The teen movie genre has taken on many forms over the years. From James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause to the glory days of John Hughes, many hits have resonated with teen audiences and continue to do so even after entering adulthood. Not every film has aged well, and even fewer have been perfect, but many still hold true to any teen and add something of value.
The ‘80s saw a big spike for the genre, thanks to the works of Hughes as well as the Brat Pack. Since then, the genre has grown even stronger with more films from the ‘90s, 2000s, and 2010s. Much of it comes from each generation being influenced by the previous one, as well as the changing times and attitudes towards certain social norms. Nevertheless, even if the following films don’t hit every note, they are still considered favorites. These teen movies came close to being perfect, and their standing only keeps improving years later.
10 ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ (1983)
Directed by Amy Heckerling
Regarded as a raunchy ‘80s classic, Fast Times at Ridgemont High was a surprise success upon its release. The film marked the debut for both director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter Cameron Crowe, who adapted the screenplay from his novel Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story, loosely based on his experiences. It covers multiple storylines throughout an entire year of high school: senior Brad (Judge Reinhold) working multiple jobs, his sophomore sister Stacy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and her desire to date, and the antics of stoned surfer Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn).
Although the film was controversial due to its depiction of teen sexual escapades, Fast Times at Ridgemont High was defended for delivering an honest portrayal of sex, growing up, and even abortion. It also helped launch the careers of Penn, Reinhold, and Leigh and even featured several big names in early roles, such as Phoebe Cates, Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz, and Nicolas Cage in his feature debut. While it may not be for everyone, Fast Times at Ridgemont High still lives on as a favorite high school movie classic.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High
- Release Date
- August 13, 1982
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
- Writers
- Cameron Crowe
9 ‘The Kings of Summer’ (2013)
Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Anyone who attended the 2013 Sundance Film Festival or frequented any of the independent cinemas back then might remember a little film called The Kings of Summer. Written by Chris Galletta and directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, this coming-of-age comedy centers around three teenage boys (Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, and Moisés Arias) yearning for freedom from their overprotective parents. Thus, they run away into the woods and build a house together to live off the land, away from civilization and responsibilities.
The Kings of Summer shines best with the performances of its three leads as well as the supporting cast, including Erin Moriarty, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Megan Lulally, and Marc Evan Jackson. Its tone finds a balance between sweet and funny as the story deals heavily with both the joy of youth and the perils of impending adulthood. If a more complex approach had been taken toward the themes, then maybe The Kings of Summer could have been better remembered. Nevertheless, it’s still an enjoyable film for those who love indies.
- Release Date
- January 19, 2013
- Runtime
- 93
- Writers
- Chris Galletta
8 ‘Do Revenge’ (2022)
Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Talk about the twist of all twists. Without giving anything away, Do Revenge is another Netflix teen hit filled with wit, style, and delicious vengeance. The film centers around Drea (Camilla Mendes), a formerly popular student at a prestigious private high school who wishes to get back at her ex-boyfriend Max (Austin Abrams) for leaking their sex tape. She teams up with shy new student Eleanor (Maya Hawke), who is also dealing with some torment, and they plot to aid each other in their plans for revenge.
The film is loosely inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train as well as the ‘90s hit Cruel Intentions, right down to having Sarah Michelle Gellar playing the headmaster of the school. Do Revenge excels through the strength of the script penned by Celeste Ballard and Jennifer Kaitlyn Robinson, who directed the film, along with the performances of Mendes and Hawke. It also truly demonstrates the troubles and tribulations that high schoolers go through. One could even argue that Do Revengemakes a case for necessary revenge.
- Release Date
- September 16, 2022
- Runtime
- 118 minutes
- Writers
- Jennifer Kaytin Robinson , Celeste Ballard
7 ‘Pretty in Pink’ (1986)
Directed by Howard Deutch
No other filmmaker captured the spirit of teen films like the late John Hughes. The ‘80s were defined by many of his films, such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Breakfast Club. Even the ones he did not direct, namely Pretty in Pink, are still considered to be modern classics. Directed by Howard Deutch, the film stars ‘80s teen idol Molly Ringwald as Andie, a high school student and outcast from a low-income family who gets asked out by Blane (Andrew McCarthy), a rich and popular student, much to her suspicion and the frustration of her smitten best friend Duckie (Jon Cryer).
Much of the praise towards Pretty in Pink is attributed to the performances, primarily Ringwald, Cryer, and Annie Potts as Andie’s boss, Iona. The film was also notable for having its ending changed after poor test audience reactions; the perception was that it originally defeated the purpose of Andie’s journey and who she ended up with. There’s no telling if the original ending had worked with audiences and critics, so Pretty in Pink could have left behind a different legacy if done so. Nevertheless, the film still launched the careers of several stars and resonated with fans with its heart and charm.
- Release Date
- February 28, 1986
- Runtime
- 96
- Writers
- John Hughes
6 ‘Dope’ (2015)
Directed by Rick Famuyiwa
We all love the ‘90s, right? Then maybe you’ll enjoy a ‘90s teen movie…that’s actually set in 2015. Dope, written and directed by Rick Famuyiwa, centers around Malcolm (Shameik Moore), a nerdy teenager living in a rough neighborhood in Los Angeles. He spends his time worshiping ‘90s pop culture with his friends, Jib (Tony Revolori) and Dibby (Kiersey Clemons), and dreams of getting into Harvard. But when Malcolm receives an invitation to a secret party one night, he embarks on a journey that could lead him to great success.
Dope is something of a busy film; its dense plot involving drugs and Bitcoin may have prevented it from achieving a greater level of remembrance over time. However, Dope is a standout because of Moore’s performance, its diversity, and its setting. The main themes of Dope are all about trying to survive the hardships of the environment while staying true to oneself, and that’s an important lesson for teens to understand. Add plenty of funny moments and charming characters, and you get yourself a film that truly is…dope.
Dope
- Release Date
- June 19, 2015
- Runtime
- 115 minutes
- Writers
- Rick Famuyiwa
Directed by Herbert Ross
Long before people started playing Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, he was dancing and cutting loose, footloose. Directed by Herbert Ross, Footloose was a major hit with audiences upon its 1984 release. Bacon plays Ren McCormack, a teenager who moves to a small town in Utah where dancing is banned due to a tragedy from years earlier. With the help of his new friend and love interest Ariel (Lori Singer) — the daughter of the town’s reverend (John Lithgow) — Ren attempts to get the ban overturned by making the townspeople rediscover the joy of dancing.
While Footloose was not critically acclaimed, it did launch the careers of Bacon and Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as the late Chris Penn. It’s also a film that garnered a reputation for being overshadowed by its soundtrack. Footloose most likely would not have been nearly as memorable if it weren’t for such hit songs as “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler, “Let’s Hear It For the Boy” by Deniece Williams, and, of course, the titular track, “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins. Probably, there’s no chance of Footloose ever coming back, which is for the better; it should remain as an ’80s icon. Everybody cut footloose!
Footloose
- Release Date
- February 17, 1984
- Cast
- Kevin Bacon , Lori Singer , John Lithgow , Dianne Wiest , Chris Penn , Sarah Jessica Parker , John Laughlin , Elizabeth Gorcey , Frances Lee McCain , Jim Youngs , Douglas Dirkson , Lynne Marta , Arthur Rosenberg , Timothy Scott , Alan Haufrect , Linda MacEwen , Kim Jensen , Michael Telmont , Leo Geter , Ken Kemp , Russ McGinn
- Runtime
- 107 minutes
- Writers
- Dean Pitchford
4 ‘The Lost Boys’ (1987)
Directed by Joel Schumacher
Before Twilight ruled the world, everybody’s favorite vampire teen movie was The Lost Boys. The film was a success in 1987, often considered one of the best in the filmography of the late Joel Schumacher. Brothers Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (the late Corey Haim) and their divorced mother, Lucy (Dianne Wiest), move to the town of Santa Clara, California, where they discover a local gang of vampires. Things get even more sour when Michael falls for Star (Jami Gertz), gaining the attention of the lead vampire, David (Kiefer Sutherland).
The Lost Boys is credited with renewing interest in vampire fiction, particularly with younger audiences. It showed that besides being portrayed as traditional movie monsters, vampires could serve as a metaphor for the challenges of growing up, such as dealing with crushes and bullies. The Lost Boys also helped further the careers of many young stars in the ‘80s, particularly Patric, Sutherland, and even Corey Feldman. With blending horror, comedy, and coming-of-age, The Lost Boys remains a favorite in the vampire subgenre.
- Release Date
- July 31, 1987
- Runtime
- 97
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Writers
- Janice Fischer , James Jeremias , Jeffrey Boam
- Tagline
- Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It’s fun to be a vampire.
3 ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ (2018)
Directed by Susan Johnson
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Nobody ever wants their secrets revealed, especially in the form of love letters written to every crush you’ve ever had. That’s exactly what happened with Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) in Netflix’s hit teen romantic comedy To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Based on the series of novels by Jenny Han, the film — based on the first novel — tells the story of hopeless romantic Lara Jean, who must deal with the fallout of her secret love letters somehow received by her past crushes, leading to her faking a relationship with one of them, Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo).
The best way to describe To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is “wholesome;” it has sweet characters, natural humor, and is thoroughly romantic. While it’s not considered a groundbreaking milestone in the genre, it still should be commended for its representation on screen and sweet approach to romance. One of Netflix’s most rewatchable rom-coms, To All the Boys has expanded its franchise with two more installments and a series spinoff, each continuing its streak of sweet warmth.
- Release Date
- August 17, 2018
- Runtime
- 99 minutes
2 ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)
Directed by Jon Watts
Yes, a superhero film can count. Thanks to Marvel and Sony sharing the rights to everybody’s favorite web-slinging hero, Spider-Man was finally integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his introduction in Captain America: Civil War, followed by a solo outing, Spider-Man: Homecoming. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) tries to balance life as a high school sophomore while also living a secret life as Spider-Man. From stopping the Vulture (Michael Keaton) to homecoming with his crush, Liz (Laura Harrier), being a teenage superhero is hard.
Homecoming is one of the best coming-of-age superhero movies. Much of that is attributed to the casting and portrayal of modern high school life. Although Keaton’s Vulture is the main villain, Peter Parker’s biggest conflict is his desire to do bigger and better in an Avengers-dominated world and put less effort into high school. His emotional arc culminates with his realizing that he can do just as good being a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Although the story can get busy at times, Spider-Man: Homecoming is still a super-standout in the teen movie genre.
- Release Date
- July 7, 2017
- Cast
- Michael Keaton , Martin Starr , Angourie Rice , Robert Downey Jr. , Marisa Tomei , Bokeem Woodbine , Logan Marshall-Green , Garcelle Beauvais , Michael Mando , Zendaya , Tom Holland , Jon Favreau , Donald Glover , Hannibal Buress
- Runtime
- 133 minutes
1 ‘Clueless’ (1995)
Directed by Amy Heckerling
Clueless is highly regarded as an iconic piece of ‘90s media, and understandably so. It’s slick, stylish, and soaked in the likability of Alicia Silverstone. Loosely based on the classic Jane Austen novel Emma, Silverstone plays Cher Horowitz, a rich and beautiful student at Beverly Hills High School who takes great pride in her popularity. Utilizing her status, Cher plays matchmaker for two single teachers and gives new student Tai (the late Brittany Murphy) a makeover, all while slowly discovering her true feelings for her ex-stepbrother, Josh (Paul Rudd).
Like The Breakfast Club was for the ‘80s or Mean Girls was for the 2000s, Clueless defined teen films of the ‘90s while continuing to live on as a timeless favorite. Much of that is attributed to the performances, fashion, and quotable dialogue (“As if!”). The film may not portray the ideal and even relatable high school experiences for most teenagers, but by being a somewhat comforting viewing experience, it bypasses its minimal faults. Clueless allows viewers to idolize Cher Horowitz thanks to her charisma and heart. If anything, the film is not only one of the best near-perfect teen movies but also a solid ‘90s time capsule.
- Release Date
- July 19, 1995
- Director
- Amy Heckerling
- Cast
- Alicia Silverstone , Stacey Dash , Brittany Murphy , Paul Rudd , Donald Faison , Elisa Donovan , Breckin Meyer , Jeremy Sisto , Dan Hedaya , Aida Linares , Wallace Shawn , Twink Caplan , Justin Walker , Sabastian Rashidi , Herb Hall , Julie Brown , Susan Mohun , Nicole Bilderback , Ron Orbach , Sean Holland , Roger Kabler , Jace Alexander , Josh Lozoff , Carl Gottlieb , Joseph D. Reitman , Anthony Beninati , Micki Duran
- Runtime
- 97 minutes
- Writers
- Amy Heckerling
