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Back to School
1986 96 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★7.0
Comedy
Director: Alan Metter
Trailers
EN
Teaser
EN
Description
Self-made millionaire Thornton Melon decides to get a better education and enrolls at his son Jason's college. While Jason tries to fit in with his fellow students, Thornton struggles to gain his son's respect, giving way to hilarious antics.
Budget:
$11M
US Gross:
$91.26M
Worldwide:
$91.26M
Starring
Rodney Dangerfield
Actor
Sally Kellerman
Actor
Burt Young
Actor
Awards
1 win & 2 nominations total
Key opinion
Back to School is widely regarded as a quintessential 80s comedy that relies heavily on the singular charisma of Rodney Dangerfield. While critics are divided on the film's structural quality and aging tropes, audiences and fans maintain it remains a nostalgic, culturally relevant, and highly entertaining piece of classic cinema.
| Acting | Rodney Dangerfield’s charismatic lead performance acts as the film's primary anchor and comedic engine. | |
| Culture | The film functions as a beloved piece of 80s nostalgia that continues to resonate with audiences through its themes of academic life. | |
| Acting | The supporting performances, featuring early work from Robert Downey Jr. and others, are viewed by some as iconic flashes of talent, while others find the surrounding cast to be underdeveloped caricatures. | |
| Screenplay | The script is frequently described as weak or reliant on stale tropes, though supporters argue that Dangerfield's relentless, high-energy delivery effectively masks these narrative shortcomings. | |
| Direction | Views on the direction are polarized, ranging from praise for successfully capturing 80s charm to criticism for lacking technical polish and feeling uninspired. |