Whether you’re trying to find some relatability for your teenage angst or you’re ages past teenagehood trying to reconnect to youthful exuberance, we can all agree that teen movies are one of the most beautiful genres of movies out there. Here are 19 of the best of them:
Dazed and Confused (1993)
Even though the plot was confined to less than 24 hours, Dazed and Confused captured so many realistic facets of youth, from the dreams to the angst to the rebellion and the pains of not fitting in. It’s a reflective piece of art that touches anyone who sees it.
High School Musical (2006)
In addition to being one of the most famous teen musicals of all time, High School Musical is an immersive experience that everyone swears by. It details a pivotal time in every young person’s life—the moments between finding yourself, your people, and your own place in life.
Ladybird (2017)
Ladybird tells the story of a complex mother-daughter dynamic that’s as nuanced as it is relatable. Saoirse Ronan plays the role of Ladybird (which is one of her most famous), and delivers an intricate, juvenile performance that leaves out none of the idiosyncrasies of Ladybird’s persona and maternal relationship.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Welcome to the island of misfit toys, a misunderstood teenager with unique and unpopular views about life will be with you shortly. The movie sings a familiar tune outsiders are used to and paints pictures of what it’s like to be different and why it’s not so bad.
Everyday (2018)
While Everyday might not be as popular as your average classic, it makes up for it with an unexpected level of depth. The movie tackles a question as profound as it is difficult—would we still love those we love if all we had were the intangible parts of them?
Clueless (1995)
We follow the life of Cher, a seemingly vapid teenager living in Beverly Hills who’s put on a journey of self-discovery. This modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma captures the essence of teenagehood in the mid-’90s and offers a sharp critique of societal norms and shallow materialism.
Mean Girls (2004)
A comedy that explores the hierarchy and cruelty of high school cliques, this film follows Cady, a transfer student who joins the popular clique called “The Plastics” to infiltrate and dismantle their toxic dynamics. Mean Girls provides crucial commentary on teenage girl culture while delivering sharp humor and standout performances.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Every teenager understands what it’s like to be restricted by parental and societal expectations. The Breakfast Club tackles an age-long oxymoron in teenage life—how different they are from each other and how similar they are at the same time. The movie is an authentic picture of youth.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
A portrait of the insurmountable divide between life as a teenage girl and life as a teenage boy, the movie uses the Lisbon girls as a tool to capture those moments when juvenile illusions break and the reality (and sadness) of existence intrude on our views of life and self.
American Graffiti (1973)
Driving around town on the verge of the rest of their lives, a group of teenagers spends their last night before they have to go off to college indulging in one final hoorah. The movie represents a “scales-falling” moment and has now become of high sentimental value to Americans everywhere.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Dead Poets Society is melancholy but in a fun, hopeful, and important way. It teaches young people to listen to the rhythm of their own hearts and find productive outlets for their energy that will be both expressive and freeing. It teaches about art.
The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Based on John Green’s best-selling novel, The Fault in Our Stars brings to life the poignant journey of two teenagers battling cancer as they navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and mortality. It’s a heart-wrenching tale that beautifully captures the triumph of the human spirit amidst life’s greatest challenges.
The Hate U Give (2018)
What would you do if you saw your best friend brutally murdered by the police in a racially motivated act? Unfortunately for Starr, she had to find the answer to that question. The Hate U Give is a deeply nuanced take on the harmfulness of racial stereotypes and profiling.
Easy A (2010)
A modern take on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Easy A follows the story of Olive as she becomes embroiled in a web of lies and deceit after pretending to have slept with multiple classmates. It masterfully balances comedy with important themes of reputation, sexism, and the consequences of lies.
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
James Dean masterfully portrays a troubled student who forms an unexpected bond with fellow misfits. Exploring the complexities of adolescent angst, social hierarchies, and the search for identity in a culturally shifting world, Rebel Without a Cause remains a renowned portrait of teenage rebellion that continues to resonate even today.
The Princess Diaries (2001)
Here comes a big one. It’s special and nostalgic, and everyone loves it. Anne Hathaway gives one of the most important performances of her career as Mia Thermopolis, a socially awkward teenager who suddenly discovers she’s the heir to the throne of a European kingdom called Genovia. A classic!
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
10 Things I Hate About You is a retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew set in an American high school. It explores preoccupations of love, gender roles, and identity. Although the plot is predictable, the witty dialogue, stellar performances, and memorable soundtrack elevate it to timeless classic status.
Grease (1978)
Grease was a sensation back in its day, telling the story of leather-clad Danny, who falls in love with Sandy. Their romance seemed to end with the summer, but things get interesting when they resume at the same school, and what was initially only a summer affair becomes complicated.
Dope (2015)
This is a story we’re used to. A high-schooler has dreams of making it to Havard and does everything possible to get accepted. However, this story branches way left when that high-schooler with a love for oldies music (perfectly embodied by Shameik Moore) suddenly gets involved with drug dealers.
