Summer is coming, and for those under 18, that can only mean one thing: it's time for the last day of school. Even if your graduation was long ago, you probably remember the euphoric rush that is the final day of school, and perhaps even miss it every now and again. Well, just because you don't technically go to class anymore doesn't mean you can't have that last day of school feeling. Remember that day, when going to class felt pointless and everybody was buzzing with anticipation? Well, if you don't, the 29 throwback movies below will take you right back to the last day of school .
You probably remember the last day of school feels — like a mixture of the emotions you feel the night before your birthday and those you feel when you finish running the mile in P.E. There's giddy anticipation, extreme relief, and a sense of accomplishment at getting through another year. There are plenty of films that will remind you of all those feelings; some of which will remind you of those summer nights with your friends, watching movies after a long day swimming, while others will make you think about the freedom of summer and the last day of school. Whatever they are, each of these 29 throwback movies below will get you excited for summer.
1. Grease
Grease is what every kid thought high school would be like and what every adult is relieved high school wasn't like. That end of the year carnival is unparalleled in on-screen, last day of school vibes.
2. The Parent Trap
Because nothing says summer like meeting your long lost, identical twin at summer camp.
3. Stand By Me
The last day of school is the perfect time to start thinking about what you and your friends want your summer adventures to be. And if you're at a loss for ideas, Stand By Me is definitely a good place to start.
4. Dazed And Confused
Dazed and Confused is all about the struggles of leaving high school behind — talk about that last day of school feeling.
5. Clueless
Clueless might take place during the school year, but it's definitely more than last day of school appropriate.
6. American Graffiti
Peak American nostalgia.
7. Remember The Titans
When teachers ran out of material, as they commonly did around the last day of school, it normally meant it was time to break out that old, dusty Remember the Titans VHS.
8. Back To The Future
Another epic summer adventure.
9. Bring It On
Bring It On is pure high school fantasy. Imagine if all you had to worry about at school was cheer practice?
10. Hook
Because being a kid is great, and Rufio is goals.
11. Now And Then
The last day of school is always bittersweet, mostly because you inevitably have to say goodbye to some friends you know you won't see for three whole months. Now and Then perfectly captures that bittersweet feeling. It's also a super fun summer movie.
12. Jaws
Jaws might not be the first movie that comes to mind when you think "last day of school," but it's not summer until someone dares their friend to get through Jaws.
13. It Takes Two
What is it with all these identical twins and camp?
Click here to watch.
14. High School Musical 2
High School Musical 2 is all about that summer vacay.
15. Big
The last day of school might signify the beginning of summer, but it also brings you one year closer to adulthood. Big is a good reminder to enjoy your summers while you can.
16. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
What better way to capture that last day of school feeling than a movie about leaving school behind, if only for a day?
17. Sixteen Candles
The only thing better than getting to have a break from the hell of high school cliques is actually breaking down those cliques.
18. Ghostbusters
Busting ghosts is definitely a summer activity.
19. Dirty Dancing
May your summer be as, uh, musical as Dirty Dancing.
20. Toy Story
Get a jumpstart on all that summer imagination with Toy Story.
21. The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is one of those movies based on a book that teachers loved to play for the class on the last day of school. Fantasy is key.
22. A League Of Their Own
The perfect movie to watch with your girlfriends, A League of Their Own is guaranteed to inspire you to kick some butt this summer.
23. Men In Black
It's really not summer until Will Smith is involved. Look it up.
24. The Neverending Story
The Neverending Story is another one of those literary kid's movies that teachers love a little too much for the last day of school.
25. The Karate Kid
To inspire your #SummerGoals.
26. Matilda
Matilda might be about a girl who loves education, but watching Matilda get the best of the evil Mrs. Trunchbull brings almost the same satisfaction as the end of another school year.
27. Wet Hot American Summer
A little R-rated summer fun never hurt anyone, right?
28. Footloose
Dance your way right out of school and straight into non-supervised summer.
29. Flipper
Young Elijah Wood and a dolphin. If that doesn't scream last day of school to you, then I don't know what will.
And, there you have it. It doesn't matter how old you are or what you do, you can always get that last day of school feeling. All you need to do is pop in a movie and relax.
Images: Buena Vista Pictures; Giphy (29)
