Top 20 Teen Movies That Defined Our Childhood
#20: “Heathers” (1988)
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“Heathers” is the kind of twisted teen movie that only could’ve been made in the ‘80s. At the same time, this satire is very different from the decade’s other teen romps. Instead of being hopeful and lighthearted like John Hughes, screenwriter Daniel Waters tapped into the dark side of teenage life and took it to an extreme. For anyone who went to high school with self-absorbed mean girls and arrogant jocks, “Heathers” is the ultimate revenge fantasy. As over-the-top as the story gets, we’d be lying if we said that the inner troublemaker in us all didn’t identify with the film’s cynical outlook. Decades later, the film is still relevant, provocative, and - above all else - hilarious, giving us some of the genre’s most biting one-liners.
#19: “She’s the Man” (2006)
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This contemporary teen comedy gets its inspiration from Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” In terms of its dialogue, setting, and time period, “She’s the Man” is admittedly far-removed from the original play. One element of its source material that the film does manage to capture, however, is the farcical fun. A love triangle is one thing, but when Amanda Bynes’ Viola decides to pose as her twin brother, she finds herself wrapped up in what’s essentially a love hexagon. It’s so complicated that the audience can’t help but laugh at the sheer absurdity of the whole situation, which naturally builds to several funny revelations. While the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, it still finds room for a girl-power message that young ladies can take to heart.
#18: “But I’m a Cheerleader” (1999)
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Whether you’re a cheerleader or not, this one probably stuck with you for some time. “But I’m a Cheerleader” stars a young Natasha Lyonne as Megan Bloomfield, a teenage cheerleader whose parents send her to conversion therapy because they believe she’s a lesbian. Much to her parents' disappointment, and to Megan’s delight, she meets and falls in love with another girl at camp. The film has become a cult classic in recent years, and is one of the most beloved queer movies of all time. Lyonne definitely served as a bit of an awakening for some of us, and we’ve been returning to this one ever since.
#17: “American Pie” (1999)
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This one’s for the boys. There are some teen movies that come around at just the right time to influence an entire generation. “American Pie” is definitely one of them. The comedy catapulted teen flicks into the new millennium with its raunchy brand of humor. Jason Biggs stars, but the film is better remembered for supporting performances from the likes of Jennifer Coolidge and Eugene Levy. With no real plot and some horribly cringey moments, “American Pie” has cemented itself as a guilty pleasure for many, and it’s impossible to deny the mark it left on pop culture.
#16: “The Craft” (1996)
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What’s more difficult than being a teenage girl? Being a teenage girl who’s also a witch.. “The Craft” is a 1996 teen movie that’s gained a cult following in recent years. Starring Neve Campbell (NEV), Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk (fuh-ROO-zuh BAWL-k), and Rachel True, the film follows a group of outcasts who decide to give witchcraft a spin. Somehow, the movie is able to feel like a true blue goth experience while incorporating a level of humor and horror that make it completely iconic. If you’re looking for a campy “Heathers” meets “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” look no further.
#15: “Juno” (2007)
Jeez, Banana, shut your freakin’ gob, okay, and listen to this next entry! “Juno” took the teen movie world by storm in 2007, and has solidified itself as one of the most influential of the genre. Starring Elliot Page as the titular Juno, the movie follows the trials and tribulations of teenage pregnancy. Even though the subject matter is fairly serious, the movie is infused with a ton of humor, giving us immensely funny lines that we’re still quoting today. But, more than that, it gives the situation Juno finds herself in some meaningful weight, making for an equally funny and moving cinematic experience.
#14: “Grease” (1978)
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“Grease” isn’t exactly an accurate depiction of the ‘50s. It’s not the most accurate depiction of high school either, but perhaps that’s what makes this musical so enduring. The film is completely wrapped up in its own little world, offering its audience a much-needed escape. Of course, that’s not to say the film isn’t relatable. No matter what era you grew up in, you likely saw a bit of yourself in Danny, Sandy, or one of the other iconic players. These are timeless characters that speak to us even decades later. So, in a strange way, “Grease” does say something enriching about the teenage experience, all while cementing its legacy with an insanely catchy soundtrack.
#13: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)
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When you’re a freshman in high school, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong anywhere. You’re never alone, however, as there’s always somebody else blending into the crowd with you. Charlie Kelmeckis learns this valuable lesson in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” a smart, funny, and powerful adaptation of Stephen Chbosky’s novel. As he befriends seniors Sam and Patrick, Charlie sees that everyone has a right to the high school experience, be they popular or below average. He also finds that every teen has their inner demons, be it pertaining to bigotry, mental illness, or common insecurities. No matter what you’re going through, it’s a lot easier with a friend in your corner.
#12: “Say Anything …” (1989)
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When it comes to teen romance, we all have our favorite clichés. But, someone holding a boombox over their head blasting Peter Gabriel? That’s got to rank high on the grand gesture list. Cameron Crowe’s “Say Anything …” stars John Cusack and Ione Skye as two teenagers who fall in love the summer after senior year. The film is genuinely heartfelt, and Skye and Cusack have excellent chemistry. The reason it's a childhood defining film, though, always comes back to that boombox. Has an image ever solidified itself into the cultural consciousness as much as that one?
#11: “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982)
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How did “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” get things so right? Well, Cameron Crowe going undercover at an actual high school might have something to do with it. Looking back at “Fast Times,” it really feels like it started the long reign of prominence that high school movies would come to have. Not only that, but it introduced us to quite a few famous faces long before they were well-known. From Sean Penn, to Nicolas Cage, to Anthony Edwards, to Jennifer Jason Leigh, “Fast Times” was almost like a breeding ground for stars we now know and love.
#10: “The Princess Diaries” (2001)
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Author Meg Cabot has written some of the best young adult fiction in recent memory, particularly her “The Princess Diaries” series. So, when Disney decided to turn the novels into film adaptations, there was some pressure riding on the decision. Luckily for us, “The Princess Diaries” is one of the most important teen movies from the early 2000s. Starring a young Anne Hathaway, “The Princess Diaries” follows Mia Thermopolis, a sort of dorky girl who one day learns that she’s actually a princess. What makes “The Princess Diaries” so relatable is how Mia reacts to this information. Shut up, indeed.
#9: “Easy A” (2010)
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Ironically, this teen comedy is considered by many to be a better take on “The Scarlet Letter” than the 1995 film version with Demi Moore. “Easy A” brings Nathaniel Hawthorne’s literary masterpiece into the modern world with a clever screenplay and a breakthrough performance from Emma Stone. As Olive Penderghast, Stone plays a 17-year-old virgin who tells one little white lie that snowballs into a big scandal. Labeled the town tart, Olive decides to have some fun with her new status and discovers something about herself along the way. In addition to being endlessly witty, the film offers an important moral for every teenager: whether you have sex in high school or not, it’s nobody else’s business.
#8: “Superbad” (2007)
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“Superbad” aims to get a laugh virtually every second, succeeding with almost every one-liner and visual gag. The film propelled Jonah Hill and Michael Cera to another level of fame while also making stars out of Emma Stone and the artist formerly known as McLovin. Its story couldn’t be more straight-forward, as a quest for alcohol sends our underaged protagonists on an increasingly wild night. “Superbad” isn’t driven by plot, however. This film runs purely on humor and - to the surprise of many - heart. We wouldn’t be as invested in the comedy if we weren’t invested in the characters and the audience genuinely comes to care about this film’s central friendship. As far as gross-out teen movies go, “Superbad” is more evolved than expected.
#7: “Pretty in Pink” (1986)
When it comes to teen movies, John Hughes has it in the bag. During the 1980s, he released a number of incredible movies starring the one, the only, Molly Ringwald. While we adore her performance in “Sixteen Candles,” we have to say that “Pretty in Pink” is where it’s really at. In this 1986 fan favorite, Ringwald is undeniably luminous as Andie Walsh. She’s not exactly popular, but that makes her all the more relatable as she struggles her way through high school. “Pretty in Pink” is and remains a classic because it meets high schoolers on their level. Despite the notion that they’re silly and trivial, this is a movie that affords teenage problems some earnestness and esteem.
#6: “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
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Yet another modern movie that borrows from a classic, “10 Things I Hate About You” is the high school equivalent of William Shakespeare's “The Taming of the Shrew.” In this interpretation, the quote unquote “shrew” is Kat, a teenage girl with no interest in dating. When she inadvertently gets entangled in her little sister’s love life, though, Kat winds up falling for bad boy Patrick. Despite its familiar tropes, this romantic comedy exceeded expectations thanks to its quotable lines, infectious soundtrack, and plenty of sincere moments. It also helped jumpstart the careers of several cast members, including Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the late Heath Ledger.
#5: “Bring It On” (2000)
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Roll call! Cheerleading is an essential part of most high school movies. But, usually, the cheerleaders are the mean girls, the antagonists to our high school heroes. In 2000’s “Bring It On,” the tables are turned. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as Torrance Shipman, a cheer captain who’s looking to win nationals. The only problem? The other squad. Gabrielle Union plays Isis, the leader of the rival team who are looking to take the same title. For a teen movie, there’s actually a lot of nuance here. For all its humor and satire, the film also deals with racism and injustice with some real gravity.
#4: “Clueless” (1995)
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As IF there could be a better high school heroine than Cher Horowitz! To this day, “Clueless” remains not only one of the best teen movies of all time, but also one of the best Jane Austen adaptations. Based on Austen’s novel “Emma,” the comedy follows popular high school princess Cher as she deals with boys, friendship, and everything else under the sun. As Cher, Alicia Silverstone delivers an almost impossibly sunny performance. Everything about her, from her cadence, to her style, has us wishing we could be her! Here’s a character who’s embedded herself in our cultural memory forever.
#3: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)
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John Hughes knew how to strike the perfect balance between realism and fantasy. Sitting in class, waiting for the bell to ring, we’ve all thought about faking sick and having the most epic day ever. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” makes that daydream a reality, doing so with charm, humor, and creativity, not to mention an unforgettable soundtrack. It’s impossible to lay eyes on a Ferrari without getting the “Oh Yeah” song stuck in your head. While the shenanigans Ferris and his friends get into aren’t always realistic, the characters, their dynamics, and their development certainly are. From Ferris’ fourth wall breaks to Ben Stein’s infamous “Bueller” line, few teen comedies remain this quotable even decades later. Days come and go; this one will last forever.
#2: “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
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At a time when most movies didn’t take the world of high school very seriously, writer and director John Hughes showed everyone that teenagers are people too. He defined a generation with “Sixteen Candles,” “Pretty in Pink,” and especially “The Breakfast Club.” Although it hit the scene in the mid-80s, this coming-of-age tale easily could have come out today. High school is still divided into cliques, from the brains, to the athletes, to the basket cases, to the princesses, to the criminals. When you break down every teenager to their core, however, they all have a great deal in common. Our five leads learn this through an eye-opening Saturday in detention, changing both them and the audience forever.
#1: “Mean Girls” (2004)
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While it was far from the first movie about high school, this comedy set a new standard for the genre with unforgettable dialog, biting satire, and characters that felt all too real. Now it seems like almost every teen movie wants to be the next “Mean Girls.” While many are just pale imitations, others have come fairly close to capturing the humor, depth, and wit that put “Mean Girls” on the map. In that sense, you could argue that it ushered in a new golden age of teen movies. With that said, nothing has been able to top Mark Waters’ keen eye for direction, Tina Fey’s brilliant screenplay, or the ensemble’s dead-on portrayals. To this date, it remains queen bee.
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