Cooley High

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Cooley High

PG

Released Jan 1, 1975

1h 47m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

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19 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Richard "Cochise" Morris (Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs), a local basketball hero, and Leroy "Preach" Jackson (Glynn Turman), who dreams of a career in writing, are likable Chicago high school students in 1960s Chicago. They're into hanging out with friends, pretty girls and the Motown sounds so popular during the era. Each wants to make it big in his own way, but not everybody they meet is looking out for them, as they learn when a seemingly harmless outing goes awry.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

Michael Schultz’s 1975 film Cooley High is the rare teenage remembrance to consider the role of money in everyday life.

Dec 21, 2022

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Time Out

Something of a disappointment.

Feb 9, 2006

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Nov 27, 2002

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s episodic and has a rambling quality—these guys are basically marking time in high school—and a vivid sense of place and culture.

Apr 26, 2025

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

while it does not shy away from the harsh realities of growing up poor and black in the inner city in the early 1960s, it does not wallow in victimhood, either, showing how its characters lead determined, vibrant lives

Rated: 3/4

Mar 27, 2023

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Aaron Neuwirth

Why So Blu

This is the sort of comedy that aims to present a particular era but uses ideas surrounding friendship and the loss of innocence that remain timeless and universal in their own way, and on a minimal budget, no less.

Rated: 4/10

Dec 19, 2022

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Gael C

ME GUSTO MUCHO COOLEY HIGH 1975 ME GUSTARÍA VERLA OTRA VEZ EN PRIME VIDEO

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/29/25

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Horror fan 4

What a great coming of age movie. The soundtrack alone is amazing but the performances were really good to. Heartbreaking movie to say the least. Tim Treakle

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

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CodyZamboni Z

Pleasant , you are there, realistic depiction of 1964 teenage life in Chicago, An American Graffiti type story, a slice of life, with appealing performances, a good soundtrack, a sobering ending,

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/24

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Michael F

This is a true classic and has it all from drama to comedy to racial tension. Terrific acting all around and a very well done plot that grips you through the entirety of this film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

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Mike F

This film is a true classic that I was fortunate enough to discover as a teenager in the early 90's and have enjoyed watching many times. Compelling dramatic story about black teens growing up in a tough Chicago neighborhood with some drizzles of comedy sprinkled in just right.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/18/23

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Audience Member

Featuring the music of Mo-Town it’s one of the early 1970s pictures that changed the landscape of black cinema Unlike many of the blaxploitation films that came out where that were fierce and over the top this one takes a more relatable approach A group of kids growing up in the Chicago projects during the 1960s just trying to survive and live their finest years even if it means cutting class parading around the city One student named Preach wants to become a successful writer, his buddy Cochise is applying for a scholarship for basketball They just have to work their way around joyriding, girls, and avoid getting tangled with street thugs Directed by Robert Townsend the film truly represents its Chicago residents about the poverty-stricken, racially oppressed, and the black identity But it gives hope that just because someone is from the hood doesn’t mean they will not be good to have a future and make a life for themselves ‘Cooley High’ speaks to the black community about of a lot of things and that’s always welcome

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/29/23

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Michael Schultz

Director

Glynn Turman

Preacher

Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs

Richard "Cochise" Morris

Garrett Morris

Mr. Mason

Cynthia Davis

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Synopsis

Richard "Cochise" Morris (Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs), a local basketball hero, and Leroy "Preach" Jackson (Glynn Turman), who dreams of a career in writing, are likable Chicago high school students in 1960s Chicago. They're into hanging out with friends, pretty girls and the Motown sounds so popular during the era. Each wants to make it big in his own way, but not everybody they meet is looking out for them, as they learn when a seemingly harmless outing goes awry.

Director: Michael Schultz
Producer: Steve Krantz
Screenwriter: Eric Monte
Distributor: American International Pictures
Production Co: American International Pictures (AIP)
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1975, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 11, 2017
Runtime: 1h 47m

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