Your High School Senior Year comes barreling at you like a out of control freight train and seems to only last about as long as an extra long blink... You start getting pulled in opposite directions- between wanting to experience every last "last" with your homies and looking forward to leaving home and living it up in College. 

I've always been a massive fan of the movies... Especially the ones that stop you in your tracks (another train reference, lol!) and burn a certain scene or quote into your brain and seem to change your heart forever. Once in awhile, you will see one that even changes the course of your life.

The following is not just your average Top Ten List of Movies about High School... No, included in my List are movies that give you chills, make you think and feel deeply and hopefully give you a little something that will empower you during your 18th year on this wonderful planet.

Feel free to Comment at the bottom with movies I should add to the list or see myself!

SENIORITY'S TOP MOVIES TO WATCH BEFORE YOU GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL

(In no particular order)

1. "The Pursuit of Happyness" Starring Will Smith and Jayden Smith (2006)

Will.

Jayden.

Enough said.

But, this film goes way way deeper than just two talented artists...

A tale of the reality of life- of hardships and finding the Joy in the dirt. A tale of grit and perseverance that will make you dig down and examine your own heart and values. I am a serious STAN for movies like this. I've probably watched Happyness 10 times at least.

Stream this one and get motivated and inspired!

2.  "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" Starring Emma Watson, Paul Rudd, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller (2012)

TRIGGER WARNING: This film is amazing, but it does involve issues like suicide, mental health and a lot of intense high school issues. Not as crazy as Euphoria, but wanted to give y'all a heads up!

Magical film about high school relationships, family dynamics and some of the intense mental health issues that teens deal with. Emma Watson steals the show as an outwardly gorgeous, but inwardly searching high school senior and the soundtrack is off the hook!

After you watch, come back and comment about the tunnel scene!!

3. "The World's A Little Blurry: Billie Eilish" Billie Eilish Documentary. Starring Billie, Finneas, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber (2021)

One of my favorite music documentaries- and I am a literal music doc addict!

Behind the scenes with Billie on tour with her brother Finneas and parents...

Coachella... Writing songs... Tour... Billie's up and down boyfriend situation... her physical injuries that take a toll on her live shows... and all sorts of backstage and on stage moments...

I love these docs that actually give you insight into how hard celebrity is. As a concert photographer for almost 2 decades, I try to get this point across. Celebrity has a huge cost and we have to have compassion and empathy for these talented humans. Especially someone who is young and growing up under the pressure of the spotlight.

Good vibes and the Bieber scene is legend.

4. "Remember The Titans" Starring Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris (2000)

Life.

Changer.

Period.

If you watch one movie out of this list, make it Titans!

Friday Night Lights in the South and this film does a deep dive into the challenges of sports and racial relations. It does it in a humor-filled way and also a deeply emotional way- as you take the ride with the Titans.

Denzel is transformative as Coach Boone and you'll see some very young actors like Ryan Gosling and Hayden Penitiere, making their early mark on the screen.

So many chills. Such a great message.

Kind of a family style movie with little to no bad language- yet filmed and created in a way that it's just as intense as any movie you'll ever see.

5. "The Breakfast Club" Starring Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson (1985)

The Breakfast Club dropped when I was in High School... So, it probably has that nostalgic attachment for me.

But, that does not make it any less poignant and powerful! I would venture to say that ALL of the John Hughes (Producer) movies are worth watching... Maybe I need to do an article about all of his flicks? I mean: Home Alone, Sixteen Candles, Planes Trains and Automobiles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Weird Science, Pretty In Pink, Uncle Buck... daaaaaang!!

A story about a day in detention. 

A story about real high school issues.

An issue about how society tries to divide us and our power to take back the narrative and become one.

And the best ending scene in movie history? Maybe!!?

6. "Miss Americana: Taylor Swift" Starring Taylor Swift, Andrea Swift, Scott Swift (2020)

TRIGGER WARNING: Body issues and eating disorders discussed in a very real way.

Epic Tay Tay documentary... She is 100% transparent and honest in this film... I'm not sure there has been more insight into her real life than this. 

Behind the scenes on Tour... the real story about the pressures on women in the industry and in society.

Girls will feel empowered watching this as Taylor opens a window into her family, songwriting and ups and downs of her career.

And the closing song- Only The Young is a banger!

7. "We Bought A Zoo" Starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johanson, Elle Fanning (2011)

This one is from my favorite Writer/Director Cameron Crowe (Jerry McGwire, Elizabethtown, Say Anything, Pearl Jam 20, Singles, Almost Famous).

This is another family-style movie- but, don't let it stop you from diving in... Epic cast, cool story, all the feels and a magical sountrack by Icelandic supergroup Sigur Ros... And OK- if you don't listen to Sigur Ros while you are studying, you haven't lived yet! There's also some Bon Iver mixed in to the Soundtrack!

A story about loss, new seasons and getting past hurt.

A story about family, youth and courage.

Let this one take your emotions away.

Simple, but powerful.

"WE BOUGHT A ZOOOOOO"

8. "Glory" Starring Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman (1989)

"Robert Gould Shaw leads the U.S. Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices from both his own Union Army, and the Confederates." Description from IMDB.

This movie dropped, during my Senior Year in High School and it shaped my worldview in a huge way.

A young Denzel Washington. 

A rising star (at that time) in Morgan Freeman.

Matthew Broderick- a few years after Ferris Bueller's Day Off, in a super serious role.

Andre Braugher who was the hidden gem in this movie and who just passed away (in 2024).

The Civil War, depicted in the most intense, moving and emotional ways you have ever seen. You will learn about the history of America, the horrors of war, relationships between people and different races and so much more. You'll experience all the range of emotions during this film. 

Glory won 3 Oscars and it probably should have won even more.

Watch this one... you'll never forget it- I promise!

8. "Justin Bieber- Seasons" Starring Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, Scooter Braun, DJ Khalid, Usher (2020) (YouTube Series 10 Episodes)

JB.

There is SO MUCH MORE to this kid, than just the teen sensation who the paparazzi's follow everywhere he goes.

TRIGGER WARNING: Depression, drugs, anxiety, lyme disease, mental health are discussed in a very real way.

I (JB... JB Brookman- not JB... uh, nevermind LOL) photographed Justin Bieber at Staples Center in Los Angeles on his My World Tour in October of 2010. To this day, it is the loudest sound I have ever heard in an arena. When JB rose from underneath the stage, into a metal sphere- in his iconic white and purple outfit- the sound of little girls and moms screaming their heads off made us photographers up front in the photo pit, literally bend down to escape the noise. Ever since that day, I have had SUCH a heart for this kid, as I know the trappings of celebrity and the challenge that it is for a young person to thrive or even exist within it. My heart has always been for the young artists group of Bieber, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, etc.

This documentary pulls no punches. It's gutting and real. JB admits to his struggles with depression, lyme disease, dopamine overload and drug use and in his own way, teaches us about fame and how hard it is to navigate. You will learn about the behind the scenes during his "troubled period" with the police and the paps and the LA scene.

Celebrity almost killed a young superstar.

Wanna see how great... nah, genius-level music gets made? JB takes us to the Studio.

Wanna see behind the scenes with Justin and Hailey and Selena? There's quite a bit of it in here.

Wanna see a young musical savant in action? There's tons of it.

It's magic if you love music.

It's perfect if you are a fan.

It might make you a fan if you have been skeptical in the past.

Here's the link to the YouTube playlist of SEASONS: Justin Bieber Seasons YouTube

Call: 1-800-662-HELP for confidential 24/7 info and support if you are struggling.

Imma' add more movies to this list as I think of them!

Hit me with a Comment below with some must see films during Senior Year.

Love you guys! If you need anything, just reach out.

And the best way to thank me is to book your Senior Pictures with me. I would LOVE to create with YOU!

Chase your dreams,

-JB