19 Films About Teachers That Will Make You Laugh, Cry, And Cry Some More

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·10-min read

As the summer ends and the school year begins, it's time to throw on some classic movies to get in the learning mood. Here are some of the best fictional teachers from films:

1.Embeth Davidtz as Miss Honey in Matilda (1996)

A woman in a light-colored outfit stands in a classroom holding a vase of flowers on a teacher's desk, with an American flag and bulletin board behind her
A woman in a light-colored outfit stands in a classroom holding a vase of flowers on a teacher's desk, with an American flag and bulletin board behind her
Mara Wilson and Embeth Davidtz in a cozy living room; Mara, smiling, sits in a chair wearing a yellow top, and Embeth, also smiling, sits on the carpet wearing overalls
Mara Wilson and Embeth Davidtz in a cozy living room; Mara, smiling, sits in a chair wearing a yellow top, and Embeth, also smiling, sits on the carpet wearing overalls

TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "This film adaptation of a Roald Dahl work tells the story of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a gifted girl forced to put up with a crude, distant father (Danny DeVito) and mother (Rhea Perlman). Worse, Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), the evil principal at Matilda's school, is a terrifyingly strict bully. However, when Matilda realizes she has the power of telekinesis, she begins to defend her friends from Trunchbull's wrath and fight back against her unkind parents."

2.Jack Black as Dewey Finn in School of Rock (2003)

Jack Black plays drums in a classroom, surrounded by young students
Jack Black plays drums in a classroom, surrounded by young students
Jack Black points to a chalkboard covered with various rock genres and band names written in chalk. He looks serious, wearing a collared shirt with a tie
Jack Black points to a chalkboard covered with various rock genres and band names written in chalk. He looks serious, wearing a collared shirt with a tie

Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates — much to the consternation of the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). As he gets his privileged and precocious charges in touch with their inner rock 'n' roll animals, he imagines redemption at a local Battle of the Bands."

3.Sidney Poitier as Mark Thackeray in To Sir, with Love (1967)

Sidney Poitier in a classroom setting, sitting at a desk with a vase of pink flowers, books, and a box, with chalkboards in the background
Sidney Poitier in a classroom setting, sitting at a desk with a vase of pink flowers, books, and a box, with chalkboards in the background
Sidney Poitier and Judy Geeson dance together in a scene from the movie
Sidney Poitier and Judy Geeson dance together in a scene from the movie

Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection, Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "American Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) recently received his degree in engineering, but cannot find work. To make ends meet, he takes a job as a teacher in a rough London East End school populated mostly with troublemakers who were rejected from other schools for their behavior. While the students at first see Thackeray as just another teacher open for ridicule and bullying, his calm demeanor and desire to see them succeed gradually earn him their respect."

4.Robin Williams as John Keating in Dead Poets Society (1989)

Robin Williams stands on a desk teaching students in a classroom, conveying an engaging and unconventional teaching style
Robin Williams stands on a desk teaching students in a classroom, conveying an engaging and unconventional teaching style
Scene from
Scene from

TOUCHSTONE PICTURES / Ronald Grant Archive / Mary Evans, Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day."

5.Woody Harrelson as Mr. Bruner in The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson sit across from each other at a desk in a classroom, engaged in conversation
Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson sit across from each other at a desk in a classroom, engaged in conversation
Woody Harrelson sits at a desk, gesturing with his hand, surrounded by books and papers in an office setting
Woody Harrelson sits at a desk, gesturing with his hand, surrounded by books and papers in an office setting

Murray Close / STX Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection, Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian (Blake Jenner) starts dating her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until an unexpected friendship with a thoughtful teen (Hayden Szeto) gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all."

6.Denzel Washington as Melvin B. Tolson in The Great Debaters (2007)

Denzel Washington, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, and two young boys sit at a table in a classroom, focusing on reading books in a serious discussion
Denzel Washington, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, and two young boys sit at a table in a classroom, focusing on reading books in a serious discussion
Denzel Washington holds papers in a classroom, standing in front of a blackboard with
Denzel Washington holds papers in a classroom, standing in front of a blackboard with

MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) teaches at the predominately Black Wiley College in 1935 Texas. He decides to start a debate team, something nearly unheard of at a Black college. While at first he butts heads with the influential father (Forest Whitaker) of one of his best debaters, eventually, he is able to form a team of strong-minded, intelligent young students, and they become the first black debate team to challenge Harvard's prestigious debate champions."

7.Julia Roberts as Katherine Ann Watson in Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

Julia Roberts riding a bike with a group of high school girls, all on bikes with baskets, in a park. The scene is lively and evokes a sense of camaraderie
Julia Roberts riding a bike with a group of high school girls, all on bikes with baskets, in a park. The scene is lively and evokes a sense of camaraderie
Julia Roberts in graduation cap and gown, standing next to another woman in similar attire, at a graduation ceremony
Julia Roberts in graduation cap and gown, standing next to another woman in similar attire, at a graduation ceremony

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) is a recent UCLA graduate hired to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, in 1953. Determined to confront the outdated mores of society and the institution that embraces them, Katherine inspires her traditional students including Betty (Kirsten Dunst) and Joan (Julia Stiles) to challenge the lives they are expected to lead."

8.Laura Dern as Miss Riley in October Sky (1999)

Jake Gyllenhaal and Laura Dern stand facing each other; Jake is holding a book and Laura is smiling at him in a classroom setting
Jake Gyllenhaal and Laura Dern stand facing each other; Jake is holding a book and Laura is smiling at him in a classroom setting
Laura Dern and claps and smiles while sitting in an audience
Laura Dern and claps and smiles while sitting in an audience

MCA/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "John Hickam (Chris Cooper) is a West Virginia coal miner who loves his job and expects his sons, Jim (Scott Miles) and Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal), to follow in his footsteps. But Jim gets a football scholarship, and Homer becomes interested in rocket science after seeing Sputnik 1 crossing the sky. John disapproves of his son's new mania, but Homer begins building rockets with the help of friends and a sympathetic teacher (Laura Dern). Rocketry, he hopes, will prove his ticket to a better life."

9.Paula Patton as Ms. Blu Rain in Precious (2009)

Gabourey Sidibe, wearing a light-colored hoodie, and Paula Patton, in a dark blouse, share a heartfelt moment indoors
Gabourey Sidibe, wearing a light-colored hoodie, and Paula Patton, in a dark blouse, share a heartfelt moment indoors
Paula Patton sits at a desk, holding a phone to her ear with a serious expression. She wears a turtleneck sweater. Files and papers are visible in the background
Paula Patton sits at a desk, holding a phone to her ear with a serious expression. She wears a turtleneck sweater. Files and papers are visible in the background

Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece 'Precious' Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother (Mo'Nique). Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination."

10.Richard Dreyfuss as Glenn Holland in Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)

An older man in a tuxedo conducts an orchestra before an audience
An older man in a tuxedo conducts an orchestra before an audience
A school band performs under a banner reading “Goodbye Mr. Holland” with an older conductor leading the ensemble. Background dedication to music teacher Mr. Holland
A school band performs under a banner reading “Goodbye Mr. Holland” with an older conductor leading the ensemble. Background dedication to music teacher Mr. Holland

Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Composer Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss) believes that he'll eventually write a transcendent piece of music, but in the meantime, he's taken a job at an Oregon high school. Though at first the job frustrates him, and his unconventional methods often draw the ire of the straight-laced vice principal (W.H. Macy), Mr. Holland grows to love his students as the 'temporary' position stretches into a decades-long career — and in the end, they reveal just how much they love him back."

11.François Bégaudeau as Francois Marin in The Class (2008)

A man wearing a collared shirt stands in front of a chalkboard, engaged in conversation with another person whose hand is visible in the foreground
A man wearing a collared shirt stands in front of a chalkboard, engaged in conversation with another person whose hand is visible in the foreground
A teacher gestures while speaking to students in a classroom, art with abstract heads are on the wall behind him
A teacher gestures while speaking to students in a classroom, art with abstract heads are on the wall behind him

Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection, Sony Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Francois Marin (François Bégaudeau) is a French language and literature teacher at an inner-city Paris high school. As the new school year begins, he introduces himself to his new class and begins the arduous process of reaching out to each of them. Marin encounters his share of problem students, teen violence, ethnic tensions between classmates, and education barriers within the group, all of which test his patience and — more importantly — his resolve as an educator."

12.Adrien Brody as Henry Barthes in Detachment (2011)

A man in a suit sits at a desk looking at papers while a woman in a striped shirt and black vest stands by, classroom setting, an American flag in the background
A man in a suit sits at a desk looking at papers while a woman in a striped shirt and black vest stands by, classroom setting, an American flag in the background
Adrien Brody in a classroom, dressed in a dark suit and tie, stands in front of a chalkboard giving a lecture or presentation
Adrien Brody in a classroom, dressed in a dark suit and tie, stands in front of a chalkboard giving a lecture or presentation

Tribeca Films / courtesy Everett Collection, Tribeca Film/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Henry Barthes (Adrien Brody) is a substitute teacher who shuns emotional connections and never stays long enough in one district to bond with his students or colleagues. Troubled and lost, Henry lands at a public school where an apathetic student body and disinterested parents have created a frustrated, burned-out group of teachers and administrators. Inadvertently, Henry becomes a role model to his disaffected students and bonds with a teenage runaway who is just as lost as he is."

13.Robin Williams as Dr. Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting (1997)

Robin Williams touches Matt Damon's shoulder in a study with vintage furniture. Matt reads a paper, and both are engaged in a serious conversation
Robin Williams touches Matt Damon's shoulder in a study with vintage furniture. Matt reads a paper, and both are engaged in a serious conversation
Robin Williams, wearing a cap and a patterned cardigan, sits close to Matt Damon, who is looking downward, in a scene from a movie
Robin Williams, wearing a cap and a patterned cardigan, sits close to Matt Damon, who is looking downward, in a scene from a movie

Miramax/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a difficult graduate-level math problem, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard), who decides to help the misguided youth reach his potential. When Will is arrested for attacking a police officer, Professor Lambeau makes a deal to get leniency for him if he will get treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams)."

14.Tina Fey as Ms. Norbury in Mean Girls (2004)

Tina Fey sits at a desk speaking to Lindsay Lohan, who stands beside a vintage computer in a classroom setting with a bulletin board labeled
Tina Fey sits at a desk speaking to Lindsay Lohan, who stands beside a vintage computer in a classroom setting with a bulletin board labeled
Tina Fey stands in a gymnasium holding a pink
Tina Fey stands in a gymnasium holding a pink

Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Teenage Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) was educated in Africa by her scientist parents. When her family moves to the suburbs of Illinois, Cady finally gets to experience public school and gets a quick primer on the cruel, tacit laws of popularity that divide her fellow students into tightly-knit cliques. She unwittingly finds herself in the good graces of an elite group of cool students dubbed 'the Plastics,' but Cady soon realizes how her shallow group of new friends earned this nickname."

15.Denzel Washington as Coach Herman Boone in Remember the Titans (2000)

A football coach leads a team practice on a field. Players wear white uniforms with helmets
A football coach leads a team practice on a field. Players wear white uniforms with helmets
Denzel Washington in a coaching jacket speaks intensely to a football player in a red jersey, amidst a group of other players
Denzel Washington in a coaching jacket speaks intensely to a football player in a red jersey, amidst a group of other players

Walt Disney Co. / Everett Collection, Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "In Virginia, high school football is a way of life, an institution revered, each game celebrated more lavishly than Christmas, and each playoff distinguished more grandly than any national holiday. And with such recognition, comes powerful emotions. In 1971 high school football was everything to the people of Alexandria. But when the local school board was forced to integrate an all-Black school with an all-white school, the very foundation of football's great tradition was put to the test."

16.Samuel L. Jackson as Coach Ken Carter in Coach Carter (2005)

Samuel L. Jackson in a coaching huddle with a basketball team wearing warm-up shirts
Samuel L. Jackson in a coaching huddle with a basketball team wearing warm-up shirts
A coach, holding a basketball, faces a group of nine young basketball players in a gymnasium during practice. Retro-style gym with an American flag on the wall
A coach, holding a basketball, faces a group of nine young basketball players in a gymnasium during practice. Retro-style gym with an American flag on the wall

Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "In 1999, Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) returns to his old high school in Richmond, California, to get the basketball team into shape. With tough rules and academic discipline, he succeeds in setting the players on a winning streak. But when their grades start to suffer, Carter locks them out of the gym and shuts down their championship season. When he is criticized by the players and their parents, he sticks to his guns, determined that they excel in class as well as on the court."

17.Eugenio Derbez as Sergio in Radical (2023)

Scene from a movie where a man in a white shirt interacts animatedly with others, hands raised. The setting appears to be a room with scattered furniture.
Scene from a movie where a man in a white shirt interacts animatedly with others, hands raised. The setting appears to be a room with scattered furniture.
Poster for the movie
Poster for the movie

Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "In a Mexican border town plagued by neglect, corruption, and violence, a frustrated teacher tries a radical new method to break through his students' apathy and unlock their curiosity, their potential... and maybe even their genius. Based on a true story."

18.Morgan Freeman as Principal Joe Clark in Lean On Me (1989)

A teacher points to a raised hand of a student in a classroom. A chalkboard with educational notes is visible in the background
A teacher points to a raised hand of a student in a classroom. A chalkboard with educational notes is visible in the background
Morgan Freeman in a beige suit and white shirt with sharp-collared points talks to a seated student
Morgan Freeman in a beige suit and white shirt with sharp-collared points talks to a seated student

Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "In this fact-based film, a New Jersey superintendent, Dr. Frank Napier (Robert Guillaume), watches helplessly as East Side High becomes the lowest-ranked school in the state. With nowhere else to turn, Dr. Napier enlists maverick ex-teacher Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) to take over as principal of the declining school. Unfortunately for Clark, before he can focus on improving the student body's state exam scores, he has to somehow rid the school of its gang and narcotics problems."

19.Edward James Olmos as Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver (1988)

Jaime Escalante, wearing a cardigan over a plaid shirt, stands in front of a blackboard with algebraic equations, smiling and giving two thumbs up
Jaime Escalante, wearing a cardigan over a plaid shirt, stands in front of a blackboard with algebraic equations, smiling and giving two thumbs up
A group of young students and a teacher sit on bleachers, casually dressed. The image is from the film
A group of young students and a teacher sit on bleachers, casually dressed. The image is from the film

Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

About the movie, via Rotten Tomatoes: "Los Angeles high school teacher Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos) is being hassled by tough students like Angel Guzman (Lou Diamond Phillips). But Jaime is also pressured by his bosses, who want him to control his raucous classroom. Caught in the middle, he opts to immerse his students in higher math. After intensive study, his students ace California's calculus test, only to learn that their scores are being questioned. They'll have to retake the exam in order to quiet the critics."

Which other movies about teachers do you think should be on this list? Share in the comments below!

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