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Dangerous Minds

Play trailer Poster for Dangerous Minds R 1995 1h 39m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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36% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Former Marine Louanne Johnson lands a gig teaching in a pilot program for bright but underachieving teens at a notorious inner-city high school. After having a terrible first day, she decides she must throw decorum to the wind. When Johnson returns to the classroom, she does so armed with a no-nonsense attitude informed by her military training and a fearless determination to better the lives of her students -- no matter what the cost.
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Dangerous Minds

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Critics Consensus

Rife with stereotypes that undermine its good intentions, Dangerous Minds is too blind to see that the ones it hurts are the audience.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Travers Rolling Stone May 12, 2001
Pfeiffer gives a funny, scrappy performance that makes you feel a committed teacher's fire to make a difference. Go to Full Review Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Feb 13, 2001
The tale screenwriter Ronald Bass came up with, and the way director John N. Smith tells it, is stereotypical, predictable and simplified to the point of meaninglessness. Go to Full Review Susan Stark Detroit News Jan 1, 2000
3/4
The movie has real emotional and reportorial credibility, a prime source of its power. Go to Full Review Gary Wolcott Tri-City Herald Aug 19, 2025
3.5/5
Dangerous Minds is formula-feel-good that works most of the time. What makes it click is Pfeiffer's excellent acting and a supporting cast of talented kids. Go to Full Review Todd James Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta) Mar 29, 2024
3/5
Often these students seem a little too easy to tame, but on this level, Dangerous Minds is enjoyable. Go to Full Review Sheila Reid Women in the Life May 13, 2022
If you liked Sidney Portier in To Sir With Love, this is the film for you. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Cedrik N @Cedrik.N Jul 26, 2026 Wasn't great. She is a great actress though. I like the storyline kind of. Think the way the movie is shot is good. It's alright, not bad, not good. Worth a watch if you have time over. See more lolblog T @RT47829063 Apr 13, 2026 0 out of 10, for me is one of the most forcibly movies i watch, the acting is very bad, it seems so obvious and fake, i couldn't watch it again See more Ben W @Username618 Mar 28, 2026 I sort of convinced myself I should watch this , as it was about teaching. Maybe it is actually, though I am saddened when the personality contest element of teaching is foremost, in general. See more Christian K @ckacar Feb 25, 2026 This movie has a ridiculous title for what the content of it actually is, it's a stereotypical teacher/class movie. The most unbelievable part is that her breakthrough with them is through Bob Dylan lyrics. See more Crazy P @RT75776803 Sep 16, 2025 She wasn't believable as an ex Marine. She lacked control but finally figured it out. Then surprised the school would have the students who were the appropriate age to continue attending school. See more ryan b @RT37740700 Aug 12, 2025 Wow can't believe critics have it such a dismal score. Sure it isn't the greatest movie ever made but it is a really good movie, with strong cast and gets deep sometimes. Shows how not just the educational system, but all the public help systems fail society and yes sometimes one person can make a difference. See more Read all reviews
Dangerous Minds

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Cast & Crew

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John N. Smith

Director

Michelle Pfeiffer

Louanne Johnson

George Dzundza

Hal Griffith

Courtney B. Vance

Mr. George Grandey

Robin Bartlett

Ms. Carla Nichols

Bruklin Harris

Callie Roberts

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Dangerous Minds

Dangerous Minds (1995) Dangerous Minds (1995) Dangerous Minds (1995) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Former Marine Louanne Johnson lands a gig teaching in a pilot program for bright but underachieving teens at a notorious inner-city high school. After having a terrible first day, she decides she must throw decorum to the wind. When Johnson returns to the classroom, she does so armed with a no-nonsense attitude informed by her military training and a fearless determination to better the lives of her students -- no matter what the cost.
Director
John N. Smith
Producer
Jerry Bruckheimer, Don Simpson
Screenwriter
LouAnne Johnson, Ronald Bass
Distributor
Hollywood Pictures Home Video, Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Hollywood Pictures, Via Rosa Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 11, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$84.9M
Runtime
1h 39m
Sound Mix
Surround
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