The School of Rock

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2:23

The School of Rock

PG-13

Released Oct 3, 2003

1h 48m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

92%

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201 Reviews

64%

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250,000+ Ratings

Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates -- much to the consternation of the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). As he gets his privileged and precocious charges in touch with their inner rock 'n' roll animals, he imagines redemption at a local Battle of the Bands.

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Critics Consensus

Black's exuberant, gleeful performance turns School of Rock into a hilarious, rocking good time.

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

Yet there are subversive details that elevate it beyond standard feelgood fare, notably Black’s insistence on treating his young charges like battle-hardened veterans...

Rated: 4/5

Sep 8, 2023

Full Review

Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

School of Rock just doesn't rock. It has no appetite for destruction. No raw power. It's like late Whitesnake. Tidied-up, over-produced. Jack Black is not, sad to say, Jack White.

Dec 20, 2017

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Standout Jack Black in nerd-becomes-cool comedy.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

Full Review

Jack Walters

Loud and Clear Reviews

"School of Rock is a hilarious comedy that places Jack Black right in his comfort zone with a charming narrative about the power of self-belief."

Rated: 4/5

Jan 18, 2025

Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

Vibrant, charming and adorable, School of Rock delivers on all fronts thanks to Jack Black's peak performance, talented young cast and amazing music/soundtrack. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 9, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It sounds like the sort of sanitized product that might have starred Eddie Murphy (Dokken Day Care?), yet what gives the movie any semblance of an edge is Jack Black.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 4, 2023

Full Review

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Mate P

School of Rock is about nothing but pure joy and constant smiling. I expected a goofy and funny movie, but this is so much more fun and amazing than I expected. This film reminded me how much I love music, making it and listening to it. I have a special connection to it, because a similar thing happened to me in elementary school. The characters are quite simple and stereotypical, but surprisingly that works perfectly here. All the characters have some kind of arc even if it's just a small one. There are great themes, but Dewey also makes some very questionable things. The direction could not be better, this movie is pure magic. The opening credits are so creative. The cinematography is good and with great editing the two work perfectly in sync. The soundtrack is awesome with some great picks and the original songs rock hard too. The cast is not too famous, but every role went to the right actor. The kids are so great and there are a few longer takes where they had to perform for a relatively long time. I could say Jack Black disappears into the role, but it's kind of his real self. School of Rock is such pure magic that I couldn't stop smiling despite the questionable things the protagonist did.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

Full Review

Jake S

Name another movie like this? I honestly can’t. The kids, the adults, the story, the music, all one of a kind. Such a fun movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/11/25

Full Review

Martin W

A heart warming, life assuring, light hearted movie that will make you smile. Jack Black is in top form and all the kids performed brilliantly. Fun for all the family!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

Full Review

john h

Clever, funny and a bundle of artistic rhythm. The School of Rock is a creative and spellbinding masterpiece in the genres of music and drama. Jack Black's ability to hook us in with his passion for not only inventing music, but living and breathing it is entertaining and a wise investment of one's time.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

Full Review

Zane B

Watched twice, both times didn’t disappoint, such a good movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

Full Review

Alexander T

This movie is just perfect. It’s one of my favorites. It’s truly a classic with a great story and setting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

Full Review

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Richard Linklater

Director

Jack Black

Dewey Finn

Joan Cusack

Rosalie Mullins

Mike White

Ned Schneebly

Sarah Silverman

Patty

Jordan-Claire Green

Michelle

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Stick-it-to-the-man-eosis

1:40

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Telling Off Schneebly

1:25

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Dewey's Code of Conduct

1:07

The School of Rock: Official Clip - The Rock Band Project

1:23

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Wound Too Tight

1:18

The School of Rock: Official Clip - The Man

1:57

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Creating Musical Fusion

1:54

The School of Rock: Official Clip - New Schedule

1:24

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Hung Over

2:06

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Learning in Song

2:13

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School of Rock: Trailer 1

2:23

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Synopsis

Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates -- much to the consternation of the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). As he gets his privileged and precocious charges in touch with their inner rock 'n' roll animals, he imagines redemption at a local Battle of the Bands.

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Scott Rudin
Screenwriter: Mike White
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Rude Humor|Some Drug References)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $81.3M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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