Dangerous Minds

Play trailer

Dangerous Minds

R

Released Aug 11, 1995

1h 39m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

34%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Former Marine Louanne Johnson (Michelle Pfeiffer) lands a gig teaching in a pilot program for bright but underachieving teens at a notorious inner-city high school. After having a terrible first day, she decides she must throw decorum to the wind. When Johnson returns to the classroom, she does so armed with a no-nonsense attitude informed by her military training and a fearless determination to better the lives of her students -- no matter what the cost.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Rife with stereotypes that undermine its good intentions, Dangerous Minds is too blind to see that the ones it hurts are the audience.

Read Critics Reviews

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Pfeiffer gives a funny, scrappy performance that makes you feel a committed teacher's fire to make a difference.

May 12, 2001

Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

The tale screenwriter Ronald Bass came up with, and the way director John N. Smith tells it, is stereotypical, predictable and simplified to the point of meaninglessness.

Feb 13, 2001

Full Review

Todd James

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

Often these students seem a little too easy to tame, but on this level, Dangerous Minds is enjoyable.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 29, 2024

Full Review

Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

If you liked Sidney Portier in To Sir With Love, this is the film for you.

May 13, 2022

Full Review

Margaret A. McGurk

Cincinnati Enquirer

[Dangerous Minds] tells a story that, frankly, we've heard before. Yet it tells that story with such piercing emotion that it seems brand new.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 19, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Serena F

One of the best movies ever!!! Michelle Pifer is one of my fav actresses of all time!! Makes me cry every time I watch it. Beautiful story line!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Don’t remember much about it but emotional

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/05/24

Full Review

Aj L

Brilliant movie and nostalgic too, one of my favourites!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/31/24

Full Review

Ulric S

you should watch this movie it is a fucking 12/10. people who think this movie is bad are fucking retarded.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/23

Full Review

Dustin D

Corny, unrealistic. The performances elevate the made-for-TV-quality script.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Steve D

You have seen it before but it is still effective.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

John N. Smith

Director

Michelle Pfeiffer

Louanne Johnson

George Dzundza

Hal Griffith

Courtney B. Vance

Mr. George Grandey

Robin Bartlett

Ms. Carla Nichols

Bruklin Harris

Callie Roberts

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Dead Presidents

49%

78%

Dead Presidents

Watchlist

Firelight

41%

82%

Firelight

Watchlist

The Joy Luck Club

86%

89%

The Joy Luck Club

Watchlist

One Good Cop

14%

36%

One Good Cop

Watchlist

G.I. Jane

53%

53%

G.I. Jane

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Box Office Guru Preview: New Year Brings New Crop of Pics

Critical Consensus: "Lady" Is All Wet; "Ex" Is Not Super; "House" Is Scary, "Clerks" Is Funny

Critical Consensus: Take Or Leave This "Lead,: An Odd "Number," "Benchwarmers"

View more photos

Synopsis

Former Marine Louanne Johnson (Michelle Pfeiffer) lands a gig teaching in a pilot program for bright but underachieving teens at a notorious inner-city high school. After having a terrible first day, she decides she must throw decorum to the wind. When Johnson returns to the classroom, she does so armed with a no-nonsense attitude informed by her military training and a fearless determination to better the lives of her students -- no matter what the cost.

Director: John N. Smith
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer, Don Simpson
Screenwriter: LouAnne Johnson, Ronald Bass
Distributor: Hollywood Pictures Home Video, Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Via Rosa Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 11, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $84.9M
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now