Top Movies & TV Shows Similar to Cooley High List

• The Wood - Follows a group of friends growing up in a tight-knit neighborhood, exploring friendship and coming-of-age themes.
• Love & Basketball - A romantic drama that also deals with friendship and the challenges of youth, set against the backdrop of sports.
• Boyz n the Hood - A powerful exploration of friendship, life in a tough neighborhood, and the implications of choices made during adolescence.
• The Breakfast Club - Focuses on a group of teens from different backgrounds brought together in detention, exploring their interactions and growth.
• Dazed and Confused - Showcases a day in the lives of high school students on the last day of school in the 1970s, emphasizing coming-of-age experiences.
• Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - A classic sitcom exploring social issues through the lens of a young man from West Philadelphia who moves to a wealthy neighborhood.
• A Different World - A spin-off of The Cosby Show that tackles college life and the experiences of young adults from diverse backgrounds.
• The Inkwell - Centers on a young black teenager navigating the summer and his life in a predominantly white beach community.
• The Pursuit of Happyness - An inspirational story about perseverance, personal struggles, and the bond between a father and son.
• Dope - A coming-of-age comedy-drama about a group of friends navigating life in Inglewood, California and the challenges they face.
• Malcolm in the Middle - A family sitcom that portrays the ups and downs of growing up in a dysfunctional family, with humor and heart.
• 8 Mile - Follows a young aspiring rapper from a challenging background as he struggles to make a name for himself in Detroit.
• Girls Trip - Focuses on friendships and the adventures of four lifelong friends reuniting for a wild trip, emphasizing camaraderie.
• Soul Food - Explores family bonds and the complications of life, love, and legacy among an African American family.
• Friday - A comedic take on one day in South Central LA, focusing on friendship, life, and the challenges within the community.
• The Sandlot - Nostalgic look at childhood friendship and adventure through the lens of boys playing baseball during summer vacation.
• Stand by Me - Follows four boys on a journey of self-discovery and friendship as they travel to find a missing boy, encapsulating youth themes.
• The Grown Ups - Centers on a group of childhood friends who reunite as adults, focusing on nostalgia and the evolution of their relationships.
• The Wire - A rich portrayal of life in Baltimore, focusing on the challenges faced by its young residents and their decisions.
• The Cosby Show - Family sitcom that highlights the importance of family and community in the lives of a successful African American family.
• Hustle & Flow - Story about a struggling pimp who dreams of becoming a rapper, exploring themes of ambition and the impact of environment.
• Atlanta - A comedy-drama series highlighting the experiences of young black men navigating the music industry and personal lives.
• One Tree Hill - Follows a group of high school friends navigating life, relationships, and their love for basketball over the years.
• The Bear - Explores the intense dynamics of a group working in a Chicago sandwich shop, emphasizing friendship and ambition.
• Everybody Hates Chris - A comedic look at growing up in a tough neighborhood, highlighting the struggles of adolescence and family dynamics.
• What’s Love Got to Do with It - A biographical film about Tina Turner, showcasing her struggles, triumphs, and relationships along her journey.
• Cheers - A sitcom about a group of friends who regularly meet at their local bar, highlighting friendships and personal struggles.
• The Karate Kid - A coming-of-age story about a teenager who learns about resilience and personal growth through martial arts training.
• The Real World - A reality TV show that captures the lives of young adults living together, exploring their different backgrounds and challenges.
• Saving Private Ryan - Highlighting camaraderie and sacrifice among soldiers during WWII, emphasizing themes of friendship and loyalty.
• Do the Right Thing - A provocative film about racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood, exploring friendships, anger, and community dynamics.
• The Get Down - A series about the birth of hip-hop culture in the 1970s, focusing on young artists and their struggles for success.
• Chi-Raq - A modern retelling of Aristophanes' Lysistrata set in Chicago, addressing issues of violence and community through humor.
• The Help - Follows the lives of black maids working in white households during the civil rights movement, exploring themes of friendship and struggle.
• Dear White People - A satirical series that explores race relations on a college campus, delving into the experiences of black students.
• Superbad - A comedy about friendship and the awkwardness of youth, emphasizing the importance of relationships during high school.
• Crazy Rich Asians - A romantic comedy that explores family, relationships, and cultural identity among affluent Asian families.
• The Hate U Give - A powerful drama centered around a young woman who navigates her life after witnessing police violence against a friend.
• Brief Interviews with Hideous Men - Explores relationships and human interactions through a series of interviews, touching on themes of love and disconnection.
• The Secret Life of the American Teenager - A drama series that navigates teenage pregnancy, relationships, and the complexities of high school life.