Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- irreverent
- campy
- rebellious
- cult movie night
- punk rock playlist night
What critics said
Critics broadly find the film a highly entertaining, anarchic teen musical comedy energized by the Ramones, while acknowledging its intentionally derivative plot.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Riff and her classmates seize control of Vince Lombardi High School after Miss Togar attempts to suppress their music.
The nervous-breakdown principals, tyrannical school administration, absurd police response, and explosive finale create a heightened anarchic comic register.
Riff’s devotion to the Ramones motivates the school rebellion, and the band joins the students as honorary classmates and performers.
Miss Togar and the parents attempt to burn rock records, positioning punk fandom against conservative educational authority.
Films like Rock 'n' Roll High School, and why
Grease
rebellious teen comedy, school authority satire, and exuberant rock soundtrack
Animal House
anarchic campus comedy, countercultural humor, and youthful resistance to authoritarian rules
Cry-Baby
campy teen musical energy, outsider romance, and stylized rebellion
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
music-driven youth rebellion, eccentric comedy, and subversive high-school setting
Movie Details
- Director
- Allan Arkush
- Release Date
- 1979-04-20
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (164)
Cast
- P. J. Soles
- Vincent Van Patten
- Clint Howard
- Dey Young
- Mary Woronov
- Paul Bartel
- Dick Miller
- Don Steele
- Alix Elias
- Daniel Davies
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Night Flight Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Rock 'n' Roll High School about?
- A rebellious punk-loving student leads her classmates in a gleefully chaotic takeover of a rock-hostile high school.
- What is Rock 'n' Roll High School like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rock 'n' Roll High School as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Rock 'n' Roll High School violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Rock 'n' Roll High School as mild.
- What did critics think of Rock 'n' Roll High School?
- Critics broadly find the film a highly entertaining, anarchic teen musical comedy energized by the Ramones, while acknowledging its intentionally derivative plot.
- Which films are like Rock 'n' Roll High School?
- Films with a similar feel include Grease, Animal House, Cry-Baby, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- How long is Rock 'n' Roll High School?
- Rock 'n' Roll High School runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rock 'n' Roll High School?
- In United States, Rock 'n' Roll High School streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Night Flight Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
