Top 20 Memorable Graduation Scenes in Movies & TV
#20: Spidey Graduates
“Spider-Man” (2002)
Learning to use his powers for good while still recovering from the shock of his uncle's death, Peter Parker’s graduation ceremony was bittersweet. After speaking with his Aunt May, Peter is approached by Norman Osborn and almost creepily congratulated on his science award and success. Assuring him that he’s a member of the family and to call him if he ever needs anything, Osborn put both Peter and audiences on edge with his slimy smirk and his cold congratulations to his own son, Harry, just moments before. Marking the beginning of a new, adult life for the superhero, Spidey tossed away the carefree high school years to start his career of fighting baddies.
#19: All Together
“The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
When Caroline, Bonnie, Matt, Elena, and Stefan all actually show up to their graduation, it initially seems like everyone is all smiles. Bonnie’s pain at hiding the secret of her impending death manages to peek through her actions around her friends and her father, giving the audience a preview of the tougher times ahead. As each member of the group receives their diplomas, Kol also makes a surprise appearance, showing up to the ceremony with a small army of the undead ready to be released. The ceremony continues happily on despite the tense negotiations between him and Bonnie, with the mostly human audience oblivious to what’s going on.
#18: Graduation Bites
"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" (2010)
Most people only get to graduate once - but if you’re one of the Cullens, it’s same old, same old. Joining her vampire boyfriend in graduating, Bella wasn’t just excited to be finishing high school. The ceremony itself marked her getting one step closer to her ultimate goal - becoming a vampire just like Edward and joining her sparkly family for eternity. While the valedictorian speech discussing the future and what it held for the grads was given, the shot panned out to the Cullens seated in the audience. At this point though, they could probably run the ceremony themselves.
#17: Crashing the Ceremony... Literally
“Booksmart” (2019)
Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart was a surprise comedy hit with a lot of heart. The film, which sees Amy and Molly, played by Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein respectively, trying to come of age the night before their high school graduation ceremony. After a night of hijinks that lands Amy in jail, the two steal their classmate’s car and joy ride to their graduation ceremony, quite literally crashing through the event. Molly makes her way to the stage to give her valedictorian speech but on the way, passionately kisses her crush Jared. If that entrance didn’t bring the house down, then Molly’s heartfelt speech to her classmates certainly did.
#16: Graduating from the University of Alabama
"Forrest Gump" (1994)
Like most of the scenes in this iconic film, Forrest’s innocent commentary on this snapshot of his life made it more special than simply watching it ever could. After scoring a football scholarship to the University of Alabama and making the All-American team, Forrest receives his degree to the delight of his mother. Shrugging off college as just “playing football for 5 years”, Gump’s graduation had his mother shedding tears of pride. Marking yet another turning point in his life, an army recruiter offers Gump an informative pamphlet - sending him off on his next adventure only moments after he received his diploma.
#15: Armed & Dangerous
“Buffy The Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
Did this graduating class take a course in advanced weaponry? During the ceremony at Sunnydale High, a convenient eclipse takes place just as the somewhat suspicious mayor is delivering his speech. Red flag, anybody? It doesn’t take long before the mayor turns into a giant, hungry-looking snake, with most of the adult audience scattering. In one of the most badass scenes of the series, the graduates keep their calm, throwing off their robes and pulling out a veritable armory of flamethrowers, maces, and other monster killing gear. Could anything less be expected from a class that includes a vampire slayer?
#14: Birthday Suit Grad
"She's All That" (1999)
Never back out on a bet! After Laney finds out about the terms of Zach’s bet with Dean, she’s not about to let him duck out - despite having forgiven him. Wearing a sly smirk on his face while covering up himself with a soccer ball, Zach fully honors his promise of walking naked during the graduation ceremony by tossing the strategically placed ball at Laney when his name is called. Hearing the other students breaking into hoots and whistles as well as seeing the smile on Laney’s face blossom made these final moments of high school the perfect ending to this teenage romance.
#13: Remembering J.T.
“Degrassi: The Next Generation” (2001-15)
Sometimes, it takes a tragedy to bring people back together. Though there was a significant amount of tension in this episode, things came to a head during the graduation ceremony. Breaking down halfway through her speech honoring deceased classmate JT, Liberty rushed off the stage in tears. Watching her friends come to her aid to provide support and forgive her for her mistakes warmed audiences hearts and emphasized the importance of friendship, especially when things get tough. With the uplifting vocals of Natasha Bedingfield in the background, this was one of the most memorable graduations in the Degrassi series.
#12: Graduation Group Text
“Gossip Girl” (2007-12)
For some people, getting their diploma means leaving the drama and gossip of high school behind them. But when Gossip Girl gets involved, the drama isn’t going anywhere. Looking forward to college and leaving rumors in the past, Serena and Blair finally settle in to enjoy their last moments of high school. But with convenient and brutal timing, Gossip Girl shatters the ceremony with a scathing group text that gives almost the entire class a vicious set of labels. As the graduates exchange looks after receiving the text, the mood quickly turns from joyful to bitter, showing that despite the occasion - Gossip Girl isn’t done with them yet.
#11: The Real World
"Say Anything..." (1989)
Most valedictorian speeches are full of ambition, hope, and a message of a future seen through rose-colored glasses. But in the address given by Lloyd Dobler’s love interest in this film, she delivers a strong dose of realism to her classmates. Confessing her fears about the uncertainty of the future and showing that even someone as brainy as she is can be afraid, Diane Court inspires her peers to think just a little harder about where they’re going in life. This leaves her audience silent and lost in thought. As Lloyd marvels over the color of her eyes and the clunky cameras roll, Diane gives the audience both on and off the screen something to think about.
#10: Ring & a Diploma
“The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (2008-13)
Though the rumors had been flying, this heartwarming proposal up on the graduation stage still came as a surprise to viewers. After completing his emotional and revealing valedictory address, Ricky calls Amy up on stage to pop the big question. When she tearfully agrees, the thunderous applause throughout the auditorium overshadows the few expressions within the crowd that are less than happy with the turn of events. Despite the drama from other characters in the show, the look on Ricky’s face as he asked for Amy’s hand in marriage was priceless, and made the graduation one to remember for more reasons than one.
#9: Dustin's Speech
“Stranger Things” (2016-25)
Whether you loved or hated the finale to this hit Duffer Brothers show, there’s no denying that the graduation scene was a heartfelt tribute to these beloved characters. After defeating Vecna once and for all, we finally get to see the Hawkins kids finish high school, capped off by a heartfelt speech by Valedictorian Dustin, who unsurprisingly makes a few Dungeons and Dragons references throughout. In a rebellious twist, Dustin sticks it to the school administration before ripping off his gown to reveal a Hellfire Club shirt in honor of the late Eddie Munson.
#8: Juuust Barely
“Saved by the Bell” (1989-93)
Not everybody is a star student, and making it up to the podium can be a struggle for some. As graduation approaches, Zack learns that he is one credit shy of getting his diploma. In a desperate attempt to attend graduation with his fellow classmates, he joins Bayside's ballet troupe. Naturally, hilarity ensues. However, things take a turn for the worse, when most of the dancers fall ill, threatening the final show and Zack's credit. Luckily, Zack is able to convince his friends to help, allowing him to graduate. Classic Morris!
#7: Surprise!
“Boy Meets World” (1993-2000)
Graduation is a tough milestone for most high school couples. Parties go their separate ways, with different jobs, schools, or interests… most of the time. Depressed about the possibility of Topanga going off to Yale without him, but still wanting her to go, Cory’s blues are evident throughout the episode. But in a surprise twist, just as the graduating class is asked to stand, Topanga turns the tables and asks him to marry her. Watching him slowly return to his seat in stunned silence before the cliffhanger ending of the episode had audience's jaws dropping with shock and cranked the suspense to the next level.
#6: A Soundtrack to Remember
“The O.C.” (2003-07)
The last hurrah of the “core four”. This is one of the final moments Marissa, Ryan, Summer, and Seth spent together, and their graduation ceremony is accompanied by the sounds of Imogen Heap's somewhat on the nose “Speeding Cars”. The memorable soundtrack and the fact this event was one of the last to have all of the friends together made this graduation one audiences will never forget. Heading their separate ways with high hopes for the future, seeing the happy grads wish each other well made the harsh and shocking ending of this episode even harder to watch. Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions. Quite the Speech … “Dawson’s Creek” (1998-2003) "I Think I'm Having My Baby!" "One Tree Hill" (2003-12) Cuff 'Em “Veronica Mars” (2004-07)
#5: Yahoo for School
"Billy Madison" (1995)
After successfully completing his grade school years as an adult, Billy’s final address to his class was classic Adam Sandler humor. Passing on the opportunity to rule his father’s multi-million dollar hotel chain to a trusted colleague and announcing he is going to continue his education and become a teacher himself, Billy showed that no matter how late you pursue it - education can be for everyone. With parting words we all wish we could have given at our graduations, Billy spoke for all of us with his final line: “Peace, I’m outta here”!
#4: Never Give Up
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011)
Not all graduations have to be from high school or college - sometimes middle school ceremonies are just as monumental. After a pretty depressing speech from his young son Robbie, Cal decides to step in and revitalize his son’s belief in love and looking forward to the future. Giving a tear-jerking address about the importance of never giving up on the one you love as well as recounting his romance with his estranged wife Emily, Cal managed to redeem himself in the eyes of his friends and family. The future isn’t always about careers, degrees, or diplomas - sometimes it’s about finding the one you were meant to be with.
#3: Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year" (2008)
It was truly the end of an era. After Troy delivers his stirring speech about following your passions in life and never being scared to be who you truly are, the entire HSM gang got together one last time for a performance that rocked audiences’ socks off. With a blur of red and white gowns and some impressive choreography, the crew sang a rendition of “High School Musical”. Celebrating their years in high school and how wonderful their experiences had been, the grads wanted the rest of their lives to be just like their “High School Musical” - and viewers couldn’t blame them.
#2: No Blubbering Allowed
“Gilmore Girls” (2000-07)
After years of watching Rory fight her way up the ladder and refuse to give up, viewers couldn’t help but be moved by her articulate and beautifully worded speech. Rory gave a speech that broke her audience down to tears, despite their best efforts to keep emotions in check. Watching her mother and grandparents barely manage to hold back tears makes the impact of Rory’s speech even more profound, and this moment holds a spot as one of the most memorable valedictory addresses on television.
#1: Class of 2004
"Legally Blonde" (2001)
In one of the most memorable and inspiring speeches given to Harvard grads, Elle Woods came out on top once again with her address to her fellow law graduates. Empowering others with her words, Elle’s message about believing in yourself and persevering despite setbacks reminded us of her journey of fighting her way through law school. Audiences at home applauded along with the grads as Elle finally reached the end of said journey, while everyone she knew got exactly what they deserved in the end. You go, girl!
Did we miss your favorite graduation scene? Let us know in the comments!
