10 essential high school comedies

10. “Rocket Science” (2007)

Most teen comedies shove actual academics to the sidelines and use the brainy kids to support more traditional leads. This underseen gem from Jeffrey Blitz, the director of the superb spelling bee documentary “Spellbound,” focuses on the rigorous field of high school debate and places shy stutterer Hal Hefner (Reece Thompson) at the center of the action. Thompson is excellent, as is Anna Kendrick as the object of his affection. “Rocket Science” wasn’t the most popular kid in its class, but its quality helps it endure.