As midterm season quickly approaches, time put aside to relax and rest is so important. For me, that time normally consists of watching movies or television shows that don’t make me think. This means going back into the classics from my childhood and binge watching them all. And although they may not be critically acclaimed or award winning, they still remind me of simpler times and get me through the dreadful exam week.
1. High School Musical 2
High School Musical is the ultimate representation of what high school is not actually like. There’s a lot of singing, dancing, and drama in the lives of Gabriella Montez and Troy Bolton. It’s the ultimate love story of a brainiac and basketball captain who are together despite their differences. The second movie, taking place during the summer, follows the ups and downs of their romance. They both learn to balance work and fun at their new summer jobs at Sharpay’s country club. Surrounded by their fellow classmates, the Wildcats, there is a lot of singing, dance mobs, and cheesy acting, but it is definitely a must watch.
2. Starstruck
One of my all-time favorites, Starstruck tells the story of teen sensation Christopher Wilde and regular teen Jessica Olsen. Jessica, who hates Christopher and his music, spends everyday listening to her older sister obsess about him. Until one day during their trip to California, Jessica runs into Christopher. She then unfortunately has to spend the rest of the day running around with him to avoid the paparazzi. Through their troubled days of touring Hollywood, getting stuck in quicksand, and trying to understand his celebrity life, they get closer and closer.
3. Lemonade Mouth
The most underrated Disney Channel Original Movie, it’s about five high schoolers who start their own band. At the start, they are complete strangers. They all have different passions, hobbies, and run in different crowds at their school, until they all meet in detention one day, and soon realize they have more in common than they think. Their troubles and triumphs only unite them further as they become determined to win their school’s local music competition.
4. 16 Wishes
On Abby Jensen’s 16th birthday, she is amazed when her wishes actually start coming true. She can’t wait to grow up and turn 16. At first, all the wishes she makes go great. She beats her nemesis in a volleyball match and becomes student body president. But suddenly, she runs into an issue when she wishes she could be treated like an adult. Suddenly no one understands her, her friends forget her, and her parents expect her to be completely independent. She finally has everything she has ever wanted and yet is unhappy. She must find a way to become a teenager again, and learns how to appreciate her imperfect life as a sixteen year old. It’s all about learning how to appreciate a time in our life even if it doesn’t seem absolutely perfect.
5. Teen Beach Movie
Two teenagers who are growing up start to face real life issues as they enter high school. Mack dreams of living near the beach and surfing with Brady forever, but her life is suddenly scrambled when her Aunt wants her to move away. The day she is supposed to leave, she runs off to surf where she goes unconscious underwater. After getting crushed by the wave, Brady and Mack wake up in a magical new place. They find themselves surrounded by characters from Brady’s favorite movie who don’t understand what the real world is. It’s all about finding yourself and making the right choices when life hits you with big decisions.Â
6. Radio Rebel
This movie has become one of the biggest jokes in recent years, but honestly, watching it always reminds me of how crazy it is. The movie centers around Tara, a quirky high schooler who starts her own radio show. Once confined to her shyness she soon learns that she has a voice through her show. Until one day, the stereotypical popular girl tries to discover that she is the one behind the show. She must either tell her school the truth or hide behind a screen forever.