School Daze (1988): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
School Daze is a 1988 drama musical directed by Spike Lee, starring Laurence Fishburne and Giancarlo Esposito. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $14.5 million worldwide. Critics gave it 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 1m (121 min)
- Director
- Spike Lee
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is School Daze About?
The premise of School Daze without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
At Mission College, a historically black institution, the dynamics of student life are explored as activism and apathy clash. Charismatic student Dap inspires change, challenging the established order, while Julian’s fraternity clings to tradition and campus prestige. Caught between these opposing forces is Half-Pint, struggling with his loyalty to his cousin’s cause and the temptations of belonging to the fraternity. The film examines themes of social responsibility and the complexities of navigating identity and belonging.
School Daze Themes & Keywords
· 29 tags- male frontal nudity
- male nudity
- male rear nudity
- satire
- fraternity hazing
- satire comedy
- black college
- college
- fraternity
- black cast
- beauty salon
- sorority
+17 more Show fewer
- fraternity pledge master
- cousin cousin relationship
- fraternity pledge
- college freshman
- homecoming
- black fraternity
- militant
- activist
- black militant
- black activist
- black american
- stepping
- two word title
- written and directed by cast member
- directed by co star
- african american
- feud
School Daze Cast
Laurence Fishburne leads the cast, with Giancarlo Esposito. Directed by Spike Lee.
-
Director Spike Lee
More from Spike Lee
More films directed by Spike Lee, best-rated first: David Byrne’s American Utopia, BlacKkKlansman, Do the Right Thing and Pass Over.
School Daze Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave School Daze 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 52 Metascore
User score 5.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 59% User score
See on TMDB
School Daze Plot Summary
What happens in School Daze from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On Homecoming Weekend at the historic Mission College in Georgia, the passionate senior Vaughn “Dap” Dunlap, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne, spearheads a protest rally against the school’s complicity in apartheid in South Africa. This peaceful demonstration, however, is interrupted by the fraternity Gamma Phi Gamma and their pledge class known as the Gammites. Among them is Julian “Big Brother Almighty” Eaves, played by Giancarlo Esposito, who is a former friend of Dap and openly disagrees with his activist stance. Tensions escalate into a clash between Dap and Julian, but their quarrel is halted by Student Government Association president Virgil Cloyd, played by Gregg Burge.
Full summary
The whole story of School Daze, scene by scene
School Daze Box Office
School Daze grossed $14.5 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$14.5M
- US & Canada
- $14.5M
School Daze Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip Wake Up
How Well Do You Know School Daze?
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
Who is the militant senior leading the protest against the university's ties to apartheid?
Cars in School Daze
11 cars on screen, including the 1964 Ford Falcon and the 1985 Audi Coupé GT B2.
-
1964 Ford Falcon Important role -
1985 Audi Coupé GT B2 Minor role -
1986 BMW 3 E30 Minor role -
1985 Chevrolet C-Series Minor role
School Daze Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Aule Turbolente” and “Revolução Estudantil”.
- Also known as
-
- Aule Turbolente
- Revolução Estudantil
- 黑色学府
- Aulas turbulentas
- מבוכה בבית הספר
- Blázinec ve škole
- Lute Pela Coisa Certa
- Okul Yılları
- Suli láz
- 스쿨데이즈
Seen School Daze?
Movies Like School Daze
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Film School Confidential, Back to School and College.
School Daze FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of School Daze, each answered in a sentence.
How long is School Daze?
School Daze runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).
When was School Daze released?
School Daze was released on February 12, 1988.
Who directed School Daze?
School Daze was directed by Spike Lee.
More films by Spike Lee Who is in the cast of School Daze?
School Daze stars Laurence Fishburne and Giancarlo Esposito.
How much did School Daze make at the box office?
School Daze grossed $14.5 million worldwide.
How is School Daze rated?
School Daze has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 52 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.
Does School Daze have a post-credit scene?
No. School Daze has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
