Dangerous Minds

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Dangerous Minds

R

1995

1h 39m

Drama

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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.

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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.

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

May 12, 2001

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

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Feb 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.

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Susan Stark

Detroit News

Jan 1, 2000

3/4

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

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Gary Wolcott

Tri-City Herald

Aug 19, 2025

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.

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Todd James

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta)

Mar 29, 2024

3/5

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

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Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

May 13, 2022

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

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Cedrik N

@Cedrik.N Jul 26, 2026

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.

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lolblog T

@RT47829063 Apr 13, 2026

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

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Ben W

@Username618 Mar 28, 2026

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.

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Christian K

@ckacar Feb 25, 2026

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.

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Crazy P

@RT75776803 Sep 16, 2025

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.

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ryan b

@RT37740700 Aug 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.

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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

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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

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