Introduction Patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas (HGG) have limited treatment options. HGG utilize the PD-1 pathway to evade immune responses. Checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated safety and clinical activity in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. We explored the efficacy of nivolumab in recurrent HGG with a primary objective of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Methods We retrospectively analyzed HGG patients treated with nivolumab in our institution. We included patients with advanced HGG who received nivolumab at their oncologist’s decision. Patients received nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks until confirmed progression, intolerable toxicity, death, or physician decision. Radiographic assessments were performed every 8 weeks. Results Between April 2015 and October 2017, 50 HGG patients received nivolumab. 43 patients received nivolumab with bevacizumab. 44 patients were bevacizumab refractory and 7 patients received nivolumab monotherapy. All had received prior radiation and chemotherapy. 39 adverse events (AEs) were noted most commonly fatigue (16%) and constipation (10%). 4 (8%) patients experienced grade 3–4 AEs. 36 (72%) patients experienced stable disease (SD) at the 2-month assessment. Median duration of SD was 4.3 months (5.1 months in the bevacizumab naïve, 3.8 months in the bevacizumab refractory). Median PFS was 4.3 months (95% CI 3.5–5.3); median OS was 6.5 months (95% CI 6.0–8.8). Conclusion Treatment with nivolumab therapy was associated with a manageable safety profile. In a subset of patients, there was disease stabilization in heavily pre-treated recurrent HGG.