Top 10 College Themed Movies
Dude, let's catch a flick with the Mojoholics. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 College-Themed Movies. For this list, we're choosing memorable feature-length films and big screen movies that are based around or on colleges or universities.
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#10: “Pitch Perfect” (2012)
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We liked the way they worked it. This musical comedy proved that yes, bad girls and bad boys of acapella do exist. Once the fashionable Barden Bellas discover that Beca Mitchell can get down with a little SANGIN’, a vocal super group is formed, and together they trounce the competition like nobody’s business. “Pitch Perfect” dropped a remix on the typical themes of collegiate flicks and had viewers throwin’ bows and Harlem shakin” to a grand total of $113 million. These students had such incredible acapella swag and that they returned to theaters in 2015.
#9: “Real Genius” (1985)
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With fluffy blonde hair, a slacker attitude and mad physics skills, Chris Knight was the unassuming centerpiece of a CIA mission gone wrong. After a lazy and devious Professor teams up new university student Mitch Taylor with a “real genius” to work hard on a laser project, collegiate pranks ensue and the student screwballs are caught hardly workin.” The satirical comedy turned Val Kilmer into Hollywood’s next big thing as the titular genius with a questionable wardrobe and set the stage for his role as a questionably cool pilot named ICEMAN.
#8: “Back to School” (1986)
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This comedy’s all about the belly flops and bad boy antics. As the wealthy son of an Italian immigrant and father of a diving team towel boy, Thornton Melon enrolls at Grand Lakes University to save his relationship. But rather than saving money like most students, he dishes out the dough for favors and a Kurt Vonnegut research paper written by…Kurt Vonnegut. Rodney Dangerfield killed it as the fast-talking and slightly obese freshman who also helped middle-aged men re-live their glory years of collegiate hot tubbing. We gotta give the guy a little respect.
#7: “22 Jump Street” (2014)
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Heyyy girl…you wanna kick it with a little slam poetry? Morton Schmidt and Greg Jenko went deep undercover for this hilarious sequel and found out that college isn’t all about shot-gunning beers and partying hard. Well, it is – but there are other things too. Like getting your butt kicked by an angry female roommate! While he’s in a Hawaiian shirt! Yes, Jonah Hill’s character was thrown around a room by his girlfriend’s protective roommate, while Channing Tatum displayed his finest collection of black shirts. These two cops accomplished little while at college - unless you count gettin’ crunk as a 9 to 5 job.
#6: “Legally Blonde” (2001)
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Whether it’s a role in a Ricky Martin video or acceptance into Harvard Law School, Elle Woods knows how to chase her dreams. In this comedy, Reese Witherspoon stars as a bombshell sorority girl who switches coasts for love only to find heartbreak and ridicule on campus. Even so, she ultimately stuns haters with her academic swag and exceptional work ethic. It’s hard not to love Elle, and Witherspoon’s performance reminded college students that it takes more than good looks to reach your goals.
#5: “Old School” (2003)
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Surprise! After discovering his girlfriend in a compromising situation, Mitch Martin puts his boring life on pause to reflect. But thanks to his devious pals Frank and Bernard, he reawakens to a brave new world of college life. Through strategic planning and shameless promotion, the friends launch a fraternity along with en epic celebration known as “Mitch-a-Palooza.” Topless Wrestling. Snoop Dogg. Keg stands. “Old School” had all the elements for an instant college classic. Maybe it was the bromance or maybe it was the confused demeanor of Frank the Tank, but this flick had college kids crying from laughter.
#4: “The Social Network” (2010)
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You know the story: smart kid goes to university, smart kid has fun and smart kid becomes a mega-billionaire before his 30th birthday. Mark Zuckerberg was the subject of David Fincher’s Oscar-winning film, and Jesse Eisenberg starred as the boy genius who envisioned the way of the future. “The Social Network” broke myths about the enigmatic Facebook founder along with movie theater cash registers from coast to coast - however, a bigger question remains: when will Mark Zuckerberg join our seven million-plus subscribers and become a Mojoholic?
#3: “National Lampoon’s Van Wilder” (2002)
With a strong loyalty to the collegiate life and a horrifying sense of humor, this sophomoric slacker couldn’t grow up. Van Wilder raised funds through various means on campus to continue his care-free antics, but life became tricky when he was confronted by a ravishing student journalist named Gwen Pearson and her boyfriend with an unfortunate name. “Van Wilder” offered plenty of collegiate madness to make viewers howl for 92 minutes…or 94 if you have the unrated version. The film jump-started the career of Ryan Reynolds and the rest is history.
#2: “Revenge of the Nerds” (1984)
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The ‘80s were a magnificent time for raunchy, sophomoric flicks and few were greater than this story of nerds on a mission. As best friends destined to rock the world of computer science, Lewis and Gilbert found themselves slightly off track once the realities of college life sunk in. With help from the supremely quotable Dudley “Booger” Dawson and the enthusiastic javelin aficionado Lamar, the gang seeks redemption against a group of unscrupulous jocks. Although a series of sequels weren’t as hilarious, this film became an essential ingredient for any dorm room movie collection. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Mona Lisa Smile” (2003) “Rudy” (1993) “Accepted” (2006) “Good Will Hunting” (1997) “Wonder Boys” (2000)
#1: “National Lampoon’s Animal House” (1978)
At the height of his “Saturday Night Live” fame, John Belushi starred in this modestly-priced film that became the quintessential college flick. Today, you’d be hard pressed not to find a fraternity house that doesn’t boast a poster of Bluto Blutarsky – the man who fought for his right to party. “Animal House” captured the essence of collegiate thrills, while inspiring new ways to entertain. It wasn’t necessarily the fate of Delta Tau Chi that concerned audiences, but rather the modus operandi. As one of the funniest films of all time, John Landis’ cinematic portrait of American college life should be part of each and every SAT exam. Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite college or university-themed movie? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
