Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

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Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

PG

2016

1h 32m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Rafe Khatchadorian (Griffin Gluck) has an epic imagination and a slight problem with authority, and these things collide when he transfers to a middle school where students are expected to follow the rules. This doesn't sit well with Rafe. With help from his new friend Leo (Thomas Barbusca), the mischievous lad concocts schemes to drive his tyrannical principal (Andy Daly) crazy while also using his charm and wits to impress a girl (Isabela Moner) and battle the bullies.

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

Middle School is a treat for kids before they head back to their own classrooms.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 13, 2017

Full Review

Susan Wloszczyna

RogerEbert.com

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is better than middling as it sidesteps the trap of simply pandering to its youthful demo with cheap laughs and silly mugging.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 5, 2017

Full Review

Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

Channeling the spirit of John Hughes and playing like a tween version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life delivers an easily digestible and amusing portrait of youthful hijinks.

Oct 7, 2016

Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

...a fun romp for tweens with an important message for adults.

Aug 26, 2021

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Allen Adams

The Maine Edge

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is fluffy nonsense interspersed with moments of unsubtle emotion and occasional condescension.

Rated: 2.5

Feb 14, 2019

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Rachel Wagner

Rotoscopers

Middle School is kind of a rare breed these days and while it could have been better it's still an entertaining film in many ways.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 6, 2019

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Christian W

A forgettable movie full of weak acting, some unfunny humor, failed emotional beats, terrible and not good characters (seriously, I don’t know one good character), too unrealistic, and it’s too much of a Home Alone and Diary of the Wimpy Kid rip-off.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/03/25

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Jacob Ryan H

middle school the worst years of my life was cool though!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/25

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I Am F

Ticks all of the boxes of being a masterpiece with being a feel good movie

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/10/25

Full Review

g m

Middle School the worst years of my life, is a great film. I think it was an awesome, idea too show all the funny parts in an anime film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

August M

As someone who enjoyed reading the Middle School Books this movie did feel like it was actually written as a screen adaptation of the first Middle School Book however there’s one character who’s personality was changed from how they’re portrayed in the book and that’s Leo which was I Change that I wasn’t a fan of.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

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Audience Member

I remember watching this years ago, really heartwarming at times and funny

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/25

Full Review

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Steve Carr

Director

Griffin Gluck

Rafe

Lauren Graham

Jules

Rob Riggle

Bear

Thomas Barbusca

Leo

Andrew Daly

Dwight

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Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life: Trailer 2

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Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life: 'Read Along' Trailer

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Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life: Trailer 1

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Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life: Teaser Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Rafe Khatchadorian (Griffin Gluck) has an epic imagination and a slight problem with authority, and these things collide when he transfers to a middle school where students are expected to follow the rules. This doesn't sit well with Rafe. With help from his new friend Leo (Thomas Barbusca), the mischievous lad concocts schemes to drive his tyrannical principal (Andy Daly) crazy while also using his charm and wits to impress a girl (Isabela Moner) and battle the bullies.

Director: Steve Carr
Producer: Leopoldo Gout, Bill Robinson
Screenwriter: Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Kara Holden
Distributor: CBS Films, Lionsgate Films
Production Co: CBS Films, James Patterson Entertainment
Rating: PG (Rude Humor Throughout|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 7, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.0M
Runtime: 1h 32m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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