Back to School (1986): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Back to School is a 1986 sports comedy directed by Alan Metter, starring Rodney Dangerfield. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $91.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Alan Metter
- Original language
-
French - Studio
- Orion Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Back to School About?
The premise of Back to School without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A businessman enrolls in college to better understand his son's world and to experience youth again. He quickly clashes with professors and classmates while attempting to navigate campus life with unconventional methods. The experience leads to humorous situations and unexpected lessons for both father and son as they confront the challenges of higher education together.
Back to School Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- farce
- female frontal nudity
- tv commercial
- black and white scene
- college freshman
- fish out of water
- donation
- italian american
- swim meet
- one liner
- literature professor
- history professor
+38 more Show fewer
- reference to dean martin
- prologue
- snobbery
- bar fight
- chimpanzee
- sexual fantasy
- love interest
- businessman
- examination
- father son conflict
- adulterous wife
- unhappy marriage
- sexual joke
- boardroom
- female nudity
- blonde
- college
- millionaire
- swimming pool
- chauffeur
- cheerleader
- retail store
- diving
- reference to bruce springsteen
- reference to karl marx
- reference to james joyce
- new york city
- hot tub
- jacuzzi
- university
- reference to dylan thomas
- clothing store
- business school
- business professor
- father son relationship
- college dean
- teacher student relationship
- drinking
Back to School Cast
Rodney Dangerfield stars in Back to School. Directed by Alan Metter.
- Director Alan Metter
More from Alan Metter
More films directed by Alan Metter, best-rated first: Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Moving, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow and The Growing Pains Movie.
Back to School Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Back to School 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
-
IMDb 6.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 68 Metascore
User score 8.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 63% User score
See on TMDB
Back to School Plot Summary
What happens in Back to School from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Thorton Melon is a prosperous businessman, renowned for his nationwide chain of clothing stores catering to plus-sized individuals. Despite his towering achievements, Thorton, portrayed by Rodney Dangerfield, comes from a modest background. His father continuously urged him to excel academically, yet Thorton never set foot in college. During a meeting with his executive team, he embraces fresh investment opportunities while contemplating tweaks to existing ventures. It’s then his son, Jason, a student at Grand Lakes University, reaches out. Thorton inquires about Jason’s college life, asking how he’s faring with his studies, fraternity, and the diving team. Jason claims everything is splendid but conceals the truth—he doesn’t participate in a fraternity and is only the diving team’s towel boy.
Full summary
The whole story of Back to School, scene by scene
Back to School Box Office
Back to School grossed $91.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$91.3M
- US & Canada
- $91.3M
Back to School Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 clip.
- Teaser Official Trailer
- Clip Back to School (1986) | Twist & Shout Scene | MGM Studios
How Well Do You Know Back to School?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What type of business does Thorton Melon own?
Cars in Back to School
49 cars on screen, including the 1985 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine and the 1945 MG TC.
-
1985 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Important role -
1945 MG TC Important role -
1981 Chevrolet Impala Minor role -
Brockway unknown Background role
Back to School Also Known As
30 alternative titles, including “De Volta às Aulas” and “Retour à l'école”.
- Also known as
-
- De Volta às Aulas
- Retour à l'école
- Epistrofi sto sholeio
- Behazra L'Beit Seffer
- De vuelta al colegio
- Okula dönüs
- Powrót do szkoly
- Paluu kouluun
- Med næsen i bøgerne
- Снова в шкoлу
- バック・トゥ・スクール
- Снова в школу
+18 more Show fewer
- A fond la fac
- A scuola con papà
- Mach’s nochmal
- Dad
- Отново на училище
- Повратак у школу
- Regreso a la escuela
- Vissza a suliba
- Înapoi la școală
- חזרה לנעורים
- Powrót do szkoły
- Знову до школи
- 백 투 스쿨
- Okula Dönüş
- Zpátky do školy
- 大儿子小爸爸
- มหา'ลัยวัยกึ๊กส์
- El pare torna a estudiar
Seen Back to School?
Movies Like Back to School
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Back to School, College and Old School.
Back to School FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Back to School, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Back to School?
Back to School runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was Back to School released?
Back to School was released on June 13, 1986.
Who directed Back to School?
Back to School was directed by Alan Metter.
More films by Alan Metter Who is in the cast of Back to School?
Back to School stars Rodney Dangerfield.
How much did Back to School make at the box office?
Back to School grossed $91.3 million worldwide.
How is Back to School rated?
Back to School has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 68 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.
Does Back to School have a post-credit scene?
No. Back to School has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Back to School in?
The original language of Back to School is French.
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