North Texas Daily

Preston Barta / Film Critic

It’s that time of the year again— back to hitting the books and taking in the lectures. But before you mourn the end of your lazy days of soaking up the sun, check out our top five back-to-school flicks.

From a buffoon repeating grades 1 through 12 in order to inherit his father’s hotel empire, to our favorite Hogwarts wizards and witches and finally to Heath Ledger serenading viewers with his pipes on a soccer field, these five films should leave you feeling a little bit better about getting back into the school groove.

“Billy Madison” (1995)

Director: Tamra Davis

Cast: Adam Sandler, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras and Bradley Whitford

“Billy Madison” is no cinematic benchmark by any means, but it’s a fun, crude and brainless comedy that never ceases to bring out extreme laughter. So if you are dreading your biology class filled with lectures about “borophyll” this semester, you might want to pop this flick into your DVD player. It’ll slap a big, goofy smile on your face and make studying a little easier, especially if you’re learning about the Spanish Armada.

“The Breakfast Club” (1985)

Director: John Hughes

Cast: Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald

While this may have been a very predictable choice, “The Breakfast Club,” about five teenagers from different circles and stations in life being forced to spend a Saturday together in detention, is considered one of the best teen comedies of all time. So we’re not going to let our “troubles” and “doubts” keep us from forgetting about this one. It’s one of the most influential films you’ll ever come across.

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)

Director: Chris Columbus

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint

Of course, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” isn’t the best boy-wizard flick in the franchise, but it’s the one that started it all and had students wishing that they were studying for O.W.L. exams instead of their Physics final. This valiant and immensely entertaining film is pure cinematic magic. It features a colorful story of good versus evil and the friendships that endure.

“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)

Director: Gil Junger

Cast: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

“10 Things I Hate About You,” through Shakespeare, shows its viewers about the lunacy that is the world of cliques. Built around a plot that pokes fun at the drama of high school dating, this refreshing comedy features many characters that are genuinely funny, such as a wisecracking English teacher and an erotic-drama writing headmistress. Very few films capture the universe of teachers and students as well as “10 Things I Hate About You” which does so with grace, tenacity and humor.

“Never Been Kissed” (1999)

Director: Raja Gosnell

Cast: Drew Barrymore, David Arquette and Michael Vartan

Rounding off our list, Barrymore captivated audiences as a journalist going undercover in “Never Been Kissed.” She had us thinking about what we would do differently if we could do high school over again. It’s a charming film with relatable characters and actors who bring a lot of spark and energy to the screen.