Film Studies Class for High School 1980-2020

Incorporating some old-school flicks into a high school film studies class gives students a cool peek into cinematic history, all sorts of movie genres, and deep themes. Here’s a carefully picked list of classic movies from 1980-2020, with reasons for why they made the cut and some info for the parents. Now these are the movies of my childhood and the ones from before the pandemic began to shift movie making. And hey, not every movie has to be shown in full. Sometimes just a scene or two can have the same impact on students without sitting through the whole movie.

Before sharing any of these movies with students, you should always have a discussion with administration and families, especially for films with an R rating. It is important to be upfront and honest with students, families, and admin about your intentions. Additionally, it is important to talk with staff about any of these movies possibly being part of their curriculum. You may be able to consolidate the audience and have single showing times instead of students watching the same version of Mel Gibson’s Hamlet 3 different times in one school year. (Yes, this really happened to me in high school.) Good luck and be creative.

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Drama

Do the Right Thing (1989)

• Rating: R
• Reason: Spike Lee’s film addresses racial tension, social justice, and community dynamics with a unique visual style and powerful performances. It’s essential for understanding race relations and social commentary in cinema.
• Parental Guidance: Contains strong language, racial slurs, and scenes of violence. Recommended for mature audiences and discussion on race and social issues.

Goodfellas (1990)

• Rating: R
• Reason: Martin Scorsese’s crime drama provides insight into narrative structure, character development, and the use of music in film. It’s a definitive exploration of the rise and fall of a gangster, showcasing Scorsese’s directorial prowess.
• Parental Guidance: Contains graphic violence, strong language, and drug use. Suitable for older teens with parental guidance due to mature themes.

Schindler’s List (1993)

• Rating: R
• Reason: Steven Spielberg’s harrowing portrayal of the Holocaust is a significant historical film that combines powerful storytelling with profound emotional impact. It’s crucial for discussions on historical representation and ethical filmmaking.
• Parental Guidance: Contains graphic violence, nudity, and intense emotional scenes. Recommended for mature audiences and educational context on the Holocaust.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

• Rating: R
• Reason: Steve McQueen’s historical drama provides a powerful depiction of slavery in America, with strong performances and a profound narrative. It’s important for discussions on historical representation and social justice.
• Parental Guidance: Contains graphic violence, nudity, and intense scenes of suffering. Suitable for mature audiences with guidance on historical context.

The Hunger Games (2012)

• Rating: PG-13
• Reason: Gary Ross’ adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian novel explores themes of survival, authoritarianism, and rebellion. It’s crucial for discussions on young adult dystopian narratives and the impact of book-to-film adaptations.
• Parental Guidance: Contains scenes of violence and peril. Suitable for teens with guidance on the dystopian themes and violence.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

• Rating: PG
• Reason: Steven Spielberg’s iconic film offers lessons in storytelling, special effects, and emotional depth. It’s a landmark in family-friendly science fiction that highlights the bond between humans and extraterrestrials.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some mild language and scenes of peril. Suitable for young audiences with guidance on emotional scenes.

Back to the Future (1985)

• Rating: PG
• Reason: Robert Zemeckis’ time-travel adventure is a staple of 1980s cinema, known for its engaging plot, memorable characters, and innovative special effects. It’s excellent for discussions on narrative structure and the concept of time travel.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some mild language and suggestive content. Suitable for young audiences with guidance on thematic elements.

Blade Runner (1982)

• Rating: R
• Reason: Ridley Scott’s dystopian science fiction film is noted for its groundbreaking special effects, noir aesthetic, and complex themes of humanity and artificial intelligence. It’s a critical film for discussions on visual style and futuristic narratives.
• Parental Guidance: Contains graphic violence, nudity, and strong language. Suitable for mature audiences with guidance on dystopian themes.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

• Rating: PG-13
• Reason: Peter Jackson’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel is noted for its groundbreaking special effects, expansive world-building, and epic narrative. It’s a pivotal film for exploring fantasy genres and cinematic adaptations.
• Parental Guidance: Contains intense battle scenes and some frightening imagery. Suitable for older young audiences with guidance on violence and fantasy themes.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

• Rating: PG-13
• Reason: Ang Lee’s wuxia film is renowned for its beautiful cinematography, choreographed martial arts sequences, and deep emotional storytelling. It’s essential for exploring global cinema and the influence of Chinese martial arts films on Hollywood.
• Parental Guidance: Contains martial arts violence and some suggestive content. Suitable for teens with guidance on violence and thematic elements.

Inception (2010)

• Rating: PG-13
• Reason: Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending thriller explores themes of dreams and reality with innovative visual effects and a complex narrative structure. It’s crucial for understanding modern science fiction and narrative complexity.
• Parental Guidance: Contains intense sequences of violence and action. Suitable for older young audiences with guidance on complex themes and action.

Action Adventure

Gladiator (2000)

• Rating: R
• Reason: Ridley Scott’s epic historical drama showcases exceptional production design, compelling storytelling, and strong performances. It’s important for understanding the revival of the epic genre in modern cinema.
• Parental Guidance: Contains graphic violence, intense battle scenes, and some suggestive content. Suitable for mature audiences with guidance on historical violence.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

• Rating: PG-13
• Reason: This swashbuckling adventure revitalized the pirate genre with its engaging story, memorable characters, and innovative visual effects. It’s great for exploring the adventure genre and special effects in the early 2000s.
• Parental Guidance: Contains intense sequences of action and violence. Suitable for young audiences with guidance on action and thematic elements.

The Dark Knight (2008)

• Rating: PG-13
• Reason: Christopher Nolan’s superhero film redefined the genre with its complex characters, mature themes, and technical achievements. It’s essential for discussions on character development and the evolution of comic book adaptations.
• Parental Guidance: Contains intense sequences of violence and action. Suitable for older young audiences with guidance on mature themes and violence.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

• Rating: R
• Reason: George Miller’s action film is celebrated for its practical effects, intense action sequences, and strong thematic content. It’s essential for exploring the action genre and the use of practical effects in modern cinema.
• Parental Guidance: Contains intense sequences of violence, action, and disturbing imagery. Suitable for mature audiences with guidance on intense action and violence.

These films collectively offer a good beginning curriculum that spans various genres, historical contexts, and cinematic innovations, providing high school students with a well-rounded understanding of classic cinema. Even though this is a great list to start with, it does not include many of the great international films of the same time period and focuses on more adult themed stories.

To see other movie and book recommendations and a list of resources, read more here.