Teaching Mrs. Tingle

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Teaching Mrs. Tingle

PG-13,

1999,

1h 35m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

23%

62 Reviews

Tomatometer

31%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

23%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

31%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

A hardworking and bright high-school senior, Leigh Ann (Katie Holmes) has her impending status as valedictorian jeopardized when her bitter history teacher, Mrs. Tingle (Helen Mirren), gives her a poor grade on a project. This antagonistic relationship quickly escalates until circumstances lead Leigh Ann and her friends Luke (Barry Watson) and Jo Lynn (Marisa Coughlan) to hold Tingle hostage in her home. As the conflict continues, it looks as if not everyone will make it out alive.

Critics Consensus

As a dark comedy-thriller, this movie lacks humor and thrill.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

Jan 1, 2000

Williamson rarely gets beyond the schematic, arbitrary nature of the characters' relationships.

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Jan 1, 2000

4.5/5

Teaching Mrs. Tingle reveals Williamson not only to be as accomplished a director as he is a writer but also his willingness to move beyond horror to psychological suspense.

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Jan 1, 2000

C-

Depressing!

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Feb 25, 2026

2.5/5

A light recommend. The film is nowhere near as bad as it was made out to be; it's just safe because films were defanged in the wake of Columbine. Helen Mirren and Marisa Coughlan are the MVPs

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Beth Pratt

Common Sense Media

Jan 1, 2011

1/5

Misguided teen thriller -- don't bother.

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Betty Jo Tucker

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Oct 22, 2009

Helen Mirren's acting stands out in this mean-spirited dark comedy like an original Picasso in a paint-by-numbers art show.

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Ron W

Apr 15, 2019

it's okay for it's time, it feels like a few cliches thrown together but it works, there's a bit of suspense because of how far it actually went but the ending was satisfactory.

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George S

Sep 15, 2018

A very underrated movie

Ron M

Feb 23, 2010

A group of teenagers kidnap their teacher when she catches them cheating. It's all sort of ridiculous, but it was watchable. (First and only full viewing - 1/17/2018)

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Hermione M

Aug 19, 2009

It's safe to say that this film can be judged by its cheap cover.

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Kevin Williamson

Director

Helen Mirren

Mrs. Eve Tingle

Katie Holmes

Leigh Ann Watson

Jeffrey Tambor

Coach 'Spanky' Wenchell

Barry Watson

Luke Churner

Marisa Coughlan

Jo Lynn Jordan

Teaching Mrs. Tingle: Official Clip - After School Lesson

2:28

Now Playing

Teaching Mrs. Tingle: Official Clip - Irony

2:51

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Teaching Mrs. Tingle: Official Clip - A Fate Worse Than Death

2:51

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Teaching Mrs. Tingle: Official Clip - Scandalous

2:55

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Teaching Mrs. Tingle: Official Clip - Carnal Conquest

2:58

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Teaching Mrs. Tingle: Official Clip - Caught Cheating

2:51

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Teaching Mrs. Tingle: Official Clip - Exorcism

2:37

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Teaching Mrs. Tingle: Official Clip - The Terror of Mrs. Tingle

2:39

Now Playing

Teaching Mrs. Tingle: Official Clip - Under His Skin

2:40

Now Playing

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Synopsis

A hardworking and bright high-school senior, Leigh Ann (Katie Holmes) has her impending status as valedictorian jeopardized when her bitter history teacher, Mrs. Tingle (Helen Mirren), gives her a poor grade on a project. This antagonistic relationship quickly escalates until circumstances lead Leigh Ann and her friends Luke (Barry Watson) and Jo Lynn (Marisa Coughlan) to hold Tingle hostage in her home. As the conflict continues, it looks as if not everyone will make it out alive.

Director: Kevin Williamson
Producer: Cathy Konrad
Screenwriter: Kevin Williamson
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, Konrad Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 20, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 11, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.9M
Runtime: 1h 35m

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