RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / School of Rock
School of Rock

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

School of Rock (2003)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
91 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:183

Fresh:167

Rotten:16

Average Rating:7.7/10

Consensus: Black's exuberant, gleeful performance turns School of Rock into a hilarious, rocking good time.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some rude humor and drug references

Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Oct 3, 2003 Wide

Box Office: $81,147,397

Synopsis: SCHOOL OF ROCK is a hilarious romp that parents will enjoy as much as their children. Jack Black stars as Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who doesn't seem to be rocking much of anything these days.... SCHOOL OF ROCK is a hilarious romp that parents will enjoy as much as their children. Jack Black stars as Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who doesn't seem to be rocking much of anything these days. Kicked out of the band that he started and about to be kicked out of his apartment, Dewey pretends that he's his roommate Ned Schneebly (Mike White) in order to take a job as a substitute teacher. Arriving at an ultra conservative--and ultra expensive--prep school, Dewey manages to fool the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). Soon, he finds himself in a classroom with a bunch of fifth graders. Obviously, Dewey has no intentions of teaching these kids anything, but when he discovers that a handful of them are talented musicians, a light bulb goes off. Determined to enter the local battle of the bands and win $25,000, Dewey embarks on his greatest mission of all: Teaching these kids how to rock! Director Richard Linklater (DAZED AND CONFUSED, WAKING LIFE) delivers his most universally appealing film with SCHOOL OF ROCK. Written specifically for Black by screenwriter/actor White, this outrageously entertaining crowd-pleaser elevates Black to superstar status. [More]

Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman

Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman, Miranda Cosgrove, Joey Gaydes

Director: Richard Linklater

Director: Richard Linklater
Screenwriter: Mike White
Producer: Scott Rudin
Composer: Craig Wedren
Studio: Paramount Pictures

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • School of Rock Trailer
    >
1 of 1

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Dec 30, 2008

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Jack Black stars as a hell-raising guitarist with delusions of grandeur. Kicked out of his band and desperate for work, he impersonates a substitute teacher and turns a class of fifth grade high-achievers into high-voltage rock and rollers. Joan Cusack portrays the principal of the private school where Black is prepping the kids for a Battle of the Bands.
  • Source - Paramount Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for School of Rock

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Sunday Times (Australia) | comment Comment
    11/17/03
    Sunday Times (Australia)

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    05/14/04
    Empire Magazine

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
    02/07/04
    Independent

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    03/16/04
    Apollo Guide

    Director Richard Linklater and writer Mike White hit all of the right notes with the perfect combination of funny for families, groovy enough for grown-ups and campy enough for cool kids.

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    10/03/03
    E! Online

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat

    Black plays Dewey as the bastard child of Jack Nicholson and Elvis

    Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    09/23/03
    Andrea Chase
    Andrea Chase
    Killer Movie Reviews

    Black's performance carries the movie.

    Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
    10/03/03
    Andrew Fu
    Andrew Fu
    San Diego Union-Tribune

    A clever and sometimes a beautiful thing.

    Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
    10/04/03
    Andrew O'Hehir
    Andrew O'Hehir
    Salon.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The kids -- most of them first-timers cast for natural charisma and musical ability -- steal the show.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    10/03/03
    Angel Cohn
    Angel Cohn
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    Exuberant, raucous and thoroughly endearing.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    10/03/03
    Ann Hornaday
    Ann Hornaday
    Washington Post

    The chief reason to see School of Rock is that it's your chance to see Hollywood's newest comic star in the making.

    Full Review Source: Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah) | comment Comment
    10/10/03
    Audrey Rock-Richardson
    Audrey Rock-Richardson
    Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

    That sound you hear is me -- still applauding Jack Black's wildly hilarious tour de force in School of Rock.

    Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    09/30/03
    Betty Jo Tucker
    Betty Jo Tucker
    ReelTalk Movie Reviews

    One of the best comedies in years...the film never sells out to itself.

    Full Review Source: FromTheBalcony | comment Comment
    06/26/05
    Bill Clark
    Bill Clark
    FromTheBalcony

    This raucous riff teaches that there's no substitute for a single, dynamic performer, one who can make us giggle just by walking into a shot.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
    10/03/03
    Bill Muller
    Bill Muller
    Arizona Republic
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Jack Black has played the in-your-face slacker many times before, but with a script written specifically to showcase his particular genius, he completely aces this exam.

    Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
    10/02/03
    Bill Pearis
    Bill Pearis
    Citysearch

    Black rocks as Dewey, simply because he refuses to treat the kids like children. Linklater eschews any sentimentality, holding what little there is in check.

    Full Review Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) | comment Comment
    10/07/03
    Bob Bloom
    Bob Bloom
    Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Modamag.com | comment Comment
    10/10/03
    Brian Orndorf
    Brian Orndorf
    Modamag.com

    While Jack Black deservedly gets most of the credit, it’s director Richard Linklater’s work with a gaggle of youngsters that makes the difference between success and failure.

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    10/12/03
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
    all

    Latest News for School of Rock

    August 05, 2009: Columbia Adopts White's Babe in the Woods Opens in new window
    "School of Rock" writer Mike White has sold Columbia Pictures his script for "Babe in the Woods," an action-comedy about "a female freshman from the Midwest who arrives at Yale... More...

    October 17, 2008: UK Critics Consensus: Is Burn After Reading A Coens Classic? Does Eagle Eye Have Enough Action, Man?
    In this week's roster of UK cinema releases we have the latest addition to the Coen canon in the CIA comedy caper, Burn After Reading, Shia LeBeouf stakes a further claim to the... More...

    September 08, 2008: Linklater Says "Not So Fast" to School of Rock 2 Opens in new window
    According to Richard Linklater, Paramount may have jumped the gun when they announced that "School of Rock 2" was on its way. More...

    July 14, 2008: Jack Black Heading Back to School Opens in new window
    Looks like Mike White's School of Rock 2 script was pretty solid -- Paramount has given the sequel a green light, and Jack Black has signed on to star. More...

    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    77% 77% The Hangover
    88% 88% Inglourious Basterds
    66% 66% Public Enemies
    24% 24% G-Force
    44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    82% 82% Paranormal Activity
    58% 58% 9
    44% 44% Jennifer's Body
    58% 58% A Perfect Getaway

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    RT Editors' Picks

    RT Editors' Picks

    Which films of '09 were staff faves?

    Awards Tour

    Awards Tour

    Stay up on the latest awards and noms!

    Sex and The City 2

    Sex and The City 2

    Friendship, fashion, and fun in one trailer!

    RT on DVD & Blu-Ray

    RT on DVD & Blu-Ray

    9 and Paranormal Activity!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Star Trek Tops 2009's Most-Pirated Movies List Source: Hollywood Reporter
    15
    • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
    108
    • New Toy Story 3 Clip, Photos Posted Source: Slashfilm
    26
    • Danny Trejo Talks Machete, Possible Sequels Source: Collider.com
    14
    • It's Official: Jackass 3-D Coming in 2010 Source: Collider.com
    16
    • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
    102
    • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
    1
    • How Avatar Happened: The Path to Innovation Source: CinemaBlend.com
    19
    • Rob Marshall Says Pirates 4 Is Still a Maybe Source: ComingSoon.net
    32
    • ET Teases Iron Man 2 Teaser Source: Collider.com
    28
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar, Sherlock, and Alvin Team Up To Break Records
    235
    • RT's Best of the Decade!
    170
    • Total Recall: Jude Law's Best Movies
    58
    • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
    36
    • Critics Consensus: Sherlock Holmes Is Worth Investigating
    33
    • RT Editors Choose Their Favorite Films of 2009!
    25
    • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: 9 and Paranormal Activity
    12
    • Friday Harvest: Sherlock Holmes, Toy Story 3, and more!
    10
    • What We're Watching on Blu-ray from 20th Century Fox!
    0
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
    72
    • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
    21
    • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
    2
    • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
    17
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    12
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    24
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    8
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    16
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    24
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    9
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • School of Rock at Rotten Tomatoes
    • School of Rock at IGN
    • School of Rock at AskMen

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Best Dozen of the Decade
    Best Dozen of the Decade External Link

    Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

    Top 50 of 2009
    Top 50 of 2009 External Link

    Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.

    Santa's Naughty List
    Santa's Naughty List External Link

    Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.

    Top 10 Movies of 2009
    Top 10 Movies of 2009 External Link

    TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

    Top 20 of the Decade
    Top 20 of the Decade External Link

    Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!

    Promos
    Follow RT on Twitter
    Follow RT on Twitter External Link

    Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo
    About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
    IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
    By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
    IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.