Middle School : the Worst Years of My Life ( film ) - Wikipedia Middle School : the Worst Years of My Life ( film ) Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life Theatrical release poster Directed by Steve Carr Produced by Leopoldo Gout Bill Robinson Screenplay by Chris Bowman Hubbel Palmer Kara Holden Based on Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson Chris Tebbetts Starring Griffin Gluck Lauren Graham Rob Riggle Thomas Barbusca Andy Daly Adam Pally Retta Music by Jeff Cardoni Cinematography Julio Macat Edited by Wendy Greene Bricmont Craig Herring Production company CBS Films James Patterson Entertainment Participant Media Distributed by Lionsgate Release date October 7, 2016 ( 2016 - 10 - 07 ) ( United States ) Running time 92 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $8.5 million Box office $23.3 million Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life is a 2016 American live - action / animated family comedy film directed by Steve Carr and written by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer and Kara Holden, based on the 2011 novel of the same name by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts. The film stars Griffin Gluck, Lauren Graham, Rob Riggle, Retta, Thomas Barbusca, Andy Daly, and Adam Pally. It follows a middle school student who sets out to break every one of the many rules made by his domineering principal. Principal photography began on November 21, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. Lionsgate released the film on October 7, 2016. It received mixed reviews and has grossed over $23 million. Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 4 Release 4.1 Box office 4.2 Critical response 4.3 Home media 5 Accolades 6 Sequel 7 References 8 External links Plot This article 's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. ( May 2017 ) Rafe Khatchadorian ( Griffin Gluck ), who enjoys a passion for art and has an incredible imagination, transfers mid-year to Hills Village Middle School after being kicked out of his previous one. On his first day, he meets the strict and exceedingly vain Principal Ken Dwight ( Andy Daly ) and his stern, bad - toned Vice-principal Ida Stricker ( Retta ). Dwight runs the school with an iron fist and forces students to comply with an extensive list of rules that are mostly senseless and unlawful ones while Stricker follows along with his antics. Later that day, an assembly focused on the BaseLine Assessment of Academic Readiness ( BLAAR ) standardized test, led enthusiastically by Dwight, is interrupted when another student grabs Rafe 's sketchbook in which he had humorously drawn the principal as a zombie repeating `` BLAAR '' over and over. Dwight responds by destroying the sketchbook, much to the dismay of Rafe as it had been filled with his personal work. Later that day, Rafe is back in his room with his friend Leo ( Thomas Barbusca ) who suggests that to get even, Rafe should destroy Dwight 's rule book. To show the ridiculousness of Dwight 's rules, Rafe and Leo pull several pranks such as papering the walls of the hallways as well as Dwight 's office with colored sticky notes, changing the period bell to end with the sound of flatulence, filling the teachers ' lounge with plastic balls, putting pink hair dye in Dwight 's hat, and turning the trophy case into a fish tank complete with coral and several sea creatures, including an eel. These pranks gain the attention and admiration of Rafe 's fellow students including Jeanne Galletta ( Isabela Moner ), the lone member of the AV Club who also sees the pointlessness of Dwight 's rules. Leo suggests strongly to Rafe that he not reveal himself just yet. In the midst of the chaos, Dwight, obsessed with his school 's performance on the BLAAR, realizes that if he can stop the remedial class, which includes Rafe, from taking the test, then the average scores will improve enough to earn a number one ranking and a generous bonus for him and Stricker. To rig the BLAAR, Dwight frames several students from the class by secretly putting items in their lockers that make it appear like they were responsible for the pranks, and suspends the whole class for a week. He also uses the opportunity to unlawfully fire Mr. Teller ( Adam Pally ), the compassionate remedial class teacher who, along with the other teachers, disagrees with Dwight and Stricker 's antics and sees through Dwight 's plan. Rafe immediately goes to Dwight 's office and begs him not to suspend the other students since he was the one responsible for the pranks ; when Dwight refuses, Rafe creates a crazy dance party by activating the sprinkler system and fire alarm, which soaks the school and the students in colored dye that was intended to be yet another one of his pranks, which prompts Dwight to expel Rafe permanently. Now expelled from Hills Village Middle School, Rafe is confronted by his mother Jules ( Lauren Graham ) who tells him that her fiancé Carl `` Bear '' ( Rob Riggle ), who seriously loathes Rafe and his sister Georgia ( Alexa Nisenson ), has found a military school where Jules should consider sending him. While acknowledging that it is not ideal, it represents what may be the only option left. She also pauses to reflect the passing of Rafe 's younger brother two years earlier. It is then revealed that Leo was his late brother. Later that evening, Jeanne shows up at Rafe 's house with concrete evidence : a VHS tape containing a documentary about the school she had recorded of Dwight putting the items `` found '' in the student lockers himself. With this evidence, Rafe, Jeanne, and Georgia gather the suspended students from the remedial class outside the middle school, along with the disgruntled janitor Gus ( Efren Ramirez ), who also dislikes Dwight 's rules, and pull together a plan to get revenge on Dwight and Stricker. The next morning, Jules discovers that neither Rafe nor Georgia are home and becomes concerned about their disappearance, but when Bear shows more concern in the fact that his car ( a red stick - shift 2009 BMW 328i ( E90 ) sedan with doors that sometimes jam when opening ) is missing as it was stolen by the kids, she finally realizes that he is nothing more than a selfish jerk as Rafe claimed. Meanwhile with BLAAR testing ready to begin, Rafe and his classmates interrupt procedures and expose Dwight 's deceitfulness. Fed up with Rafe 's inferred disobedience, Dwight begins to chase him, but one of the students trips Dwight, so Stricker begins to chase Rafe, but ends up getting tripped as well. Gus shows up in a cart to pick up Rafe. Dwight then steals a student 's bike and gives chase, only to have a pile of manure dumped all over him. Just as Dwight catches up with Rafe and Gus, Mr. Teller arrives with Superintendent Hwang ( Angela Oh ) to whom Rafe hands over the video proving Dwight 's guilt. He and Stricker are subsequently fired by Hwang for creating unlawful rules, unlawfully firing Mr. Teller, and for illegally rigging the BLAAR. Hwang later reveals that she will bring their crimes to court. When Jules arrives to pick up Rafe and Georgia, Rafe is re-enrolled, she breaks up with Bear, and gives him back the engagement ring to pay for the damages to his car ( courtesy of Georgia ). Rafe is later seen that night outside the school conversing with Leo who tells him that since Rafe has now made friends with some of his classmates, he is no longer needed to fill that void. As Leo departs on a spaceship with aliens that Rafe has created in his earlier sketchbook, Rafe and Jeanne share a kiss, breaking rule # 86 which is the final rule Rafe needed to break for an ends justify the means deed. Cast Griffin Gluck as Rafe Khatchadorian, a rule - breaking but well - meaning middle schooler Lauren Graham as Jules Khatchadorian, Rafe 's mother Rob Riggle as Carl `` Bear '', Jules ' child - hating boyfriend Thomas Barbusca as Leo Khatchadorian, Rafe 's best friend and late younger brother Andy Daly as Principal Ken Dwight, the strict and exceedingly vain principal of Hills Village Middle School Adam Pally as Mr. Teller, Rafe 's friendly and fun - loving English teacher who dislikes Dwight and Stricker 's antics Retta as Ida Stricker, the stern vice-principal of Hills Village Middle School and Principal Dwight 's accomplice. Jacob Hopkins as Miller `` the Killer '', a large school bully who targets Rafe, but later joins his plan to battle Dwight Alexa Nisenson as Georgia Khatchadorian, Rafe 's smart younger sister Isabela Moner as Jeanne Galletta, Rafe 's love interest who helps him in his plan Efren Ramirez as Gus, the disgruntled janitor who later joins Rafe 's plan to get revenge on Dwight Isabella Amara as Heidi James A. Patterson as James, a restaurant manager at Dave & Buster 's. Jessi Goei as Bella Luke Hardeman as Shon Angela Oh as Superintendent Hwang, the superintendent of the school district that Hills Village Middle School is in. Animation voices provided by Jeremy Culhane, Stephen Kearin, Tom Kenny, Mike Matzdorf, Michael Rapaport, and Jacob Vargas. Production On August 4, 2015, it was announced that Steve Carr would direct the film adaptation of James Patterson 's 2011 novel Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life, with a script written by Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer. Griffin Gluck would play the lead role, Rafe Khatchadorian, a student at Hills Village Middle School. Leopoldo Gout and Bill Robinson were set to produce the film, along with CBS Films, which handles international sales, with Lionsgate handling distribution. On November 12, 2015, more cast were announced for the film, whose script was also written by Kara Holden ; it was also announced that Patterson would co-finance the film through his James Patterson Entertainment, along with Participant Media and CBS Films. Principal photography on the film began on November 21, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia, and wrapped on January 19, 2016. Release CBS Films distributes the film through its partnership deal with Lionsgate. The film was released on October 7, 2016. Box office In the United States and Canada, Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life was projected to gross $8 -- 10 million from 2,822 theaters during its opening weekend. It went on to open to $6.9 million, finishing 7th at the box office for its first weekend. It finished its theatrical run with a total gross of $23.3 million, making it a moderate success against its $8.5 million production budget. Critical response Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life received mixed reviews from critics. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 58 %, based on 38 reviews, with an average rating of 5.5 / 10. Metacritic reported an average rating of 51 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating `` mixed or average reviews ''. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of `` A -- '' on an A+ to F scale. Home Media The film was released on Blu - ray, DVD, and digital download on January 3, 2017. Accolades Award Date of ceremony Recipient ( s ) Result Ref ( s ) Annie Awards February 4, 2017 Best Animated Special Production Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life Nominated Sequel On October 3, 2016, James Patterson announced that he is developing a sequel to the film. References ^ Jump up to : `` Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life ( 2016 ) ''. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 20, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Ford, Rebecca ( August 4, 2015 ). `` CBS Films Enrolls in ' Middle School ' Based on James Patterson Book Series ( Exclusive ) ''. hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved December 12, 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` CBS Films, Participant Media and James Patterson Assemble Cast for `` Middle School : the Worst Years of My Life '' ``. prnewswire.com. November 12, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Kroll, Justin ( November 17, 2015 ). `` ' The Goldbergs ' Actor Jacob Hopkins Joins ' Middle School ' Cast ''. variety.com. Retrieved December 12, 2015. Jump up ^ `` On the Set for 12 / 4 / 15 : Gal Gadot Grabs Her Lasso for ' Wonder Woman ', Brad Pitt Wraps ' War Machine ', ' Resident Evil ' Team Finish Final Chapter ''. ssninsider.com. December 4, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015. Jump up ^ `` On the Set for 1 / 22 / 16 : Michael Fassbender Starts Shooting Universal 's ' The Snowman ', Antonio Banderas Wraps on ' Security ' ''. SSN Insider. January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016. Jump up ^ Dave McNary ( October 2, 2016 ). `` ' Birth of a Nation ' and ' Girl on the Train ' Hit Box Office Tracking : How Will They Fare ? ''. Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2016. Jump up ^ `` ' The Girl on the Train ' on Track to Top Weekend Box Office With $30 Million ''. TheWrap. Jump up ^ `` Hurricane Matthew Does n't Slow ' Girl On The Train ', But Overall Ticket Sales Lower Than Jonas ; Controversy Conquers ' Nation ' ''. Deadline.com. Jump up ^ `` Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life ( 2016 ) ''. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 5, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life reviews ''. Metacritic. Retrieved October 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` CinemaScore ''. cinemascore.com. Jump up ^ `` Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life DVD Release Date January 3, 2017 ''. Jump up ^ `` 44th Annie Award Nominees ''. International Animated Film Society. November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016. Jump up ^ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/movies/os-tvguy-james-patterson-20160929-column.html External links Official website Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life on IMDb Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life at Box Office Mojo Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life at Metacritic Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life at Rotten Tomatoes Films directed by Steve Carr Next Friday ( 2000 ) Dr. Dolittle 2 ( 2001 ) Daddy Day Care ( 2003 ) Rebound ( 2005 ) Are We Done Yet ? ( 2007 ) Paul Blart : Mall Cop ( 2009 ) Movie 43 ( segment `` The Proposition '' ) ( 2013 ) Middle School : The Worst Years of My Life ( 2016 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Middle_School:_The_Worst_Years_of_My_Life_(film)&oldid=807414066 '' Categories : 2016 films English - language films 2010s comedy films American films American comedy films CBS Films films Films about educators Films based on American novels Films directed by Steve Carr Films set in schools Films shot in Atlanta Films with live action and animation Lions Gate Entertainment films Participant Media films Films based on works by James Patterson Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from June 2017 Articles with permanently dead external links Wikipedia articles with plot summary needing attention from May 2017 All Wikipedia articles with plot summary needing attention Official website not in Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikiquote 한국어 日本 語 Tiếng Việt Edit links This page was last edited on 27 October 2017, at 19 : 58. 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Question: who wrote middle school the worst years of my life
Answer: Chris Bowman