Film

Night School

Name: Night School
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2018
Cast: Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Rob Riggle, Romany Malco, Taran Killam

Other titles called Night School: the 1981 film.

Comedy
Light-hearted

A comedy about a successful salesman who crashes his career spectacularly and lands in night school for his GED. It's warm and character-driven rather than mean-spirited, finding humour in the misfits and second chances. For anyone who enjoys Kevin Hart's persona and stories where underdogs band together to prove something.

TMDb rating

3.1

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you enjoy broad, fast-talking studio comedy built around a hustler's ego getting repeatedly punctured, with Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish trading barbs and a class of oddballs giving the jokes room to breathe.

Skip it if you want sharp, restrained comedy; this leans on loud set pieces, big reactions and mugging, and its gags tend to land more on energy than on wit.

What it asks of you: Roughly ninety minutes of undemanding company at a brisk clip, with a bright, cheerful tone and little need to track anything beyond who is clashing with whom.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Coming 2 America2021

A loose, cheerful ensemble comedy where a charismatic lead surrounded by comic talent just riffs and plays. Similar DNA—charm carries it further than the plot deserves, and everyone seems to be having genuine fun.

But The laughs are uneven and broad. If you need sharp writing or originality, you'll find yourself checking your phone.

Central Intelligence2016

Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson in a buddy comedy that runs on the chemistry between its leads and a genuine sweetness underneath the jokes. Same register—lightweight but not cynical, built on warmth as much as humour.

But The plot is utterly forgettable and some gags land harder than others. It's comfort food, not a meal you'll remember.

Ride Along2014

Kevin Hart and Ice Cube in a cop-buddy comedy with real affection between the characters. It finds heart in mismatched partners and doesn't pretend to be smarter than it is, which is exactly the right choice.

But The action sequences feel obligatory and the plot twists surprise no one. If you're looking for narrative craft, look elsewhere.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Night School

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Undercover Brother2002

Both are ensemble comedies where the rag-tag group bonds over a shared mission, and both believe deeply in the power of community and second chances over cynicism.

A martial-arts comedy with genuine warmth about misfits banding together, a similar ensemble spirit, and an underdog-proves-themselves energy. It's in a different genre costume but shares the kindness and belief in community.

But It's weird and dated in its references and tone. The action-comedy blend is awkward and the humour is nostalgia-dependent.

Girls Trip2017

Tiffany Haddish leads an ensemble of strong comic voices in a film about friendship and second-act clarity. It has the same generous spirit toward its characters and belief in the power of ensemble dynamics.

But The Vegas party-movie setup edges toward cliché, and sentiment doesn't always land as hard as the comedy tries to make it.

Bad Boys II2003

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in a film that knows exactly what it wants to be: explosive, ridiculous, and genuinely funny through sheer commitment and chemistry. Proof that a dumb premise works if your leads are generous and quick.

But It's loud, occasionally mean-spirited, and the plot is pretty silly even for an action-comedy. Brainless in ways that Night School avoids.

Tropic Thunder2008

An ensemble comedy where every actor commits fully to a character type and the ensemble bonds are real. Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller, and Jack Black prove that commitment to character is funnier than anything else.

But Some of the humour hasn't aged well and it's relentlessly cynical about Hollywood. Much sharper and meaner than Night School.

Blockers2018

An ensemble comedy with real heart underneath the raunchiness, built on strong actor chemistry and scripts that let comedians do what they do. Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, and John Cena show range within the genre.

But The premise is thin and some jokes feel like they're from a committee. The sentiment can tip into saccharine.

Get Hard2015

Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart as a mismatched pair learning to work together. Similar energy—the comedy comes from character interaction and goodwill, not from punching down or shock value.

But The plot is genuinely flimsy and some of the stereotyping doesn't hold up. It coasts on charm when charm runs out.

Ride the Eagle2021

A quieter, character-driven comedy about a man trying to fix his relationship with his estranged father. Smaller and stranger than Night School, but shares a faith in redemption and second-act clarity.

But It's slow and low-key in places. If you came for big laughs and ensemble energy, this will feel thin and melancholy.

The Florida Project2017

Both centre on people who feel failed by the system, but insist on finding joy and humanity within it. Both are fundamentally optimistic about human resilience.

A film about people in survival mode finding joy and dignity anyway. It's utterly serious, but shares Night School's belief that kindness and humor are how people survive difficulty, and that character beats are everything.

But There's no comedy relief here—it's quiet, sometimes painful, and completely unsentimental. A completely different register and emotional weight.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople2016

Both are buddy-story films where the real plot is whether two people can learn to care for each other, and both use humour as a language of affection rather than cruelty.

A New Zealand film about a grumpy old man and a foster kid who become unlikely partners. It's funny, warm, and structured around the relationship between two people who have nothing else, proving that character chemistry matters more than plot.

But It's set in the bush and moves at its own pace. If you need constant energy and jokes, the quiet moments will test your patience.