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Jon Lovitz, Tia Carrere, Louise Fletcher, Mekhi Phifer, Malinda Williams ... see more see more... , Guillermo Díaz , Lexie D. Bigham , Eric Allan Kramer , John Neville , Natasha Gregson Wagner , Charlotte Zucker , Gil Espinoza , Brian Hooks , Lu Elrod , Marco Rodriguez , Nicholas Worth

In this comic send-up of dramas set in urban schools (such as Lean on Me and Dangerous Minds), Jon Lovitz plays Richard Clark, a teacher who is persuaded to give up his position at Wellington Academy,... read more read more... an upscale private school (where the receptionist cheerfully answers calls with the question "Are you white?"), to take over a class at Marion Barry High School in Inner City, U.S.A. Marion Barry High is a far cry from the ivory-tower atmosphere of Wellington; the statue in the courtyard holds a crack pipe, the Michigan Militia sets up a booth for career day, and there's so much violence on campus that the school has its own graveyard; however, Clark is determined to reach his thick-headed charges, and he hopes to also make an impression on Victoria Chappell (Tia Carrere), a beautiful woman also on the teaching staff. Clark does battle with Evelyn Doyle (Louise Fletcher), the school's militaristic principal, in an effort to raise standards for the school's star straight-C students, and he finds that he's getting through to one of the school's toughest students, Grig (Mekhi Phifer). Screenwriters Pat Proft and David Zucker helped create The Naked Gun and its follow-ups. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

39% liked it

35,612 ratings

Critics

13% liked it

15 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Hart Bochner

Release Date: October 25, 1996

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DVD Release Date: March 31, 1998

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Stats: 888 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (888)


  • June 21, 2011
    Funny and terrible.
  • October 8, 2009
    I don't care what anyone says, this is a hilarious movie and one of the best of its year. Jon Lovitz: "Oh my God." Tia Carrere: "What is it?" Jon: "You're still a virgin." Tia: "No I'm not!" *cat screeches loudly. One of the funniest parts of a movie, ever.
  • September 28, 2009
    Not in the least bit funny.
  • August 10, 2009
    yea i dont want to insult John Lovits because i like him, so i just wont say anyhting about Highscool high
  • March 4, 2007
    I don't care what anyone says. I loved this movie when I was 12, and I still think it's funny as hell.
  • January 25, 2007
    stupid but had some funny parts, like the rhine stone cowboy
  • December 12, 2011
    pretty good, but had some loose scenes. besides that it was special!
  • January 23, 2011
    I wanted to see this movie because Jon Lovitz is on the cast list and because this movie was made by the same people who made Airplane. I thought this movie was much fun and Jon Lovitz is entertaining as always.
  • December 25, 2007
    Hilarious!
  • May 18, 2010
    A decent parody of inspirational school dramas.I think Lovitz works better in supporting comedic roles, but he did well in this.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
USA Today

Except for dated homages to Deer Hunter and Rebel Without a Cause, High tries to squeeze guffaws out of the crumbling educational system, not exactly gut-buster material.

Michael Dequina
September 14, 2005
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Does drive home a few laughs, but not nearly as many as the Zucker name would lead you to believe. Full Review

David Nusair
August 1, 2003
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

High School High has one or two genuine laughs with several chuckle-worthy moments peppered throughout, but this is pretty much a lackluster effort. Full Review

Clint Morris
July 11, 2003
Clint Morris, Film Threat

One joke movie that's one joke too long

Frank Ochieng
June 4, 2003
Frank Ochieng, TheWorldJournal.com

The normally riotous Lovitz flunks the test in this farcical school daze. There's nothing remotely academic about Bochner's High School High

Jeffrey Westhoff
August 16, 2002
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Strings together hilarious series of gags at the beginning and end, but in the middle High School High makes the mistake of having a story.

Lawrence Van Gelder
May 20, 2003
Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Stack
January 1, 2000
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Facts


    • Richard Clark: [trying to act high] Oh, this shit be kickin'!

High School High : Watch Free on TV


High School High Trivia


  • Which 1979 movie featuring The Ramones was originally supposed to be called Disco High?  Answer »
  • Jennifer Jason Leigh actually worked for a month at the same pizza place her character does in which 1980's high school movie?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow play two dumb blondes who go to their ten year high school reunion and pretend to be successful businesswomen?   Answer »
  • Which school do Sandy & Danny attend in Grease?  Answer »

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