8 Nerdalicious 80’s School Movies

NERDS FOR THE WIN! The 80's were magical for me. I was a teen, VHS tapes were plentiful and I had free time. This was a sweet spot for movies about school and nerds. I could identify with both. The smart but overlooked... the not-so-cool-for-school kid with a heart of gold... These are some of my favorite 80's school movies and my favorite school-aged nerds.

Gary and Wyatt create a woman using their computer, a couple of bras, and a barbie doll.  Kelly LeBrock is steaming hot when she enters the room and in general. Hard to believe Gary grows up to be an arms dealer in the third season of Reacher.

Lewis, Gilbert, Booger (a Michigan native!)... in the word of 80's school movies, there are SO MANY amazing nerds in this.  I still adore it.  When they come together and perform their skit to win Greek Week, I get misty-eyed just thinking about these fabulous, talented nerds finding ways to let their unique talents shine for the greater good of the group.  The nerd power is STRONG in this scene.  It begins with a face you may better remember from Top Gun.

I WANT MY TWO DOLLARS.  This movie has a crap-load of quotable dialogue and hilarious, off-kilter scenes: the car races, the French dinner, the ski scenes, but a paperboy who wants his money...  well you better watch out, friend.

Breakfast Club was awesome for bringing a bunch of different click-types together: jock, burn-out, popular, misfit and, of course, nerd. One of the most well-known 80's school movies, many people just remember their dumb dance in the library, but the movie actually had some serious content. As the kids admitted why they got detention, you saw their struggles... struggles that many kids still have today. Having said that, here's the dumb dance scene. Enjoy.

Obviously a HUGE movie... who hasn't seen Back to the Future?  While Marty McFly may not have been a straight-up nerd, his dad, George, MORE THAN made up for it.  Remember that time George was visited by Darth Vader?  Here's the extended cut that didn't actually make the movie.

Although this movie is primarily about Andie (Molly Ringwald), the movie was made by Ducky (John Cryer).  Ducky was one of the first unapologetic nerds.  He had no problem antagonizing the "cool kid" bullies even if it meant he paid for it.  James Spader is masterful as the villain and Andrew McCarthy gets the girl... shocker.  Also, killer soundtrack, if you enjoy 80's alternative.

Another one of the most famous 80's school movies: Obviously, Ferris is not a nerd.  Let's move our focus over to Cameron.  "I'll go, I'll go, I'll go."

Genius Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) bucks the system and takes Chris, the new nerd on campus, under his wing.  Chuck-full of slapstick and ridiculousness, I'm embarrassed by how many times I watched this movie, and yet I still love it.  Who doesn't enjoy Kent talking to Jesus?

This wasn't isn't as well known, but I thought it worth mentioning.  It features A VERY YOUNG Corey Haim playing a nerdy teenager.  He gets targeted by bullies, but when he makes friends with the new girl (Kerri Green) life improves.  Winona Ryder (her first film appearance) and Charlie Sheen are in this movie too.