The School of Rock

Play trailer

2:23

The School of Rock

PG-13

2003

1h 48m

Comedy

Drama

Musical

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

09/08/2023

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...

Go to Full Review

Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

12/20/2017

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.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/28/2010

4/5

Standout Jack Black in nerd-becomes-cool comedy.

Go to Full Review

Jack Walters

Loud and Clear Reviews

01/18/2025

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."

Go to Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

04/09/2024

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]

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

10/04/2023

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

SL

May 23

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

See more

Jesus P

May 17

Walked in a cat, came out as a Lion.

See more

Nancy

07/09/2025

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

See more

David

07/09/2025

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

See more

Alex F

@RT75856790 Jul 25

A brilliant film. There is a reason I have watched it so many times: it is a very easy going, good story that has you feeling good throughout.

See more

Chris S

@Janomi Jul 20

School of Rock is good because Jack Black is the whole engine of the movie. Dewey Finn is selfish, immature, loud, and ridiculous, but Black makes him lovable because his passion for music feels completely real. His energy, timing, and sincerity keep the movie from feeling like a generic kids’ comedy. The film also genuinely loves rock music. The songs are not just background noise; music becomes confidence, rebellion, self-expression, and community. The classroom practices, band roles, and final concert all have real charge because the music actually matters to the characters. The young cast is excellent, and each student gets enough personality to feel important to the band. The premise is absurd, and Dewey’s deception is pretty insane if you think about it too much, but the movie gets away with it because it is funny, sweet, energetic, and genuinely uplifting.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Telling Off Schneebly

1:25

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

1:07

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

1:23

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Wound Too Tight

1:18

The School of Rock: Official Clip - The Man

1:57

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Creating Musical Fusion

1:54

The School of Rock: Official Clip - New Schedule

1:24

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Hung Over

2:06

The School of Rock: Official Clip - Learning in Song

2:13

View more videos

Mother

89%

76%

Mother

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mother

Zoolander

64%

80%

Zoolander

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Zoolander

Orange County

47%

61%

Orange County

Watchlist

Mean Girls

84%

66%

Mean Girls

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Mean Girls

The Stepford Wives

25%

30%

The Stepford Wives

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Stepford Wives

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

School of Rock: Trailer 1

2:23

View more videos

View more photos

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, Drama, Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $81.3M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings