Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Kernel Score: 86% · 5,298 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Comedy
Released: 1986-06-11
Runtime: 103 minutes
Is Ferris Bueller's Day Off worth watching?
Must-watch. A teenager fakes sick and takes his friends on a day out in Chicago. It's breezy, quotable and very funny, and it holds up as a feel-good comedy nearly four decades on.
Watch it if you
- want a light comedy that never drags
- like John Hughes teen films
- enjoy a charming lead who talks to the camera
Skip it if you
- need a deep plot
- dislike films where the hero gets away with everything
Best for: Easy comfort-watch
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off
- Stream: Paramount+, YouTube TV
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
After high school slacker Ferris Bueller successfully fakes an illness in order to skip school for the day, he goes on a series of adventures throughout Chicago with his girlfriend Sloane and best friend Cameron, all the while trying to outwit his wily school principal and fed-up sister.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that this comedy classic involves truancy, car theft, and skipping school for a day of fun.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: A little — Light comedic mischief includes truancy and joyriding but minimal substance content.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Ferris Bueller's Day Off
If you liked Ferris Bueller's Day Off, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Breakfast Club (1985) — 87%: John Hughes's other defining teen film, more serious but just as loved.
- Back to the Future (1985) — 95%: 80s crowd-pleaser with a likeable teen lead and a sense of fun.
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) — 82%: Hughes comedy about a chaotic journey and mismatched companions.
- Heathers (1989) — 83%: Sharper, darker high-school comedy from the same era.
- Booksmart (2019) — 78%: Modern high-school comedy about one wild night before graduation.
- Weird Science (1985) — 72%: Another 80s teen comedy, silly and lighter than Ferris.
Director
Cast
- Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller
- Alan Ruck as Cameron Frye
- Mia Sara as Sloane Peterson
- Jeffrey Jones as Ed Rooney
- Jennifer Grey as Jeanie Bueller
- Cindy Pickett as Katie Bueller
- Lyman Ward as Tom Bueller
- Edie McClurg as Grace, School Secretary
- Charlie Sheen as Boy in Police Station
- Ben Stein as Economics Teacher
Ferris Bueller's Day Off FAQ
Is Ferris Bueller's Day Off worth watching?
Must-watch. A teenager fakes sick and takes his friends on a day out in Chicago. It's breezy, quotable and very funny, and it holds up as a feel-good comedy nearly four decades on.
Where can I watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off?
In the US you can stream Ferris Bueller's Day Off on Paramount+ and YouTube TV, watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Ferris Bueller's Day Off OK for kids?
Ferris Bueller's Day Off is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that this comedy classic involves truancy, car theft, and skipping school for a day of fun.
What movies are like Ferris Bueller's Day Off?
If you liked Ferris Bueller's Day Off, try The Breakfast Club, Back to the Future, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Heathers.