Double Feature: Back to School (Sep 2026)

Hosting Double Feature nights is a favorite activity of mine and, thanks to compulsively buying DVDs throughout my 20s, it's a pretty affordable alternative to a nerdy night out. So when nerd culture is getting a little pricey, try out one of our Double Feature nights!

In each one of these posts you will find:

• A theme (with dress code)

• Two movies and where to watch them

• A menu of suggested foods to serve

• Activities to enjoy before/during/after the films

• A YouTube playlist of trailers for other films that fit the theme 

• Trailers for the following month's Double Feature theme

• A Tidal playlist for pre/post-show tunes

September 2026 - Back to School

This month's theme is Back to School! As small nerds get their new pencil cases and lunchboxes (don't tell me if that's not a thing anymore), we celebrate another regular-ass week at work by leaning into the school vibes with School of Rock and Mean Girls. Aside from both coming out in the first decade of this century and both being made into musicals somewhat recently, both of these delightful films take place largely in schools. Read on for your perfect Back to School Double Feature night itinerary.

Dress Code

Pick 5th grade (School of Rock) or 11th grade (Mean Girls) and dress as yourself from that grade.

Where to Watch

Both movies are available on Peacock and Paramount+ if you don't have physical copies. Looking to get back into physical media? Our favorite DVD store is CD Outlet in Norwood, PA. 

Menu

Bonus points if you can snag some school lunch trays for this one. Ellio's Pizza is the main course, along with a Caesar Salad on the side. Toss in some lunchbox-sized Herr's potato chips for a snack and ABC cupcakes (just make some cupcakes and write letters on them using icing or candy) for dessert and you're set.

Activities

DIY Book Fair using Bookshop.org! Use Canva to create your own Book Fair catalog or use ours and have your friends each treat themselves to a book. Bookshop.org gives part of the profits from your sale to the local book store of your choosing, and a portion of all proceeds go to all of their partner book stores on a regular basis. All the convenience of Amazon without giving money to a D-List comic book villain.

Suggested Films

Here is a YouTube playlist with three other movies that could fit this theme. In this playlist, you'll see trailers for Kindergarten Cop, Easy A, and Clueless. You could swap one or two of these in for the above films, or show these trailers in between the other movies. Your call!

Previews of Coming Attractions

At the end of the evening, give your audience a taste of what's next! In October, we'll be leaning into spooky season with Zombieland and Rocky Horror Picture Show. Enjoy the trailers and a little bonus short here.

Pre/Post-Show Vibes

Here's a Tidal playlist to enjoy before or after your screenings - all songs with nods to school!