser). Friendship, purpose, and regret are themes that run through the film. Not a bad way to spend a few hours in the 1990s.

18. Higher Learning (1995)

When it came to this college drama, the late John Singleton had an impressive cast to work with, including Omar Epps and Tyra Banks as well as Michael Rapaport, Jennifer Connelly as well as Kristy Swanson and Regina King as well as Laurence Fishburne. On the fictional Columbus University, three incoming freshman are introduced: track star Malik (Epps), wholesome and quiet Kristen (Swanson), and perplexed Remy (Stanley) (Rapaport). Higher Learning, albeit not as strong as Singleton’s classic Boyz n the Hood, has just the appropriate amount of emotional tension.

17. Blue Chips (1994)

Blue Chips (1994)

It’s no secret that Pete Bell (Nick Nolte) is one of college basketball’s top coaches. The Dolphins, though, had their worst season under Bell’s leadership. Is there a way he can improve it? By doing something he never imagined he’d be willing to do. In this Bobby Knight-esque role, Nolte is solid and Shaquille O’Neal and “Penny” Hardaway shine as well.

16. School Daze (1988)

This is one Spike Lee film that may not get the acclaim it deserves, starring Laurence Fishburne and Tisha Campbell. Fraternity and sorority life at the historically black Mission College is the subject of this musical comedy and drama. There are numerous social, political, and conformist themes to be found in this picture. It’s just like any other four-year college campus in the US.

15. Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

Richard Linklater’s underappreciated masterpiece. As far as we know, he likes to use sports and music in his plots. Set in 1980, Cheap Trick, Blondie, and Stiff Little Fingers are used to convey the story of a group of collegiate baseball players as they navigate the game, school, and love and desire in the fall of that year.

14. Back to School (1986)

Back to School (1986)

Back to School was one of Rodney Dangerfield’s best movies from the 1980s. When rich clothing-store mogul Thornton Melon (Dangerfield) goes to Grand Lakes University with his son, it’s a lot of fun, if not as funny as Caddyshack and Easy Money. The film also motivated many children to try a “Triple Lindy” at their local public swimming pools, either for good or ill.

13. Drumline (2002)

What made Nick Cannon and Zoe Saldana big-time celebrities is this film It’s a big deal to be a member of the fictional Atlanta A&T’s marching band, especially the drumline. When it comes to staying on the “line,” Devon (Cannon) learns this the hard way. However, the sequel paled in comparison to the first film’s examination of how important marching bands are at historically black colleges.

12. Glory Road (2006)

As famed college basketball coach Don Haskins, Josh Lucas portrays him in the film. He led Texas Western University (now known as the University of Texas at El Paso or UTEP) to its first national championship in 1966 by starting five black players. There were very few teams like that at the time, but the story’s tension and emotional impact are heightened because of the players’ experiences away from the court.

11. Monsters University (2013)

Monsters University (2013)

This is the prequel to Monsters, Inc., which was a smash blockbuster in 2001.

When Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) heads to college, where he plans to major in scare, he is introduced to “Sully” (voiced by John Goodman) and the two form an adventure friendship. Since its release, the picture has grossed more than $740 million worldwide.

10. Pitch Perfect (2012)

The Pitch Perfect series has three installments, but the first is still the greatest. With Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin, and Ben Platt, Barden’s a capella performances are a joy to see thanks in large part to their versatility. There is a tight competition between the Barden Bellas and The Treblemakers.

9. Real Genius (1985)

Another 1980s classic. As a carefree undergrad genius from the Pacific Technical University, Val Kilmer (Gabriel Jarrett) is forced to work on a laser project for a greedy professor with the help of Mitch (Gabriel Jarrett). There’s more to the project, but Chris and Mitch have some fun that most college students would envy before gaining the final say.

8. Legally Blonde (2001)

Legally Blonde (2001)

Reese Witherspoon has had a long and successful career, and she has an Oscar to prove it. Elle Woods, a former undergrad sorority diva who gets into Harvard Law School, was one of her most memorable roles. Even though it’s hard at initially, Elle perseveres long enough to not only graduate with honors but also be the focus of a sequel.

7. Good Will Hunting (1997)

In the film that made Matt Damon and Ben Affleck household names, both Harvard (again) and MIT are prominently featured. Delinquent math genius (Damon) is hired to clean the world’s most esteemed technical school and falls head over heels in love with a Harvard lass (Minnie Driver). Drinks too much and gets involved in a bar brawl with several of his Southie friends (Robin Williams). We can’t resist watching it whenever it’s on television.

6. The Social Network (2010)

This critically acclaimed film, about Mark Zuckerberg’s conception of Facebook while a Harvard student, was written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher. Armie Hammer, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and Rooney Mara all made significant contributions to the film’s success, while Jesse Eisenberg received an Oscar nod for his lead part. Even now, it’s plain to see why people dislike Mark Zuckerberg so much.

5. Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

As Katherine Ann Watson, a graduate student at Wellesley College who teaches art history to a group of young women, Julia Roberts was compensated with $25 million. Although Katherine’s teaching methods are a little out of the ordinary, she provides her students with a fresh perspective on critical thinking and a sense of agency. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kirsten Dunst, and Julia Stiles are also excellent in their roles.

4. Old School (2003)

Old School, the next film from Todd Phillips, may not be to everyone’s taste, but it surely delivers. A fraternity founded by adults that attracts students from Harrison University’s fictional campus to a residence outside of campus? Due in large part toWill Ferrell’s Frank “The Tank,” it proved to be comic gold. Ferrell is the film’s unquestioned star, despite strong performances from Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson.

3. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

In the 1980s, only the antics at Adams Collegiate could rival the best of the best in terms of college comedies. For their own fraternity as well as to take on all those jocks, a bunch of computer nerds, lead by Lewis (Robert Carradine) and Gilbert (Anthony Edwards), band together. To say nothing of the hysterical talent show appearance.

2. Rudy (1993)

Rudy (1993)

In terms of motivational sports films, this is right up there with the greatest of them. This is the story of Rudy Ruettiger, the real-life “Rudy” Ruettiger from Chicago who became a student and walk-on player for the University of Notre Dame’s football team. Are you in need of some assistance? This is a film that is guaranteed to succeed.

1. National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)

To appreciate this renowned comedy about Faber College’s Delta Tau Chi house, you don’t need to be or have been a member of a fraternity (Remember, “Knowledge Is Good”). This John Landis classic was also a highlight of John Belushi’s outstanding but brief acting career. No, Pearl Harbor wasn’t the end of World War II. It’s time to kick back and relax with a cold one and “Louie Louie.”