At one time, this sci-fi comedy about a couple of high school slackers was best known for making a star of co-lead Keanu Reeves. It was a mild box-office hit upon its release in 1989, but time has been generous to the comedy, which, as Britain’s The Observer newspaper noted, is “the only film ever to combine the music of Van Halen with Greek philosophy.” In danger of failing a high school history class assignment, Van Halen wannabes Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Reeves) are visited by Rufus (George Carlin), who has traveled from the future to help them out. Traveling by phone booth, they meet Napoleon, Socrates, Abraham Lincoln and other historic figures who help them get a pass. Winter and Reeves bring a guileless, relatable charm to their characters, a chemistry they created again in 1991 and 2020 sequels. — Doug Pullen
