Top 5 best high school movies of all time

From a list read on the radio, here are “Top 5 best high school movies of all time.”

1. Breakfast Club
2. Grease
3. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
4. Dazed and Confused
5. Clueless

It’s hard to argue with any of these. But there are a few notables from my time that sure can battle out for the top 5.

Breakfast Club – taking the number 1 spot could possibly be the most "deservant" movie for any on the list. It’s definitely one of the best and sure deserves top spot. The characters, the music, the Saturday detention - anyone who has been in high school can identify. It is a great movie. I love this movie.

Grease – Eh... Fun, love it, it’s cool… but it ain’t real. Musicals should have their own category of their own. If Greese makes it, then we have to consider something like West Side Story. Both are good, but it’s not what I would categorize as the best high school movie. But I understand its importance in high school movies. I’d move that off and replace it with American Graffiti if you want to go time period.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High – But of course. This movie could contend for number 1 in my book. I wonder if teenagers now would like it. This movie had a great cast of characters and could possibly be Sean Penn’s best performance ever. I haven’t seen this movie in years. I think I need to buy it.

Dazed and Confused - Funny, funny, funny. Been there done that. Or at least witnessed this from the sidelines as I was a kid in the 70s. Identifying with it from a far is definitely how I would associate myself with the film and the time period. That crazy Ben Affleck. Oustide of Goodwill Hunting, this might be the only other movie he’s been good in.

Clueless - Well, like, sh-yeah. Of course this has to be a top fiver. Alicia Silverstone was just the perfect actor for this movie too. Talk about a movie with voice overs! But it totally worked and has grown to be a favorite high school movie to many that watched it. So watch it.

Here are some notables that didn’t make the top 5 in no particular order.

Sixteen Candles - The dance, the party, the geeks, the jocks. Romance. It’s all there.

Risky Business – The stress of final exams and Rebecca De Mornay. Should I say more? This could be my favorite high school movie of all time!

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – Could even be a number 1. One of the greatest movies ever!

The Karate Kid – This kinda fits the sports movie category. But I still have to add it to my list.

Election – From Ferris Bueller to Mr. McAllister. Watch this for Matthew Broderick alone.

American Pie – Did you laugh more in a high school movie?

Pretty in Pink – followed on the heels of Sixteen Candles. But not as good.

Some Kind of Wonderful – Some of us would have given up their college fund to buy something for Lea Thompson!

Can’t Buy Love – Another Some Kind of Wonderful type movie. Patrick Dempsey was great in this. They remade this movie a few years ago and called it, “Love don’t cost a thing.” It was a horrible remake.

Bring it On – This movie was better than expected. A surprisingly entertaining film staring Kirsten Dunst.

Get Over It – and speaking of Kirsten Dunst, this movie is one of my favorite movies about high school and I saw it as an adult, married and with kids. A sleeper of a film but very well done and enjoyable.

Footloose – Corny now maybe, but man, this movie made an impact.

The Outsiders – Girls, if you haven’t seen this, you’re in for a male hunk treat!

Other notables:

Three O’clock High
Lucas
All the Right Moves
Rocket Boys
Varsity Blues
Nightmare on Elm Street
Better Luck Tomorrow
Donnie Darko

Let me know any others you might think I missed.