Top 10 Most Underrated '80s Teen Movies
Radical film, Dude! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 10 Most Underrated ‘80s Teen Movies.
There’s no denying the ‘80s was a boom for films for teens, some of which are still teen staples even now. Some other films have grown in cult status and found greater appreciation since the 1980’s, but for this list we are looking at flicks that were considered, like totally lame, when released.
#10: “Once Bitten” (1985)
Teen flicks with vampires were around long before Edward and Bella, and one underappreciated gem in the genre is 1985’s “Once Bitten.” This horror comedy centers on a high school teen who, in his quest to lose his virginity, becomes the focus of a 400 year old vampire who must drink blood of a virgin 3 times before Halloween. One catch, each bite takes him one step closer to becoming a vampire himself. This dark and funny film barely broke 10 million at the box office, and received poor critical reviews, but this is one totally worth seeing. It’s campy, filled with ‘80s cheese and it served as Jim Carrey’s first starring role, making it the perfect choice for the number ten slot on our list.
#9: “Morgan Stewart’s Coming Home” (1987)
Who can forget the loveable Duckie from Pretty in Pink? And while that movie won over critics and audiences alike, Jon Cryer’s next flick went almost unnoticed. Morgan Stewart is your typical rebellious ‘80s teen who returns home from boarding school to shake up his parent’s lives. With over the top antics, outlandish pranks, and Cryer’s baby face and geeky charm, this neglected comedy is too fun to pass up. While the flick may have received its fair share of negative criticism and barely registered upon theatrical release, the slapstick humor and zany fun is more than worth the watch.
#8: “Hiding Out” (1987)
Jon Cryer makes his second appearance on this list with this teen crime comedy. This time he plays a stock broker on the run from the mob who must go into hiding, and what better, or worse place, than a high school? The movie includes all the hilarity and awkward struggles of trying to fit in during high school for a second time, along with the extra layer of complication of having the mob hot on your trail. “Hiding Out” did not fair well with critics, but it has since found a cult following with fans who truly appreciate this underrated action filled teen flick.
#7: “My Bodyguard” (1980)
High school bullies have often been at the center of teen flicks and the ‘80s had their share of them as well. The school nerd hires his mysterious muscle-bound classmate to protect him from the school bullies, but that’s just the start. This dramatic comedy explores deeper issues, such as friendship, confidence, and challenging assumptions, while still offering hilarious hijinks and amusing banter. Despite having a talented director and cast, as well as a thoughtful script and premise, the reception to this movie was mixed upon release, and it pulled in a meager box-office. It’s a shame that the film went overlooked and underappreciated for the complexities it offered.
#6: “Teen Witch” (1989)
What teenage girl hasn’t at some point wished she could wake up with magical powers? Well, when shy girl Louise turned 16, that’s exactly what happens in this coming of age teen comedy. The movie is goofy, filled with big hair and rhinestone clothing, and has a now infamous, so bad it’s good, rapping scene. This movie didn’t even break thirty thousand dollars at the US box office when it released in 1989, but it has found popularity and a cult following since because of it’s over the top cheese and unforgettably catchy tunes. This one totally deserved better, like for real.
#5: “Some Kind of Wonderful” (1987)
The ‘80s had no shortage of teen dramas that included love triangles and one friend pinning over another and this film was no exception. With a talented cast and well-developed characters, this flick was not a typical teen love story. When Watts agrees to help her best friend Keith land the popular girl, despite them both being high school outcast and being in love with him herself, they all soon learn lessons about life, love and popularity. Many critics cited the film as cynical, lacking the bubbly feel of the genre, while others appreciated the off-canon approach. This film has grown in popularity since release and is now considered by many to be one of the best ‘80s teen flicks that went completed underappreciated in its time.
#4: “Real Genius” (1985)
Val Kilmer starred in this zany and quirky comedy that is part “Revenge of the Nerds” and part “War Games,” with less familiarity. When a group of super smart college nerds, including a newly recruited 15 year old genius, realize they have been pulled together to help create a military weapon, they rebel in the most hilarious ways possible. Despite decent reviews, this flick was passed up by many at the box office for other 1985 hits such as “The Goonies“ and “Back to the Future,” leaving it as a relatively unknown 80’s teen movie that deserves so much more appreciate than it received. Besides, in what other movie can you hear the line “all brain, no penis.”
#3: “River’s Edge” (1986)
Perhaps the darkest film on our list, this ‘80s teen drama revolved around the bonds of friendship and the price of secrets. Based on a true story of the murder of a teenage girl at the hand of her boyfriend, this flick boasted a brilliant cast, including Keanu Reeves, Crispin Glover, and Dennis Hopper. In some ways it is easy to see why this movie had a relatively small box-office draw, and how it went overlooked by many filmgoers. It’s serious in intent and quite disturbing, but for those who love 80’s teen cinema, the movie is a must-see that deserved so much more recognition than it received.
#2: “Can’t Buy Me Love” (1987)
The teen film genre will always have a soft spot for a nerd trying to land the popular girl or boy, and this flick is the perfect example of what happens when this trope is done well. Before he became Dr. McDreamy, Patrick Dempsey often starred as the quintessential nerd and this was arguably one of his best portrayals of that role. The movie did not do well with critics, with Roger Ebert giving the movie half a star and other reviews panning it as unoriginal and lazy. However, in the years since its release fans have found appreciation in its simplicity. And let’s not forget the iconic riding off into the sunset on a lawnmower moment that an 80’s fan pretty much knows by heart.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions
“Summer School” (1987)
“The Flamingo Kid” (1984)
“18 Again” (1988)
“One Crazy Summer” (1986)
#1: “Better Off Dead” (1985)
It would be almost impossible to have a list of ‘80s teen flicks and not mention a John Cusack film. In this film, his character Lane, an awkward teen, becomes suicidal after his girlfriend breaks up with him for a better skier. After several botched attempts to end his life, he meets a beautiful French exchange student who is living next door who challenges him to improve his life, take chances, and find love again. Throughout his journey Lane participates in a car race, get stalked by the paperboy and has the ski experience of a lifetime. Did we mention the random animated scenes that include a dancing, singing, guitar playing hamburger? This movie is off-beat, comedically dark, brilliantly complex, and well worth re-discovering.