If you love high school stories with themes of comedy and friendships, checking out movies like booksmart would be your best bet.
Booksmart is a high school comedy that highlights, in a stunning yet simple way, the story of two young women finding their own identities.
The film broke the trend of drab genres by unveiling two best friends who, after spending the majority of their adolescent life studying, decide to check out the high school party life on the eve of graduation.
If you have been in search of movies like Booksmart, this list of films includes both new releases and Hollywood oldies that all have touching friendships, witty dialogues, and funny outcomes of events.
So, strap up because you’re sure to be entertained by these movies highly recommended as ‘next-watch’ for fans of Booksmart.
1. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
- Cast: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Joan Cusack, Paul Rudd
- Runtime: 103 minutes
Based on his 1999 novel, Stephen Chbosky wrote and directed this movie, which was released in 2012. It would be one of the movies like Booksmart, especially if you liked its gorgeous character disparities and teenage friendships storyline.
Charlie, a socially uncomfortable youngster, has spent his entire life watching from a distance until two more experienced schoolmates take him under their wings.
Sam and her stepbrother Patrick guide Charlie in learning about the pleasures of companionship, love, and music, among other things.
Charlie’s inner unhappiness, nevertheless, poses a threat to his newly acquired security as his new friends are about to leave him behind for college.
2. The Edge Of Seventeen (2016)
- Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick, Haley Lu
- Runtime: 104 minutes
Second on our list of movies like Booksmart is this intriguing piece. It earned Hailee Steinfeld, the film’s lead actress, the Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Comedy or Musical for her work in this fantastic dramedy.
A high school junior, Nadine, is having difficulty adjusting to her new situation, which is much more awkward when her best friend, Krista, begins dating her athletic elder brother, Darian.
Despite feeling more alone than ever, a ‘chance’ friendship with a kind teenager gives Nadine hope that things might not be as bad as they seem.
3. Drinking Buddies (2013)
- Cast: Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston
- Runtime: 90 minutes
This romantic comedy about the liaisons between two brewers features Booksmart’s director, Olivia Wilde, as one of the stars.
It is an excellent addition to our list of movies like Booksmart because it has it’s visionary playing a pivotal role.
Kate and Luke are co-workers at a small brewery. They have the kind of friendship where there might be room for more, but it’s unlikely because they each have romantic relationships.
Luke’s partner, Jill, hints at the marriage issue, but the deal between Luke and Kate’s pending relationship is sealed when the duo is alone for a weekend.
4. Girls Just Want To Have Fun (1985)
- Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Lee Montgomery, Morgan Woodward, Jonathan Silverman, Helen Hunt
- Runtime: 90 minutes
This film is not just popular because of its fantastic soundtrack and equally incredible choreography but also because it features Sarah Jessica Parker. It is one of the most fun movies like Booksmart, although it is very different.
Janey has always obeyed her strict father’s instructions and steered clear of fame, despite being a gifted gymnast.
She does, however, for the first time violate her father’s rules when she relocates to a new place and meets the freewheeling Lynne.
Janey joins a TV dance competition with Lynne’s approval, opening up the possibility of finding love from her dance partner and hate from a rival who is set on knocking her out.
5. Clueless (1995)
- Cast: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd, Dan Hedaya
- Runtime: 97 minutes
The film’s plot is partially based on Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma but set in contemporary Beverly Hills. The movie shows how naive anyone can still be in a world of endless possibilities and information.
Cher is one of the brightest students in Beverly Hills high school and is also on top of her social game. She arranges for two teachers to get together and goes on to give Tai, a new student, a makeover after being inspired by her matchmaking accomplishment in the first instance.
Following the complete makeover, Tai becomes more popular than she is, and she realizes her step-brother was right about her misguidedness all along.
6. Lady Bird (2017)
- Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Stephen, McKinley Henderson, Lois Smith
- Runtime: 94 minutes
Lady Bird is an excellent movie like Booksmart that reflects the perplexing and emotional experience of youth. Anyone approaching adulthood will relate more to this heartwarming and humorous film.
In the story, a nurse spends countless hours supporting her family when her husband gets fired. She also maintains a contentious relationship with her teenage daughter, who is like her in that she is affectionate, independent, and completely strong-willed.
7. It’s Kind Of A Funny Story (2010)
- Cast: Keir Gilchrist, Emma Roberts, Viola Davis, Lauren Graham, Jim Gaffigan, Zoë Kravitz, Zach Galifianakis
- Runtime: 101 minutes
The next stop on movies like Booksmart is this captivatingly captioned addition. Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck wrote and directed this comedy-drama, which was released in 2010.
Craig Gilner, aged 16, puts himself into a mental health facility because adolescence is stressing him out. He must spend five days with grownups because the juvenile wing is closed.
While there, Bobby, one of the inmates, assumes the role of a mentor to Craig, and he also finds he is falling for Noelle, a fellow youngster who might be the remedy he needs to get over a romance that wasn’t reciprocated.
8. Plan B (2021)
- Cast: Kuhoo Verma, Victoria Moroles, Josh Ruben, Mason Cook, Michael Provost
- Runtime: 107 minutes
Plan B is a 2021 American comedy film on our list of movies like Booksmart. Natalie Morales directed it. Its name is taken from a brand of birth control that is also a significant storyline point in the film.
The story of two young girls in Plan B centers on their misery as they search for a contraceptive pill to prevent unwanted adolescent pregnancies. This voyage explores friendship, mistrust, uncertainty, and disillusionment in a fun way.
9. Eighth Grade (2018)
- Cast: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily Robinson, Jake Ryan, Fred Hechinger
- Runtime: 94 minutes
Eighth Grade is a movie full of shuddering and weird moments, just like Booksmart. This is a beautiful film choice if you are looking for a movie about a teenager’s journey toward discovering self-confidence.
During the last week of eighth grade, an anxious middle school teenager tries to fit in socially with her colleagues.
She creates motivational advice videos on her blog online as a coping mechanism, despite worrying over social media. Her bid to get into the social space estranges her father, who is usually encouraging and supportive.
10. The Breakfast Club (1985)
- Cast: Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy
- Runtime: 97 minutes
The Breakfast Club is one of the most well-known films depicting adolescent turmoil, just like in some movies like Booksmart. The film examines teen difficulties and various high school social circles.
During a Saturday detention, five high school kids from various backgrounds are held under an overarching principal.
Each member of the diverse group has the opportunity to share their experience, causing the others to perceive them slightly differently. These revelations may be what change the perception of the kids forever.
11. Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
- Cast: Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming, Julia Campbell
- Runtime: 92 minutes
The movie was released 25 years ago and is based on the two supporting figures in Robin Schiff’s play, Romy and Michele.
Following the story, Romy and Michele haven’t precisely completed everything they set out to do ten years after graduating high school.
When they learn that their high school reunion is approaching, they seize the chance to show their schoolmates how much they have accomplished. They completely transform themselves and create a falsehood that ultimately gets out of hand.
12. The Heat (2013)
- Cast: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Demián Bichir, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport
- Runtime: 117 minutes
This friendship cop action comedy, The Heat, was helmed by Paul Feig and released in 2013. Because of its plot filled with many complexities of Molly and Amy’s relationship, it makes a perfect addition to our list of movies like Booksmart.
To remove criminals from Boston’s streets, FBI Special Agents Sarah Ashburn and Shannon Mullins, two people whose temperaments are opposites, must work together.
The need to partner up to apprehend a drug lord causes friction between these two extreme personalities, but they become friends.
13. Easy A (2010)
- Cast: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd, Thomas Haden Church
- Runtime: 92 minutes
The movie, Easy A, is an excellent piece of work with a captivating storyline, although it has its cliché moments.
The movie’s main character is a wipe-down high school student named Olive, whose one tiny white lie to her best friend, Rhi, causes a significant and unpleasant transformation.
In the story, Olive’s best friend prods her to drop the beans about her dull weekend, and she decides to liven things up by telling a small white lie about losing her virginity.
Unfortunately, the high school gossip overhears the conversation and passes it on, and Olive becomes instantly well-known, but not for the right reasons.
14. The Sweetest Thing (2002)
- Cast: Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, Selma Blair, Thomas Jane, Jason Bateman, Parker Posey
- Runtime: 91 minutes
This film is one of the movies like Booksmart, showing a classic story of female friendship. It was one of the earliest bawdy sitcoms to emphasize women’s desires.
After years of avoiding men, Christina Walters unexpectedly found her ideal mate while spending time with her closest friends, Courtney and Jane.
When Peter abruptly leaves, Christina decides to break the rules and see him with the help of her best buddy, Courtney.
15. Dope (2015)
- Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Kimberly Elise, Chanel Iman, Tyga, Blake Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, ASAP Rocky
- Runtime: 103 minutes
Dope is the story of a young man struggling to find his identity. It explores adolescent distress and the risks associated with juvenile experimenting.
The plot has Malcolm, a senior in high school, and his buddies connecting over their shared interests in studies, rock music, and the 90s hip-hop lifestyle.
Things run smoothly until Malcolm, and his companions end up at a drug dealer named Dom’s birthday celebration owing to a chance encounter.
They attempt to run while carrying the Ecstasy that Dom concealed in Malcolm’s rucksack as things become violent.
16. Ghost World (2001)
- Cast: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Steve Buscemi
- Runtime: 112 minutes
The movie, Ghost World, is based on the renowned graphic novel about two best friends who have just graduated and are attempting to traverse adulthood despite their inexperience.
It is one of the movies like Booksmart because it shares a ‘coming-of-age’ film featuring friendships.
Enid and Rebecca’s story is about how the friends reflect carefully on the world they cynically witness as they approach their high school graduation and determine what they are going in for.
The girls’ bond is permanently altered when Enid develops an interest in the eccentric Seymour, and Rebecca concentrates her energy on their shared crush, Josh.
17. Legally Blonde (2001)
- Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge
- Running: 96 minutes
Legally Blonde, released in 2001, was the first full-length movie Robert Luketic had directing credits on, and it turns out it became a classic.
Similarly to Booksmart, the film exposed some stereotypes and made clear how inaccurate and out-of-date they are.
The plot follows Elle Woods as she pursues a Law degree at Harvard Law School to win her ex-boyfriend’s love again.
However, she is too blonde, which keeps him from popping the question. Will Elle be able to maneuver the situation to her advantage?
