MesmeroWatch list, 0 saved

Movie
Poster for Dangerous Minds

Dangerous Minds

1995 · 99 min

An earnest, feel-good teacher drama that tugs at the heartstrings while offering a sobering look at inner-city schools.

Tagline
She broke the rules... and changed their lives.
Overview
Former Marine Louanne Johnson lands a gig teaching in a pilot program for bright but underachieving teens at a notorious inner-city high school. After having a terrible first day, she decides she must throw decorum to the wind. When Johnson returns to the classroom, she does so armed with a no-nonsense attitude informed by her military training and a fearless determination to better the lives of her students -- no matter what the cost.
Stream in the UK
  • Disney Plus
More options Data from JustWatch
In your watch list

How it feels

Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Tone
  • earneststrength 3 of 3
  • warmstrength 2 of 3
  • melancholicstrength 2 of 3
  • upliftingstrength 2 of 3
Pacing
measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention
easy-watch, 2 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes
  • education
  • class
  • race
  • found family
  • grief
Places
  • school
  • big city
Era
contemporary
Audience
teen
Form
  • true story
Content intensity
  • Gore none
  • Language mild
  • Violence mild
  • Sex none
All scales, 0 to 10
Scales, 0 to 10
ScaleValue0 to 10
Action3
Horror1
Humour4
Realism8
Romance1
Tension4
Darkness5
Complexity3
Emotional weight7

More like this

Titles like Dangerous Minds

Movie

Stand and Deliver

1988

An earnest, inspiring true story that builds quiet tension and warmth as a teacher pushes overlooked students to defy expectations.

Earnest, warm · about education and class · true story

Via
  • earnest
  • warm
  • education
  • class
  • true story
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
103 min
Details In your watch list
Stand and DeliverHidden from your suggestions.
TV series

Dangerous Minds

1996–1997

An earnest, issue-driven classroom drama that mixes tough social problems with a teacher's scrappy optimism.

Same creator: Ronald Bass · Earnest, warm · about education and class

Also
Same creator: Ronald Bass
Via
  • earnest
  • warm
  • education
  • class
Pacing
measured
Attention
easy-watch
Seasons
1
Details In your watch list
Dangerous MindsHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

The Ron Clark Story

2006

An earnest, heartwarming drama that follows a dedicated teacher's uphill battle to connect with troubled students, offering a hopeful and inspiring viewing experience.

Earnest, warm · about education and class · true story

Via
  • earnest
  • warm
  • education
  • class
  • true story
Pacing
measured
Attention
easy-watch
Runtime
90 min
Details In your watch list
The Ron Clark StoryHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

To Sir, with Love

1967

A warm, earnest classroom drama that builds slowly from chaos to mutual respect, with a memorable final flourish.

Earnest, warm · about education and class · true story

Via
  • earnest
  • warm
  • education
  • class
  • true story
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
105 min
Details In your watch list
To Sir, with LoveHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Dead Poets Society

1989

A stirring, bittersweet coming-of-age story that balances joyful self-discovery with heartbreak, anchored by a charismatic teacher and a tragic turn.

Earnest, melancholic · about grief

Via
  • earnest
  • melancholic
  • grief
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
129 min
Details In your watch list
Dead Poets SocietyHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Lean On Me

1989

A rousing, earnest drama about a tough principal shaking up a failing school, with a commanding lead performance and a satisfying underdog arc.

Earnest, uplifting · about education and class · true story

Via
  • earnest
  • uplifting
  • education
  • class
  • true story
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
108 min
Details In your watch list
Lean On MeHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Radical

2023

An inspiring but grounded drama about a teacher reaching students in a tough environment, mixing frustration with hope and warmth.

Earnest, warm · about education and class · true story

Via
  • earnest
  • warm
  • education
  • class
  • true story
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
125 min
Details In your watch list
RadicalHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Freedom Writers

2007

An earnest, emotionally charged classroom drama that inspires through real struggles and small victories.

Earnest, warm · about education and race · true story

Via
  • earnest
  • warm
  • education
  • race
  • true story
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
123 min
Details In your watch list
Freedom WritersHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

The Holdovers

2023

A bittersweet, character-driven story that unfolds slowly, blending humor and melancholy into a warm, humanistic experience.

Earnest, warm · about class and found family

Via
  • earnest
  • warm
  • class
  • found family
Pacing
slow-burn
Attention
engaged
Runtime
133 min
Details In your watch list
The HoldoversHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Up the Down Staircase

1967

A grounded, earnest classroom drama that immerses you in the daily struggles of a dedicated teacher, balancing frustration with quiet hope.

Earnest, warm · about education and class

Via
  • earnest
  • warm
  • education
  • class
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
124 min
Details In your watch list
Up the Down StaircaseHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Not One Less

1999

A quiet, neorealist slice of life that immerses you in rural poverty and a child's stubborn determination, leaving a lingering sense of hope.

Earnest, melancholic · about education and class · true story

Via
  • earnest
  • melancholic
  • education
  • class
  • true story
Pacing
measured
Attention
engaged
Runtime
106 min
Details In your watch list
Not One LessHidden from your suggestions.
Movie

Big Brother

2018

A rousing mix of classroom comedy and bone-crunching fights, with a big heart for underdog students.

Earnest, warm · about education and class

Via
  • earnest
  • warm
  • education
  • class
Pacing
brisk
Attention
easy-watch
Runtime
111 min
Details In your watch list
Big BrotherHidden from your suggestions.

Where to watch in the UK

Stream
  • Disney Plus
Rent
  • Sky Store
Buy
  • Apple TV Store
  • Amazon Video
  • YouTube

Streaming data from JustWatch.All options on TMDB

Details

Genres
drama
Directed by
John N. Smith
Written by
Elaine May, Ronald Bass
Starring
Michelle Pfeiffer, George Dzundza, Courtney B. Vance, Robin Bartlett, Beatrice Winde, John Neville, Lorraine Toussaint, Renoly Santiago
Music
Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman
Cinematography
Pierre Letarte
Runtime
99 min
Country
United States of America
Languages
English

TMDBIMDbLetterboxdWikipediaWikidata