The 8 best musicals set in schools

Tomorrow sees the UK premiere of High School Musical 3, the first of these Disney films to get a cinematic release. Advance box office is at record levels, with tweens, teens and their put-upon parents eagerly awaiting the latest adventures of Troy and Gabriella, Ryan and Sharpay (some are more eager than others). And with High School Musical 3 nearly upon us, it seems a good time to celebrate the best musicals set in schools.

Here are some classics.

1) Fame
I can't help it. I know that I'll probably get lynched (figuratively, if not literally) for not putting Grease first, but I absolutely loved Fame - the film and the spin-off series. The soundtrack was fantastic, the characters seemed real (well, I was still at primary school when it came out) and the film was a perfect mixture of energy, glamour and grit. I've watched it over and over, and would happily do so again. Enjoy the brilliant "hot lunch" scene with all that dancing, and Irene Cara singing...

2) Grease
Hasn't it aged well? Making a movie set in the 50s and releasing it in the 70s means it's never dated (the film's just celebrated its 30th anniversary). Grease is an utter classic, with brilliant performances, a tongue in cheek attitude and a glorious soundtrack. And I think it gets better on repeated viewing.
Watch You're the One that I want, and marvel at those leather trousers.

3) Hairspray
I loved this film. To me, it's an instant classic, terrific fun, with some great tunes and a story that actually has some substance to it. Christopher Walken is hilarious, but I thought that Zac Efron (Link Larkin) and Elijah Kelly (Seaweed) stole the show.
This is John Travolta's second appearance, but this time he's in a dress...
Watch Elijah Kelly wow Amanda Bynes

4) High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Zac Efron, the teen heartthrob of the moment, puts in his second performance in the list, this time as East High's Troy Bolton, the basketball playing jock who falls for gorgeous maths whizz Gabriella.
The latest instalment in the Disney phenomenon knows just how to push all the right buttons. It's got a real heart, catchy soundtrack, brilliantly choreographed dance numbers, and just enough drama to worry the youngsters a little, but not too much. It's also very well cast, although Efron and Hudgens (Gabriella) aren't half as impressive as Ashley Tisdale (who's not given enough to do in this one) and Lucas Grabeel, who play Sharpay and Ryan.
"I wish life could be like a high school musical", the kids sing. Hmm. Perhaps if you're six.
Watch the trailer.

5) Babes in Arms
The incomparable Judy Garland and cheeky Mickey Rooney try desperately to put on a show instead of being kept in school - "We belong in show business," says Rooney's character emphatically at one point.
As you would expect from a Busby Berkley film, there are some great numbers, but this just squeezes into the list, as it's not really got a "proper" school backdrop.
Watch a rather strange "colourised" clip of Judy singing "Good morning."

6) School of Rock
Jack Black is great in this excellent film about a fake teacher who inspires the children at a stuffy school to enjoy rock and roll as he feels they should!
Watch the trailer ("Can we tell our parents?" the children ask as Black introduces his rather unique music class. "No," he shouts back...)

7) Rock N Roll High School
This musical comedy is about a group of rebellious pupils whose love of music (and especially the Ramones) is proving rather disruptive to their education.
A remake is being planned - with a script written by Alex Winter, the real-life Ted from another great school movie, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Watch the Ramones singing, what else, but Rock n Roll High School?

8) Footloose
The show that launched Kevin Bacon is not really up there with the likes of Fame and Grease (although it does also have a great, 80s, soundtrack), but it's still good fun. Based around the senior prom, it tells the story of Ren McCormack, a boy who loves to dance, and who's moved to a town where rock n'roll is banned (sounds preposterous? It's apparently based on a real story).
Funnily enough, there's talk of it being remade, with who else, but Zac Efron in the lead?! Isn't that heresy?
Watch Kenny Loggins' video of the title track (don't worry, there's lots of Kevin Bacon in it).

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Comments

[General Public]

Hate to spoil your fun but isn't John Travolta that guy who believes his body is covered with the spirit of dead aliens? And isn't his 'group of friends' trying to subvert our democratic traditions to take over the planet? If you pay to see any of his films you are in fact helping them. Horrible but true.

[Anything Hollywood]

Frankly, I loved HSM 3. It's clean, it's fresh and no teen pregnancies and making out in the back seat of the car. It's what the society badly needs - a good clean young, upbeat musical. Loved it!

[Sammy]

The original Hairspray was far superior to the dumbed down, sanitized remake.

[Hol]

To whoever mentioned the musical episode of Buffy - it's not eligible for the list since it is not set in a school! It aired in series 6 of Buffy, 3 years/series after Buffy and her friends graduated from high school (and thank God for Buffy being a show where kids actually grow up and move on rather than spending three years too many in school and hoping nobody notices the discrepancy!!)

I can't get on board with Fame, Grease now and forever closely followed by Footloose and Hairspray!

[Jen]

Grease should be number one it is a total classic.
Unfortunately I can't see High School Musical lasting as long. It's aimed at too young an age group. No matter how good it is.
Are we really going to have 30/40 year olds, in 20/30 years time, telling their kids it's one of the best musicals ever? I personally can't see it happening

[christina]

i luv grease and i hav seen high school musical 3 now nd it totally rocks ZAC EFRON IS DA BEST !!!!!

[Jon]

" To Sir With Love" from 1966 deserves mention. It's hard to ignore a chart topping title song(Lulu) not mention Poitier.

[bushra]

well spotted, Bob, i bought the DVD and the soundtrack!

[bob]

You forgot the Musical Episode of "Buffy". It was released as a separate extended DVD as well.

[musical junkey]

Hairspray was so boring i fell asleep. High school musical is pure fun. Dreamgirls is one of the best and Chicago.
It's hard to pick if Fame or Grease should be number 1, they are both great films that make you want to get up and sing and dance.

[Helen]

Grease should definitely have been first. Haven't seen Fame (film) but loved it on the tele.

[Heidi]

Hey¡¡ I love Grease, why Footlose in the end of the list... Personally speking should be in the top

[alan]

Fame had a "hot lunch" scene?

Crikey!

[Trees]

Where's "Bye-Bye Birdie"?

[Bella]

I LOVED Fame! Thank you so much for this brilliant trip down memory lane!

[Gipsy]

The only 8? Well that's ignoring HSM 1 and 2, and Grease 2 (was there a three?).

Actually there are loads more. And two of my faves are missing - where is To Sir with Love? Is it only American movies?

And what about Cry Baby?

[tracey rea]

I know it wasn't a movie, just a mere TV series, but there's no way you can exclude the mighty Kids From Fame! This was my 80s bible and Leroy remained from the original Fame film! Fabulous! Reckon the new High School Musical efforts could learn a thing or two from Doris & Bruno, Coco and Mr Shorofsky... it was wonderful that they weren't all dolled up with make up and botox and the storylines were really REAL!!!!! Oh dear, I'm sounding like an old fogie now so better go... have fun reminiscing!

[Mary]

You forgot Grease 2, which I love, if only for laugh out loud value

[Jennifer]

Have to disagree about Fame. Great dancing, very of-the-moment feel but too gritty and depressing. Glad to see School of Rock entering the canon though.

[whimsey]

I don't get this. The best eight musicals set in schools. Isn't that the ONLY eight musical set in schools? Do name others. You must have wracked your brains to come up with that lacklustre lot. Though I did quite enjoy School of Rock right up to the point where one of the pupils tells another 'I used to play classical guitar but now I play rock guitar'....OH MY GOD NONONONONONONONONONONONONO. NO

[Kasia]

School of Rock is the best and then Hairspray

[mumofthree]

I'm so glad you included Hairspray. I thought it was fantastic. But Zac Efron in Footloose? What a thought! He can't be in everything.