Lean On Me
“Eastside High was out of control...until Joe Clark took it back.”
Synopsis
When principal Joe Clark takes over decaying Eastside High School, he's faced with students wearing gang colors and graffiti-covered walls. Determined to do anything he must to turn the school around, he expels suspected drug dealers, padlocks doors and demands effort and results from students, staff and parents. Autocratic to a fault, this real-life educator put it all on the line.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Lean On Me (1989) Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2012-03-10
Top Cast
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Morgan Freeman
Principal Joe Clark
Beverly Todd
Ms. Levias
Robert Guillaume
Dr. Frank Napier
Ethan Phillips
Mr. Rosenberg
Lynne Thigpen
Leonna Barrett
Michael Beach
Mr. Darnell
Tony Todd
Mr. William Wright
Karen Malina White
Kaneesha Carter
Alan North
Mayor Don Bottman
Robin Bartlett
Mrs. Elliott
Sandra Reaves-Phillips
Mrs. Powers
Sloane Shelton
Mrs. Hamilton
Jermaine Hopkins
Thomas Sams
Karina Arroyave
Maria
Ivonne Coll
Mrs. Santos
Regina Taylor
Mrs. Carter
Michael P. Moran
Mr. O'Malley
John Ring
Fire Chief Gaines
Release History & Theatrical Window
March 3, 1989
Wide Cinema Exhibition
July 10, 1990
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$10M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$31.9M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
3.19x
+$21.9M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- John G. Avildsen
- Screenplay & Story
- Michael Schiffer
- Original Score
- Bill Conti
- Original Title
- Lean On Me
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Portuguese, Spanish
- Runtime
- 1h 48m
- Production Budget
- $10M
- Worldwide Gross
- $31.9M
- Production Studios
- Norman Twain Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
John G. Avildsen
Michael Schiffer
Bill Conti
Victor Hammer
John G. Avildsen, John Carter
John G. Avildsen, Norman Twain
Department Leadership Roster
John G. Avildsen
Director
Victor Hammer
Director of Photography
Norman Twain
Producer
Michael Schiffer
Writer
John G. Avildsen
Editor
Bill Conti
Original Music Composer
Jennifer von Mayrhauser
Costume Design
John Carter
Editor
Doug Kraner
Production Design
Harry Madsen
Stunt Coordinator
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Lean On Me.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lean On Me
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Lean On Me about?
When principal Joe Clark takes over decaying Eastside High School, he's faced with students wearing gang colors and graffiti-covered walls. Determined to do anything he must to turn the school around, he expels suspected drug dealers, padlocks doors and demands effort and results from students, staff and parents. Autocratic to a fault, this real-life educator put it all on the line.
Who directed Lean On Me?
Lean On Me was directed by John G. Avildsen.
Who stars in Lean On Me?
The principal cast of Lean On Me includes Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume, Ethan Phillips, Lynne Thigpen.
When was Lean On Me released and how long is it?
Lean On Me was released in 1989 with a total runtime of 1h 48m.
What was the box office and production budget of Lean On Me?
Lean On Me had a reported production budget of $10M and grossed $31.9M at the worldwide box office (3.19 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for Lean On Me?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Lean On Me was composed by Bill Conti.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Lean On Me?
Lean On Me holds official age classifications: AU: PG (Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.); DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).