College is a time of self-discovery, exploration, and learning. It’s also a time for having fun and making memories. What better way to do that than watching some of the best movies ever? This article is about 15 great movies for college students – from classic comedies to modern blockbusters – that will make you laugh, cry, and think. Whether watching with friends or flying solo, you will have a fantastic time with these great films. So grab some popcorn, relax, and get ready to check out these 15 great movies for college students!
The Princess Bride
The classic ’80s fantasy-comedy, The Princess Bride, is a must-watch for anyone looking for a fun and entertaining movie night! This timeless classic features a hero’s journey, packed with fairy tale complexity and family dynamics. The Princess’s values of courage, resilience, and loyalty are highlighted throughout the film, giving the audience a powerful feminist perspective. This film also offers a unique blend of comedy, adventure, and romance, making it a perfect choice for a night in with friends. Whether you’re a college student or not, this movie will surely provide an enjoyable and thrilling night.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is an iconic classic that has captivated audiences for decades with its humor, heart, and timeless message. The film follows high school student Ferris Bueller as he skips school for a day and embarks on an unforgettable adventure with his best friend and girlfriend. The movie is filled with hilarious hijinks, and life lessons learned about having fun responsibly, adulting issues, and navigating peer pressure. Through it all, Ferris teaches viewers that life should be enjoyed and not taken for granted. College students will be able to relate to the struggles of trying to balance school, work, and social life and can take away meaningful lessons about how to make the most of life’s opportunities.
Animal House
Animal House is a classic comedy that offers a raucous peek into the wild college life of the 1960s, showcasing the immaturity and hijinks of its lovable protagonists. Directed by John Landis and released in 1978, Animal House has become a cult classic with its irreverent takes on campus humor. Its casting choices, including John Belushi, Tim Matheson, and Karen Allen, were perfect for the iconic roles they embodied. The film’s cultural impact was immense, as it pushed the boundaries of comedy and helped define the era.
The film has endured for over 40 years, and its sequel potential has been discussed for decades. While a sequel has yet to be made, Animal House continues to inspire reimagining, with a Broadway musical adaptation released in 2006 and plans for a remake in the works. The film has been held up as a timeless classic and remains an iconic symbol of college life and campus humor.
The Hangover
Feel your stomach drop with laughter as you follow the misadventures of three friends on a wild Vegas night in the classic comedy, The Hangover. This movie is a classic for college students, as it explores themes like friendship, partying, and growing up, all in a hilarious yet meaningful way. While some may criticize the movie’s reliance on crass humor, there is no denying its comedic genius and its ability to tug at the heartstrings.
The Hangover is filled with memorable characters to which the audience can easily relate. From the hapless Doug to the wild Alan, the movie has relatable characters to make you laugh. The cinematography is also noteworthy, as it captures the wildness of Vegas through its camera angles and shots. The Hangover offers a lesson many college students can learn from, and compared to its sequels, it stands out as a more meaningful and heartfelt story.
Clerks
Clerks is a cult classic that follows the antics of two convenience store clerks and their wacky customers, providing plenty of laughs and a glimpse into the lives of everyday people. Written and directed by Kevin Smith, this indie film is a masterclass in working-class humor, low-budget production, and visual storytelling. A pop culture reference powerhouse, Clerks has become a cornerstone of indie film influence and has been cited as an inspiration by filmmakers and critics alike. The dialogue is sharp and snappy, and the characters are memorable and relatable. Despite its low-budget production, the film is full of clever cinematography and great use of limited locations, making it an essential watch for college students looking for a good laugh.
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is an iconic sci-fi comedy classic that follows a group of parapsychologists as they take on a variety of supernatural foes. Featuring an all-star cast of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver, it’s an incredibly entertaining ride that’s sure to delight audiences of all ages. It spawned two sequels, the first saw the original cast return, and the second featured different casting choices. Fans of the franchise have created countless fan theories over the years, and the costumes and special effects have become iconic. Even today, the special effects still hold up, making it a great movie for college students.
Superbad
Superbad is an irreverent teen comedy that follows two best friends, Seth and Evan, as they try to purchase alcohol for a big party, leading to a night of hilarious hijinks. It was a box office success and has since become a cult classic. Debating Superbad’s legacy, fans often recall the iconic characters, witty dialogue, and unforgettable moments. Superbad’s ending has become a subject of much debate, with some fans arguing that it should have ended differently. Others defend the original ending, citing the importance of the satisfying conclusion.
Analyzing Superbad’s humor, one can appreciate the film’s clever satire and unique sense of humor. Examining Superbad’s soundtrack, it’s clear that the filmmakers crafted a perfect soundtrack for the movie, with songs that perfectly capture the awkwardness of teenage life. Finally, exploring Superbad’s impact, it’s clear how the film has shaped the comedy genre and many of today’s teen-focused films.
The Breakfast Club
You’ll feel like you’re right there with five high schoolers spending a Saturday in detention as The Breakfast Club takes you on a wild and unforgettable journey. This iconic film from the 80s is a must-see for college students looking to explore themes like examining stereotypes, breaking gender norms, and evaluating morality. With its witty dialogue and memorable characters, The Breakfast Club is an honest and humorous exploration of teenage life.
The movie follows the story of five high school students from different social groups; all stuck in the same Saturday detention together. Throughout the day, each student learns about the other’s lives, and their friendship helps them explore rebellion, examine the company, and challenge traditional views of gender and morality. With its timeless themes and messages, The Breakfast Club is an excellent movie for college students.
Waynes World
Experience the wild ride of ‘Wayne’s World’ as you join two slacker friends on their hilarious adventures. Wayne’s World is a classic comedy that has become a cult classic, beloved by college students. Featuring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, the film is a satirical look at heavy metal culture in the early 90s. It’s also a feminist critique of gender roles, as the male characters struggle to accept the influence of women in their lives.
The film’s impact on popular culture is undeniable, as it introduced catchphrases that quickly became part of the lexicon. Its cultural significance lies in its ability to parody the mainstream media while celebrating the spirit of rebellion and counterculture. In addition, its satire of consumer culture and pop music has kept it relevant throughout the years. As a result, Wayne’s World has achieved a lasting legacy that has made it a favorite among college students.
The Godfather
Leaving Wayne’s World behind, let’s discuss one of the greatest movies of all time: The Godfather. This classic crime drama, released in 1972 and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, has earned its place in the annals of cinematic history and is often considered one of the greatest films of all time. It tells the story of the Corleone crime family and its patriarch, Vito Corleone, played by the legendary Marlon Brando.
The movie follows the journey of his son, Michael Corleone, as he navigates the treacherous waters of the organized crime world. Throughout the film, Michael grapples with the weighty decisions that come with loyalty to his family and their legacy. His choices, and the consequences that follow, have become iconic and cemented The Godfather’s legacy as one of the most influential films ever.
The Dark Knight
You’ll be mesmerized by Christopher Nolan’s 2008 masterpiece, The Dark Knight, a thrilling story of Batman’s struggle against the Joker and his criminal empire. The movie offers many themes of justice, morality, law, power, and loyalty that enthrall college students. It follows the story of Batman, a vigilante determined to protect Gotham City from the chaos caused by the Joker. The Dark Knight explores themes of justice, morality, law, power, and loyalty from both sides of the law.
The Joker’s actions question the true meaning of justice and morality, while Batman’s unwavering commitment to the law and his sense of justice and loyalty bring him into conflict with the Joker. The Dark Knight is a movie that college students will find thought-provoking and entertaining. The movie will challenge viewers to examine their views of justice and morality while providing an exciting story of Batman’s struggle against the Joker.
Inception
Inception, the 2010 sci-fi thriller by Christopher Nolan, is a mind-bending exploration of the power of the subconscious, blurring the lines between reality and dream. The film follows Dom Cobb, an expert thief who can access his targets’ dreams, as he is tasked to enter the goals of a corporate heir and plant an idea in his mind. The creative world-building in this film is like nothing else, creating a unique and immersive experience for viewers.
Dreams and reality become indistinguishable as Nolan gradually reveals the layers of the plot. Cinematic symbolism and psychological themes abound, making Inception a complex and thought-provoking experience. With a mind-bending plot and creative world-building, Inception is an excellent movie for college students seeking a unique and challenging viewing experience.
Fight Club
Fight Club is a thrilling, thought-provoking film that will leave you questioning what’s real and what’s not. Centered around the unnamed narrator, played by Edward Norton, Fight Club follows his journey. He meets Tyler Durden, a mysterious and charismatic soap salesman played by Brad Pitt. He finds himself in a world of underground fight clubs, anarchist ideologies, and a secret project called Project Mayhem. Directed by David Fincher, Fight Club has greatly influenced pop culture and is a beloved cult classic among college students.
The movie explores many themes, from the critique of consumer culture and capitalism to the distortion of gender roles and mental health issues. It also contains elements of postmodernism, making it a great fit for college students looking to explore the complexities of our society. With its thrilling plot, memorable characters, and provocative themes, Fight Club is a must-see movie for any college student looking for a thought-provoking experience.
Pulp Fiction
Following the cult classic Fight Club, another movie that has been well-received by college students is Pulp Fiction. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Pulp Fiction is a crime film praised for its comedic influence, cultural significance, editing techniques, soundtrack choices, and acting performances. All of these elements come together to create a movie that is as exhilarating as it is entertaining.
The movie follows the lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster’s wife, and a pair of diner bandits who intertwine in an epic story arc. Each character is masterfully acted by renowned actors such as John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, and Samuel L. Jackson, who bring Tarantino’s characters to life. The soundtrack is composed of oldies and soul, adding to the overall atmosphere of the movie. Furthermore, the editing techniques used by Tarantino help create a non-linear story that captures the viewers’ attention. At the same time, the movie’s comedic influence will surely make you chuckle. Overall, Pulp Fiction is a classic that will surely be a favorite among college students.
The Shawshank Redemption
You won’t want to miss The Shawshank Redemption, a gripping drama that will captivate you. Starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, the movie follows the story of Andy Dufresne, a man wrongfully convicted of murder. As he serves his life sentence in Shawshank Prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Red, and they endure the harsh realities of prison life. Themes of redemption, hope, friendship, and self-discovery are explored throughout the movie as Andy and Red face adversity and find ways to stay optimistic. The Shawshank Redemption is a touching story of friendship, resilience, and the power of the human spirit. It’s a must-watch for college students looking for a meaningful film that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over any obstacle.
Conclusion
College students have a lot of great movies to choose from. Whether it’s the classic comedy of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the classic drama of The Shawshank Redemption, or the modern mind-bender of Inception, there’s something for everyone. And that’s not even mentioning The Hangover, Fight Club, and Pulp Fiction. There’s no denying that these 15 great movies are the perfect way to relax, have a few laughs, and enjoy life. So grab some snacks, pop in a movie, and let the good times roll!
