Lean On Me

1989·Movie
1h 48min·PG-13
73
GoodGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Lean On Me fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Tense

  • Tension8
  • Fast Pace6
  • Violence6

Heart

Hopeful and cathartic

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Hopefulness8
  • Catharsis8
  • Pathos7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Cringe Humor2
  • Situational Comedy1

World

Everyday modern life, a real life story, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, direction, and characters

  • Acting9
  • Direction8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Standout score

  • Music Composition8
  • Music Centrality8
  • Cinematography7

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Eastside High was out of control...until Joe Clark took it back.

When principal Joe Clark takes over decaying Eastside High School, he's faced with students wearing gang colors and graffiti-covered walls. Determined to do anything he must to turn the school around, he expels suspected drug dealers, padlocks doors and demands effort and results from students, staff and parents. Autocratic to a fault, this real-life educator put it all on the line.
Inspirational Biographical DramaSocial CommentaryGritty School SettingAutocratic LeadershipTriumphant Underdog StoryPowerful PerformancesUrban RealityEducational ReformTense & Uplifting

Crew

Directed by:
Written by:
Composed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about Lean On Me

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Lean On Me legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Lean On Me worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73/100 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 70%, and Metacritic 58). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Lean On Me rated?

PG-13ViolenceStrong languageDrug use

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and drug use.

How long is Lean On Me?

1 h 48 min

Lean On Me runs 1 h 48 min.

Is Lean On Me based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Lean On Me?

Critics64
Audiences80

Not quite. Audiences rate Lean On Me higher (80) than critics (64). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Lean On Me a box office hit?

Budget$10 million
Box office$32 million

Yes. It cost about $10 million to make and earned $32 million worldwide, 3.2 times its budget.

What language is Lean On Me in?

EnglishPortugueseSpanish

It was made in English, with some Portuguese, Spanish. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Lean On Me?

66AOARATAUAZBEBFBOBRBYBZCACHCL+52

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Lean On Me in 66 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Lean On Me use?

Save Our StudentsVery Loosely Based on a True StoryRage Breaking PointI'll Take That as a ComplimentN-Word PrivilegesEngineered Public ConfessionPet the DogArtistic License – HistoryDarker and EdgierLaser-Guided KarmaSuicide DareBerate and Switchand 30 more

TV Tropes lists 42 storytelling tropes for Lean On Me, including Save Our Students, Very Loosely Based on a True Story, Rage Breaking Point.

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