It’s graduation season!
Congratulations, graduates! Time for moving on to new adventures. I find watching relatable movies to be a helpful way to get through this scary and exciting time of big change. If you are graduating high school or college this year, then I have the movie marathon list that is sure to bring on the feels.
High School Graduation:
Grease (1978)
Rydell High’s senior class of ’59 is a classic that only gets better when you watch it your senior year.
High School Musical 3 (2008)
This Disney movie has become a classic and relatable graduation must-watch. As the characters all plan to go off on their own adventures, the graduation mix of “We’re All in This Together” is sure to bring a few tears to your eyes.
Pretty in Pink (1986)
The perfect prom flick, this Molly Ringwald classic is all about breaking down stereotypes, but let’s just agree that Ducky stole the show in this.
She’s All That (1999)
This is a great ’90s high school retelling of Pygmalion, and it showcases a naked diploma acceptance by Freddie Prinze, Jr!
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
High school seniors play hooky from school, and shenanigans ensue. This film is great to watch in high school, and it reminds us that “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Paper Towns (2015!)
The newest John Green book-to-movie adaptation comes out on July 24th of this year, and it’s sure to become a classic grad movie, with a graduation scene that segues into a comedic road trip.
Harry Potter (2009-2011)
The 6th Harry Potter movie, The Half Blood Prince, feels like Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s senior year at Hogwarts, but parts one and two of The Deathly Hallows can help put your life in perspective when you think about the fact that the Battle of Hogwarts is happening when those poor kids should be graduating. (It’s best to watch all three, just to be safe.)
College Graduation:
Post grad flicks can be much darker than the high school comedies. A common theme seems to be: “So you graduated, now what?” This can be both bleak and relatable as we ourselves struggle to find our niche in the real world.
Reality Bites (1994)
Being the valedictorian of your university does not guarantee you a job, as we learn in this movie about life after college.
Post Grad (2009)
In this movie, Alexis Bledel also learns that life after college is not easy.
St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
This Brat Pack flick centers around seven college friends as they struggle to make it in the real world and stay friends after graduation.
Legally Blonde (2001)
For an uplifting post grad movie, this Reese Witherspoon flick is a true winner. Although she fights the whole time for some respect, she ends up making a place for herself in the world.
Bonus! TV Show:
Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
This TV Show covers so much (and is currently on Netflix!). Season 3 episode 22 is a great high school graduation episode, and Rory’s speech is sure to draw some tears and laughter. The 7th and final season was incredibly well done. Watching the last season while in your senior year of college can be extremely relatable. If you have watched if already, go back and watch it when you are graduating, and it will be a whole different experience.