Movies like The Substitute

Dangerous Minds features Michelle Pfeiffer as a former Marine who becomes a teacher in a tough inner-city school, much like The Substitute. Fans of the latter might enjoy the classroom struggles and the teacher's unexpected approaches to reaching out to the students.

While less action-oriented, Stand and Deliver tells the true story of a high school teacher who inspires his underprivileged students to succeed in academics. Those who liked the educational impact moments in The Substitute might find this motivational film compelling.

Starring James Belushi as a teacher-turned-principal sent to clean up a crime-ridden high school, The Principal is a natural follow-up for The Substitute fans seeking another story of an educator tackling lawlessness in schools.

Conrack features Jon Voight as a teacher who confronts cultural poverty and educational neglect on an isolated island in the South. Although less action-heavy than The Substitute, it also tackles the challenges and rewards of education in a difficult setting.