There are certain coming-of-age films that manage to hold your hearts so very close and never lose the magic. 1898’s Dead Poets Society is undoubtedly one of those movies. It tells the story of an unconventional English teacher who arrives at a traditional all-boys boarding school and alters the methods of teaching by inspiring his students to break free and seize the day. Under his guidance, the young boys also form a secret society dedicated to sneaking out in the middle of the night and reading poetry.
The movie is anchored by an astounding performance from Robin Williams. He plays Professor John Keating, and his musings about life like “I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way,” and “Carpe diem,” are what make his students free-spirited and awakened with curiosity. No matter how many years pass, Dead Poets Society maintains its ability to take us back to the seminal moment of discovery that encouraged every individual to forge their own path in life.
Over the years, there have been several films that carry the same simple and powerful feeling and scratch the same itch as Dead Poets Society with their message of non-conformity, especially for those on the cusp of adulthood. It is no surprise that every generation of young thinkers and dreamers wants to feel seen and loved in one way or another. The movies on this list cradle that thought and continue to inspire and challenge perceptions in the same way Dead Poets Society did.
10 The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Release Date
- September 20, 2012
- Director
- Stephen Chbosky
- Cast
- logan lerman, Dylan McDermott, Kate Walsh, Patrick de Ledebur, Johnny Simmons, Brian Balzerini
- Rating
- PG-13
- Main Genre
- Drama
Stephen Chbosky adapts his own best-selling novel and turns it into a quintessential coming-of-age movie of the 2010s. The central character, Charlie, is a shy 15-year-old suffering from PTSD after the death of his best friend as he embarks on his freshman year of high school. He’s taken in by two empathetic seniors, Sam and Patrick, who open his world up to new experiences, help him regain his confidence, and confront his fears.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
Fans of Dead Poets Society will definitely get the way The Perks of Being a Wallflower deals with the subject of self-discovery and coming to terms with your trauma while being a teenager. Sam and Patrick, played wonderfully well by Emma Watson and Ezra Miller respectively, are absolutely wonderful. They bring Charlie into their unconventional circle and urge him to embrace his identity. Beyond being relatable, the movie also has an infectious soundtrack and some truly iconic sequences.
Stream on Showtime
9 Freedom Writers (2007)
Freedom Writers
- Release Date
- January 5, 2007
- Director
- Richard LaGravenese
- Cast
- Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, April L. Hernandez, Mario
- Rating
- PG-13
- Main Genre
- Biography
Directed by Richard LaGravenese, Freedom Writers is an astounding film that follows an idealistic teacher, Erin Gruwell, who accepts a tough job at a high school in Long Beach, California. Many of the at-risk students there are either involved in gang violence or come from challenging households. Regardless of being divided by race and prejudice, Erin recognizes the students’ potential and encourages them to create their own experiences and jot them down in journals.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
Both these films have a radical teacher who is determined to help students and nurture their talents. Hilary Swank imbues a lot of passion and belief in the role of Erin Gruwell, and just as Robin Williams’ John Keating sparked imagination in his students, she opens her class’ eyes to new possibilities, transformative education, and the power of literature.
Stream on Paramount+
8 Dangerous Minds (1995)
LouAnne Johnson is a retired US marine. Meaning, she comes from a disciplinary background and does not really have an appetite for bullshit. So, when she accepts a teaching job in a Californian high school and is faced with students from troubled homes, impacted by poverty and violence, she’s not easily pleased. However, LouAnne uses unorthodox techniques, connects with the students, and helps them find self-worth.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
Taking a rather altered approach than Dead Poets Society, Dangerous Minds shows a teacher that cares deeply about making a difference but is conformist in nature. Both the films, however, have this in common – the demonstration of how knowledge and compassion can uplift a youth that does not have traditional advantages and is in dire need of guidance. Michelle Pfeiffer brings immense heart to the role of LouAnne and turns the movie into a surprising hit.
Buy/Rent on Apple TV
7 The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Club
- Release Date
- February 15, 1985
- Director
- John Hughes
- Cast
- Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, John Kapelos, Judd Nelson
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Comedy
The Breakfast Club is an '80s classic. Set on a boring Saturday afternoon, the film follows five very different high school students meeting for detention at the school’s library. There’s the athlete, the basket case, the nerd, the princess, and the outcast criminal. At first, they keep to themselves, waiting for the day to be over. But slowly and gradually, they open up, shed their insecurities, and get to know one another’s hopes, fears, and circumstances.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
A movie that captures teenage angst definitely scratches the same itch as Dead Poets Society. Filmed only under one roof, the film brings together an unlikely assortment of characters who manage to find common ground by genuinely trying to care and understand one another. Like Robin Williams’ teachings about non-conformity, these students’ journey toward finding friendship speaks with anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong.
Stream on Freevee
6 Handsome Devil (2016)
Ned Roche is a newly enrolled student at an elite Irish boarding school that is obsessed with rugby. He gets the school’s star rugby player Conor Masters assigned as roommate. Though quite different, the two grow closer through their shared love of literature and music and become mates. But the rest of Conor’s teammates and authorities pass comments on Ned’s perceived orientation, which puts a strain on their bond.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
Handsome Devil uses education as a tool to explore some deeper themes of belonging, courage, and friendships that rise above bias. Apart from the breathtaking Irish backdrops, the film features honest performances from young stars Fionn O’Shea and Nicholas Galatzine. Andrew Scott, who plays an interesting new teacher, also gives the pupils life’s greatest lessons while being compassionate.
Stream on Peacock
5 Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
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Under Stephen Herek’s thoughtful and poignant direction, the story of a great composer, Glenn Holland, comes to life. As a gifted musician, Holland has always dreamt of composing a game-changing piece of music. But in the meantime, he takes a job teaching music at Oregon High School. Though frustrated at first with the students and the challenges, he grows to live sharing his passion with those who care and ends up staying in the profession for decades.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
Unlike Dead Poets Society, where one teacher transforms the lives of his students, Mr. Holland’s Opus shows how much impact students have on the lives of their teachers. Through passion, nourishment, and quiet resolve, they end up becoming the most rewarding aspects of an educator’s life. Richard Dreyfuss is absolutely magnificent in portraying a man who gives up on an orchestra of success and chooses to speak to students instead.
Stream on Disney+
4 Good Will Hunting (1997)
Good Will Hunting
- Release Date
- December 5, 1997
- Director
- Gus Van Sant
- Cast
- Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, Minnie Driver, Casey Affleck
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Drama
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for writing Good Will Hunting together. And suffice it to say, the story is truly remarkable enough. It centers around will, a gifted man who works as a janitor at MIT but secretly solves complex mathematical equations. When his rare talent is discovered, he ends up in the counseling office of psychiatrist Dr Sean Maguire, who helps him confront his painful past, recover, and allow his true potential to shine.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
Weighing more on the dramatic and emotional side, Good Will Hunting thrives in its exploration of a genius mind buried under the weight of rejection and trauma. Like Will, we all yearn to blossom. But the fact that he receives Robin Williams as a mentor figure is genuinely transformative. Dead Poets Society’s trademark warmth, empathy, understanding, and eventual light is what brings honesty to the film.
Stream on Max
3 Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Mona Lisa Smile
- Release Date
- December 19, 2003
- Director
- Mike Newell
- Cast
- Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ginnifer Goodwin, Dominic West
- Rating
- PG-13
- Main Genre
- Drama
Another incredibly affecting film is Mona Lisa Smile. In it, Julia Roberts plays Katherine Watson. The year is 1953 and Katherine works as a teacher at Wellesley College, one of America’s most revered women’s schools. However, she finds herself disappointed with the school’s ideals and methods of teaching young women to conform and not think freely. She takes a direct approach where inspires the girls to question their predetermined paths and define success on their own terms.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
In a way, Mona Lisa Smile is the female version of Dead Poets Society. Like the latter, it also reflects a time in history where perspectives were rapidly changing and the youth was torn, yearning to look beyond the surface of books but scared to be defined as anything other than normal. As for women, they were taught about their worth being limited to the man they marry. Mona Lisa Smile boasts a wonderful cast of Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ginnifer Goodwin and Julia Stiles, all of whom define a generation of rebels.
Stream on Hulu
2 Tolkien (2019)
Tolkien is a much recent biographical drama directed by Dome Karukoski and written by David Gleeson and Stephen Beresford. It depicts the English professor and author J.R.R. Tolkien as a young student at Oxford University, where he forms tight bonds with fellow writers at his literary club. Meanwhite, his romance with his beloved Edith during the approach of World War I threatens his interests and has him distracted from his great purpose.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
A great part of Tolkien is historically accurate, and that only makes us realize the amount of magic and imagination that the great artist’s early life held. The movie hints at the fact that the most enduring and interesting stories actually begin with hardships and darkness. Its similarity with Dead Poets Society stems from the idea of friendship and finding a young tribe of like-minded individuals to hang out with.
Stream on Fubo TV
1 School of Rock (2003)
School of Rock
- Release Date
- October 3, 2003
- Director
- Richard Linklater
- Cast
- Jack Black, Adam Pascal, Lucas Papaelias, Chris Stack, Sarah Silverman, Mike White
- Rating
- PG-13
- Main Genre
- Comedy
The premise of School of Rock goes something like this – after being kicked out of his rock band, an amateur guitarist and vocalist named Dewey Finn is looking for a new source of income. He poses as a substitute teacher first, then takes a job at a prestigious private elementary school. Soon, Dewey discovers that the school only has one musical extracurricular – choir. He takes it as an opportunity to transform his traditional class into a rock band.
How It Compares to Dead Poets Society
Extremely fun and transformative, School of Rock shows how the right teacher finds the key to unlocking a future for their students. Jack Black extends the same passionate spirit of Robin Williams’ poetry professor to Dewey, but makes him more flawed, hilarious, and music-oriented. Both the movies prove that the most important lessons in education learn from nurturing talents personally, with good cheer, and genuine care.
Stream on Paramount+
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