Summer School
A laid-back gym teacher turns an unwanted summer English class into a spirited experiment in reaching rebellious academic misfits.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- breezy
- witty
- warm
- lazy summer afternoon
- nostalgic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the premise and cast capable of light entertainment but judged the film listless, leisurely, and under-energized.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Freddy Shoop turns a remedial English class toward unconventional lessons and field trips, gradually connecting with his students.
The class consists of goof-off students treated as failures, whose shared outsider status becomes central to the ensemble.
Shoop begins the summer focused on his own plans but develops investment in the students he was forced to teach.
The entire premise unfolds during a summer session that separates the students from ordinary school routines.
Films like Summer School, and why
The Principal
shared 1980s teen comedy energy, unconventional teacher figure, and unruly classroom ensemble
The Substitute
shared school-set comedy, misfit students, and warm teacher student relationships
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
shared adolescent ensemble humor, eccentric authority figures, and coming-of-age school setting
Movie Details
- Director
- Carl Reiner
- Release Date
- 1987-07-22
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (286)
Cast
- Mark Harmon
- Kirstie Alley
- Robin Thomas
- Patrick Labyorteaux
- Courtney Thorne-Smith
- Dean Cameron
- Gary Riley
- Kelly Jo Minter
- Ken Olandt
- Shawnee Smith
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Summer School about?
- A laid-back gym teacher turns an unwanted summer English class into a spirited experiment in reaching rebellious academic misfits.
- What is Summer School like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Summer School as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Summer School violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Summer School.
- What did critics think of Summer School?
- Critics broadly found the premise and cast capable of light entertainment but judged the film listless, leisurely, and under-energized.
- Which films are like Summer School?
- Films with a similar feel include The Principal, The Substitute, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
- How long is Summer School?
- Summer School runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Summer School?
- In United States, Summer School is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
