Your 2023 Back-To-School Watch List!

It’s almost time to head back to school, and what better way is there to get pumped for the new school year than with a movie or binge-able TV show? Here’s a list of school-centric movies and TV shows to watch between school supplies shopping and first day outfit planning!

1. The Breakfast Club

This classic 1985 teen drama is a classic for a reason and is well worth the rewatch even if you’re already seen it. The film follows 5 teens who couldn’t be more different from one another as they land in Saturday detention together and learn something about both themselves and each other during their time there. Stream on Netflix.

2. "Heartstopper"

The second season of this graphic novel adaptation came out on Netflix just in time for a binge-watch before you head back to school! The plot of "Heartstopper" is centered around school boys Nick and Charlie who fall head over heels in love with one another. But the B-plots centered around their teen friend group are worth tuning in to the dramedy as well. Check out the Webtoon here! Stream on Netflix.

3. Mean Girls

Another classic worth a rewatch even if you’re already seen it once, twice, or three times is Mean Girls. With a cast stacked with stars like Tina Fey, Lindsay Lohan, and Amanda Seyfried, the high school-centric comedy is bound to have you in stitches. And be sure to check out the cast recording of the musical based on the movie, which has its own movie in the production pipeline! Stream on Netflix and Paramount+.

4. "XO, Kitty"

Loved To All The Boys I Loved Before? Then you’ll love this series spin-off of the movie! The comedy series follows Lara Jean’s younger sister, Kitty, as she moves across the world to attend a prestigious boarding school in South Korea, the same school her long-distance boyfriend Dae attends.Things don't go exactly to plan after Kitty’s big move, but what fun would the series be if they did?! Stream on Netflix.

5. Dead Poets Society

For a school-centric flick from the '80s with dark academia vibes, turn on Dead Poets Society. The late Robin Williams stars in this movie as a passionate English teacher at an all-male boarding school in Vermont. Mr. Keating (Williams) oversees the Dead Poets Society, a club of boys who meet off-campus to read poetry. The club proves to be the breeding ground for drama in both the boys' school and personal lives, with Mr. Keating doing what he can to shepard them through those hardships. Stream on YouTube and Tubi.

6. "Abbott Elementary"

For a more lighthearted watch, "Abbott Elementary" is a hilarious binge-able series to add to your watch list. The mockumentary-style comedy takes place at a public elementary school in Philadelphia, the premise being that a documentary crew was brought in to film a piece on underfunded schools. Buzzfeed alumna Quinta Brunson created the show and stars in it, playing the role of optimistic second grade teacher Janine Teagues. Stream on Hulu and Max.

7. Legally Blonde

Whether going back to school means heading to a law school classroom or you’re just an undergrad studying for the LSAT, Legally Blonde is your hype-woman in movie form. The story of Elle Woods and her triumph at Harvard Law against all odds is just as much inspiring as it is funny. Plus, there’s a musical adaptation perfect for that drive back to campus! Stream on Prime Video and fuboTV.

8. "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series"

With the fourth and final season premiering TOMORROW (August 9), this musical series should be added to your binge-watch roster immediately. The premise is essentially exactly what it's sold as in the title -- a series following a group of teenagers at current day East High who are staging the stage musical adaptation of High School Musical! Each season after the first season sees the school’s theater department staging a new show, but Season 4 is set to return the show to its roots with the teens staging an adaptation of High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Stream on Disney+.

Happy binge-ing!