Kids in America poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Gregory Smith, Stephanie Sherrin, Malik Yoba, Julie Bowen, Caitlin Wachs ... see more see more... , Emy Coligado , Crystal Grant , Christopher Morris IV , Alex Anfanger , Adam Arkin , George Wendt , Andrew Shaifer , Nicole Richie , Rosanna Arquette , Elizabeth Perkins , Charles Shaughnessy , W. Earl Brown , Kim Coles , Samantha Mathis , Amy Hill , Michelle Phillips , Derrick Jones , Ron Perkins , Tim Griffin , Derek Webster , Suzanne Krull , Jeff Chase , Steven Rosenbaum , Damien Luvara , Antoinette Peragine , Owen Williams , Michael Tubbs , Genevieve Cortese , Leila Charles Leigh , Marcella Lentz-Pop , Justin Halliwell , Matthew Brent , Raymond Braun , Rakefet Abergel , Rosalie Ward , Eamon Roache , Mary Strong , Steve Kim , Tim Spears , Johnny Estes , Charlie Paxson , Jimmy Messer , Chris Morris , Crystal Celeste Grant

Teenagers stand up for their rights and take on the woman who wants to scuttle their freedoms in this comedy drama inspired by a true story. Principal Weller (Julie Bowen) is the ambitious but hard-he... read more read more...aded leader of Booker High School. Weller plans to run for superintendent of her school district, and believes if she wants to win she needs to project the image of a no-nonsense leader, and with that in mind she begins cracking down on what she sees as discipline problems at Booker High. However, in many cases what she sees as kids out of control are seen by others as kids expressing themselves, including a girl who wants to distribute condoms to recognize National Safe Sex Day, and two boys who are caught kissing in the hallway between classes. Mr. Drucker (Malik Yoba) is a teacher at Booker who tries to champion the students' rights of free expression, but his conflicts with Principal Weller end up costing him his job when he's fired for questioning her authority. Holden Donovan (Gregory Smith) is a student at Booker who is alarmed that the students have lost one of their few allies, and decides to do something about it -- along with his classmates, he sets out to establish and defend the right of free expression for high-school students, and launches a campaign against Weller's bid to become superintendent. Kids in America also stars Stephanie Sherrin, Nicole Richie, Adam Arkin, George Wendt, and Elizabeth Perkins. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

66% liked it

7,261 ratings

Critics

17% liked it

35 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Josh Stolberg

Release Date: October 21, 2005

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 7, 2006

Get It:

Stats: 385 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Kids in America Kids in America nicole richie Caitlin Wachs study nicole Kids in America When they're all in Holden's car. that was in the credits..
Upload a Photo | View All Kids in America Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (385)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 15, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    As far as I'm concerned, Kids In America is very underrated. What you have here with this film is a comedy that exposes an important subject. People hate on this film because of the fact that Nicole Ritchie plays in this film. Well, her role I thought was so minimal that it reall... read morey didn't bring anything memorable to the film. Her role wasn't an essential part of the film. I didn't care to see her on screen, and she didn't annoy me in the process. What I love about Kids In America is that it's very different that your usual Teen comedy. Where the usual teen comedy insults teens for what they usually "are", Kids In America takes a different, refreshing approach and creates something funny, charming but above all, smart. The casting choices are well done, and every actor is perfect for the part they played. The film is very entertaining, funny and well crafted. This is an underrated film that shouldn't be passed up. Most Teen comedies fail to capture what teen life really is about, but Kids In America is the only film of it's kind that is smart and exposes issues that people don't even care about. Kids In America is a better film than what people might think. A well acted film with laughs and drama about important teen issues. Sure the film could have been improved upon, but for what it does, it captures the essence of what growing up really is, and that is one of the reasons that this film works so well.
  • grimmna
    July 15, 2007
    grimmna
    Honestly I thought it was going to suck.. but there is a certain real edge to the movie that you don't find in the vast majority of "teen movies".. Most of the dialogue and characters are spot on, teens act like teens.. yet it still manages to be entertaining and humorous while c... read morearrying a message without caving and going to extremes..No names for all but three of the major roles (Gregory Smith, Caitlin Wachs and Julie Bowen) adds to the feel.. A few moments of stupidity and one particular character hurt the movie.. but there are a few great standout scenes and characters that make up for it.. It's not perfect, but it wasn't meant to be.. otherwise you'd end up with that carbon copy teen movie..
  • PhotoDork
    July 1, 2011
    PhotoDork
    When i first saw the tralier to this movie i thought i t was crap. But I it came on tv and i really like the story and the chaters. Pretty awsome movie really.
  • LexiCleveland1
    November 4, 2010
    LexiCleveland1
    Ok one of my new favorite movies it is so inspiring,sad,and it gives you that tingling feeling which only some movies can do. This movies was the best movie i have seen in a long time it has romance,comety,and a moving plot and its based on realy story and it makes you glad that ... read moredidnt happen to you.And yes there is no sex scene but theres like 20 full minutes of girl and guy,girl on girl,and even some guy on guy kissing.Realy this movie had the best makeout scene ever.But it had some realy good actors some great actors realy like Caitlin Wachs and Gregory Smith and Stephanie Sherrin did amazing jobs the were perfect. Than the movie it self was amazing and the soundtrack is amazing its kind of like the american pie soundtracks but just as good.So if you are def,blind,a zombie or vampire, or anything else go watch this movie.
  • DownBoy
    June 24, 2007
    DownBoy
    Very well done, I thought that it was excellent! Was a shame that this was a sleeper at the box office
  • cak91687
    June 4, 2007
    cak91687
    original and it made me feel like my school system at times... the kissing reenactments were awesome too!
  • boys4mex3
    May 23, 2007
    boys4mex3
    This was a lot better flick than I thought it would be. It's all about adults learning to listen to the children..cause sometimes, they really do know what they are talking about.
  • kellix
    March 10, 2007
    kellix
    Another idiotic teenager movie about some pompous high school students who think they are smarter than they really are. Bad acting, unlikeable characters, stupid plot, AND Nicole Richie. Need I say more? Trash!
  • misasue03
    February 17, 2007
    misasue03
    I seriously thought this was going to be just another teen movie..boy was I wrong. Oh yeah I also want the lead character's movie collection.
  • sakurastar07
    January 15, 2007
    sakurastar07
    SUPER FUNNY! Extremely preverted, gay & taking down "the man"...what all good OLDER teen movies should have!

View All Kids in America Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper
October 24, 2005
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

What a wasted opportunity. Full Review

Justin Chang
October 21, 2005
Justin Chang, Variety

Would be easier to root for if it weren't so very pleased with itself. Full Review

Roger Moore
October 21, 2005
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

A feeble call to arms, and inept entertainment to boot. Full Review

Lisa Rose
October 21, 2005
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger

While a title card at the beginning of the picture says the story is inspired by true events, it really should read, 'Inspired by another film.' Full Review

Lou Lumenick
October 21, 2005
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Filmmaker Josh Stolberg claims to have been inspired by real-life events, but mostly he ineptly rips off other movies and wastes a cast that includes Rosanna Arquette, Adam Arkin and Elizabeth Perkins.

Elizabeth Weitzman
October 21, 2005
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

You get the exhausting feeling that Stolberg is desperately trying to prove how cool he is. Full Review

Terry Lawson
October 21, 2005
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

An anti-Bush, pro-First Amendment, completely ridiculous fight-the-power comedy that happens to have been inspired by actual events.

Roger Ebert
October 21, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

You know all those 'brainless high school comedies'? Here's what one would look like if it had brains. Full Review

Sean Means
October 21, 2005
Sean Means, Film.com

This indie teen movie is like a cafeteria lunch tray: lots of little compartments, with nothing particularly appetizing in any of them.

Sheri Linden
October 21, 2005
Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter

Well-meaning but woefully unconvincing.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Detonator
    The Detonator (40%)
  • Superman Returns
    Superman Returns (28%)
  • Cheats
    Cheats (33%)
  • School of Life
    School of Life (54%)

More Movies like Kids in America

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Kids in America : Watch Free on TV

Kids in America Trivia

  • In the movie "Kids in America" whenthe girls where told to kiss someone who did they all kiss?  Answer »
  • Never say never, which Kids movie had featured a mouse named Fievel looking for his family in America?  Answer »
  • What was the movie that had Nicole Richie in it, the ,movie was about teenagers fighting for their rights at school?  Answer »
More Kids in America Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Kids in America. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Kids in America to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Kids in America News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?