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Best Back to School Movies

School is back in session, and you probably want, or need, to unwind after a long day in school. After getting through all your homework, (or in some cases before) you should check out this list of ten great movies that'll brighten your evening after a long day of classes and work!


The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)


This movie revolves around four young girls who are best friends living in Maryland. After many summers together, they are each going their own separate ways for a few months. Wherever they go, they are connected by a single pair of jeans that they take turns sharing. Through the jeans, their bond stays strong, even when they are apart.



Teen Beach Movie (2013)

Available on: Disney+


Two surfing lovers, Brady and McKenzie, whose doomed relationship is coming to a close, find themselves pulled into a dimension-crossing wave that sends them hurtling into a beach movie musical that takes place in the 60s.




Sleepover (2004)

Watch for free on YouTube.


Desperate to improve their social status, four best friends enter into an all-night scavenger hunt against the popular clique in school. The prize? The coveted “power” lunch spot for the whole school year. To win, they have to complete a variety of tasks, including stealing a security guard’s car decal and the boxers of the boy of Julie’s dream.




Clueless (1995)


Cher is rich, pretty, blonde, popular, and can talk anyone into doing just about anything. But when she can’t convince her teacher to give her a better grade, she and her friend Dionne match him up with another teacher to make him happier. When a new girl, Tai, transfers to their school, Cher takes her under her wing. While trying to find Tai a boyfriend, Cher realizes she wants a boyfriend herself, but nobody seems right. She ends up going through a “spiritual makeover," but before she finds the man of her dreams, she realizes that there’s more to life than clothes and popularity.



The Parent Trap (1998)

Available on: Disney+

This movie focuses on the life of Hallie and Annie, twin girls that were separated at birth. Their father, Nick, owns a vineyard. Their mother, Elizabeth, designs wedding gowns. Meredith, their dad’s conniving girlfriend, is attempting to marry Nick for his money. One summer, the girls finally meet at camp and decide to switch places. They set out to get their parents back together and in the process, make life miserable for Meredith. This has always been one of my favorites, it’s a classic!



The Princess Diaries (2001)

Available on: Disney+


A socially awkward, 15-year-old girl named Mia Thermopolis finds out that she is the princess of a small European country due to the recent death of her absent father, who, unknown to her, was the crown prince of Genovia. She is faced with the choice of continuing life as a San Francisco teen, or stepping up and taking her place on the throne. As she is making up her mind, she begins princess lessons carried out by her grandmother, the current queen of Genovia.



Legally Blonde (2001)

Available for purchase or rent on multiple sites.


Elle Woods, a sorority queen, is dumped by her boyfriend. She attempts to follow him to Harvard Law School and shocks everyone when she’s accepted. While there, she learns that there’s more to her than just her looks. She works hard to overcome the stereotypes against blondes and succeeds as a successful lawyer, ending up being better than her ex.





Along for the Ride (2022)

Available on: Netflix


This is a new movie on Netflix, but one that I quickly grew to love. Auden is a teenager trying to find herself in a small, beach-side town called Colby. Early on, she meets fellow insomniac, Eli. With his help, they set out to help Auden with a quest: to do all the “kid things” she never got to do before high school graduation.




High School Musical 2 (2007)

Available on: Disney+


School’s out for the summer and the East High Wildcats are ready to make it the summer of their lives. Troy is offered a job at Ryan and Sharpay’s country club and ends up landing jobs for all his friends. Troy’s introduced to Sharpay’s parents and realizes that they can help him get many opportunities, such as a basketball scholarship. Troy starts hanging out with the "rich folk." However, problems arise, and eventually, Troy will have to learn how to get the scholarship without losing his friends in the process.



Grown-Ups (2010)

Available on: Netflix


After their high school basketball coach passes away, five friends and former teammates reunite for a funeral and fun-packed Fourth of July holiday weekend. This movie isn’t for everyone and could do away with some mentioned content. However, this movie is one of my favorites and was very comedic.


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