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The Principal

  • 1987
  • R
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Jim Belushi and Louis Gossett Jr. in The Principal (1987)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:10
1 Video
41 Photos
ActionCrimeDrama

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

  • Director
    • Christopher Cain
  • Writer
    • Frank Deese
  • Stars
    • Jim Belushi
    • Louis Gossett Jr.
    • Rae Dawn Chong
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Christopher Cain
    • Writer
      • Frank Deese
    • Stars
      • Jim Belushi
      • Louis Gossett Jr.
      • Rae Dawn Chong
    • 60User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
    • 37Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    The Principal
    Trailer 2:10
    Watch The Principal

    Photos41

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

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jim Belushi
    Jim Belushi
    • Rick Latimer
    • (as James Belushi)
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    • Jake Phillips
    Rae Dawn Chong
    Rae Dawn Chong
    • Hilary Orozco
    Michael Wright
    Michael Wright
    • Victor Duncan
    J.J. Cohen
    J.J. Cohen
    • White Zac
    Esai Morales
    Esai Morales
    • Raymi Rojas
    Troy Winbush
    Troy Winbush
    • 'Baby' Emile
    Jacob Vargas
    Jacob Vargas
    • Arturo Diego
    Thomas Ryan
    • Robert Darcy
    Reggie Johnson
    Reggie Johnson
    • Jojo
    Kelly Jo Minter
    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
    Peter Fitzsimmons
    • Buddy
    • Director
      • Christopher Cain
    • Writer
      • Frank Deese
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Michael Keaton was considered for the role of Rick Latimer, as was Gary Busey...who had to turn down the part because he was busy shooting 'Lethal Weapon' (1987).
    • Goofs
      In the scene when Rick Latimer and Jake Phillips first meet, Jake takes his hat off, then in the next shot his hat is on, and finally in a third shot his hat is off again and we see him put it back on.
    • Quotes

      Rick Latimer: [to a student] ... Linda, I want you wearing a bra to class. It's not going to change your grade.

    • 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 reviews60

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Do Not Mess With This Administrator
    James Belushi stars as a teacher with a short fuse who gets to become the principal of the roughest high school in the city. He turns out to be just what the doctor ordered and just what the students and employees needed. "The Principal" is a very violent film that could be best described as "Lean on Me" or "Stand and Deliver" gone stark-raving mad. Belushi is solid here and so is high school security guard Louis Gossett, Jr. in a supporting role. 4 stars out of 5.
    helpful•14
    5
    • tfrizzell
    • Nov 25, 2000

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 18, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Prinzipal - Einer gegen alle
    • Filming locations
      • Oakland, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • TriStar Pictures
      • Dorica Film
      • ML Delphi Premier Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $19,734,940
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,297,710
      • Sep 20, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,734,940
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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