These movies might not have been the blockbuster hits or the award darlings, but they sure deserve a watch.
1. PCU (1994)
Set in the fictional Port Chester University, this comedy showcases the campus's political correctness going overboard. Jeremy Piven stars as Droz, a seventh-year senior who's seen it all. When pre-frosh Tom Lawrence visits the college for a weekend, he's thrown into the deep end of student protests, wild parties, and quirky college life.
With groups like the "Cause-Heads" who pick a new protest topic every week and the self-explanatory "Women's group", Tom gets a crash course in college chaos.
2. Glory Daze (1995)
College graduation looms, and what do you do? For Jack (Ben Affleck) and his close-knit group of friends, it's a time of denial, parties, and pondering the future. The film's setting is the final week of college, with the crew trying to dodge the impending realities of adulthood. Jack even considers a fifth year at school, mostly to avoid the outside world.
We get to see their final fraternity bash, confrontations with professors, and even the challenging dynamics of maintaining friendships outside the college bubble.
3. Dead Man on Campus (1998)
You ever heard that weird college myth that if your roommate dies, you automatically get straight A's? Well, "Dead Man on Campus" is built on this darkly comic premise. College freshmen Josh (Tom Everett Scott) and Cooper (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) are more into partying than academics.
When their grades plummet, they're on the verge of flunking out. That's when they stumble upon the aforementioned myth and begin a twisted quest to find the perfect, depressed roommate. The duo sifts through a series of oddball candidates, trying to find someone on the brink.
4. Can't Hardly Wait (1998)
High school's done and college is on the horizon. So, what better way to celebrate than the biggest graduation party of the year?
The entire senior class gathers for a night of revelry in "Can't Hardly Wait." The movie follows several storylines, from Preston's (Ethan Embry) quest to confess his love to the popular girl, Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt), to the geeky William's (Charlie Korsmo) plot to take revenge on his long-time bully.
Throughout the party, friendships shift, new romances spark, and old scores are settled. By sunrise, life as they know it changes forever.
5. The Curve (1998)
A dark thriller set in a college backdrop, "The Curve" (also known as "Dead Man's Curve") revolves around two roommates, Tim (Matthew Lillard) and Chris (Michael Vartan). When they learn about a policy granting straight A's to a student if their roommate commits suicide, a sinister plan forms.
They plot to push their roommate Rand (Randall Batinkoff) off a cliff, making it seem like a suicide. However, as the plot progresses, twists and turns surface, trust dwindles, and a detective starts sniffing around.
6. Kicking and Screaming (1995)
Not to be confused with the Will Ferrell soccer comedy, this "Kicking and Screaming" gives us a look into post-college limbo. Grover's (Josh Hamilton) girlfriend Jane (Olivia d'Abo) is off to study in England, leaving him, well, directionless.
Stuck in a rut with his buddies, Max (Chris Eigeman), Otis (Carlos Jacott), and Skippy (Jason Wiles), the group lingers around campus, playing poker, drinking, and avoiding the inevitable transition to adulthood.
7. The Waterboy (1998)
Adam Sandler stars as Bobby Boucher, a socially awkward waterboy for a college football team. Ridiculed by the team and overly protected by his mother (Kathy Bates), Bobby's life takes a turn when he's fired from his waterboy duties. But when Coach Klein (Henry Winkler) discovers Bobby's unique tackling ability, he's quickly added to the roster.
With Bobby's hard hits and raw talent, the team starts winning, and he becomes a campus sensation. But his overprotective mom isn't a fan of this change, labeling football as "the devil".
8. With Honors (1994)
"With Honors" follows Harvard student Monty (Brendan Fraser) who, after his thesis literally falls into the hands of a homeless man named Simon (Joe Pesci), finds himself forming an unlikely friendship. In exchange for each page of the thesis, Simon asks for small favors, like food or shelter.
While Monty initially agrees to this deal just to graduate, he soon discovers there's a lot more to learn outside the classroom.
9. Higher Learning (1995)
Set within the diverse environment of Columbus University, "Higher Learning" offers a gripping story focused on three freshmen – Malik (Omar Epps), a track star; Kristen (Kristy Swanson), a somewhat naive girl; and Remy (Michael Rapaport), a loner.
As they try to fit into college life, they're confronted by racial tension, gender issues, and societal pressures.
10. Going All the Way (1997)
Set in the 1950s, "Going All the Way" sees Korean War vets Sonny (Jeremy Davies) and Gunner (Ben Affleck) returning to their hometown of Indianapolis. While trying to readjust to civilian life, they find solace in each other's company, given that their ambitions and fears don't quite fit with the town's conservative outlook.
The two decide to flee to the freedoms of California, dreaming of a fresh start.