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School of Rock

School of Rock is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

School of Rock is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White. Starring Jack Black as struggling musician Dewey Finn, the film follows a man who poses as a substitute teacher and turns a private-school class into a rock band. It was commercially successful and later inspired a Broadway musical and a television series.

Plot

The story follows Dewey Finn after he is fired from his band and takes a substitute-teaching job under false pretenses. He trains his class to perform as a rock band and enters them in a Battle of the Bands competition.

Production

School of Rock was directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White. The film was produced by Scott Rudin and released by Paramount Pictures in 2003.

Reception

The film was well received by critics and became a commercial success. Coverage commonly highlights Jack Black’s performance and the film’s blend of comedy, music, and ensemble storytelling.

Adaptations and legacy

The film was adapted into a Broadway musical that opened in 2015 and into a Nickelodeon television series that ran from 2016 to 2018. It also became associated with music-education themes and youth rock camps.

Key facts

  • The film centers on Dewey Finn, a failed rock guitarist who impersonates a substitute teacher at an elite private school.
  • Dewey discovers his students’ musical talent and forms a rock band with them.
  • The film was released by Paramount Pictures in 2003 and grossed about $131.3 million worldwide on a reported budget of $35 million.
  • The movie received positive reviews, with particular praise for Jack Black’s performance.
  • It later inspired a Broadway musical and a Nickelodeon television adaptation.
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Canadian context

The film is part of mainstream North American popular culture and has been widely available to Canadian audiences through theatrical release, home video, and television/streaming distribution.

Frequently asked questions

What is School of Rock about?
It is about a musician who pretends to be a substitute teacher and turns his class into a rock band.
Who directed School of Rock?
Richard Linklater directed the film.
Who wrote School of Rock?
Mike White wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in School of Rock?
Jack Black stars as Dewey Finn, alongside Joan Cusack, Mike White, and Sarah Silverman.
When was School of Rock released?
It was released in theatres on October 3, 2003.
Did School of Rock get adapted into other works?
Yes. It inspired a Broadway musical and a Nickelodeon television series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_Rock
    Supports: Basic film identification, release year, director, writer, cast, plot, budget, box office, and later adaptations.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/school_of_rock
    Supports: Synopsis, director, writer, distributor, rating, runtime, and release date.
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/school-of-rock-2003
    Supports: Film review and identification of Richard Linklater as director.
  4. Yale University Library — https://web.library.yale.edu/film/notes/fn00058
    Supports: Directed by Richard Linklater in 2003 and general description of the film.
  5. Yardbarker — https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_facts_you_might_not_know_about_school_of_rock/s1__37710756
    Supports: Reported budget, worldwide gross, and mention of a later television series.