Top 20 Teen Movies That Aren't Just For Teens
#20: “Jawbreaker” (1999)
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This lesser-known teen dark comedy may not have done well upon release, but it has formed a cult following in the years since its release. During a prank gone wrong, a popular clique of girls accidentally kills one of their friends. Their attempts to cover it up lead to them inducting a new member who soon threatens their own popularity. “Jawbreaker”’s similarity to a few other famous teen movies has been noted. But its distinct, candy-coated aesthetic and adult humor and subject matter help make it a jaw dropper, as well as a…well, you get it.
#19: “The Edge of Seventeen” (2016)
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Life is messy. And “The Edge of Seventeen” illustrates that perfectly. Hailee Steinfeld’s Nadine is a teen struggling to hold things together, suffering from depression and loneliness, particularly when her best friend starts dating her brother. The film’s portrayal of her awkwardness and struggles with mental health feel grounded and relatable. But there are lighter notes of comedy too, in particular between Nadine and Woody Harrelson’s Mr. Bruner. It’s sweet, romantic, funny, and real. “The Edge of Seventeen” may suggest a film on the cusp, but it’s firmly in the camp of teen movies that can be enjoyed long after 17.
#18: “Juno” (2007)
Figuring out love and life can be hard enough as a teen, but the eponymous Juno also has to deal with a very adult problem on top of everything else - pregnancy. Deciding to give her child up for adoption, Juno gets to know her prospective kid’s new parents, as well as figuring out her feelings for her baby daddy. “Juno” tackles its coming-of-age story with a unique flair, balancing realistic stakes, stylized, whip-smart dialogue, and an incredible soundtrack. It’s a trendsetter that set the bar high for the teen films that followed it.
#17: “Love, Simon” (2018)
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LGBTQ representation in film has often been lacking, but “Love, Simon” not only helps change that, it does so in a fantastic movie to boot. Simon is a closeted gay teen who has to contend with being blackmailed about his sexuality and discovering who his mysterious online crush is. Simon’s coming out is handled with tenderness and realism, with his parents being particularly supportive. It’s a sweet, entertaining, and heartfelt teen romcom that can be enjoyed no matter your age, or orientation. “Love, Simon” is a win for love, and for teen movies.
#16: “Dead Poets Society” (1989)
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Set at an all-boys boarding school, “Dead Poets Society” follows the students of John Keating, an unconventional English teacher played by Robin Williams. Keating’s lessons are less focused on the content they’re learning and more about the ways it can help them approach life and the way they see the world. And the boys take those lessons and run with them, charting new courses in their lives, for better and for worse. While the struggles the boys go through are relatable for teens, you’re never too old to be reminded to walk your own path or to seize the day.
#15: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)
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Based on the 1999 novel of the same name, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” has all the hallmarks of classic coming-of-age stories. Charlie is a shy high school freshman who’s taken under the wings of Sam and Patrick, seniors who are going through their own struggles and realizations. However, the movie also tackles a lot of mature subject matter that can be a lot to handle at any age. Charlie suffers from severe depression, and has repressed traumatic memories. Learning to deal with the highs and lows of life is important for everyone to figure out.
#14: “Lady Bird” (2017)
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Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut follows a high school senior, Christine, dealing with several troubled relationships as she prepares to head off to college. While Christine struggles with finding love and dealing with friendship drama, like in most teen movies, it’s her relationship with her mother that sets the film apart. As much as teens will relate to Christine as a high school student, adults can also see themselves in the relationship between Christine and her mother Marion - from either side. Growing up is tough, but so too is watching a child leave the nest - particularly when they’re mad at you.
#13: “The Outsiders” (1983)
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A safe and stable home life isn’t part of every teenager’s reality, and “The Outsiders” is a classic illustration. The film follows a conflict between two rival gangs, of different economic backgrounds, with particular emphasis on the life of Ponyboy Curtis. “The Outsiders” features serious topics, like dysfunctional families, gang violence, and income inequality, while also featuring teens just being teens and figuring out how to live their lives. “Nothing gold can stay,” but this film holds up no matter what age you watch it at.
#12: “Boyz n the Hood” (1991)
When opportunities are denied to you, sometimes crime seems like the only option. “Boyz n the Hood” follows Tre as he and his friends grow up in South Central L.A. They all experience, and some participate in, gang violence, while Tre hopes to get into college. Tragedy strikes repeatedly for the young protagonists. While the violent moments can be a lot to take in for younger teens, adults are more likely to handle it better, while also appreciating the themes about urban life and the challenges involved.
#11: “Stand by Me” (1986)
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The characters in this film are on the verge of teenagerdom, but we still think this counts as a teen film. “Stand by Me” follows a group of boys who set out to find the body of a missing kid. On their journey, they do a lot of growing up, experiencing dangers and learning more about themselves. The protagonists may be kids, but they struggle with adult problems, including violence from their peers, figuring out their passions, and grief over lost loved ones. “Stand by Me” feels timeless and its appeal will last until you’re old and gray.
#10: “Superbad” (2007)
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A coming-of-age comedy film, “Superbad” follows two close friends who begin to drift apart as high school comes to an end, but whose last-ditch attempt to be popular sees them in for one wild, embarrassing, life-changing night. (xref) Although the same director nearly turned our heads with “Adventureland,” “Superbad”’s deft balance of laugh out loud, juvenile humor and adolescent angst about life’s relentless changes won us over. The film can be enjoyed by teens and those who remember being teenagers in equal measure. Plus, who doesn’t love McLovin?
#9: “Romeo + Juliet” (1996)
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This reimagining of the Shakespeare play updates the classic tale of star-crossed lovers from feuding families to take place in modern day. Although as teens many of us watched it for budding heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio, or because it was our first exposure to Shakespeare in an English or Theatre class, “Romeo + Juliet” can be enjoyed by/as adults too, for its stylish aesthetic and fun take on the Bard’s work. It may not have been the first, or last, movie to update a Shakespearean play, but it helped popularize the practice, and for good reason.
#8: “Risky Business” (1983)
An early Tom Cruise hit, “Risky Business” sees an overachieving high school student cut loose when left alone by his parents, eventually accidentally running a brothel and learning more than he bargained for about running a business. As teens, the element of sex and danger will not doubt appeal, while adults can probably appreciate the thematic examination of the transition between childhood and adulthood, as well as its commentary on capitalism. Still, we’d be lying if we said we hadn’t thought about imitating that scene whenever we get our place to ourselves!
#7: “The Virgin Suicides” (1999)
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This film follows a group of boys who take an interest in five sisters, whose sheltered lives become a topic of much speculation for them. Although primarily a drama, the young cast helps make it a teen movie in our books. The dialogue and situations are very relatable for kids of a similar age, but adults can still appreciate them. The prominent nature of suicide to the movie’s plot can make it a tough one to watch at any age, and the ambiguity surrounding the motivation for the deaths gives them a heartbreakingly true-to-life feeling.
#6: “Mean Girls” (2004)
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A famed high school movie, “Mean Girls” follows a new girl at school who joins a superficial clique at the behest of her new friends in order to break them up from within; only to “go native” and become the meanest of them all. “Mean Girls” captures many of the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of high school teens perfectly and people of any age can enjoy its humor, characters, and countless quotable lines. But whether you think the movie’s plastic or totally fetch, it’s definitely a must watch for any age.
#5: “Cruel Intentions” (1999)
In yet another modern reimagining of a piece of classic literature, “Cruel Intentions” is based on “Dangerous Liaisons” and updates the story to follow wealthy New York teens instead of French aristocrats. The tangled web of blackmail, secrets, and seduction is very entertaining, even if it is in a guilty pleasure kind of way, since several of the main leads are just terrible people. Whether you enjoy it for the attractive young leads or the double-dealing and manipulation, “Cruel Intentions” they may be, but the result can still be rewarding.
#4: “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
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A seminal teen film, “The Breakfast Club” follows a group of high school students from disparate backgrounds who learn more about each other and themselves when they all have detention together. Although certain parts certainly haven’t aged well, “The Breakfast Club” remains relevant for its naturalistic dialogue, relatable characters, great music, and an excellent look into the difficulties in meeting our families’ expectations of us. All of this helps ensure that “The Breakfast Club” is a teen film we won’t “forget about” until we’re old and gray.
#3: “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955)
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Arguably a landmark of Hollywood cinema, “Rebel Without a Cause” follows teenage rebels Jim, Judy, and Plato all struggle with parental issues, as well as peer pressure, that ultimately ends in tragedy for them. The difficulties we face in relating and understanding the previous generation is a very universal one that everyone can understand, and the acting, direction, and writing are all top-notch. Whether you’re an aging rebel hoping to enjoy a nostalgic film or a teenage rebel still finding your voice, this film is one cause that can unite generations in praise.
#2: “Heathers” (1989)
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This movie is so much more than a darker, older version of “Mean Girls!” “Heathers” follows Veronica, whose popular clique is composed of three girls with the same eponymous name. A prank gone too far and the influence of the new bad boy at school leads Veronica to take some violent revenge on her former friends. The pitch-black humor makes “Heathers” a very unique entry on our list and one that should be seen by anyone whose sense of humor skews towards the shocking or grim, whether you attend school or it’s a distant memory.
#1: “Thirteen” (2003)
“Thirteen” may be in the title, but this is not an easy watch for those of that age. The film follows a young girl of that age as she falls in with a crowd that encourages more adult and illegal behaviors, including drug use, stealing, and sexualized clothing. The fallout from these actions on each other and their families is quite sobering, and while “Thirteen” can be a good lesson to teens who find drug use and underage sex glamorous, the movie is definitely geared more towards adults, who may also find a lesson on how to better reach or spend time with their children.
