The 1980 film Fame inspired a TV series, a stage musical and even a short-lived American Idol-style reality show. Folks must never get tired of watching talented kids follow their show-business dreams.

That, or they just really like the theme song.

Either way, another dose of Fame is coming to screens on Friday. The rebooted version takes place over four years at the modern-day New York City High School for the Performing Arts.

Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Debbie Allen turn up as faculty members, and a cast of newcomers plays the glory-hungry students.

Here's more on the new film, including some rental recommendations to help you get in the mood.

Hunter Hauk

A CHORUS LINE (1985) Ambition and heartbreak take the stage as wannabe Broadway performers try out for a musical. This is a film adaptation of one of the most beloved stage shows of all time. While it doesn't exactly live up to the stage version, it redeems itself with a thrilling rendition of the closing number, "One."

CAMP (2003) Complete with original songs, this indie film follows the ups and downs of a summer at musical-theater camp. If you think the ambition and backbiting of show business don't begin until adulthood, think again.

CENTER STAGE (2000) The competitiveness of the theater world seems like child's play compared to what goes on inside an exclusive ballet academy. The bitchery is off the charts!

DRUMLINE (2002) This drama about competing drumlines at historically black colleges will make you want to get up off your couch and dance. Good thing, because Nick Cannon's not exactly Oscar-worthy in the lead.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (2006) Speaking of bad dialogue and worse acting, this one is only being mentioned because its insane worldwide popularity can't be denied. It spawned two sequels, showed us the beauty of Zac Efron's hair, and sent kids the message that musical theater isn't just for geeks.

MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS (1995) The high-school band movie starred Richard Dreyfuss as a teacher who profoundly affects the lives and dreams of his students. His talents don't keep his music department from getting cut because of budget constraints, though. Damn bureaucrats don't appreciate the arts!

SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003) Jack Black takes over a music class and turns a bunch of cute kids into rock 'n' roll badasses. And nearly drives principal Joan Cusack to drink in the process.

SING (1989) Described by some as a cross between Fame and Footloose, this one's about a teacher who convinces the punk of the school to participate in the annual campus musical production. And what a surprise: He's got hidden talent!

SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT (1993) A teenage Lauryn Hill shines as one of the members of the school choir that Whoopi Goldberg's sassy nun shapes up. If you can't take nun comedy, just fast-forward to Lauryn's performance of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."

STEP UP (2006) Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum play a goodie-goodie and a bad kid who come together to rock their snooty school's dance program. Clichés abound, but it's still fun to watch them move.

Fame's producer, Gary Lucchesi, tells The New York Times that while the original film focused on social issues of the day, the new version is more about the ambition of the characters. "We thought the issue of a character being homosexual, which was in the first Fame, is much less surprising now – people are very open about it," he said. "An arts career is something that's taken seriously now from 12 or 13 years old, and there's tremendous competitiveness to get into these public high schools, so the focus is on the challenge and on achievement."

The classic "Fame" song by Irene Cara is performed on the new soundtrack (out now) by cast member Naturi Naughton, who made a name for herself in the group 3LW. The only other song from the original film that makes it into the new one is the ballad "Out Here on My Own." Other actors, including Megan Mullally, Asher Book and Collins Pennie, perform new tunes. Fame

Starring Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Bebe Neuwirth, Asher Book, Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono and Naturi Naughton. Directed by Kevin Tancharoen. PG. 107 min. Wide release. Opens Friday.1

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