The School of Rock

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2:23

The School of Rock

PG-13

2003

1h 49m

Comedy

Music

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Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

199 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates -- much to the consternation of the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). As he gets his privileged and precocious charges in touch with their inner rock 'n' roll animals, he imagines redemption at a local Battle of the Bands.

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Critics Consensus

Black's exuberant, gleeful performance turns School of Rock into a hilarious, rocking good time.

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

Sep 8, 2023

4/5

Yet there are subversive details that elevate it beyond standard feelgood fare, notably Black’s insistence on treating his young charges like battle-hardened veterans...

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

Dec 20, 2017

School of Rock just doesn't rock. It has no appetite for destruction. No raw power. It's like late Whitesnake. Tidied-up, over-produced. Jack Black is not, sad to say, Jack White.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 28, 2010

4/5

Standout Jack Black in nerd-becomes-cool comedy.

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Jack Walters

Loud and Clear Reviews

Jan 18, 2025

4/5

"School of Rock is a hilarious comedy that places Jack Black right in his comfort zone with a charming narrative about the power of self-belief."

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Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

Apr 9, 2024

3.5/5

Vibrant, charming and adorable, School of Rock delivers on all fronts thanks to Jack Black's peak performance, talented young cast and amazing music/soundtrack. [Full review in Spanish]

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Oct 4, 2023

3/4

It sounds like the sort of sanitized product that might have starred Eddie Murphy (Dokken Day Care?), yet what gives the movie any semblance of an edge is Jack Black.

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SL

May 23, 2026

This was really, really good! Please do more awesome oldies but goodies!!!!!

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Jesus P

May 17, 2026

Walked in a cat, came out as a Lion.

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Nancy

Jul 9, 2025

Such a good throw back. Loved how they played it on the big screen.

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David

Jul 9, 2025

one of the best movies of all time. jack black is phenomenal.

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Nick S

@NickScorpion Sep 12, 2026

Funny and phenomenal movie

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Brendan K

@Bkeller25 Sep 6, 2026

One of my favorite movies. Very quotable and rewatchable. Peak Jack Black casting. You feel the tension with Dewey trying to balance his teaching job priorities and his secret student band interest. Still holds up very well today.

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Richard Linklater

Director

Jack Black

Dewey Finn

Joan Cusack

Rosalie Mullins

Mike White

Ned Schneebly

Sarah Silverman

Patty

Jordan-Claire Green

Michelle

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Stick-it-to-the-man-eosis

1:40

Now Playing

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Telling Off Schneebly

1:25

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The School of Rock: Official Clip - Dewey's Code of Conduct

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The School of Rock: Official Clip - The Rock Band Project

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The School of Rock: Official Clip - Wound Too Tight

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The School of Rock: Official Clip - The Man

1:57

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The School of Rock: Official Clip - Creating Musical Fusion

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The School of Rock: Official Clip - New Schedule

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The School of Rock: Official Clip - Hung Over

2:06

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The School of Rock: Official Clip - Learning in Song

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School of Rock: Trailer 1

2:23

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Synopsis

Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates -- much to the consternation of the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). As he gets his privileged and precocious charges in touch with their inner rock 'n' roll animals, he imagines redemption at a local Battle of the Bands.

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Scott Rudin
Screenwriter: Mike White
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Rude Humor|Some Drug References)
Genre: Comedy, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $81.3M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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