User Score
3.9 out of 10

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 106
  2. Negative: 60 out of 106

Review this movie

  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. A,Markscont
    Nov 5, 2008
    10
    It's a blast! A musical that isn't ashamed of being a musical, and now they have the bucks behind the to be as fab as tthey wanna be!
  2. AllisonL.
    Oct 26, 2008
    9
    I love this movie. (: its my favoritee... during the movie in the theater me and my friends were dancing and singing along. it was amazing. but of course since it was a musical, it was a little cheesy in like one song! haha.
  3. DanielS.
    Oct 26, 2008
    10
    This Movie Is Excelent..!!!! Amazing..!!! and has the perfect ending that a movie ever done.! the songs r incredible the dance over the top.. and the acting are the best..! but the history is everything..! and Ashley Tisdale was so Fabulous.! HSM3 is the best musical EVER MADE IN HISTORY..! ''Once A Wildcat Always A Wildcat''!!!!
  4. KathyB.
    Oct 26, 2008
    9
    I was quietly hesitant or at least expecting a catnap while my kids enjoy the show but I was pleasantly surprised! The topics and emotions touched a nerve for me ( I remember the same concerns and even now wonder of life's direction) the musical numbers were either romantic, over the top with skills and fun. I laughed out loud a few times, got a bit teary eyed and just left the theatre feeling as pepped up as the kids. It was worth the money! Collapse
  5. Rhouel
    Apr 3, 2009
    10
    HSM3 was i think the best musical for now... It can make every senior feel that it's really gonna be over for them, they're going separate places after graduation... And for me, as a high school student, it had touched me in different ways... The movie made me want to perform because it is so energetic, all the numbers make you have Last Song Syndrome (LSS), and even though I don't really enjoy love scenes, this movie kinda made me like it... If you compare this to other musicals, this would be the leading one, this is the best among musicals as for now. Expand
  6. JunaidN.
    Oct 24, 2008
    10
    There were a bit too many songs but gawdd the neding was incredible. cinema was full everybody was on their feet clappin and dancing along it's what high school musical is all about. bit upset that its over with the current cast but relly they left in style. incredible movie. soo much fun. sooo much excitement and anticipation for this global phenomenon culminating in an absolutely fantastic motion picture musical which will leave it's mark for years at the box office and in our hears even though some critics just don't have a clue and don't get it. Expand
  7. MattC.
    Oct 25, 2008
    10
    It's painfully obvious that most movie critics are miserable b'stards with serious joy issues. The writing is bad? It's High School Musical not Waiting For Godot for goodness sake. It's about singing, dancing and kids having a good time. And that's exactly what my 8 year old daughters had. When the worlds most cynical man (Charlie Brooker) finds it difficult to hate the High School Musical movies you know it's time to leave cynicism and pretension at the door and have some good clean fun. Lighten up world. We've got enough to worry about other than slating a perfectly entertaining family movie with its heart in the right place. Expand
  8. ChuckB.
    Oct 25, 2008
    9
    This movie BLEW MY MIND! The plot was just random enough to work, and the pseudo Thriller scenes, horror movie stylings, and crazy hot sexual tension just put this movie over the top. In a good way. Get a group of friends, pop a few Xanax, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.
  9. Aug 15, 2011
    10
    I love this movie. I enjoyed all of this movie! I want to watch again. Troy is so cool and Gabriella is so cute. I want you to listen these songs. These songs made you happy.
  10. Jan 11, 2012
    9
    At last, we have been given a decent typical teenage film, now they confront one of the worst fears that a teenager can feel. Enjoyable, funny and it is better than the others.
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 26
  2. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. Reviewed by: Stephen Farber
    50
    The result unfortunately has the blandness of a mediocre TV sitcom.
  2. Reviewed by: Peter Debruge
    50
    While Ortega and fellow choreographers Charles Klapow and Bonnie Story stretch their imaginations, there's something almost lazy about the picture's underachiever script.
  3. These are standard youth-movie dilemmas, but they're brought to life by the high-energy cast and the musical numbers, which Ortega shoots with electrifying pizzazz.