Top 20 Best Netflix Teen Movies
#20: “Along for the Ride” (2022)
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Sarah Dessen novels have been enjoyed by teens for decades, and this was the first film adaptation of one of her works to be released since the early 2000s. So the anticipation was high. “Along for the Ride” tells the story of shy, introverted Auden as she summers with her father in the town of Colby. There, she makes friends and finds an unlikely companion in the cryptic Eli who, like her, is always up all night. The pair fulfill dreams together and notably end up celebrating their love at a makeshift prom. The whole thing is a feel good rom-com that teenagers everywhere can enjoy.
#19: “All Together Now” (2020)
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This film tells the tale of Amber, and the audience gets to see her triumphs and downfalls as she personifies resilience. She’s a good samaritan and friend who struggles in her home life, where she deals with homelessness and her mom’s abusive relationship. She navigates all of this while trying to forge a future in the arts, and the film offers important lessons in the process. Her story teaches viewers not just about the power of positive thinking, but about the value of community and getting back up after you fall. There’s something for everyone to take away from it.
#18: “Dude” (2018)
Like many great films about adolescence, this one largely focuses on the emotions surrounding the lead up to high school graduation. We see four best friends, Lily, Rebecca, Amelia, and Chloe, party, consume illicit substances, attend their proms, and help each other through tough times, like heartaches and death. The love they have for one another is palpable, but they also have to deal with big rifts that begin to form between them, as well as looming, life-altering change. This is surely familiar for anyone with a tight-knit friend group that had to part when high school ended, and the feelings explored ring painfully true and are approached thoughtfully. It’s not always an easy watch, but it is a worthwhile one.
#17: “The Kissing Booth” (2018)
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This movie may have as many detractors as it has fans, but if you’re looking for a very lighthearted pick that isn’t too challenging, this might be a great choice for you. “The Kissing Booth” stars Joey King as a teen who finds herself falling for her best friend’s bad boy older brother, who is totally off limits, creating a classic love triangle of sorts. The couple end up hooking up at a fundraiser kissing booth, and the drama ramps up from there. It’s fun and frothy and features plenty of memorable moments, just don’t listen too much to what the critics have to say about it. There’s even a second and third movie to check out if you feel so inclined.
#16: “Tall Girl” (2019)
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This movie has a loyal fanbase despite the fact that it doesn’t seem to have the widespread recognition of some of the other movies on our list. The protagonist of “Tall Girl” is Jodi Kreyman, who is 16 and struggles with the fact that she’s taller than nearly everyone else at school, measuring in at exactly six feet one and a half inches tall. Throughout the story, she deals with the insecurities that this fact has always brought her, and works to figure out her dating life, which is difficult, because she doesn’t want to be taller than a boyfriend. Of course, there’s plenty of growth from there.
#15: “Deidra & Laney Rob a Train” (2017)
We bet you never thought you’d see a modern day train robbery film, especially one wrapped in a Netflix tale about siblings in need of fast money. To support their family through tough times, sisters Deidra and Laney decide to steal money from trains passing through town. Of course, they uncover a lot about themselves along the way. The unconventional plot makes this an especially memorable watch. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Murray and Rachel Crow’s performances as the sisters who couldn’t be more opposite are both iconic and relatable. There’s also a perfect mixture of funny and sentimental moments, so we can’t get enough of this unique flick.
#14: “Work It” (2020)
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A teen film with stars including Sabrina Carpenter and Jordan Fisher is a rhythmic Gen Z dream, and indeed, “Work It” is fun from start to finish. It explores the world of dance with a focus on a group of teens who are finishing high school and pondering their futures. In many ways, it’s like a mix of “Step Up” and “High School Musical” vibes, in the best way possible. Watching Carpenter’s protagonist Quinn assemble a group of performers to train for a competition is super entertaining, and the determination on display is admirable. The dance comedy also has one of the catchiest soundtracks of any Netflix teen film, so we dare you to not sing and groove along.
#13: “The Babysitter” (2017)
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Some teen movies are lighthearted and fun, while others take a more serious and realistic route. This one, however, takes a turn for the disturbing with a splash of humor. The horror movie centers around Cole’s discovery that his babysitter is a Satanist, and he’s on deck to be the sacrifice. The ensuing night is chaotically fun to watch while leaving us on the edge of our seats. Everything from Cole and Bee battling it out to the self-aware humor and gore make it an orchestra for the senses. A sequel was released in 2020, giving us a look at Cole’s next chapter, and we’re hoping this film series isn’t over yet.
#12: “Moxie” (2021)
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Pretty much everything Amy Poehler touches turns to gold. Unsurprisingly, this film, which she directed, co-produced, and appears in, is no exception. “Moxie” is filled with an uplifting feminist message that invites positive change, and leaves us confident that the next generation will be filled with fighters, leaders, and advocates. Vivian is a high schooler who finds herself inspired to launch a publication after noticing that the boys in her school exhibit sexist behaviors. And what a fantastic stir she creates in the process! Considering how relevant a topic gender equality is, this dramedy feels particularly pertinent. Though it’s not perfect, there’s a lot to gain by screening it.
#11: “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” (2023)
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When it’s a Sandler family affair, you pretty much know that laughs and tears will be flowing. Adam Sandler plays the dad of Stacy and Ronnie, portrayed by his real-life daughters Sunny and Sadie. Throughout the story, Stacy and her best friend Lydia are preparing for their respective Bat Mitzvahs while navigating an increasingly tense dynamic. The girls find their mutual feelings for a boy named Andy causing a rift between them, while dealing with big emotions that surround the transition to womanhood. It’s a quintessential coming-of-age film about friendship and growing up that all teens can relate to, and it keeps us in stitches as a bonus.
#10: “Enola Holmes” (2020)
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We love a Victorian-era flick, and when it stars beloved actress Millie Bobby Brown as Sherlock Holmes' titular sister, it’s guaranteed to be a good time. True to form, there’s a mystery wrapped in a journey of self-discovery, and all the exciting layers and characters have us gripped. “Enola Holmes' ' can be enjoyed by teens who relate to the protagonist, fans who have read the books, and/or adults who grew up with Enola’s older brother Sherlock. What’s more, Brown’s work in the lead role is fantastic, showing just how valuable female detectives are in both the original flick and its sequel. We couldn’t think of a better way to blend the teen and mystery genres.
#9: “Do Revenge” (2022)
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This is the teen movie that helped re-energize the genre by honoring it, and we are so here for it. It spotlights Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke as Drea and Eleanor, an unlikely duo who team up to get revenge for each other. Eleanor seeks vengeance against Drea’s ex, while Drea sets out to make the person who spread a lie about Eleanor pay. Not everything is as it first seems though, and pandemonium ensues in the most thrilling way possible. Everyone gets what they deserve in the end, and we can’t help but obsess over this colorful tale complete with hilarious and meaningful storytelling.
#8: “The Perfect Date” (2019)
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Noah Centineo has essentially become the quintessential Netflix hottie in the past few years, and for good reason! In “The Perfect Date” he plays Brooks, a high schooler who dreams of going to Yale, but needs the funds to make it happen. To make some extra cash, he develops an app where he offers up his service as a date for hire. Of course, though, things don’t always go smoothly . . . and he finds himself behaving badly, before developing real feelings for someone he’d roped into his schemes. It’s a treat from start to finish, and you’ll find yourself giggling and swooning.
#7: “All the Bright Places” (2020)
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Netflix has released a lot of teen movies which follow a similar bright and sunny formula that is reminiscent of classic rom-coms from the ‘80s and ‘90s. But “All the Bright Places” is not actually one of them. Based on the novel of the same name, which was popular in the YA genre, this deeply moving, well-crafted story looks at teen mental health issues revolving around a variety of themes. There is a love story at the center of it, between troubled teens Violet and Finch, and the plot takes some powerfully unexpected twists along the way.
#6: “Candy Jar” (2018)
Despite receiving largely positive reviews and plenty of praise from critics, this movie still seemed to fly under the radar after being released in 2018. “Candy Jar” has a classic rom-com premise, where two sworn enemies, from different socio-economic worlds, find themselves having strong feelings for one another, in ways that they didn’t expect. Lona initially hates her debate teammate Bennet because the two are competing to be captain, in order to get the credit they need to get into Ivy League schools. But things change when they realize that they’re actually more similar than they’d believed. Pass the popcorn!
#5: “Let It Snow” (2019)
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It doesn’t need to be December for us to enjoy a good old fashioned snowed-in holiday movie. “Let It Snow” was released in 2019 and feels a bit like “Love Actually,” with a younger cast of characters. The interweaving storylines feature several different love stories, all of a different variety. While there are instances of high school romantic love and longing, it also looks at friendships and relationships with family. It’s honestly hard to choose which plotline is the most charming, and it helps that the cast is so talented. “Let It Snow” has all the makings of a teen Christmas classic.
#4: “Dumplin’” (2018)
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Based on the popular YA novel by Julie Murphy, “Dumplin'” is set in small-town Texas, and takes a look at the beauty pageant scene. Rosie (played by Jennifer Aniston) is a former beauty queen, but her daughter Willowdean (whom she affectionately calls Dumplin’), couldn't be less interested in pageantry. To prove a point though, she decides to enter the Miss Teen Bluebonnet Pageant. Willowdean is obsessed with Dolly Parton, so the movie’s soundtrack is definitely on point, and it’s a great movie if you’re looking for something layered and complex, yet fundamentally inspirational.
#3: “The Half of It” (2020)
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Both written and directed by Alice Wu,“The Half of It” takes a familiar premise and then turns it on its head. High school jock Paul is in love with Aster, but he’s not exactly eloquent, so he hires top student Ellie to write her love letters on his behalf. The problem is though, that Elle has complicated feelings for Aster in her own right. We won’t tell you how this one unfolds, but it’s a fresh story that feels perfect for the modern times, and is another film that deals with big themes with respect and humor.
#2: “Alex Strangelove” (2018)
Another modern teen rom com that deals with sexuality is “Alex Strangelove”, which has become something of a cult favorite in the years since it was released. The plotline initially seems to follow some standard teen movie tropes when two best friends, Alex and Claire, make the decision to lose their virginities to each other. After Alex meets Elliot however, who is out and proud, he starts to be unsure whether he should proceed with the original plan. The story follows Alex as he discovers who he really is, and includes many bumps along the way.
#1: “To All the Boys I've Loved Before” (2018)
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It doesn’t get better than this all-time charmer. “To All the Boys I've Loved Before” gives us pretty much everything we could want from a high school flick, and brings us back to a simpler time when it seemed like all great movies were like this. Lara Jean writes love letters to her crushes that she never intends to send, but one day they somehow make their way to the boys in question. In order to hide her true crush, Lara Jean ends up convincing one of her old crush-ees, Peter Kavinsky, to pretend to be her boyfriend. The first flick sets a gold standard, but make no mistake – the two sequels are fantastic in their own right, too!
Which of these Netflix teen flicks is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
