All class: The best back-to-school movies of all time

The first days of a college fall semester mean it's time for students to rush fraternities and sororities. In the realm of fictional educational institutions, there is no more popular fraternity than the Delta Tau Chi fraternity house at Faber College. The house has had quite the cast of characters over the years, like Bluto (John Belushi), Otter (Tim Matheson), and Flounder (Stephen Furst). While academics and philanthropy aren't highly regarded, the Delta house will always be known as a place to have a really good time. 

Starting at a new school can be tough, but Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) has already found a decent group of friends, and much to her surprise, summer fling Danny Zuko (John Travolta) at good old Rydell High. Rehashing summer adventures — or in this case, "Summer Nights" — on the first day of school is a rite of passage. It is also more fun when singing and dancing are involved.  

It's tough walking into a public high school in a major American city as a freshman, especially in New York. It can even be more daunting for a young freshman performer with Hollywood (Ralph, Doris, and Coco), Broadway (LeRoy), or Grammy Award-winning (Bruno) dreams at the famed High School of Performing Arts. Fame is a must-see for wannabe entertainers, though we still recommend this original compared to the 2009 remake.  

Tony Bill's directorial debut is likely a forgotten gem from the early 1980s. Chris Makepeace (from Meatballs fame) stars as Clifford Peache, a quiet, scrawny newcomer. He transfers from the sheltered South Side Academy to a rough Chicago public high school for his sophomore year. He's immediately bullied by the cocky Moody (Matt Dillon). So, he attempts to hire some protection in the form of misunderstood bad boy Ricky Linderman (Adam Baldwin in his film debut). It's a witty and charming film.

Written by Cameron Crowe and directed by Amy Heckerling, Fast Times remains one of the classic coming-of-age, comedy-drama films. It's a rather honest, ballsy, and often hilarious movie for the time.  And more than just Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) and Phoebe Cates' famous pool scene. 

Based on the true story of Tami Maida (portrayed by Helen Hunt), who transfers to an Oregon high school for one year and earns a spot on the Minnville Grizzlies football team. A girl quarterback doesn't necessarily go over well with some in the small town. Still, Tami's perseverance and dedication pay off, and she becomes successful on and off the field in this positive family-friendly drama.

Perhaps Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) didn't realize just how much of a culture shock he was in for when moving to tiny, rural Bomont. The city boy was a total outsider at his new high school, where flannel and cowboy hats were king, and drinking, dancing, and rock and roll were forbidden. Still, he made quite the first impression, especially when it came to nifty dance moves, which helped turn the school and town upside down. 

Lewis Skolnick (Robert Carradine) and Gilbert Lowe (Anthony Edwards) weren't prepared for their rude awaking to college life. The Alpha Betas, filled with "jocks and face men," made life hell for those Adams College freshmen who looked brainy or different and had an aptitude for science, math, or computers. As we know, however, the "nerds" got their revenge.

Sophomore Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald) is peeved that her family forgot her 16th birthday, and her crush Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling) doesn't know she exists. Talk about a bummer to start the school year. Not to mention the antics of freshman "Farmer" Ted (Anthony Michael Hall), who is looking for love, or a quick score, to show off to his pals at the "New Faces Dance." 

Maggie (Kerri Green) is the new girl at a suburban Chicago high school. She befriends nerdy, eccentric, and intelligent 14-year-old Lucas Blye (Corey Haim), who is often the butt of jokes from some members of the popular crowd. For Maggie and Lucas, there's a struggle to fit in. Lucas is a heartwarming tale that often gets overlooked amid the sea of coming-of-age comedy-dramas of the 1980s.

Ohio's Westerburg High School might not be the ideal place for the socially unacceptable to maneuver. In the early days of the school year (we assume that's the time frame), popular Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) is obsessed with popularity, led by the trio of girls named Heather. Yet, she takes a shine to bad boy J.D. (Christian Slater), who declares war on the popular crowd and takes Veronica along for the ride with deadly, humorously dark consequences.

Set in the late 1950s, this tale follows unorthodox prep school English teacher John Keating (Robin Williams) and his influence on junior Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and his classmates. Keating is passionate about teaching and literature and encourages his students to "seize the day." It's not always easy and sometimes tragic, but it was good for one memorable school term. 

David Greene (Brendan Fraser) is a 1950s star high school quarterback from blue-collar Scranton, Penn., recruited to quarterback the St. Matthew's prep school football team for his senior year. The prestigious school is filled with old-money students destined for the Ivy League, and many are not fond of Greene's Jewish faith. Once some of his so-called friends, like Charlie Dillon (Matt Damon), discover his spiritual secret, David becomes embroiled in a battle to remain at the school and continue his progression toward Harvard. 

Again, not a first-day-of-school film, but there's reason to believe Clueless is set early in the school year. After all, Cher (Alicia Silverstone) made it a point to help Tai (Brittany Murphy), the new girl in school, update her image and gain more confidence. While Cher is one of the most memorable and beloved high school characters of all time, Bronson Alcott High and its affluential cast of characters is the movie's true star.

Fictional Columbus University is the setting for a volatile and disturbing school year. John Singleton's film follows the lives of Malik (Omar Epps), a budding track star who struggles to keep up with his studies; Kristen (Kristy Swanson), the introverted and naive young woman trying to navigate her intimidating surroundings; and Remy (Michael Rappaport), a misguided loner looking for purpose and someplace to fit in on campus.

As a new school year begins, Torrance Shipman (Kirsten Dunst) fulfills her dream of being named captain of the famed Rancho Carne High cheerleading squad. It was destined to be the beginning of a great experience. Instead, it ushered in a series of challenges for Torrance and Co., especially for an urban cheer squad lost in the shadows within the national cheerleading scene. The comedy was so popular that it spawned a franchise of sequels and a stage musical.

The newly integrated T.C. Williams High School had the makings of a football powerhouse during the 1971 season. That's if it's Black and white players — plus head coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) and assistant Bill Yoast (Will Patton) — could get along. Eventually, they bond and embark on a special journey, on and off the field. 

The first of the massively popular films based on the Harry Potter book series. Young and troubled Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) discovers he's a wizard and is accepted into the prestigious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The film follows Harry's adventures, along with friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), during his first year at the school. It might be one of the most famous fictional institutions of all time.

There is no doubt Devon Miles (Nick Cannon) is a talented snare drummer and poised to be a freshman star on the drumline of the famed Atlanta A&T University Marching Band. However, Devon is cocky and knows he can play, but he doesn't seem too interested in the discipline and pride that comes with being a collegiate musician and student of the craft. He realizes what's important when it comes to succeeding in the band.

There are some high expectations heading into the 1988 season for the mighty Permian High football team. Nothing less than a state championship will do for this Odessa, Texas, football factory, where the players are idolized. They are football players before students, and the pressure is daunting for the likes of quarterback Mike Winchell (Lucas Black), running back Don Billingsley (Garrett Hedlund), and "Bobbie" Miles (Derek Luke), whose future is based on his football success.

Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) has been home-schooled for most of her 16 years, but now she is about to start at posh North Shore High School in suburban Chicago. Talk about being thrown to the wolves. There are cliques aplenty, and Cady infiltrates a popular trio known as "The Plastics." Written by Tina Fey, Mean Girls is a relatable high school film that continues to stand the test of time.

Based on the popular novel, this coming-of-age drama follows Charlie Kelmeckis (Logan Lerman). He's a clinically depressed high school freshman. He's rather introverted and lacks self-confidence. Yet, Charlie's introduction and ultimate journey to his early high school years are highly entertaining. There are trials and tribulations; some are over-the-top, and others are more relatable.

The first of the three films in the franchise is still the best. Beca (Anna Kendrick) desires a career producing music and wants a jump start by skipping college to start paying her dues in the business. However, she ends up at Barden University, where her father teaches. She eventually joins the all-girl a cappella group, The Barden Bellas. That's when the fun begins, and musical memories are made.

Based on legendary prep cross-country coach Jim White (a.k.a. "Blanco"), who turned McFarland High, a poor high school from California's Central Valley, into a long-distance running powerhouse. Things didn't start smoothly for White (Kevin Costner), who never coached cross-country before arriving at McFarland and seemed like a fish out of water in his early days at the predominantly Latino school.

Another movie about middle schoolers and their quest for popularity. In this raunchy coming-of-age movie, three friends begin their sixth-grade year embarking on a journey to attend a party hosted by one of the cool kids at their school. Sure, there are plenty of inappropriate moments, but anybody who thinks modern-day pre-teens aren't thinking about sex, booze, and mischief is simply kidding themselves. 

This Netflix coming-of-age comedy-drama has somewhat of a Cyrano de Bergerac vibe. Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) doesn't have many friends, but is smart and makes money doing school assignments for her fellow classmates. When a less-than-intelligent jock approaches her during the football season (thus, the beginning of the school year credibility) to write a love letter to a girl he likes, she eventually gives in and finds herself having feelings for said love interest. The movie is brilliantly charming and Ellie is easy to root for amid several awkward social situations. 

At the beginning of a new school year, Leo (Graham Verchere), is an introverted high schooler, falls for the eccentric Susan "Stargirl" Caraway (Grace VanderWaal). She doesn't care about what anybody thinks, and her quirky nature, in addition to her skills on the ukulele, makes her even more attractive to Leo, who begins to come out of his shell -- socially and personally -- when he's amid her presence. There are times when Disney will put out a coming-of-age film like this that is entertaining to viewers of all ages. Sure, the plot is rather predictable, but good enough to make this list.

Amy Poehler directs and stars this high school tale of high school, female empowerment that uses the riot-grrrl genre of music as a backdrop. Vivian (Hadley Robinson) is a 16-year old, who befriends an outspoken new girl after she's bullied by a popular boy. Vivian anonymously starts a feminist "zine" called Moxie, which causes a stir in school, as it details harassment, and even an incident of assault by their male classmates. The Netflix comedy-drama received lukewarm reviews, but it's an entertaining, passing-of-torch type film. Plus, there's a cameo by the Linda Lindas.