Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Lean on Me

  • 19891989
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
20K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Lean on Me (1989)
The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school and he is determined to improve by any and all means.
Play trailer1:31
1 Video
35 Photos
Drama

The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school he is determined to improve by any and all means.

IMDb RATING
7.4/10
20K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John G. Avildsen
  • Writer
    • Michael Schiffer
  • Stars
    • Morgan Freeman
    • Beverly Todd
    • Robert Guillaume
Top credits
  • Director
    • John G. Avildsen
  • Writer
    • Michael Schiffer
  • Stars
    • Morgan Freeman
    • Beverly Todd
    • Robert Guillaume
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 91User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 5 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Official Trailer

    Photos35

    Morgan Freeman and Joe Clark in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman, Michael Best, Stephen Capers Jr., Dwayne Jones, and Kenneth Kelly in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman and Karen Malina White in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman and Joe Clark in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me (1989)
    John G. Avildsen (right) and Morgan Freeman (left) on the set of "Lean on Me".
    Morgan Freeman, Michael Best, Stephen Capers Jr., Jermaine Hopkins, Dwayne Jones, and Kenneth Kelly at an event for Lean on Me (1989)
    1 sheet movie poster
    Lean on Me (1989)
    Lean on Me (1989)
    Lean on Me (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Morgan Freeman
    Morgan Freeman
    • Principal Joe Clarkas Principal Joe Clark
    Beverly Todd
    Beverly Todd
    • Ms. Leviasas Ms. Levias
    Robert Guillaume
    Robert Guillaume
    • Dr. Frank Napieras Dr. Frank Napier
    Alan North
    Alan North
    • Mayor Don Bottmanas Mayor Don Bottman
    Lynne Thigpen
    Lynne Thigpen
    • Leonna Barrettas Leonna Barrett
    Robin Bartlett
    Robin Bartlett
    • Mrs. Elliottas Mrs. Elliott
    Michael Beach
    Michael Beach
    • Mr. Darnellas Mr. Darnell
    Ethan Phillips
    Ethan Phillips
    • Mr. Rosenbergas Mr. Rosenberg
    Sandra Reaves-Phillips
    Sandra Reaves-Phillips
    • Mrs. Powersas Mrs. Powers
    Sloane Shelton
    Sloane Shelton
    • Mrs. Hamiltonas Mrs. Hamilton
    Jermaine Hopkins
    • Thomas Samsas Thomas Sams
    • (as Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins)
    Karen Malina White
    Karen Malina White
    • Kaneesha Carteras Kaneesha Carter
    Karina Arroyave
    Karina Arroyave
    • Mariaas Maria
    Ivonne Coll
    Ivonne Coll
    • Mrs. Santosas Mrs. Santos
    Regina Taylor
    Regina Taylor
    • Mrs. Carteras Mrs. Carter
    Michael P. Moran
    • Mr. O'Malleyas Mr. O'Malley
    John Ring
    • Fire Chief Gainesas Fire Chief Gaines
    Tyrone Jackson
    • Clarenceas Clarence
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Michael Schiffer
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Stand and Deliver
    7.3
    Stand and Deliver
    La Bamba
    6.9
    La Bamba
    Lean on Me
    8.7
    Lean on Me
    The Principal
    6.3
    The Principal
    Mr. Holland's Opus
    7.3
    Mr. Holland's Opus
    5.8
    A Fine and Private Place
    Mr. Mom
    6.6
    Mr. Mom
    Slow Dancing in the Big City
    5.1
    Slow Dancing in the Big City
    School Ties
    6.9
    School Ties
    Grumpy Old Men
    7.0
    Grumpy Old Men
    Alexa
    4.2
    Alexa
    Happy New Year
    5.9
    Happy New Year

    Storyline

    Edit
    An arrogant and unorthodox teacher returns as principal to the idyllic high school from which he had earlier been fired to find it a den of drug abuse, gang violence, and urban despair. Eventually he is successful but unorthodox methods lead to a clash with city officials that threatens to undo all his efforts. Based on a true story. —Keith Loh <loh@sfu.ca>
    african americantitle based on songhigh schoolbased on true storyinner city22 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Eastside High was out of control...until Joe Clark took it back.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • PG-13
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Real-life students and teachers from Eastside High appeared as extras in this film.
    • Goofs
      The practice exam booklet reads "New Jersey Minimun Basic Skills Tests"...probably the last place the school board (or the film's producers) would want a spelling error.
    • Quotes

      Joe Clark: I'll tell you what I do see here...

      Ms. Levias: No! I'm talking now! Let me finish! Everybody here may not like you as a person, but we all applaud your efforts. But what you don't understand is the same people that support you are the ones you're beating up! You don't even take the time to say 'Thank you. Job well done'. Nothing! You just step on their necks! Constantly abuse them!

      Joe Clark: Ms. Levias...

      Ms. Levias: Criticize them!

      Joe Clark: What do you want from me?

      [Faces her]

      Joe Clark: What the HELL do you want?

      Ms. Levias: I want you to get this straight! Most of the teachers here are here because they care! About those children out there! This school, this fight, they are in it with you! They take it home at night, the same as you! They are a part of those children's lives! You are thoughtless and cruel, and it hurts! And none of them deserve it! They are sick of it, and so am I!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: New York Stories/Farewell to the King/Lean on Me/Out Cold (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Lean on Me
      Performed by Thelma Houston and The Winans
      Produced by Richard Perry
      Courtesy of Qwest Records
      Written by Bill Withers

    User reviews91

    Review
    Top review
    'Lean on Me' doesn't need any helping hand
    ****

    Starring: Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, and Robert Guillaume.

    A man is assigned principle of a broken-down inner-city school. Nobody thinks he will last there. But, Joe isn't going to take that and will try his best to improve that school.

    This movie should've gotten Academy Award nods. Freeman's performance alone was unbelieveable. It should've been nominated for Actor and Picture.

    Overall the movie is a fantastic film and shows the true story of Joe Clark.
    helpful•16
    7
    • smla02
    • Jan 3, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Der knallharte Prinzipal
    • Filming locations
      • The Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • Norman Twain Productions
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $31,906,454
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,032,605
      • Mar 5, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $31,906,454
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Avant Home Invasion Might Not Have Been “Random Attack”, Police Chief Says; Tyler Perry Pledges “Every Available Resource” To Find Jackie Avant Killer
    Avant Home Invasion Might Not Have Been “Random Attack”, Police Chief Says; Tyler Perry Pledges “Every Available Resource” To Find Jackie Avant Killer
    Dec 1Deadline Film + TV
    Jacqueline Avant, Wife Of Music Exec Clarence Avant & Mother-In-Law Of Ted Sarandos, Killed In Home Invasion Robbery
    Jacqueline Avant, Wife Of Music Exec Clarence Avant & Mother-In-Law Of Ted Sarandos, Killed In Home Invasion Robbery
    Dec 1Deadline Film + TV

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Lean on Me (1989)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Lean on Me (1989) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View image
    Photos
    Star Siblings: Famous Brothers and Sisters
    See the entire gallery
    Image caption not available
    2:14
    6 Sundance Award-Winning Movies to Stream Now
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.