Cooley High

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Cooley High

PG

Released Jan 1, 1975

1h 47m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

85%

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52 Reviews

88%

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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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Critics Consensus

Cooley High crackles with vibrant energy and authenticity, elevated by an impressively natural cast and Michael Schultz's effortless direction.

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Margo Jefferson

Newsweek

It is a smart, very affecting movie.

Aug 15, 2025

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James Walcott

Village Voice

The surprise of Cooley High is that it is a schlock concept which transcends its limitation by becoming a celebration of black brotherhood.

Aug 15, 2025

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

The film has a fierce, funny and wholly delightful energy of its own.

Aug 15, 2025

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Patrick Taggart

Austin American-Statesman

It's all good fun and good acting up until the last ten minutes.

Aug 15, 2025

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R.H. Gardner

Baltimore Sun

It is, in short, friendly, funny, tender and touching; and I strongly recommend it.

Aug 15, 2025

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Emerson Batdorff

Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Cooley High” stacks up as a fairly entertaining movie.

Aug 15, 2025

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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

Full Review

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Michael Schultz

Director

Glynn Turman

Preacher

Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs

Richard "Cochise" Morris

Garrett Morris

Mr. Mason

Cynthia Davis

Brenda

Corin Rogers

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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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