59 College Movies That Will Make You Want to Play Flip Cup Immediately
IDK, maybe twin XL sheets aren’t so bad.
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Do you ever wish you could go back to college and hang out with friends for a weekend? It sure sounds like a great idea, but I can promise you it’s not. You’re just feeling nostalgic. Have you forgotten that all the floors are sticky and the food is nasty? Don’t make me remind you of the smell of Raspberry Smirnoff.
But, if you're just a wee 18-year-old who has been anticipating for college to come so you can go through all of the cringey things above, welcome. Life is about to be a wiiiild ride. There's gonna be lots of parties, hookups, cup noodles, and trips to the library, but it's gonna be the freakin' best. PROMISE. Take it from someone who's been there—cherish all the daygers and sleepless nights. Or, if you’re here just trying to relive all your fave memories or wanting to pre-game before the inevitable reunion party, there’s probably a college movie that will do the trick.
We've got a lil something for everyone, from the college grad who has no idea what they're doing (#relatable), to the kid who's literally just trying to survive their first day of freshman year, to the horror movie that stars a whole bunch of 20-year-olds. Head into your very adult living room (you have coasters now!!) or turn on that TV that you've had since you were in middle school and watch one of these 59 college movies.
Shithouse
Young filmmaker Cooper Raiff’s directorial debut Shithouse is an instant coming-of-age classic. Raiff also stars in the film, playing a lonely college freshman named Alex who struggles with creating a new social life, lying to his mother about all the fun he’s having, and ultimately spending most of his time in his twin XL. One night, he decides to attend a party at a frat house, lovingly dubbed “Shithouse,” where he meets a girl.
American Animals
This 2018 heist film stars Evan Peters and Barry Keoghan, amongst others, as college students who decide to steal rare books for cash. The film is based on a true story known as “The Transylvania University book heist,” which took place in Kentucky in 2004.
A Beautiful Mind
College, but not undergraduate. A Beautiful Mind stars Russell Crowe as John Nash, a mathematics genius who struggled with schizophrenia. The film, which was released in 2001, went on to win four Oscars—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress.
CODA
This Oscar-winning coming-of-age drama follows Ruby, the only hearing member of her deaf family, who must make a decision about her life post high school. She wavers between staying at home to help lead her family’s business, or auditioning for Berklee College of Music to pursue singing.
The Internship
College adjacent, The Internship stars Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as two down-on-their-luck salesmen who land the internship of every college student's dream – a stint at Google. The film also stars Rose Byrne, Max Minghella, Josh Gad, and Dylan O’Brien.
Real Genius
This 1985 sci-fi comedy stars Val Kilmer as a genius-level college senior who is paired with a new student to work on a chemical laser weapon at a science and engineering university, like Caltech. Together, the pair tinker in labs and party in dorms, classic college.
The Waterboy
Written by and starring Adam Sandler, The Waterboy follows the stuttering Bobby Boucher Jr., a “mentally challenged” 31-year-old man who takes a job as the waterboy for the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs, a football team with a 40-game losing streak, a team of alcoholic cheerleaders and mascots, and a slashed budget.
National Lampoon’s Van Wilder
Comedian Bert Kreischer’s origin story (seriously), Van Wilder is an off-the-rails collegiate comedy based on a 6-page Rolling Stone article that dubbed Kreischer, “the top partier at the Number One Party School in the country.” The film stars Ryan Reynolds as a seventh-year college senior, enough said.
Mona Lisa Smile
This 2003 drama stars Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, and Maggie Gyllenhaal as a graduate professor and three art history students at Wellesley College in 1953. Upon discovering that her students have memorized the entire curriculum, the professor (Roberts) introduces them to modern art and encourages them to aim higher than marriage.
Larry Crowne
Another Julia Roberts slam dunk, Larry Crowne sees the actress alongside Tom Hanks. The 2011 film was inspired by Hanks’ time spent studying at Chabot College, following a middle aged man who returns to education after losing his job.
The Graduate
Most people only know this as the "older lady seduces young guy" movie, but it's really about being a grad, having no idea what you're doing, and making some bad decisions. So, everyone?
American Graffiti
K, technically this is about a bunch of HS grads cruising around a town in Cali and getting up to wild adventures just before they start college, but if you're into nostalgic teen shenanigans, um, watch rtfn.
I Used to Go Here
Kate (Gillian Jacobs) is dealing with a brutal breakup and bad book sales, so she copes by going back to her old college and...hanging with some students? It's funnier and more relatable than it sounds.
Starter for 10
You will recognize a whole bunch of famous British faces (hi, James McEvoy! Benedict Cumberbatch??) in this slice of life portrayal of a university student. We didn't say these all had to be ~American~ college experiences, did we??
Neighbors 2
Don't worry, the original is on here, but this is the rare time when the sequel is just as funny as the first. Same basic premise (a married couple faces off against a sorority next door), with a very slightly more mature execution.
Like Crazy
This one is an intense watch (also because the late Anton Yelchin is devastatingly good in it), but worth it: An exchange student falls in love with an American, overstays her visa, and is deported. Drama ensues.
Scream 2
Stay with me—yes, this is a horror movie, but it's not a bad sequel. And it covers the ongoing scaries of poor Sydney (Neve Campbell) just trying to be a drama student in college and not be murdered.
Happy Death Day
Living the same day at college would be tough enough, but what if you were a sorority girl and someone was literally murdering you in a time loop? Yup, that's what's happening in this awesome horror movie.
Bodies Bodies Bodies
Imagine the horrific delights of a college party game gone wrong, featuring Pete Davidson, Amandla Stenberg, and Lee Pace.
School Daze
Spike Lee's early film is all about homecoming weekend at an HBCU. Like life, the film is...messy, but it has lots of important stuff to say (not to mention a young Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, and Samuel L. Jackson).
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