The Principal

1987
R
1h 49m

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

12K

YOUR RATING

Jim Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr. in The Principal (1987)

Play trailer2:10

1 Video

42 Photos

Action Crime Drama Thriller

A teacher is assigned to be the principal of a violent, crime-ridden high school.A teacher is assigned to be the principal of a violent, crime-ridden high school.A teacher is assigned to be the principal of a violent, crime-ridden high school.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

12K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Videos1

Trailer 2:10

The Principal

Photos42

Top cast61

Edit

Jim Belushi

Rick Latimer
(as James Belushi)

Louis Gossett Jr.

Jake Phillips

Rae Dawn Chong

Hilary Orozco

Michael Wright

Victor Duncan

J.J. Cohen

White Zac

Esai Morales

Raymi Rojas

Troy Winbush

'Baby' Emile

Jacob Vargas

Arturo Diego

Thomas Ryan

Robert Darcy

Reggie Johnson

Jojo

Kelly Jo Minter

Treena Lester
(as Kelly Minter)

Ruth Beckford

Mrs. Jenkins

Julian Brooks

Kevin

Joan Valderrama

Secretary

Rick Hamilton

Mr. Harkley

Marty Pistone

Security Guard
(as Martin Pistone)

Richard Dupell

Buddy
(as Richard Duppell)

Peter Fitzsimmons

Buddy

Director
- Christopher Cain
Writer
- Frank Deese
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

6.1

K-9

6.0

The Substitute

6.4

Taking Care of Business

6.0

6.6

6.9

6.4

7.4

5.6

The Palermo Connection

6.4

Unlawful Entry

4.4

The Principle

6.6

Toy Soldiers

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, California was used as the filming location for the affluent school at the beginning of the film. Many students and teachers served as extras. After filming of the scenes were finished, Jim Belushi posed for a picture with everyone from that school. The picture has been printed in the yearbook from that year since.

Goofs
When Rick Latimer and Jake Phillips first meet, Jake takes his hat off, then, in the next shot, his hat is on. Finally, in a third shot, his hat is off again and he puts it back on.

Quotes
Raymi: Man, do you know where you are? You're at Brandel. Ain't you heard what they said about this place? Garbage NEVER leaves the dump.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Fatal Attraction/The Principal/Orphans/Amazon Women on the Moon/In the Mood (1987)

Soundtracks
Livin' in the Line of Fire
Written by Jay Gruska, Bruce Roberts and Andy Goldmark

User reviews66

Review

Featured review

8/10

An Overlooked Eighties Classic

I first saw The Principal as a young boy. It made quite an impression on me, and now as an adult, I can't help but revisit it every now and then. Despite having lost some of its shock value over time, the movie has retained its suspense. The style is unmistakably Eighties (I think in an endearing way) and James Belushi's charisma and drama chops carry the story- which occasionally gets silly (also endearingly). The plot is delivered in a compelling way, and evenly divides it focus between character development and the central conflict. By today's standards, the exaggeration and melodrama would probably lead most to dismiss The Principal as stupid. Although I partially appreciate it in the way it was intended, a lot of what makes the movie entertaining is how easily it can be laughed at.