List Rules Films about / set in college or featuring university students, classes, dorms, etc.
Any true college student should watch each of these college movies at least once. However we recommend watching each movie several times in order to be able to quote them on command. Some are so classic they're being made into musicals. These are the best college movies ever and they feature things that every college student would understand: booze, ditching class and chasing the opposite sex. These are movies every college student should see at least once. If you are out of college and you miss it, these films about college life may just transport you back to your student days. These are the best college movies ever.
What is your favorite university film? Also be sure to see Ranker's list of All College Movies.
list ordered by
1
562 90
National Lampoon's Animal HouseKevin Bacon, John Belushi, Donald Sutherland National Lampoon's Animal House is a 1978 American comedy film directed by John Landis. The film was a direct spinoff from National Lampoon magazine. It is about a misfit group of fraternity ...more
2
377 117
Revenge of the NerdsJohn Goodman, James Cromwell, Anthony Edwards Revenge of the Nerds is a 1984 American comedy film about social life on a college campus. The film stars Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards, with Curtis Armstrong, Ted McGinley, Julia ...more
3
389 129
Old SchoolElisha Cuthbert, Snoop Dogg, Will Ferrell Old School is a 2003 American comedy film released by DreamWorks Pictures and The Montecito Picture Company and directed by Todd Phillips. The story was written by Court Crandall, and the film ...more
4
285 111
Back to SchoolRobert Downey Jr., Rodney Dangerfield, Sam Kinison Back to School is a 1986 comedy film starring Rodney Dangerfield, Keith Gordon, Sally Kellerman, Burt Young, Terry Farrell, William Zabka, Ned Beatty, Sam Kinison, and Robert Downey, Jr. It was ...more
5
310 123
Good Will HuntingBen Affleck, Robin Williams, Matt Damon Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant, and starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver and Stellan Skarsgård. Written by Affleck and ...more
6
320 147
American PieAlyson Hannigan, Tara Reid, Shannon Elizabeth American Pie is a 1999 teen sex comedy film written by Adam Herz and directed by brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, in their directorial film debut. It is the first film in the American Pie ...more
7
260 164
Road TripAmy Smart, Andy Dick, Jimmy Kimmel Road Trip is a 2000 American road-comedy film written by Todd Phillips and Scot Armstrong and directed by Phillips. The film, featuring an ensemble cast including Breckin Meyer, Seann William ...more
8
245 127
RudyVince Vaughn, Sean Astin, Jon Favreau filmography Rudy is a 1993 American sports film directed by David Anspaugh. It is an account of the life of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of ...more
9
258 149
National Lampoon's Van WilderRyan Reynolds, Tara Reid, Sophia Bush National Lampoon's Van Wilder is a 2002 comedy film directed by Walt Becker that stars Ryan Reynolds as the title character. The film also stars Kal Penn, Tara Reid, and Daniel Cosgrove. It ...more
10
179 125
Real GeniusVal Kilmer, Chevy Chase, Deborah Foreman Real Genius is a 1985 satirical comedy film directed by Martha Coolidge. The film's screenplay was written by Neal Israel, Pat Proft, and Peter Torokvei. It stars Val Kilmer and Gabriel Jarret. ...more
11
246 122
The WaterboyAdam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Rob Schneider The Waterboy is a 1998 American sports/comedy film directed by Frank Coraci, starring Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Fairuza Balk, Henry Winkler, Jerry Reed, Larry Gilliard, Jr., Blake Clark, Peter ...more
12
198 171
The Social NetworkJustin Timberlake, Rashida Jones, Rooney Mara The Social Network is a 2010 American drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin. Adapted from Ben Mezrich's 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of ...more
AcceptedBlake Lively, Jonah Hill, Diora Baird Accepted is a 2006 American comedy film directed by Steve Pink and written by Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, and Mark Perez. The plot follows a group of high school graduates who create their own ...more
14
175 115
PCUDavid Spade, Jeremy Piven, Jon Favreau filmography PCU is a 1994 American comedy film written by Adam Leff and Zak Penn and directed by Hart Bochner about college life at the fictional Port Chester University, and represents "an exaggerated ...more
15
202 135
Legally BlondeReese Witherspoon, Raquel Welch, Ali Larter Legally Blonde is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Robert Luketic, written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, and produced by Marc E. Platt. It is based on the novel Legally Blonde ...more
16
129 140
St. Elmo's FireDemi Moore, Rob Lowe, Judd Nelson St. Elmo's Fire is a 1985 American coming-of-age film directed by Joel Schumacher. The film, starring Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and Mare ...more
17
158 121
Pitch PerfectAnna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks, Brittany Snow Pitch Perfect is a 2012 American musical comedy film directed by Jason Moore. Featuring an ensemble cast, including Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Ester ...more
teddybear1029 added 22 Jump StreetChanning Tatum, Anna Faris, Queen Latifah 22 Jump Street is a 2014 action comedy film written by Oren Uziel and directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
19
104 63
PeteBoyle added Monsters UniversityHelen Mirren, Kelsey Grammer, Billy Crystal Monsters University is a 2013 animation adventure comedy film directed by Dan Scanlon.
20
93 49
wiabux added The GraduateDustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Richard Dreyfuss The Graduate is a 1967 American comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols. It is based on the 1963 novel The Graduate by Charles Webb, who wrote it shortly after graduating from Williams ...more
21
108 80
VFBundy added American Pie 2Alyson Hannigan, Tara Reid, Shannon Elizabeth American Pie 2 is a 2001 American comedy film and the sequel to the 1999 film American Pie and the second film in the American Pie film series. It was written by Adam Herz and directed by James ...more
22
122 119
21Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne 21 is a 2008 American heist drama film directed by Robert Luketic and stars Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Bosworth, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts, and Aaron Yoo. The film is ...more
Son in LawTiffani Thiessen, Brendan Fraser, Carla Gugino Son in Law is a 1993 American comedy film starring Pauly Shore, Carla Gugino, Lane Smith, Cindy Pickett, Tiffani Thiessen, Patrick Renna, Dan Gauthier and Dennis Burkley.
24
86 117
Dead Man on CampusAlyson Hannigan, Poppy Montgomery, Jason Segel Dead Man on Campus is a 1998 dark comedy film starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tom Everett Scott. It centers on the urban legend that a student gets straight As if his or her roommate commits ...more
25
85 117
DrumlineZoe Saldana, Nick Cannon, Orlando Jones Drumline is a 2002 American drama film directed by Charles Stone III. The screenplay, a fictional story about a historically black college and university marching band, was written by Tina ...more
26
83 120
How HighJeffrey Jones, Tracy Morgan, Lark Voorhies How High is a 2001 stoner film starring Method Man and Redman, written by Dustin Lee Abraham, and director Jesse Dylan's debut feature film. Despite negative reviews from critics, the film ...more
27
34 9
Dead Poets SocietyRobin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Lara Flynn Boyle Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film written by Tom Schulman, directed by Peter Weir and starring Robin Williams. Set at the conservative and aristocratic Welton Academy in the ...more
bojanthebest added Necessary RoughnessJerry Rice, Dick Butkus, Kathy Ireland Necessary Roughness is a 1991 sports comedy film directed by Stan Dragoti in his final film. The film stars Scott Bakula, Héctor Elizondo, Robert Loggia, and Harley Jane Kozak. Co-stars ...more
29
54 101
The Paper ChaseLindsay Wagner, Edward Herrmann, John Houseman The Paper Chase is a 1973 film starring Timothy Bottoms, Lindsay Wagner, and John Houseman, directed by James Bridges. Based on John Jay Osborn, Jr.'s 1970 novel, The Paper Chase, it tells the ...more
30
56 118
SlackersCameron Diaz, Laura Prepon, Jaime King Slackers is a 2002 romantic comedy film directed by Dewey Nicks and stars Jason Schwartzman, Devon Sawa, Jason Segel, and Michael Maronna.
31
49 118
The Rules of AttractionJessica Biel, Kate Bosworth, Ian Somerhalder The Rules of Attraction is a 2002 black comedy film written and directed by Roger Avary, based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. It stars James van der Beek, Shannyn Sossamon, ...more
32
40 108
Wonder BoysRobert Downey Jr., Katie Holmes, Michael Douglas Wonder Boys is an American 2000 comedy film directed by Curtis Hanson and written by Steve Kloves. The film was based on the novel of the same title by Michael Chabon. Michael Douglas stars as ...more
sally added EuroTripMatt Damon, Kristin Kreuk, Michelle Trachtenberg EuroTrip is a 2004 American-European teen comedy adventure film written by Alec Berg, David Mandel, and Jeff Schaffer, and directed by Schaffer. The film stars Scott Mechlowicz, Jacob Pitts, ...more
34
28 45
wiabux added Orange CountyChevy Chase, Ben Stiller, Jack Black Orange County is a 2002 American comedy film starring Colin Hanks and Jack Black. It was released on January 11, 2002. The movie was distributed by Paramount Pictures and produced by MTV Films ...more
35
49 110
Mona Lisa SmileJulia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal Mona Lisa Smile is a 2003 drama film produced by Revolution Studios and Columbia Pictures in association with Red Om Films Productions, directed by Mike Newell, written by Lawrence Konner and ...more
36
15 9
A Beautiful MindJennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe, Ron Howard A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 American biographical drama film based on the life of John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics. The film was directed by Ron Howard, from a screenplay written by Akiva ...more
37
17 13
ScreamDrew Barrymore, Rose McGowan, Courteney Cox Scream is a 1996 American slasher film written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven. The film stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Drew Barrymore, and David Arquette. Released on ...more
With HonorsBrendan Fraser, Joe Pesci, Patrick Dempsey With Honors is a 1994 comedy-drama film starring Joe Pesci and Brendan Fraser. The film was directed by Alek Keshishian, who has more famously directed music videos for Madonna and Bobby Brown.
39
69 145
American Pie Presents: Beta HouseEugene Levy, Robbie Amell, Rachel Skarsten American Pie Presents: Beta House is a 2007 American teen comedy film released by Universal Pictures. It is the third spin-off in the American Pie film series and the sequel to American Pie ...more
40
12 13
The FacultySalma Hayek, Usher, Famke Janssen The Faculty is a 1998 science fiction horror film written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Robert Rodriguez. The film stars Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Shawn Hatosy, Jordana Brewster, Clea ...more
41
12 13
Scream 2Sarah Michelle Gellar, Courteney Cox, Heather Graham Scream 2 is a 1997 American slasher film created and written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven, starring Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jamie ...more
42
58 134
American Pie Presents: The Naked MileEugene Levy, Jessy Schram, Christopher McDonald American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile is a 2006 American teen comedy film released by Universal Pictures. It is the second installment in the American Pie Presents series and fifth installment ...more
CarrieJohn Travolta, Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie Carrie is a 1976 American supernatural horror film based on Stephen King's first major 1974 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Brian De Palma and written by Lawrence D. Cohen. The ...more
44
24 14
Krmickey97 added The House BunnyEmma Stone, Kat Dennings, Anna Faris The House Bunny is a 2008 romantic comedy film directed by Fred Wolf, written by Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz, and starring Anna Faris as a former Playboy bunny who signs up to be the ...more
45
17 43
wiabux added The Great DebatersDenzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett The Great Debaters is a 2007 American biopic period drama film directed by and starring Denzel Washington and produced by Oprah Winfrey and her production company, Harpo Productions. It is based ...more
46
17 43
wiabux added Glory RoadEmily Deschanel, Jon Voight, Tatyana Ali Glory Road is a 2006 American drama sports film directed by James Gartner, based on a true story surrounding the events leading to the 1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. Don ...more
47
20 10
Krmickey97 added NeighborsZac Efron, Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen Neighbors is a 2014 American comedy film, directed by Nicholas Stoller and written by Andrew Cohen and Brendan O'Brien. The film stars Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, with Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, and ...more
48
39 112
Love StoryTommy Lee Jones, Ray Milland, Ryan O'Neal Love Story is a 1970 romantic drama film written by Erich Segal, who also authored the best-selling novel of the same name. It was directed by Arthur Hiller and starred Ryan O'Neal, Ali MacGraw, ...more
49
13 10
Krmickey97 added ZombielandEmma Stone, Amber Heard, Bill Murray Zombieland is a 2009 American zombie comedy film directed by Ruben Fleischer from a screenplay written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma ...more
50
31 36
Amit SIngh added The Fast and the FuriousVin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster thrilling photo graphy The Fast and the Furious is a 2001 American street racing action film directed by Rob Cohen and starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster. The film is the first ...more
