28 Back to School Video Clips to Keep You Laughing All the Way to the Cafeteria

Looking for some back to school videos to get students laughing on Day 1? This is a list of 28 (mostly) funny TV and movie clips to help you celebrate the First Day of School.

Not all of these are school-appropriate, so you’ll want to watch clips all the way through before showing them to students. Enjoy!!!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #1: NEVER BEEN KISSED

Drew Barrymore stars as Josie “Grossie” Gellar, an insecure 25-year old who goes back to high school to try to find a story–any story–that will transform her from overlooked copy editor to hard-hitting reporter. But Josie is still a nerd deep down, and high school hasn’t changed much since she graduated.

This clip features Josie starting her very first day back in high school.

 

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #2: FAST TIMES AT RIDGMONT HIGH

Take me back to 1982! In this scene, Mr. Hand (played by Ray Walston) has his first showdown with tardy stoner Jeff Spicoli, played by a very young Sean Penn. Smell those mimeographs on your own time, people!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #3: LEGALLY BLONDE

In an attempt to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner, California cupcake Elle Woods (played by Reese Witherspoon)  gets herself accepted to Harvard Law, where Warner attends. Because that’s not hard at all.

 

BACK-TO-SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #4: BAD TEACHER

Recess is over, kids. Time to read To Kill a Mockingbird and have gold stars and rubber balls on your forehead.

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #5: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

Get ready for back to school with some stellar advice from Greg’s older brother Rodrick. Some of this advice is practical for teachers, too.


BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #6: CLUELESS

Maybe my favorite high school movie of all time! In this scene, Travis Birkenstock gives his acceptance speech for having a class-high of 38 tardies. Go, Travis!


BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #7: THE SIMPSONS

It’s Bart’s first day of Kindergarten! Ever wonder how he met Milhouse and became such an adorable troublemaker? Here’s your answer!

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #8: SKY HIGH

Welcome to Sky High! Are you a Hero or a Sidekick? Watching this clip makes me want to watch the entire movie!


 

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #9: KINDERGARTEN COP

This is proof that even the teacher can have a bad first day. I do want this gorgeous classroom though–you can’t really see it in this scene, but there is a great treehouse-style reading loft in the corner!


BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #10: THE BIG BANG THEORY

Professor Sheldon Cooper teaches a university course, but no one enrolls. Howard decides to take the class, but when Sheldon starts with the insults, the spitballs fly.

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #11: HAIRSPRAY

Smoking in the teachers’ lounge, dodgeball in gym class, and driver’s ed. Just try not to sing along!

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #12: HOMEY D. CLOWN

Homey explodes with joy, tells kindergarteners their teacher is dead, and teaches a class of five kids some reading, art, music, and math.

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #13: HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE

Harry gets his first look at Hogwarts, meets Professor McGonagall, hears about the Sorting Hat, and meets Draco Malfoy. They all look so young!

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #14: DEAD POETS SOCIETY

Carpe diem, y’all.


BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #15: SCHOOL OF ROCK

Enjoy Mr. Schneee…er, Mr. S’s…first day as a hungover substitute teacher at a prestigious prep academy. Watch out kids, he’s got a headache…and the runs.

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #16: BIG DADDY

Ms. Foot (is she related to Mr. Hand?) tells Sonny that five-year old Julian is the smelly kid in class.

 

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #17: THE KARATE KID

It’s Daniel LaRusso’s first day of school, and he’s about to officially meet the lovely Ali for the first time. I see this clip a lot differently now that I’ve seen Seasons 1-4 of Cobra Kai.

**Edit–June 15, 2019–Season 2 of Cobra Kai has the most EPIC first day of school scene in history! I can’t post it here without spoiling the whole season, but WOW.

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #18: THE MIDDLE

Brick: A school librarian’s worst nightmare. FYI: Walt Whitman’s birthday is May 31, 1819.

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #19: THE WONDER YEARS

Coach Cutlip explains the female anatomy, which apparently looks like a cow’s head. Yikes.

 

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #20: BILLY MADISON

This is me, waiting for the staff bus Monday morning.

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #21: WONDER

On his first day of public school, ten-year old Auggie schools bully Julian on the proper pronunciation of the word “supposedly.”

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #22: MATILDA

Poor Matilda is so excited to start school, but watch out for Ms. Trunchbull!

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #23: MEAN GIRLS

I am so out of fashion. I don’t have any pink Wednesday Dresses.

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #24: SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Oh, please, please, please put me in this class with Jerry Seinfeld as the teacher and Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and David Spade as my classmates. PLEASE!!!!!!

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #25: KEY & PEELE

“If one of y’all says some silly-ass name, this whole class is gonna feel my wrath!”

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #26: COBRA KAI

Let’s hope your first day back doesn’t look like this one from Cobra Kai, Season 2. This infamous fight scene is so well-choreographed and full of intense emotion from the characters.

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #27: YOUNG SHELDON

Young Sheldon starts his first day of high school! I think he’s like 9 years old in this clip, but he is so smart that he’s in high school. If you’ve never watched Young Sheldon, it’s an adorable spin-off of The Big Bang Theory. Loads of 80s references, and I love the 80s set designs. Zoe Perry is excellent as Sheldon’s mother, Mary Cooper. Did you know she’s the real-life daughter of Laurie Metcalf, who plays Mary Cooper in The Big Bang Theory?

 

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #28: MASK

Cher knows her son’s rights! I love this scene of a no-nonsense mom asserting her son’s right to a FAPE.

 

BACK TO SCHOOL VIDEO CLIP #28: ALIKE

I saved this one for last because I plan to use it in an upcoming booktalk with my high schoolers. It’s perfect to show older students on the first day to start a discussion about school and conformity and creativity.