Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

Play trailer

2:38

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

PG

2016

1h 32m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Rafe Khatchadorian (Griffin Gluck) has an epic imagination and a slight problem with authority, and these things collide when he transfers to a middle school where students are expected to follow the rules. This doesn't sit well with Rafe. With help from his new friend Leo (Thomas Barbusca), the mischievous lad concocts schemes to drive his tyrannical principal (Andy Daly) crazy while also using his charm and wits to impress a girl (Isabela Moner) and battle the bullies.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Stephen Romei

The Australian

Jan 13, 2017

3.5/5

Middle School is a treat for kids before they head back to their own classrooms.

Go to Full Review

Susan Wloszczyna

RogerEbert.com

Jan 5, 2017

2.5/4

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is better than middling as it sidesteps the trap of simply pandering to its youthful demo with cheap laughs and silly mugging.

Go to Full Review

Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

Oct 7, 2016

Channeling the spirit of John Hughes and playing like a tween version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life delivers an easily digestible and amusing portrait of youthful hijinks.

Go to Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Aug 26, 2021

...a fun romp for tweens with an important message for adults.

Go to Full Review

Allen Adams

The Maine Edge

Feb 14, 2019

2.5

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is fluffy nonsense interspersed with moments of unsubtle emotion and occasional condescension.

Go to Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Rotoscopers

Feb 6, 2019

3/5

Middle School is kind of a rare breed these days and while it could have been better it's still an entertaining film in many ways.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

av 8

@anagha.vinay Apr 18, 2026

Rules aren't for everyone. I love Griffin Gluck. He brings on a special 'emotional Greg Heffley' vibe on screen. The animations in this movie are amazing and vibrant. The story is interesting, fun, and engaging. Rafe is a troubled child and it feels like the whole world is against him. He has changed schools again only to find that somehow Leo has also ended up at the same place. It is now up to Rafe and his best buddy Leo to take down the hideous system and their nonsensical rules before it is too late.

See more

TheRubyMachine T

@TheMasterReviewer Mar 12, 2026

its diary of a wimpy kid but he actually aging. this movie is awesome.

See more

Mark C.

@mrpiggy1992 Jan 16, 2026

Best underappreciated family film of 2016 love the characters animation and the amazing cast 😍

See more

Bennie F

@Bennie583 Dec 30, 2025

This movie changed my life.Rafe is so well written and funny.

See more

Christian W

@Christian534 Oct 3, 2025

A forgettable movie full of weak acting, some unfunny humor, failed emotional beats, terrible and not good characters (seriously, I don’t know one good character), too unrealistic, and it’s too much of a Home Alone and Diary of the Wimpy Kid rip-off.

See more

Jacob Ryan H

@RT10889010 Sep 22, 2025

middle school the worst years of my life was cool though!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Steve Carr

Director

Griffin Gluck

Rafe

Lauren Graham

Jules

Rob Riggle

Bear

Thomas Barbusca

Leo

Andrew Daly

Dwight

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

62%

58%

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

52%

63%

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

48%

62%

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Watchlist

Are We Done Yet?

7%

32%

Are We Done Yet?

Watchlist

Rebound

15%

38%

Rebound

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life: Trailer 2

2:38

Now Playing

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life: 'Read Along' Trailer

1:10

Now Playing

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life: Trailer 1

2:26

Now Playing

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life: Teaser Trailer 1

1:42

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Rafe Khatchadorian (Griffin Gluck) has an epic imagination and a slight problem with authority, and these things collide when he transfers to a middle school where students are expected to follow the rules. This doesn't sit well with Rafe. With help from his new friend Leo (Thomas Barbusca), the mischievous lad concocts schemes to drive his tyrannical principal (Andy Daly) crazy while also using his charm and wits to impress a girl (Isabela Moner) and battle the bullies.

Director: Steve Carr
Producer: Leopoldo Gout, Bill Robinson
Screenwriter: Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Kara Holden
Distributor: CBS Films, Lionsgate Films
Production Co: CBS Films, James Patterson Entertainment
Rating: PG (Rude Humor Throughout|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 7, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.0M
Runtime: 1h 32m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings