Dangerous Minds

Play trailer

Dangerous Minds

R

1995

1h 39m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

36%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Former Marine Louanne Johnson lands a gig teaching in a pilot program for bright but underachieving teens at a notorious inner-city high school. After having a terrible first day, she decides she must throw decorum to the wind. When Johnson returns to the classroom, she does so armed with a no-nonsense attitude informed by her military training and a fearless determination to better the lives of her students -- no matter what the cost.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Rife with stereotypes that undermine its good intentions, Dangerous Minds is too blind to see that the ones it hurts are the audience.

Read Critics Reviews

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

05/12/2001

Pfeiffer gives a funny, scrappy performance that makes you feel a committed teacher's fire to make a difference.

Go to Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

02/13/2001

The tale screenwriter Ronald Bass came up with, and the way director John N. Smith tells it, is stereotypical, predictable and simplified to the point of meaninglessness.

Go to Full Review

Susan Stark

Detroit News

01/01/2000

3/4

The movie has real emotional and reportorial credibility, a prime source of its power.

Go to Full Review

Gary Wolcott

Tri-City Herald

Aug 19

3.5/5

Dangerous Minds is formula-feel-good that works most of the time. What makes it click is Pfeiffer's excellent acting and a supporting cast of talented kids.

Go to Full Review

Todd James

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

03/29/2024

3/5

Often these students seem a little too easy to tame, but on this level, Dangerous Minds is enjoyable.

Go to Full Review

Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

05/13/2022

If you liked Sidney Portier in To Sir With Love, this is the film for you.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Cedrik N

@Cedrik.N Jul 26

Wasn't great. She is a great actress though. I like the storyline kind of. Think the way the movie is shot is good. It's alright, not bad, not good. Worth a watch if you have time over.

See more

lolblog T

@RT47829063 Apr 13

0 out of 10, for me is one of the most forcibly movies i watch, the acting is very bad, it seems so obvious and fake, i couldn't watch it again

See more

Ben W

@Username618 Mar 28

I sort of convinced myself I should watch this , as it was about teaching. Maybe it is actually, though I am saddened when the personality contest element of teaching is foremost, in general.

See more

Christian K

@ckacar Feb 25

This movie has a ridiculous title for what the content of it actually is, it's a stereotypical teacher/class movie. The most unbelievable part is that her breakthrough with them is through Bob Dylan lyrics.

See more

Crazy P

@RT75776803 Sep 16

She wasn't believable as an ex Marine. She lacked control but finally figured it out. Then surprised the school would have the students who were the appropriate age to continue attending school.

See more

ryan b

@RT37740700 08/12/2025

Wow can't believe critics have it such a dismal score. Sure it isn't the greatest movie ever made but it is a really good movie, with strong cast and gets deep sometimes. Shows how not just the educational system, but all the public help systems fail society and yes sometimes one person can make a difference.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

John N. Smith

Director

Michelle Pfeiffer

Louanne Johnson

George Dzundza

Hal Griffith

Courtney B. Vance

Mr. George Grandey

Robin Bartlett

Ms. Carla Nichols

Bruklin Harris

Callie Roberts

Dead Presidents

47%

78%

Dead Presidents

Watchlist

Firelight

41%

82%

Firelight

Watchlist

The Joy Luck Club

86%

89%

The Joy Luck Club

Watchlist

One Good Cop

14%

35%

One Good Cop

Watchlist

G.I. Jane

55%

53%

G.I. Jane

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Box Office Guru Preview: New Year Brings New Crop of Pics

Critical Consensus: "Lady" Is All Wet; "Ex" Is Not Super; "House" Is Scary, "Clerks" Is Funny

Critical Consensus: Take Or Leave This "Lead,: An Odd "Number," "Benchwarmers"

View more photos

Synopsis

Former Marine Louanne Johnson lands a gig teaching in a pilot program for bright but underachieving teens at a notorious inner-city high school. After having a terrible first day, she decides she must throw decorum to the wind. When Johnson returns to the classroom, she does so armed with a no-nonsense attitude informed by her military training and a fearless determination to better the lives of her students -- no matter what the cost.

Director: John N. Smith
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer, Don Simpson
Screenwriter: LouAnne Johnson, Ronald Bass
Distributor: Hollywood Pictures Home Video, Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Via Rosa Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 11, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $84.9M
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Surround

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings