Back to School
A swaggering clothing tycoon enrolls in college beside his uncertain son and discovers that popularity, money, and outrageous parties cannot replace genuine effort.
Overview
A millionaire proves that college life is more than just textbooks and lectures.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- witty
- irreverent
- warm
- lazy sunday
- nostalgic movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film routine but highly entertaining, praising Rodney Dangerfield's comic timing and persona while noting its broad, occasionally anti-intellectual humor.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Thornton Melon enrolls in college alongside his son despite being an established millionaire businessman.
Thornton enrolls primarily because Jason is uncertain about college, making their relationship the emotional engine of the story.
Thornton's outsider perspective and business success contrast with campus academic conventions, a tension noted in the critical reception.
Thornton becomes popular through parties and social connections while facing the question of whether that popularity can substitute for passing college.
Films like Back to School, and why
Animal House
shared campus comedy, irreverent humor, outsider protagonist, and upbeat ensemble energy
Mr. Mom
shared fish out of water premise, broad comic set pieces, family conflict, and feel-good resolution
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
shared 1980s comedy style, unconventional parent-child dynamics, and populist humor
Revenge of the Nerds
shared college setting, social satire, comic rivalry, and rebellious youthful energy
Movie Details
- Director
- Alan Metter
- Release Date
- 1986-06-13
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (519)
Cast
- Rodney Dangerfield
- Sally Kellerman
- Burt Young
- Keith Gordon
- Robert Downey Jr.
- William Zabka
- Paxton Whitehead
- Adrienne Barbeau
- M. Emmet Walsh
- Terry Farrell
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- 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 Back to School about?
- A swaggering clothing tycoon enrolls in college beside his uncertain son and discovers that popularity, money, and outrageous parties cannot replace genuine effort.
- What is Back to School like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Back to School as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Back to School violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Back to School.
- What did critics think of Back to School?
- Critics generally found the film routine but highly entertaining, praising Rodney Dangerfield's comic timing and persona while noting its broad, occasionally anti-intellectual humor.
- Which films are like Back to School?
- Films with a similar feel include Animal House, Mr. Mom, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Revenge of the Nerds.
- How long is Back to School?
- Back to School runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Back to School?
- In United States, Back to School streams on Amazon Prime Video, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
