Movies About Boarding Schools

From Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles
Rated PG

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 coming-of-age drama film directed by Peter Weir, starring Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, and other young actors. The film tells the story of an English teacher at an elite, all-boys preparatory school in 1959 New England, who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry and individual expression. The teacher, John Keating, encourages his students to make their lives extraordinary and to “seize the day”. This has a profound effect on the students’ lives, leading to unexpected consequences. Through the course of the film, the students explore the depths of their own creativity and how it can be used to express their innermost thoughts and views on life. The film ultimately shows how a teacher can make an enormous difference in the lives of his students, and how the power of the individual can overcome the restrictions of society.

From Louis Malle, starring Gaspard Manesse, Raphael Fejtö, Francine Racette, Stanislas Carré de Malberg
Rated PG

Goodbye, Children is a 1987 French drama film written and directed by Louis Malle. Set in 1944 during World War II, the film focuses on a Catholic boarding school in a small rural French village, and the drastic changes that occur when the school is occupied by German soldiers. Two eleven-year-old boys, Julien and Joseph, become friends, despite their differences in background and beliefs. Their friendship is tested when Julien's father, a French Resistance fighter, is arrested and taken away by the Germans. Julien and Joseph must face the cruelty and brutality of the war and its devastating consequences, as they try to survive in a world that has been turned upside down.

From William Wyler, starring Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, Miriam Hopkins
Rated Not Rated

The Children's Hour is a 1961 American drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, and Miriam Hopkins. The story follows two women, principals of an all-girls school, who are accused of being lesbians by a malicious student. The accusation turns their lives upside down, and sets in motion a chain of events with devastating consequences for everyone involved. The film is an adaptation of a 1936 stage play by Lillian Hellman, and is a thoughtful exploration of prejudice and its devastating effects on those accused and those who accuse them.

From Christophe Barratier, starring Gérard Jugnot, François Berléand, Jean-Baptiste Maunier, Kad Merad
Rated PG-13

The Chorus (Les Choristes) is a 2004 French drama film directed by Christophe Barratier. Set in post-World War II France, the story follows Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot), an unsuccessful musician who takes a job as the supervisor of a boarding school for troubled boys. Mathieu is initially met with hostility from the students and their headmaster, Monsieur Rachin (François Berléand). Gradually, Mathieu finds a way to reach out to the boys and instill discipline in their lives. He forms a choir and the boys, led by Pierre Morhange (Jean-Baptiste Maunier) find a way to express their emotions through music. With the help of music, Mathieu and the boys form a bond and the boys ultimately gain the respect of their headmaster. The film follows the boys as they use their newfound passion for singing as a way to overcome their troubled pasts and find a place in the world.

From Mikael Håfström, starring Andreas Wilson, Henrik Lundström, Gustaf Skarsgård, Linda Zilliacus
Rated Not Rated

Evil is a Swedish horror-thriller film directed by Mikael Håfström. It tells the story of a group of medical students who take part in an experiment to induce near-death experiences. During the experiment, they each experience visions of events from their past - some of which they had long since buried. As they delve deeper into their visions, they discover that something dark and evil is lurking in the shadows and threatening to consume them all. The film follows the students as they attempt to solve the mystery and find a way to escape the evil that has been unleashed.

From Alfonso Cuarón, starring Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, Rusty Schwimmer
Rated G

A Little Princess is a 1995 British-American family drama fantasy film directed by Alfonso Cuarón and written by Richard LaGravenese. It stars Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, and Vanessa Lee Chester. The story is based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1905 novel of the same name. It follows Sara Crewe, a young girl living in India who is sent to boarding school in New York City when her father must leave to fight in World War I. When he is reported dead, the school headmistress, Miss Minchin, mistreats Sara in an effort to have her pay for her stay. Through her imagination and strong will, Sara is able to overcome her difficult situation and find a way to reunite with her father. Along the way, she discovers the power of friendship, self-confidence, and belief in the impossible.

From Peter Weir, starring Rachel Roberts, Anne-Louise Lambert, Vivean Gray, Helen Morse
Rated PG

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Gael García Bernal, Fele Martínez, Javier Cámara, Daniel Giménez Cacho
Rated NC-17

From Dario Argento, starring Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci, Miguel Bosé
Rated R

From Don Siegel, starring Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Page, Elizabeth Hartman, Jo Ann Harris
Rated R

From Bob Clark, starring Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, John Saxon
Rated R

From Mikkel Nørgaard, starring Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Fares Fares, Pilou Asbæk, David Dencik
Rated Not Rated

From Mark Romanek, starring Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Izzy Meikle-Small
Rated R

From Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi, starring Hryhoriy Fesenko, Yana Novikova, Rosa Babiy, Oleksandr Dsiadevych
Rated Unrated

From John Butler, starring Fionn O'Shea, Ardal O'Hanlon, Amy Huberman, Ruairi O'Connor
Rated TV-MA

From Robert Mandel, starring Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Chris O'Donnell, Randall Batinkoff
Rated PG-13

From Richard Linklater, starring Blake Jenner, Tyler Hoechlin, Ryan Guzman, Zoey Deutch
Rated R

From Philippe Lesage, starring Noée Abita, Théodore Pellerin, Pier-Luc Funk, Jules Roy Sicotte
Rated Not Rated

From Michael Hoffman, starring Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Joel Gretsch, Embeth Davidtz
Rated PG-13

From Lucile Hadzihalilovic, starring Zoé Auclair, Lea Bridarolli, Bérangère Haubruge, Marion Cotillard
Rated R

From Léa Pool, starring Piper Perabo, Jessica Paré, Mischa Barton, Jackie Burroughs
Rated R

From James Schamus, starring Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon, Tijuana Ricks, Sue Dahlman
Rated R

From Dario Argento, starring Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi, Dalila Di Lazzaro
Rated R

From Jordan Scott, starring Eva Green, Juno Temple, María Valverde, Imogen Poots
Rated R

From Daniel Petrie Jr., starring Sean Astin, Wil Wheaton, Keith Coogan, Andrew Divoff
Rated R