Adult Education: Grown-Ups Going Back to School

The '22 Jump Street' guys went back to high school in 2012. Now they're going back to college. They're not alone. Check out these other movie characters who, long after they should have graduated, opted to reenroll instead.
'Back to School' (1986)

Where else could we start? Rodney Dangerfield plays a rich, recently divorced fiftysomething who joins his son at college in order to keep the boy's spirits up. He becomes the life of the party, but professors give him...no respect.
'Billy Madison' (1995)

In order to inherit his dad's hotel empire, Adam Sandler has to properly succeed at school – repeating every grade from 1 to 12. This was the movie that, for better or worse, cemented Sandler's status as a box office champ.
'Larry Crowne' (2011)

A Navy veteran (Tom Hanks) can't land a decent job because of his lack of a degree, so it's off to community college he goes. There he takes an interest in his speech teacher (Julia Roberts) – and in scooters. Plus: George Takei!
'Never Been Kissed' (1999)

Drew Barrymore goes undercover, '21 Jump Street' style, as a journalist who sneaks into high school to report on teen issues, and winds up hot for teacher (Michael Vartan).
'Don Jon' (2013)

Sex-crazed Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a bartender in his late twenties, agrees to take night classes at the local college. It's here where he befriends a fellow student, middle-aged Esther (Julianne Moore), who changes his life.
'Old School' (2003)

Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson aren't interested in the scholarly aspects of college – they just miss the parties. So these thirtysomethings set up a frat house where anyone is welcome and streaking is encouraged.
'The House Bunny' (2008)

Playboy bunny Shelley (Anna Faris) doesn't officially enroll in college, but she becomes house mother at the nerdy Zeta Alpha Zeta sorority, where she gives Emma Stone lessons in how to be attractive. Mission accomplished.
'High Time' (1960)

The "grown-up going back to school" comedy is no recent phenomenon: Bing Crosby did it over half a century ago. 'High Time' recounts all four years in his character's midlife return to college.
'Hiding Out' (1987)

Jon Cryer plays a Wall Street broker on the run from the mob who masquerades as a student at his nephew's high school – and ends up sporting one of the most remarkable hairstyles of the 1980s.
'Necessary Roughness' (1991)

Scott Bakula stars as a 34-year-old quarterback who, despite not having played football for 16 years, is drafted into the flailing Texas State Armadillos – along with a rather motley crew. Can you say "underdog sports movie"?
'Strangers with Candy' (2005)

Amy Sedaris brings her cult TV character Jerri Blank to the big screen. The 46-year-old ex-junkie – Blank, not Sedaris – tries to start her life over by enrolling in high school. Considerable oddness ensues.
'Educating Rita' (1983)

Long before she was Mrs. Weasley in the Harry Potter films, Julie Walters made a splash as a working-class lady trying to better herself through the UK's Open University, a study-at-home program. Her tutor? One Michael Caine.
'Horse Feathers' (1932)

Talk about old school: in this Marx Brothers romp, Groucho is a college president who recruits bootlegger Chico and dog catcher Harpo for his college's football team, and even the elusive Zeppo Marx appears – as Groucho's son!
Check out these popular galleries:

Offers

'Back to School' (1986)

'Billy Madison' (1995)

'Larry Crowne' (2011)

'Never Been Kissed' (1999)

'Don Jon' (2013)

'Old School' (2003)

'The House Bunny' (2008)

'High Time' (1960)

'Hiding Out' (1987)

'Necessary Roughness' (1991)

'Strangers with Candy' (2005)

'Educating Rita' (1983)

'Horse Feathers' (1932)

Check out these popular galleries: