Three O'Clock High (1987)

63% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(5,679 ratings)

The first feature film from director Phil Joanou (State of Grace), Three O' Clock High chronicles a high school nerd's much hyped after-school bout with the infamous class bully. When the impish Jerry Mitchell (Casey Siemaszko) is assigned to interview the new transfer student with a supposedly… More The first feature film from director Phil Joanou (State of Grace), Three O' Clock High chronicles a high school nerd's much hyped after-school bout with the infamous class bully. When the impish Jerry Mitchell (Casey Siemaszko) is assigned to interview the new transfer student with a supposedly violent past, Buddy Revell (Richard Tyson), he makes the fatal mistake of touching his subject. Revell, who hates being touched, responds by challenging the unwilling Mitchell to a fight at three o'clock in the parking lot. Spanning the course of the school day, the film follows the disaster-bound Mitchell as he soils his good-boy image through various misguided attempts at averting the fight. Also making noteworthy appearances in the film are Jeffrey Tambor and Philip Baker Hall. ~ Rachel Deahl, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Phil Joanou
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 9, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Sep 2, 2003
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A better than average high-school comedy stylishly directed by a young Phil (State of Grace) Joanou.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
The screenplay writers throw the story away in a finale which celebrates the machismo the rest of the film mocks.
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com
A quick burst of harmless fun, featuring stunning camerawork by Barry Sonnenfeld
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
Hilarious little cult film about the perils of high school
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Personally, speaking as a life-long Shmoe, I think it rocks. So I'm saying own it; but at least rent it if you've never seen it before.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This hilarious teen comedy is a lot of fun, I love it, it should be added to the list of essential 80s teen movies! I highly recommend it.
Alexis N

Three O'clock High is a funny 80's high school underdog story. So fun!
Ken S

How have I never seen this before? So so so much fun. Great cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld and great directon from Phil Joanou. Why did Spielberg take his name off this?
Pierluigi P

Funny "High Noon" spoof with great camerawork by Barry Sonnenfeld and that lovely and unique 80s style.
A.D. V

Quite possibly the best of the "teen films" of the 80's including the John Hughes ones. That's right I said it. It's also in style and wit the precursor to one of the best 90's TV shows, Parker Lewis Can't Lose.
Michael G

I loved this movie back in the day. One of the few from that era I can still watch.
Donna D

Another great teen comedy in the 80's. Jerry Mitchell is the classic HS nerd that works in the local bookstore. His life is no adventure, until he is assigned to write a review on local transfer that is a well known bully, Buddy Revell. Soon, an encounter leaves Jerry left to… More
Another great teen comedy in the 80's. Jerry Mitchell is the classic HS nerd that works in the local bookstore. His life is no adventure, until he is assigned to write a review on local transfer that is a well known bully, Buddy Revell. Soon, an encounter leaves Jerry left to face Buddy in an afterschool fight at 3:00pm. The school day is long as Jerry tries to get out of this fight! Hilariously done by Casey Siemasko who plays Jerry and Richard Tyson as Buddy. Funny and amusing, and the story was well written. :D
Leo L

Great movie! Still a favorite, still watch every now and then. Casey Siemaszko was simply brilliant in this!

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Casey Siemaszko as Jerry Mitchell

            Anne Ryan as Franny Perrins

            Stacey Glick as Brei Mitchell

            Jonathan Wise as Vincent Costello

            Richard Tyson as Buddy Revell

            Jeffrey Tambor as Mr. Rice

            Liza Morrow as Karen Clarke

            Philip Baker Hall as Detective Mulvahill

            John P. Ryan as Mr. O'Rourke

            Brian Andrews as Nerdy Kid

            Bob Apisa as Cop #1

            Vivian Brown as Miss Vail

            Paul Feig as Hall Monitor

            Mike Jolly as Craig Mattey

            E. Katherine Kerr as Mrs. Phillips

            Charles Macauley as Voytek Dolinski

            Alice Nunn as Nurse Palmer

            Caitlin O'Heaney as Miss Farmer

            Mitch Pileggi as Duke Herman

            John Rothman as Mr. Medved

            Yeardley Smith as Cheerleader

            Shirley Stoler as Eva

            Scott Tiler as Bruce Chalmer

            Theron Read as Mark Bojeekus

            Tom Taylor as Jock #3

            Guy Massey as Scott Cranston
See full cast

Trailers & Clips

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started