Top 10 Teen Movie Scenes That Will NEVER Get Old
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Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Teen Movie Scenes That Will Never Get Old. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most memorable and iconic moments from films that are centered around adolescents that will not be forgotten anytime soon. Some of these scenes involve spoilers, so consider this your official warning! Let us know your favorite timeless teen movie scene in the comments!
Charlie is an introverted freshman who’s trying to find his place in the world while unknowingly dealing with childhood trauma. When he’s introduced to seniors Patrick and Sam, he’s happily welcomed into their circle. The euphoria that he experiences with his new friends is encompassed in this scene. When Sam hears “Heroes” by David Bowie, she convinces Patrick to drive through a tunnel, and Charlie sums up the feeling with a quote that never fails to hit us in the feels. At the end of the movie, he’s the one that rides in the back of the truck and kisses the girl of his dreams. But it’s the original tunnel scene that’s truly unforgettable.
“Easy A” is full of amazing content, but one of Olive’s scenes captures her essence, innocence, and humor perfectly, and it sticks with us after the credits roll. To avoid a trip with her best friend Rhiannon, she makes up a fake date. The moment ends up being pivotal to the story as it's the start of a lie that spirals. But there’s loads of humor thrown into it as we’re shown what Olive actually does that weekend. Receiving a musical card, she’s initially unimpressed to hear it playing “Pocketful of Sunshine,” but by the end, she can’t stop singing along. Seriously, she’s belting it everywhere from her room to the shower. Honestly, we’re right there with her.
Isn’t it everyone’s dream to discover that they’re secretly a princess? For Mia Thermopolis, that’s not exactly the case. When her grandmother Clarisse shows up unexpectedly and tells her that she’s royalty, Mia initially freaks out. She eventually comes around and starts training for the job with her grandma, the Queen of Genovia. The best part of her transformation is when Paolo shows up and gives her a makeover fit for a princess. His commentary makes the montage hilarious, but that spine-tingling reveal gives us chills every time. We could hardly believe our eyes! Sure, it takes Mia’s friends a minute to adjust to her new look, but that doesn’t make the segment itself any less awesome.
Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut introduces us to seniors Molly and Amy, who want to let loose and decide to have a wild night before they graduate. At the party, Amy follows the girl she likes into the pool, and everything from the soundtrack to the cinematography is stunning. It all gets spoiled, however, when she spots her love interest kissing the boy Molly likes. If this wasn’t a big enough deal, our two protagonists wind up getting into a fight, and Amy lets out something unexpected about her post-grad plans. While everyone makes up by the film’s end, this scene is complete with one shocking reveal after another, making it truly iconic.
Name a more iconic teen movie dance scene, we’ll wait. This film, set in the early ‘60s, follows Baby and Johnny, who fall in love despite being from opposite sides of the track. He comes from the world of dirty dancing, and she originates from the land of fancy Foxtrots. Yet they defy the odds and have the time of their lives with each other. The final scene of the movie shows their two worlds coming together as they dance on the main stage at Kellerman’s resort. While they didn’t perfect the now infamous lift earlier in the film, they pull it off flawlessly here. And we’re not exaggerating when we say it was worth the wait.
Lloyd Dobler and Diane Court are a lovely couple, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deal with their fair share of strife. This is yet another story of teens falling in love despite coming from different socioeconomic classes. When these two make their relationship official, they share a special moment in Lloyd’s car to the tune of “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel. And though her father convinces her to end things despite her real feelings for him, Lloyd refuses to take it lying down. Boombox in hand, he stations himself outside her room and blasts their song, birthing one of the romantic gestures ever seen on film. The moment hasn’t been recreated countless times by accident!
“Mean Girls” has countless quotable and memorable moments. Who could forget the Plastics’ amazingly chaotic “Jingle Bell Rock” performance? But it’s our first introduction to North Shore High’s royal clique that takes the cake. When Janis and Damian spot Regina George, Gretchen Wieners, and Karen Smith (aka the Plastics), they tell our protagonist Cady everything she needs to know. We learn about each of the teen girls, getting a perfect glimpse into their individual personalities and the school’s social hierarchy. It’s always amusing to hear juicy gossip about the Plastics before Cady briefly becomes one herself. And not only is it entertaining, it moves the plot forward! What more could you want?
There are few directors who can capture the struggles of being a teenager better than the late John Hughes, and “The Breakfast Club” was his masterpiece. When five high schoolers from various social circles find themselves in detention, they learn that they have more in common than they think. Before leaving, Brian pens a mandatory yet meaningful essay for Vice Principal Vernon, talking about how none of them should be labeled. As it’s being read, we see Bender walk through the school’s field. He then fiercely pumps his fist into the air, giving us major goosebumps each time. It’s the perfect way to close a classic movie, showing how formative that day was for the characters — and all of us watching.
There aren't very many teen movie characters who are dreamier than the late Heath Ledger’s Patrick Verona, so watching him sing this Frankie Valli hit is always incredibly endearing. When Patrick is paid to date Kat, he definitely doesn’t anticipate falling for her. The first of his big romantic gestures throughout the film is also his most epic, as he sings to her. It’s a grand, enchanting, and completely swoon-worthy production. He’s technically upholding his end of the deal at this point, but the lines between real and fake feelings are blurring fast. Though the pair have some ups and downs following this euphoric serenade, we can’t help but fall for Patrick right alongside Kat here.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Ferris Bueller is the high school kid that so many wish they could be. He’s popular, hilarious, and doesn’t hold back when it comes to living his life to the fullest. He seems to be able to get away with whatever he wants, but he’s so charming and confident that we can’t resent him for it. He and his friends’ fun, carefree day off culminates in a lip sync to “Twist and Shout” on a parade float in downtown Chicago. We also love Ferris’ opening monologue, too. But the way he has the entire windy city up and dancing along with him during the performance is timeless, and will go down in cinematic history.
#10: An Infinite Tunnel
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)Charlie is an introverted freshman who’s trying to find his place in the world while unknowingly dealing with childhood trauma. When he’s introduced to seniors Patrick and Sam, he’s happily welcomed into their circle. The euphoria that he experiences with his new friends is encompassed in this scene. When Sam hears “Heroes” by David Bowie, she convinces Patrick to drive through a tunnel, and Charlie sums up the feeling with a quote that never fails to hit us in the feels. At the end of the movie, he’s the one that rides in the back of the truck and kisses the girl of his dreams. But it’s the original tunnel scene that’s truly unforgettable.
#9: “Pocketful of Sunshine”
“Easy A” (2010)“Easy A” is full of amazing content, but one of Olive’s scenes captures her essence, innocence, and humor perfectly, and it sticks with us after the credits roll. To avoid a trip with her best friend Rhiannon, she makes up a fake date. The moment ends up being pivotal to the story as it's the start of a lie that spirals. But there’s loads of humor thrown into it as we’re shown what Olive actually does that weekend. Receiving a musical card, she’s initially unimpressed to hear it playing “Pocketful of Sunshine,” but by the end, she can’t stop singing along. Seriously, she’s belting it everywhere from her room to the shower. Honestly, we’re right there with her.
#8: The Makeover
“The Princess Diaries” (2001)Isn’t it everyone’s dream to discover that they’re secretly a princess? For Mia Thermopolis, that’s not exactly the case. When her grandmother Clarisse shows up unexpectedly and tells her that she’s royalty, Mia initially freaks out. She eventually comes around and starts training for the job with her grandma, the Queen of Genovia. The best part of her transformation is when Paolo shows up and gives her a makeover fit for a princess. His commentary makes the montage hilarious, but that spine-tingling reveal gives us chills every time. We could hardly believe our eyes! Sure, it takes Mia’s friends a minute to adjust to her new look, but that doesn’t make the segment itself any less awesome.
#7: The Party & the Pool
“Booksmart” (2019)Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut introduces us to seniors Molly and Amy, who want to let loose and decide to have a wild night before they graduate. At the party, Amy follows the girl she likes into the pool, and everything from the soundtrack to the cinematography is stunning. It all gets spoiled, however, when she spots her love interest kissing the boy Molly likes. If this wasn’t a big enough deal, our two protagonists wind up getting into a fight, and Amy lets out something unexpected about her post-grad plans. While everyone makes up by the film’s end, this scene is complete with one shocking reveal after another, making it truly iconic.
#6: The Lift
“Dirty Dancing” (1987)Name a more iconic teen movie dance scene, we’ll wait. This film, set in the early ‘60s, follows Baby and Johnny, who fall in love despite being from opposite sides of the track. He comes from the world of dirty dancing, and she originates from the land of fancy Foxtrots. Yet they defy the odds and have the time of their lives with each other. The final scene of the movie shows their two worlds coming together as they dance on the main stage at Kellerman’s resort. While they didn’t perfect the now infamous lift earlier in the film, they pull it off flawlessly here. And we’re not exaggerating when we say it was worth the wait.
#5: Boombox Moment
“Say Anything…” (1989)Lloyd Dobler and Diane Court are a lovely couple, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deal with their fair share of strife. This is yet another story of teens falling in love despite coming from different socioeconomic classes. When these two make their relationship official, they share a special moment in Lloyd’s car to the tune of “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel. And though her father convinces her to end things despite her real feelings for him, Lloyd refuses to take it lying down. Boombox in hand, he stations himself outside her room and blasts their song, birthing one of the romantic gestures ever seen on film. The moment hasn’t been recreated countless times by accident!
#4: The Plastics Are Introduced
“Mean Girls” (2004)“Mean Girls” has countless quotable and memorable moments. Who could forget the Plastics’ amazingly chaotic “Jingle Bell Rock” performance? But it’s our first introduction to North Shore High’s royal clique that takes the cake. When Janis and Damian spot Regina George, Gretchen Wieners, and Karen Smith (aka the Plastics), they tell our protagonist Cady everything she needs to know. We learn about each of the teen girls, getting a perfect glimpse into their individual personalities and the school’s social hierarchy. It’s always amusing to hear juicy gossip about the Plastics before Cady briefly becomes one herself. And not only is it entertaining, it moves the plot forward! What more could you want?
#3: “Sincerely Yours”
“The Breakfast Club” (1985)There are few directors who can capture the struggles of being a teenager better than the late John Hughes, and “The Breakfast Club” was his masterpiece. When five high schoolers from various social circles find themselves in detention, they learn that they have more in common than they think. Before leaving, Brian pens a mandatory yet meaningful essay for Vice Principal Vernon, talking about how none of them should be labeled. As it’s being read, we see Bender walk through the school’s field. He then fiercely pumps his fist into the air, giving us major goosebumps each time. It’s the perfect way to close a classic movie, showing how formative that day was for the characters — and all of us watching.
#2: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”
“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)There aren't very many teen movie characters who are dreamier than the late Heath Ledger’s Patrick Verona, so watching him sing this Frankie Valli hit is always incredibly endearing. When Patrick is paid to date Kat, he definitely doesn’t anticipate falling for her. The first of his big romantic gestures throughout the film is also his most epic, as he sings to her. It’s a grand, enchanting, and completely swoon-worthy production. He’s technically upholding his end of the deal at this point, but the lines between real and fake feelings are blurring fast. Though the pair have some ups and downs following this euphoric serenade, we can’t help but fall for Patrick right alongside Kat here.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
McLovin, “Superbad” (2007)
Fogell Gets a Hilariously Bad Fake ID, & More Hilarity Ensues When He Uses ItCliff Jumping, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2” (2008)
Bridget Leads the Way as the Besties Heartwarmingly Head Into the Water"Chillin' Like a Villain", “Descendants 2” (2017)
Carlos, Jay, & Evie Teach Ben How to Be Bad with a Wildly Catchy TuneThe Dance, “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)
Napoleon’s Last Effort to Drum Up Support for Pedro Always Gets Us MovingThe Pie, “American Pie” (1999)
Jim’s Dad Finds Him Getting Intimate with Dessert, & It’s Impossible to Look Away#1: “Twist and Shout”
“Ferris Bueller's Day Off” (1986)Ferris Bueller is the high school kid that so many wish they could be. He’s popular, hilarious, and doesn’t hold back when it comes to living his life to the fullest. He seems to be able to get away with whatever he wants, but he’s so charming and confident that we can’t resent him for it. He and his friends’ fun, carefree day off culminates in a lip sync to “Twist and Shout” on a parade float in downtown Chicago. We also love Ferris’ opening monologue, too. But the way he has the entire windy city up and dancing along with him during the performance is timeless, and will go down in cinematic history.
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