Are you looking for the best college movies to watch this weekend? There are many movies about college life, but not all are worth watching. College movies are delighting for those who attended college with nostalgia and those who love plenty of drama, comedy, and general mishaps to hold their interest.
College movies have a special place in cinematic history, reflecting the lively, chaotic, and frequently humorous world of higher education. These movies not only entertain, but also depict the journey of self-discovery, friendships, academic challenges, and the energy of youth. Whether you’re reminiscing about your college days or seeking inspiration for the future, there’s a college movie for everyone.
Why College Movies So Popular
Relatability: College movies frequently represent universal young adulthood experiences, such as discovering one’s identity, forming long-lasting friendships, and dealing with academic demands.
Comedy and Drama: These movies strike a balance between humor and drama, highlighting both the lighter and darker aspects of college life.
Life Lessons: Many college movies provide important life lessons about resilience, independence, and the value of following one’s passion.
Escapism: They provide a nostalgic escape, allowing viewers to relive their own college memories or imagine an imaginative version of college life.
Best College Movies Ever
1. Road Trip (2000)
Director: Todd Phillips
Genres: Comedy/Road
Star Cast: Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, Amy Smart
Road Trip is a 2000 American road sex comedy film directed by Todd Phillips and written by Scot Armstrong and Phillips. The film stars Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, Paulo Costanzo, and DJ Qualls as four college friends who embark on a 1,800-mile (2,900 km) road trip to retrieve an illicit tape mistakenly mailed to a girlfriend.
2. EuroTrip (2004)
Director: Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer, David Mandel
Genres: Comedy/Adventure
Star Cast: Scott Mechlowicz, Jacob Pitts, Michelle Trachtenberg
EuroTrip is a 2004 American sex comedy film directed by Jeff Schaffer and written by Alec Berg, David Mandel, and Schaffer. It stars Scott Mechlowicz, Jacob Pitts, Michelle Trachtenberg, Travis Wester, and Jessica Boehrs.
Mechlowicz portrays Scott “Scotty” Thomas, an American teenager who travels across Europe in search of his German pen pal, Mieke. Accompanied by his friend Cooper and twin siblings Jenny and Jamie, Scott’s quest takes him to England, France, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Germany, and Italy, encountering awkward, humorous, and embarrassing situations along the way.
3. Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
Director: Richard Linklater
Genres: Comedy/Sport
Star Cast: Blake Jenner, Tyler Hoechlin, Ryan Guzman
Everybody Wants Some!! is a 2016 American teen comedy film written and directed by Richard Linklater, about college baseball players in 1980s Texas. In 1980, a group of college baseball players navigate their way through the freedoms and responsibilities of unsupervised adulthood.
4. Old School (2003)
Director: Todd Phillips
Genres: Comedy
Star Cast: Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell
Old School is a 2003 American comedy film directed and co-written by Todd Phillips. The film stars Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Will Ferrell as depressed men in their thirties who seek to relive their college days by starting a fraternity, and the tribulations they encounter in doing so.
5. 22 Jump Street (2014)
Director: Chris Miller, Phil Lord
Genres: Comedy/Action
Star Cast: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube
22 Jump Street is a 2014 American satirical buddy cop action comedy film directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, written by Jonah Hill, Michael Bacall, Oren Uziel, and Rodney Rothman, and produced by and starring Hill and Channing Tatum.
It is the sequel to the 2012 film 21 Jump Street, which is in turn based on the television series of the same name. The plot follows police officers Schmidt and Jenko as they go undercover at a college in order to find the supplier of a new drug.
6. Pitch Perfect (2012)
Director: Jason Moore
Genres: Comedy/Romance
Star Cast: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson
Pitch Perfect is a 2012 American musical comedy film directed by Jason Moore and written by Kay Cannon. The plot follows Barden University’s all-girl a cappella group, the Barden Bellas, as they compete against another a cappella group from their college to win Nationals.
The film is loosely adapted from Mickey Rapkin’s non-fiction book, titled Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate a Cappella Glory, and director Jason Moore’s own experiences at his alma mater, Northwestern University.
Also Read:
- Best Sci-Fi Movies Of All Time To Watch This Weekend
- Best Horror Movies Of All Time To Watch This Weekend
- Best Action Movies of All Time To Watch This Weekend
7. Monsters University (2013)
Director: Dan Scanlon
Genres: Family/Comedy
Star Cast: Billy Crystal(voice), John Goodman(voice), Steve Buscemi(voice)
Monsters University is a 2013 American computer-animated monster comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Monsters University tells the story of the main characters of Monsters, Inc., James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski, and their time at college, where they start off as rivals, but slowly become best friends.
During the time, they must learn to work together, along with Oozma Kappa members, in order to make his dream reality and things right.
8. The Social Network (2010)
Director: David Fincher
Genres: Drama/History
Star Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
The Social Network is a 2010 American biographical drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin. Adapted from Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires, it portrays the founding of social networking website Facebook and the resulting lawsuits.
It stars Jesse Eisenberg as founder Mark Zuckerberg, along with Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin, Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker, Armie Hammer as Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, and Max Minghella as Divya Narendra.
9. American Pie 2 (2001)
Director: J. B. Rogers
Genres: Comedy/Romance
Star Cast: Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Shannon Elizabeth
American Pie 2 is a 2001 American sex comedy film directed by James B. Rogers and written by Adam Herz and David H. Steinberg from a story by Herz. A sequel to the 1999 comedy film American Pie, it follows the sexual exploits of five friends – Jim, Kevin, Stifler, Oz, and Finch and their attempts to have the greatest summer party ever at a summer beach house in Michigan.
10. Smart People (2008)
Director: Noam Murro
Genres: Drama/Romance
Star Cast: Dennis Quaid, Thomas Haden Church, Sarah Jessica Parker
Smart People is a 2008 American comedy-drama film starring Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Elliot Page, and Thomas Haden Church. The film was directed by Noam Murro, written by Mark Poirier and produced by Michael London, with Omar Amanat serving as executive producer. Lawrence, an intellectual giant falls for his former student and ends up dating her which leads to bizarre consequences for him and the people around him.
Conclusion
College movies are a popular genre with audiences of all ages. They combine humor, drama, and life lessons, making them ideal for a movie night or a sentimental journey down memory lane. Whether you want to laugh, cry, or be inspired, these movies show the essence of college life in all its complexity and excitement.
FAQs
Can college movies teach life lessons?
Absolutely. College movies frequently teach great life lessons about resilience, independence, friendship, and pursuing one’s passions. Movies such as “Good Will Hunting” and “Legally Blonde” convey inspirational lessons about overcoming obstacles and staying true to oneself.
Are there any animated college movies?
Yes, “Monsters University” (2013) is an animated film about the college experiences of popular characters Mike and Sulley from “Monsters, Inc.” It offers a fun and heartfelt perspective on college life.
Why are college movies so popular?
College movies are popular because they reflect an important phase in many people’s lives, filled with new experiences, difficulties, and growth. They provide a combination of nostalgia, humor, and drama, allowing viewers to reflect on their own college experiences or imagine what lies ahead.
Are college movies based on actual events?
Some college movies are based on real-life incidents or experiences, while others are entirely fictional. For example, “The Social Network” is based on the true story of Facebook’s creation, whereas “Animal House” is a fictional comedy about the wild antics of fraternity life.
