School buses are as much a part of the pop culture landscape as they are an icon within our society. In honor of the upcoming Oscars, let’s remember some of the best movie scenes that remind us why school buses are much more than a way to get to school for so many.
6. The Dark Knight Rises
Arguably the most popular Batman movies in history starts with this unforgettable scene where The Caped Crusader’s best-known villain uses a school bus as his escape vehicle for a twisted heist.
5. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
This 80’s classic is full of unforgettable scenes, as Principal Ed Rooney tries to thwart Ferris Bueller’s attempt to play hooky. After countless mishaps, Principal Rooney faces one last disgrace as he is picked up wandering a suburban neighborhood by a bus filled with students.
4. Napoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite follows a listless and alienated teenager living in Idaho as he tries to help his friend win class presidency and deals with his unusual family, and spawned countless catchphrases in the process. One of the most quoted scenes comes at the start of the movie, where Napoleon boards the bus and proclaims he’s going to do “whatever I feel like I wanna do, gosh!”
3. Remember the Titans
Remember the Titans is a classic for its portrayal of a sports team who faces internal racial tensions and external mockery to become champions. One of the most inspiring moments of the film occurs on the bus ride to camp, as Denzel makes it clear he won’t let superficial differences separate his team literally or figuratively.
2. Billy Madison
It may be less poignant than the previous entry but Adam Sandler’s Billy Madison is no less memorable, thanks in large part to appearances from fellow comedians like the late great Chris Farley. Contains some swearing.
1. Forrest Gump
Another American classic for its depiction of important periods of U.S. history, one of the most crucial stories in Forrest’s life is the bus ride on his first day of school. Through a series of flashbacks, we see him introduce himself to his school bus driver and struggle to find a seat on the bus. Jenny shows Forrest some kindness, inviting him to sit next to her, and they strike up a conversation, which he says leads to them being “always together. Jenny and me was like peas and carrots.”
Honorary Mention: The Magic School Bus
http://youtu.be/v53mhRXXT2g
It may not be a film, but few children’s television shows were as educational as they were iconic. Entire generations fell in love with Ms. Frizzle and her incredible bus, and its impact is continuing to show children learning can be exciting and adventurous.
