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These lists are not all-inclusive. They are a broad look at the more notable examples of Columbine's influence on media production.
Movies, films and plays inspired by Columbine and other school shootings
Other relevant films
Television shows inspired by Columbine
Bang Bang You're DeadPlay inspired by the events at Jonesboro and Columbine, later turned into a movie. Teen boy Trevor Adams is bullied to the point of meltdown but is given new hope when he gets involved in Drama. But when the class decides to put on a play about schoolyard killing, Trevor's explosive past may get the play shut down. Play: (1999) Written by William Mastrosimone. Film: (2002) Directed by Guy Ferland. buy DVD |
Duck! The Carbine High MassacreTongue-in-cheek film inspired by the events at Columbine High. One of the first Columbine-inspired movies to hit DVD. Amateur-made and completely irreverent. It's not a movie for sensitive viewers or for viewers who want a film that takes the subject seriously. Film: (2000) Directed by William Hellfire. buy DVD |
Bowling for Columbine (my review)Documentary/opinion regarding gun safety in America. Includes some references to the Columbine massacre, as well as other notable school shootings. The director interviewed victims Mark Taylor and Richard Castaldo, as well Brooks Brown - a friend of the shooters. None were paid for their appearance in the top-grossing film. Mark later said that he never would have agreed to do it if he'd known what sort of movie the director was actually making. Brooks mentions the film in his book, No Easy Answers: The Truth Behind Death at Columbine High School, with similar negative things to say about this film and its director. Still, it's one of the most famous. Film: (2002) Directed by Michael Moore. buy DVD | watch on Amazon prime |
Elephant filmSchool-shooting movie told from the point of view of someone the shooters let go before the killing starts. Directed by the guy who directed Good Will Hunting and put out by New Line Cinema, it's probably the highest-budget film of its genre. While this meant it's better quality than most, it also unfortunately meant that a lot of people who saw this film didn't know anything about Columbine before. They then thought Elephant was a true-to-life retelling of what actually happened. It and Zero Day (see further down) caused a lot of confusion in their time. This film includes a gay scene in a shower between the shooters pre-assault that set off loads of renewed rumors about the Columbine shooters' sexuality. Film: (2003) Directed by Gus Van Sant. buy DVD | watch on Amazon prime |
Home RoomAfter a high school shooting leaves several students dead, including the shooter, injured student Deanna Cartwright faces a rough recovery - physically and mentally. With the shooter dead, the lead investigator sets his sights on brooding goth girl Alicia Browning, who is rendered both a survivor and a suspect. She and Deanna form an unlikely bond in the face of tragedy as they deal with the aftermath of the shooting. Film: (2003) Directed by Paul F. Ryan. buy DVD |
Zero DaySchool shooting told in a 'Blair Witch Project' fashion, like a home movie. Came out around the same time as Elephant and, along with that film, caused a lot of confusion in viewers who didn't know it wasn't a true-to-life retelling of the Columbine massacre. This film has a scene that was shot in the style of a security camera, and shows students being shot in the library. This scene was posted on the interenet as "Columbine footage" and for a long time was mistaken for genuine Columbine death footage. The fact that the clip clearly shows the date as May 1, 2001 finally debunked this belief, but it took several months. Film: (2003) Directed by Ben Coccio. (Out of print) buy DVD |
Dawn AnnaMother of victim Lauren Townsend, Dawn Anna Townsend survives a crippling brain tumor and the loss of her teenaged daughter during the Columbine shootings. Despite the horrendous setbacks she manages to find love and happiness in her life, after the rain of sorrows. This Lifetime original movie starring Debra Winger is a made-for-cable biopic that was created with Dawn Anna's permission. It has some remarkable scenes about the Columbine tragedy, including how she learned her daughter was dead. Movie: (2004) Directed by Less R. Howard. buy DVD | watch on Amazon prime |
Columbinus (A Play)Play that addresses the bitter reality of high-school pecking orders and the basic human need for social interaction. Contains dialog pulled from and inspired by interviews and news about the Columbine shootings. Play: (2005) Conceived and created by The United States Theatre Project, written by Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli. buy script |
April ShowersStory of a school shooting as seen through the eyes of a survivor. This film focuses mainly on how survivors pick up the pieces and move on after living through such a horrific event. Written and directed by Andrew "Andy" Robinson, who was a senior at Columbine in 1999. He was in the Tech Lab when the shooting occurred. Movie: (2009) Written and directed by Andrew Robinson. (Out of print) buy DVD |
Reunion : 13 Worth RememberingSet at a speculative 10-year reunion of the Columbine High students who were killed. It imagines what each victim's life might have been like if Columbine had never happened, based on things they said, did, wrote, and dreamed for in life. Very poignant short film. The thirteen vignettes are all quite interesting, and the ending is emotionally-charged because of the solid storytelling. Movie: (2009) Written and directed by Adam Kargman. buy DVD |
Untold Stories of ColumbineThis film was created by Darrell Scott, father of slain victim Rachel. In it, he shares stories about his daughter and hope for others. This video includes excerpts from her diaries and footage from her funeral. Movie: (2012) Written by Darrell Scott buy DVD | watch on Amazon Prime |
Other relevant films
Falling DownA blue-collar working man (played by Michael Douglas) ditches his car in backed up traffic and goes on a cross-town assault, standing up against a tide of people who are out to victimize him. This movie isn't about a school shooting, but the Columbine shooters most likely saw this film. Additionally, the main character has a custom license plate: D-FENS. The character is called that in the credits. Brooks Brown, a long-time friend of theirs, used that handle on the internet for years - including while he was associating with them. Check out the weapons that D-FENS uses when he goes on his shooting spree, such as the sawed-off shotgun and Tec-9. Note the black fatigues he wears near the end. There are lots of little details that are eerily reminiscent of aspects of the Columbine shootings, yet this film never made the list of movies that the news media tried to blame. The twist ending is incredibly on-point as well. Film: (1993) Written by Ebbe Roe Smith. Directed by Joel Schumacher. buy DVD | watch on Amazon prime |
Natural Born KillersA pair of young lovers (played by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis) go on a cross-country killing spree. They end up taking a reporter (Robert Downey Jr.) hostage, who then feeds America's craving for reality TV and violence by reporting on the murders he witnesses. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold referenced this movie in their journals a LOT, talking about their plans as the day they would "go NBK". They could quote the whole film and described the outfits they wore during the shooting as their "NBK gear". Film: (1994) Written by Quentin Tarantino and David Veloz. Directed by Oliver Stone. buy DVD | watch on Amazon prime |
The Basketball DiariesMovie about a hard-luck teen boy (played by Leonardo diCaprio) with a stunning dream scene of his shooting up his high school class room. Was rumored to have inspired the Columbine shooters, though there's never been proof of this. Film: (1995) Directed by Scott Kalvert. buy DVD | watch on Amazon prime |
The MatrixThere was speculation that this movie fueled the shooters, though there's never been any evidence of it beyond the leather dusters and sunglasses the gunmen wore that are similar to those the heroes wear in this film. Starring Laurence Fishburn and Keanu Reeves, the movie opened in theaters April 4, 1999. It's possible Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold saw it, but by that time they had already planned out their assault, so it's not likely that the film inspired their shooting spree. However, the timing was unfortunate. Film: (1999) Directed and written by Andy and Lana Wachowski buy DVD | watch on Amazon prime |
Light it UpA group of misunderstood teens wind up taking their school hostage at gunpoint. Stars Forest Whitaker, Usher, Rosario Dawson, and Vanessa Williams. Film: (1999) Directed by Craig Bolotin. buy DVD | watch on Amazon prime |
If...Led by the head student, a bunch of British boys stage a bloody revolution against their school. Stars Malcolm McDowell. Film: (1968) Directed by Lindsay Anderson. buy DVD | watch on Amazon prime |
Television shows inspired by Columbine
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 3 ep. 18 - EarshotPulled by the network before airing the week of April 20, 1999 because it had Buffy overhearing about a mass-murder plot being planned by fellow students. The episode was made before the Columbine shootings and was aired much later (Sept. 21, 1999). Season 3 DVD | watch on Prime video |
Seven Days: Season 2 ep. 4 - For the ChildrenSet to air the week of 4-20-1999, it was pulled at the last minute due to footage involving a hostage situation where some kids get shot. Eventually aired Oct. 20, 1999. Series DVD collection |
Promised Land: Season 3 ep. 18 - A Day in the LifeThis episode was supposed to air April 22, 1999, but CBS pulled it from the line-up due to the shootings at Columbine. The episode, written before the shootings, featured a kid with a gun in front of a Denver-area school. Other items in the episode: A nerdy kid gets bullied by a couple of guys on the wrestling team. Nerds at the school set off the fire alarm and a kid is shot outside the school. Series DVD collection |
ER: Season 6 ep. 22 - May DayDoctors struggle with a grade school shooting, where there's debate over whether a victim or a shooter should be transported first. Aired May 18, 2000. Season 6 DVD | watch on Prime video |
The Division: Season 4 ep. 21 - Zero ToleranceDeals with a high school student shot. Makes a reference to the Columbine High shootings. Aired June 28, 2004. |
Degrassi: The Next Generation: Season 4 ep. 7-8: Time Stands Still2-part episode that leads up to a guy returning to the school with a handgun to take revenge for being humiliated. One character dies during the school shooting. Aired Oct. 12, 2004. Season 4 DVD | watch on Prime video |
American Horror Story : Season 1 - Murder HouseOne of the main characters, Tate (played by Evan Peters), is a school shooter who killed 15 people. The writers of the show used a real internet search page in one episode where they edited "Columbine" to read "Westfield" but the rest of the search results obviously reference the Columbine shooting. The subject of the shooting reappears several times throughout the season. Aired 2011. Season 1 DVD | watch on Prime video |
Glee : Season 4 ep. 18 - Shooting StarA student brings a gun to school and accidentally fires it twice, prompting the whole school to go into hiding. The show details the agonizing wait and fear of the students who are finally released from the school by the SWAT team. Aired April 11, 2013. Season 4 DVD | watch on Prime video |