Top 10 Cringiest Teen Movie Scenes
#10: The Dance
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“Napoleon Dynamite” (2004) Let’s be real. There’s a lot of stuff about “Napoleon Dynamite” that’s pretty cringy. After all, the plot is basically built off of the fact that the titular character is terribly awkward and hard to be around. If you ask us, Napoleon’s worst offense comes near the end of the story, when he performs this dance routine. We’re willing to admit that it’s also probably the funniest part of the movie, and it is kind of endearing. But that doesn’t stop us from having severe secondhand embarrassment while watching. Jon Heder, hats off to you for pulling this one off.
#9: Kourtney Kardashian’s Role
“He's All That” (2021) The Kardashian family is ubiquitous, but the main place we really spend a lot of time with them is on their own television show. So we were excited to see Kourtney Kardashian in “He’s All That.” Sadly, most viewers felt that the final result fell flat. For starters, the film itself isn’t that great – especially when compared to the movie it’s remaking – 1999’s “She’s All That.” But perhaps if they had gotten more seasoned actors involved, it would’ve been better. Kardashian plays Jessica Miles Torres, a woman who acts as sponsor to the main character. But many felt that her character was more laborious to watch than anything. Kardashian has talent, but she didn’t get a chance to shine here.
#8: Wrong Place, Wrong Time
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“American Pie” (1999) “American Pie” is another movie that’s basically built on the art of cringe. We all remember the pie scene, after all. It’s not like the writers are intent on making you feel comfortable at all times. But this moment is one of the worst in a long line of awkward. After cool guy Stifler slips a laxative into his coffee, a boy named Finch gets stuck in the girls’ bathroom with a pretty explosive problem. The whole thing is pretty gross and leaves you feeling pretty dirty yourself. You might be laughing a little bit, but mostly you’re just waiting for it to be over.
#7: Marty & Mom
“Back to the Future” (1985) What if in the process of trying to make sure your parents get together, you inadvertently made your mom fall in love with you? Thankfully, not many high schoolers can say this has happened to them, but it happened to Marty McFly in “Back to the Future.” And it’s one of the most awkward things to ever grace the cinematic screen. When Marty goes back in time, he accidentally messes up the beginning of his parents’ relationship, inadvertently taking his father’s place. So much of the movie is Marty trying to rebuff his mother’s advances, which … ew. But all of that culminates when they go on a date, and mom kisses Marty in the car. Can you say Oedipus?
#6: John Tucker’s Hormones
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“John Tucker Must Die” (2006) Revenge plots in teen movies rarely go smoothly. As iconic as “John Tucker Must Die” is, it also utilizes cringe in its quest for payback. In the movie, three girls conspire to use a fourth girl to get back at the titular guy who cheated on all of them. Admittedly, a lot of their plots are pretty ridiculous. But slipping him estrogen pills might take the cake. After the girls sneak John some hormones, he has a fairly embarrassing blow up during a basketball game. You know, it may be humiliating (and stereotypical), but we get it! Why does everyone have to be so mean? He’s not wrong!
#5: Marching
“Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” (2010) At this point, even if you haven’t seen the “Camp Rock” films, you’ve probably seen this moment meme-d on the internet. The first one stars Demi Lovato as a shy, but hopeful singer who attends a musical camp one summer. The sequel sees her more self-assured, working to save the place. There are plenty of overly theatrical moments in the franchise, but none so cringey as this one. In the scene, Lovato’s character Mitchie is leading a bunch of campers in some strange step routine as they chant. Why are they doing this, you ask? Technically, it’s in an effort to show the rival camp they aren’t messing around and propose a battle. But more philosophically, we have no idea.
#4: An Inappropriate Crush
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“17 Again” (2009) Time travel and romance: these things don’t always mix. In “17 Again,” things are not going well for 37-year-old Mike O'Donnell. He’s getting divorced, his kids hate him, and he’s generally unfulfilled. When he gets his 17-year-old body back, he decides to take his life into his own hands. The part we have a difficult time digesting is that his daughter Margaret develops a crush on him. Watching her trying to mack on her dad without realizing what she’s doing is really hard to take. It’s one of those moments where you want to reach out, grab her through the screen, and just beg her to stop!
#3: Krumping
“Bring It On 3: All or Nothing” (2006) Hayden Panettiere’s character Britney and krumping are two things that do not belong together. Unfortunately, “Bring It On 3: All or Nothing” did not get that memo. When Britney joins the cheer squad at her new school, she has a hard time adjusting as the white girl on the team. At one point, she’s challenged to a little dance off, which in turn turns to krumping. The film clearly wants us to think that she’s doing a good job, but watching the scene now, it’s laughable. Sorry girl, this one is just not for you.
#2: Sparkles
“Twilight” (2008) That could be the funniest line ever uttered in cinema. “Twilight,” both the book and the movie, was a massive hit. But it’s okay to admit to ourselves that there’s a lot of cringe running throughout the story. One of the most groan-inducing aspects has to be what happens to vampire skin when it comes in contact with sunlight. Does it burn, you might ask? Close, but no. When met with sun, vampires begin to sparkle, kind of like disco balls. Edward is so angsty about the reveal in the movie, we can’t help but laugh and roll our eyes.
#1: Fake Out Kiss
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“Sierra Burgess Is a Loser” (2018) “Sierra Burgess Is a Loser” is not the most successful of the “Cyrano” adaptations. It mostly just comes off as a catfish movie with few, if any, redeeming qualities. In it, nerdy Sierra enlists the popular Veronica to help her woo a boy named Jamey. He thinks he is talking to Veronica, but really it’s Sierra. The most wince-inducing moment comes when Veronica is on a date with Jamey. When they’re about to lock lips, Jamey closes his eyes. Unbeknownst to him, this allows Sierra – who’s been hiding under the car – to take Veronica’s place. This is objectively weird and wrong behavior, and makes us die a little inside everytime.
