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Underclassman

Underclassman

200595 minPG-13Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films
Director
Marcos Siega
Starring
Nick Cannon, Roselyn Sanchez, Shawn Ashmore, Kaylee DeFer

A young detective goes undercover at an elite private school to destroy an international stolen car ring.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Underclassman?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Underclassman streaming on Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Underclassman?

Underclassman earns 4 badges, led by Before they were famous and Box Office Flop.

  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Underclassman worth watching?

Underclassman's Midcredits score is the 10th percentile of all films, from 7.7K ratings across 6 sources. 21% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

10th percentile

Better received than 10% of films

18th percentile among Action10th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)13th
Approval (how many liked it)10th

48 /100

13th percentile of all films

22nd percentile among Action13th percentile among 2000s

Critics 19 · Audience 51

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

Ratings scatter across the whole scale — one of the most divisive reactions in the catalog.

Approval

How many liked it

21% liked it

10th percentile of all films

18th percentile among Action9th percentile among 2000s
21% rated it 7–1079% rated it 1–6

Critics 6% · Audience 34%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

67th percentile

7.6K ratings across platforms

53rd percentile among Action59th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 32% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$25M
Opening weekend$2.6M
Domestic gross$5.7M
Worldwide gross$5.9M

Returned 0.2× its budget — 53rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A predictable undercover-cop-at-high-school action-comedy heavily borrowing from Beverly Hills Cop and 21 Jump Street.

Fans praised

  • Nick Cannon's comedic delivery and likability
  • Fun action sequences and chase scenes
  • Underrated humor and chemistry among cast

Detractors panned

  • Derivative, cliché-ridden plot
  • Weak, offensive script with racial stereotyping
  • Nick Cannon's unconvincing acting and forced comedy

What stands out

PacingDivisive40

Some energetic action but padded with clichés

HumorDivisive30

Fans find Cannon hilarious; detractors call jokes lame and offensive

ActingDivisive25

Divisive — fans find Cannon charming and likable, detractors call him unconvincing and annoying

Plot and storyDivisive20

Predictable, derivative of multiple earlier films

DialogueDivisive20

Some witty lines but mostly offensive or flat

CharactersDivisive15

Thinly written, clichéd, no real development

Originality10

Heavily borrowed from Beverly Hills Cop and 21 Jump Street

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 7 points apart

Watch experience

What is Underclassman like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It has a few laughs and leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ThrillingTense
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
TonePlays its undercover cop premise straight with comedic elements and action, maintaining a sincere and lighthearted stance.
The rideThe undercover operation likely builds tension and action in the middle act, with lighter moments interspersed.
StructureThe story follows a conventional linear progression from undercover assignment to confrontation.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

The answer rests on this: FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayA light undercover adventure with laughs and action leaves you entertained.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestMission
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% (this title) · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

10% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA young detective goes undercover at a private school to take down a car theft ring, driven by a clear objective similar to a mission.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfJusticeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9% (this title)
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Justice · 13% of filmsDeception · 9% of filmsIdentity · 14% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on a detective's pursuit of justice by infiltrating a criminal operation, requiring him to deceive others and navigate a dual identity.
StanceThe film presents the detective's quest for justice as admirable, celebrating his undercover work against crime.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
ElectronicSupportive music · original score · BT
Settingan elite private school in Los Angeles
MusicThe score by BT likely provides an energetic, rhythmic backdrop for the action and undercover sequences.

Content guide

Is Underclassman okay for kids?

PG-13

Underclassman is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual references, drug material and some teen drinking” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (67/100), sexual content at minimal (11/100), language at moderate (50/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (0/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 1 other country
  • JapanG
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Intense
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (8 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Underclassman have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Underclassman?

Cast

3 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Nick Cannon
as Tracy 'Tre' Stokes
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Roselyn Sanchez
as Karen Lopez
Shawn Ashmore
as Rob Donovan
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kaylee DeFer
as Des
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Hugh Bonneville
as Headmaster Felix Powers
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Nicole Garza
as Candice
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Cheech Marin
as Captain Victor Delgado
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Ian Gomez
as Detective Gallecki
Adrian Young
as Jose
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Kelly Hu
as Lisa Brooks
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Underclassman?

Movies like Underclassman include Spenser Confidential (2020), CHIPS (2017) and Lethal Weapon (1987). Of the 12 closest matches, most are action comedies, and most are films set in Los Angeles.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

8 of these 12 share its subject: justice. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Underclassman?

2.2K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: action comedy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.