5 things to binge-watch this weekend: Back to school edition

For a cynical (but not very long) take on high school: Freaks and Geeks

Think of the Paul Feig-created, Judd Apatow-produced Freaks and Geeks as the opening act for many of your favorite comedies from the past few years. The show follows Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and the freaks and her younger brother Sam (John Francis Daley) and the geeks as they attend William McKinely High School in 1980. The cast of the short-lived show (it ran on NBC from 1999-2000, and there are 18 episodes total) would be way to difficult to get together on one project now: Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, Martin Starr, John Francis Daley, Busy Phillips are all a part of the show. It features the same bold, smart humor you've come to expect from these stars, too.

Stream Freaks and Geeks on Netflix.

For captial "E" Emotions: One Tree Hill

Of the soapy early 2000s teen dramas, One Tree Hill gets the short stick behind Gossip Girl and The O.C. But it shouldn't. The show and its many seasons can keep you binging for days as you delve into the lives of this small North Carolina town where everybody knows everybody's business. Come for the soulful Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) stares and stay for the long lingering looks from Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush).

Stream One Tree Hill on Netflix.

For insight into Generation Z: Awkward

The 90s and the 00s were a great time for high school shows and movies, but the world of lockers and homework is very different now (how much would Snapchat have ruined your childhood). Awkward looks at what high school is like right now in all its technological, fast-talking glory, from the point of view of Jenna (Ashley Rickards) who tries to find her way in high school -- her life made more complicated by an incident misconstrued as a suicide attempt. And even though the cell phones are better and the slang different, the show hits on the universal themes that make high school stories great: identity, friendship and love.

Stream Awkward on Hulu.

For comfort food as you start a new season and potentially a new chapter of your life: Bring it On

Bring it On is the high school movie we need, if not the one we deserve. The 2000 cheerleading film inspired a host of copycats (from its many sequels to other school films that focuses on a group of kids coming together to win a competition), but nothing is better than the original. And what is a hilarious and easy to watch movie is also a commentary on cultural appropriation. It's a movie that's always worth revisiting. And hey, when we are lucky enough to have Bring it On on Netflix, we don't question the streaming gods.

Stream Bring it On on Netflix.

For studying up on your Shakespeare:10 Things I Hate About You

Did you know that you were tricked into watching an adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew? Because that's exactly what this 90s high school classic is, with Julia Stiles' Kat Stratford stepping in for the titular Shrew-like Katerina and Heath Ledgers' Patrick Verona (get it) a version of Petruchio. But in addition to its literary roots, the movie is a surprisingly sweet look at high school outsiders and trials and tribulations of young love. Plus, Ledger sings Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

Rent 10 Things I Hate About You on Amazon, Google Play or iTunes.

Scroll through more of our binge recommendations below (see last week's here).