Logo What's After the Movie

Fast Times at Ridgemont High 1982

Stacy Hamilton, a newcomer to Ridgemont High, experiences the challenges of adolescence in a Southern California high school. As she explores her own romantic interests and friendships, she encounters the complexities of teenage life, including loyalty, self-discovery, and the pressures of belonging. The film portrays the carefree atmosphere and underlying rebellious spirit of the students navigating their identities in a sun-drenched setting.

Stacy Hamilton, a newcomer to Ridgemont High, experiences the challenges of adolescence in a Southern California high school. As she explores her own romantic interests and friendships, she encounters the complexities of teenage life, including loyalty, self-discovery, and the pressures of belonging. The film portrays the carefree atmosphere and underlying rebellious spirit of the students navigating their identities in a sun-drenched setting.

Does Fast Times at Ridgemont High have end credit scenes?

Yes!

Fast Times at Ridgemont High does have end credit scenes. Stay until the very end!

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Explore the complete cast of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Fast Times at Ridgemont High

See how Fast Times at Ridgemont High is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Fast Times at Ridgemont High stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

61

Metascore

7.7

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

78%

TOMATOMETER

review

80%

User Score

TMDB

68

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Fast Times at Ridgemont High Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Fast Times at Ridgemont High with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Fast Times at Ridgemont High Quiz: Test your knowledge on the iconic 1982 film 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' and its memorable characters and events.

Who is the charismatic senior looking forward to his final year of high school?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Fast Times at Ridgemont High

See more

Read the complete plot summary of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In the radiant surroundings of San Fernando Valley, the charming community of Ridgemont becomes the setting for a captivating exploration of teenage life at Ridgemont High School. Here, Brad Hamilton, a captivating senior played by Sean Penn, approaches the end of his high school journey, eagerly anticipating a blend of freedom and self-exploration. With a part-time gig at All-American Burger and just shy of completing payments on his pristine cherry-red 1960 Buick LeSabre, Brad looks forward to breaking free from his relationship with Lisa and diving headfirst into the exhilarating experience of being single during his final year.

Meanwhile, his 15-year-old sister Stacy Hamilton is taking her initial steps through the ups and downs of freshman year, working at Perry’s Pizza in the bustling Ridgemont Mall alongside her insightful mentor Linda Barrett. Stacy, yearning to embody Linda’s carefree essence, frequently admires her friend’s many romantic exploits. Her friendships extend to the smooth-talking Mike Damone, who juggles sports betting and concert ticket scalping for a living, and Mark “Rat” Ratner, his gentle-hearted best friend, who spends his days working as an usher at the cinema across from the pizzeria.

As school kicks off, Jeff Spicoli, a laid-back stoner and surfer, finds himself at odds with history teacher Mr. Hand, following a tardy return to class. This humorous clash serves as a backdrop to the overarching themes of rebellion and the quest for identity central to the film’s essence.

In another thread of their interconnected lives, Stacy becomes captivated by Ron Johnson, a 26-year-old stereo salesman. They embark on a romantic venture, during which Stacy, feeling pressured, pretends to be 19. Their encounter in a baseball field dugout marks a painful loss of innocence for her when she loses her virginity, only for Ron’s quick withdrawal to leave her in emotional turmoil.

As their lives weave together, the students of Ridgemont High grapple with the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Stacy’s budding relationship with Rat unfolds in Mr. Vargas’ science class, where the air is scented with the aroma of Sanka. A memorable evening at a German restaurant leads to an awkward moment when Stacy, misinterpreting Rat’s hasty retreat, thinks he’s uninterested. Thanks to Linda’s wise counsel, Stacy eventually redirects her heart towards Mike Damone.

Simultaneously, Brad’s life takes unexpected turns, culminating in a job loss after confronting an obnoxious customer, leading him to seek work at Captain Hook Fish & Chips. Complications arise as Lisa seeks new romantic opportunities, adding to Brad’s bewilderment.

As relationships evolve, Rat and Damone join Stacy and Linda for a swim, where a spark ignites between Stacy and Damone. However, their encounter leaves behind a sense of confusion and abandonment when Damone’s premature departure complicates matters further. Meanwhile, Spicoli finds himself embroiled in trouble after accidentally wrecking a football player’s prized car, leading to an elaborate scheme that spins out of control.

As Brad navigates the unexpected challenges of his new job, he starts to realize the reality of his situation when an older woman mocks his pirate-themed attire during a delivery run. Meanwhile, a courageous confrontation leads Stacy to seek Damone’s assistance for an abortion, a request he fails to fulfill, leaving her stranded. An inadvertent revelation puts Brad in a position to keep secrets that may further strain family bonds.

In retaliation, Linda takes action against Damone for abandoning Stacy, igniting tensions that culminate in a physical confrontation between Rat and Damone in the locker room. As the school year wraps up, Mr. Hand’s visit to Spicoli’s home sparks a new understanding in the young surfer.

With new beginnings on the horizon, Rat and Stacy rediscover their romance, while Brad finds direction working at Mi-T-Mart. His bravery during an armed robbery earns him a promotion, contrasting sharply with Damone’s downfall as he ends up working at a 7-Eleven. Meanwhile, as summer approaches, the whimsical escapades of Spicoli, including a heroic act to rescue Brooke Shields from drowning, solidify his status. This moment comes full circle as he uses his reward to have the rock band Van Halen perform at his birthday party, bringing a chaotic yet joyous close to a year full of growth and revelation at Ridgemont High.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Fast Times at Ridgemont High

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Original Trailer

40th Anniversary Trailer

Cars Featured in Fast Times at Ridgemont High

See 43 more

Explore all cars featured in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


AMC

1970

Gremlin

Buick

1975

Apollo

Buick

1960

LeSabre

Chevrolet

1968

Camaro

Chevrolet

1978

Camaro

Chevrolet

1979

Camaro

Chevrolet

1978

Corvette C3

Chevrolet

1977

Nova Concours

Datsun

1979

210 Wagon

Datsun

1975

280Z

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


high schoolteen sex comedyshopping mallpremarital sexteenagersex sceneticket scalpingloss of virginitycaught masturbatingswimming poolfemale frontal nuditytitle directed by femalered bikinisurfercoming of agebikinipizza deliverybrother sister relationshipfast food restaurantabortionteen moviesexual fantasyteacherclimbing out of a swimming poolhawaiian shirtsexual promiscuitylustfired from a jobirreverenceensemble caststonerconvenience storephoto albumhigh school footballslow motion sceneabortion clinictalking about sextrophy wifepantiesteen angstrock musicvandalismsex with a minorrestaurantprankpizzerialos angeles californiafield tripfantasy sequencecar accident

Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.