🎞 MTDbBest ofBy yearBy genreBy runtimeBrowse (app)

MTDb › Best of › 1996 › The Substitute

The Substitute poster

The Substitute (1996)

“The most dangerous thing about school used to be the students.”

7.0/10 · 609 votes 1h 54m r ActionThrillerDramaCrime

#29 of 95 films from 1996 #671 of 2168 in action

Directed by Robert Mandel · Written by Roy Frumkes, Alan Ormsby, Rocco Simonelli

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

When an inner-city Miami schoolteacher gets her knee broken after standing up to the school's gang leader, her mercenary combat specialist boyfriend goes undercover as a substitute teacher to take down the punk. Soon he discovers a conspiracy of criminals at work, and must reassemble his team from his last jungle raid to stop them.

Cast

Tom Berengeras Jonathan Shale
Raymond Cruzas Joey Six
Marc Anthonyas Juan Lacas
William Forsytheas Hollan
Luis Guzmánas Rem
Diane Venoraas Jane Hetzko
Ernie Hudsonas Claude Rolle
Richard Brooksas Wellman
Glenn Plummeras Darrell Sherman
Cliff DeYoungas Matt Wolfson
Peggy Popeas Hannah Dillon
Willis Sparksas John Janus
Ellsworth Davisas A.J.
Sharron Corleyas Jerome

Facts

Release dateApril 19, 1996
Runtime114 min (1h 54m) — about the same as the 1996 average of 109 min
GenresAction, Thriller, Drama, Crime
LanguageEN
Box office$14,818,176
IMDbtt0117774

More from Robert Mandel

F/XF/X1986 · ★ 6.6 · 1h 49m

If you liked The Substitute

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Bound by HonorBound by Honor1993 · ★ 8.2 · 3h 10m Infernal AffairsInfernal Affairs2002 · ★ 7.8 · 1h 41m The KillerThe Killer1989 · ★ 7.6 · 1h 50m New Police StoryNew Police Story2004 · ★ 7.2 · 2h 3m The NegotiatorThe Negotiator1998 · ★ 7.1 · 2h 20m In the Line of FireIn the Line of Fire1993 · ★ 7.0 · 2h 8m BreakdownBreakdown1997 · ★ 6.9 · 1h 33m Lock UpLock Up1989 · ★ 6.8 · 1h 49m

Questions

How long is The Substitute?
The Substitute runs 114 minutes (1h 54m).
Is The Substitute worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7/10 across 609 votes, which places it #29 of 95 films released in 1996 in this index (top 71%) and #671 among 2168 action titles.
Who directed The Substitute?
The Substitute was directed by Robert Mandel. Other well-rated titles by the same director: F/X (1986).
Who stars in The Substitute?
Tom Berenger as Jonathan Shale; Raymond Cruz as Joey Six; Marc Anthony as Juan Lacas; William Forsythe as Hollan; Luis Guzmán as Rem; Diane Venora as Jane Hetzko.
What is The Substitute rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Substitute?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/96553.

Browse

Best of 1996Best actionAction of the 1990sBest thrillerThriller of the 1990sBest dramaDrama of the 1990sBest crimeCrime of the 1990sAll lists
MTDb·Best films by year, genre and runtime·A century in numbers·Browse and watch trailers

Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.