Movies About Private Schools

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

Dead Poets Society is a 1989 American drama film directed by Peter Weir, written by Tom Schulman, and starring Robin Williams. Set in 1959 at the fictional elite conservative Vermont boarding school Welton Academy, it tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. The story follows the students of Welton Academy and their unconventional teacher John Keating, an English teacher who encourages his students to "make your lives extraordinary". He uses unconventional methods to inspire them and encourages them to "seize the day" and make their lives meaningful. He challenges them to look at life in a different way and to find the beauty in their own lives. The students are captivated by his teaching, but their strict headmaster disapproves and begins to take action against Keating. The students, led by Neil Perry, eventually stand up to the headmaster and attempt to preserve Keating's teaching. The film touches on themes of non-conformity, rebellion, and the power of self-expression. It has since become a classic and has been praised for its inspiring messages and its celebration of individualism and creative expression.

From Martin Brest, starring Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell, James Rebhorn, Gabrielle Anwar
Rated R

Scent of a Woman is a 1992 American drama film directed by Martin Brest and starring Al Pacino and Chris O'Donnell. The film follows the story of a prep school student (O'Donnell) who takes a weekend trip with a retired and blind Army veteran (Pacino) as his chaperone. The student soon discovers that the veteran is planning to commit suicide, and he is forced to choose between his loyalty to his school or his responsibility to help the man. Through their journey, the student comes to understand the veteran's pain and learns to accept himself. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning Pacino an Academy Award for Best Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

From Wes Anderson, starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams, Seymour Cassel
Rated R

Rushmore is a 1998 comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson and co-written with Owen Wilson. It stars Jason Schwartzman as Max Fischer, a precocious, eccentric 15-year-old who is a scholarship student at the exclusive Rushmore Academy. Through his various extracurricular activities, he develops a friendship with a first-grade teacher, played by Olivia Williams, and a rivalry with a wealthy industrialist, played by Bill Murray. The film also features Mason Gamble, Seymour Cassel, and Brian Cox in supporting roles. The film follows Max's adventures at Rushmore, as he finds himself caught between his academic pursuits, his extracurricular activities, and his love interests. It is a thoughtful exploration of coming of age, friendship, and the consequences of ambition. The film received critical acclaim, being nominated for numerous awards, including two Academy Award nominations. It spawned a popular soundtrack and a subsequent video game.

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

A Little Princess tells the story of Sara Crewe, a young girl who is sent to a boarding school in India when her father goes off to fight in World War I. Despite the school's strict rules, Sara quickly makes friends, creating a secret society of girls who meet in the attic and share stories of their lives. When tragedy strikes, Sara is suddenly reduced to poverty and is forced to take a job as a servant in the same school she once attended as a princess. But with the help of her imagination and her new friends, Sara eventually manages to turn her life around. In the end, she discovers that even the poorest of us can be a princess in our own way.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin
Rated PG-13

From Whit Stillman, starring Carolyn Farina, Edward Clements, Chris Eigeman, Taylor Nichols
Rated PG-13

From George Roy Hill, starring Robin Williams, Mary Beth Hurt, Glenn Close, John Lithgow
Rated R

From Directors: Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson, starring
Rated TV-PG

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

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

From Jon Poll, starring Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis, Kat Dennings
Rated R

From Burr Steers, starring Kieran Culkin, Susan Sarandon, Jeff Goldblum, Claire Danes
Rated R

From Nicholas Hytner, starring Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, Clive Merrison, Samuel Anderson
Rated R

From Roger Kumble, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair
Rated R

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 Brian Dannelly, starring Jena Malone, Mandy Moore, Macaulay Culkin, Patrick Fugit
Rated PG-13

From Sarah Kernochan, starring Kirsten Dunst, Lynn Redgrave, Gaby Hoffmann, Rachael Leigh Cook
Rated PG-13

From Dennis Lee, starring Jason Spevack, Toni Collette, Michael Sheen, Samantha Weinstein
Rated PG-13

From Michael Corrente, starring Shawn Hatosy, Amy Smart, Alec Baldwin, Tommy Bone
Rated R

From Andy Fickman, starring Amanda Bynes, Laura Ramsey, Channing Tatum, Vinnie Jones
Rated PG-13

From Boaz Yakin, starring Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning, Heather Locklear, Jesse Spencer
Rated PG-13

From Tim Blake Nelson, starring Mekhi Phifer, Julia Stiles, Martin Sheen, Josh Hartnett
Rated R

From Lewis John Carlino, starring Jacqueline Bisset, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Cliff Robertson
Rated R

From Steve Rash, starring Gil Birmingham, Brandon Routh, Crystal Allen, Chelsea Ricketts
Rated PG-13