Top 10 Most Underrated Teen Movies of the 2010s

“Everybody Wants Some!!” is yet another great production by Richard Linklater that didn’t get the same attention of some of his other films. The comedy follows a small group of college baseball players, and the talented cast includes the likes of Zoey Deutch, Blake Jenner, and Wyatt Russell. Linklater considers this movie to be a spiritual sequel to both his “Dazed and Confused” and “Boyhood” movies, as both share similar themes and ideas. It’s a very sweet coming-of-age story, and it has an incredible classic rock soundtrack featuring The Knack, Blondie, and Van Halen, among many others. “Everybody Wants Some!!” beautifully and nostalgically captures the joy of youth, all while being quite true-to-life and merrily whimsical. Basically, it’s “Dazed and Confused” for a new generation.

And now for something a little more downcast. “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” is, well, kind of funny, but it’s also a serious delve into topical and sensitive themes, like teen suicide and depression. The story concerns Keir Gilchrist’s character Craig, a suicidal teenager who admits himself to a psychiatric facility. There, he meets a bunch of like-minded individuals, including Noelle (played by Emma Roberts) and Bobby played by Zach Galifianakis. It’s a touching story about the possibility of happiness and the subtle joys of life, and each cast member beautifully captures their characters’ complexities, especially the surprisingly great Galifianakis.

“Attack the Block” was produced by Edgar Wright’s frequent collaborator Nira Park, whose Big Talk Pictures has also produced “Shaun of the Dead, “Hot Fuzz,” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” Starring John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, and Nick Frost, “Attack the Block” tells the story of a teenage street gang caught in the middle of a violent alien invasion. It received glowing reviews from critics, many of whom singled out the deft blend of genres and the confidence of first-time director Joe Cornish. If you’re a fan of Edgar Wright’s work, you owe it to yourself to watch “Attack the Block.”

As weird as it is to think, we can thank Pharrell and Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs for “Dope.” They co-executive produced this coming-of-age movie about an intelligent geek with lofty aspirations who’s forced to navigate the mean streets of Inglewood. The film features a wonderful cast, including the magnificent breakout star Shameik Moore, and an assured writer-director in Rick Famuyiwa. He keeps the pace persistent and the story enjoyable, and he somehow manages to strike an intriguing balance between hood dramas like “Menace II Society” and the warm John Hughes flicks of the ‘80s to make “Dope” his own. It was a risky proposition, but it paid off in a unique and spectacular fashion.

“The Diary of a Teenage Girl” was one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2015. The rather unconventional story sees Bel Powley playing 15-year-old Minnie, who loses her virginity to her mother’s boyfriend. It’s certainly a gutsy storyline to follow, but the way it uses confidence and intelligence to address young female sexuality is mature and entirely welcoming. While other, more commercial films may avoid such touchy topics, “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” puts its protagonist’s needs, desires, and fears front and center, and it thankfully avoids the pitfalls of a story like this one. It’s just a real movie about genuine people and relatable feelings, and it’s all performed with nuance and shot with beautiful camera work.

“The Kings of Summer” doesn’t do anything particularly new, but it definitely succeeds at everything it attempts. The comedy-drama sees three older teenagers growing frustrated with their well-meaning but obtuse parents and venturing into the woods to live off the land. It’s reminiscent of “Stand by Me”, and that’s certainly not a bad thing. The performances are a natural and entertaining, particularly that of Nick Offerman as a sarcastic single father, and cinematographer Ross Riege adds a delicate and expansive touch. Hemakes the woods seem like a perfect oasis, a sanctuary of happiness and the alleviation of worry. Of course, it’s not that simple, and “The Kings of Summer” explores its concept with wonderful complexity and depth.

“Submarine” stars Craig Roberts as Oliver Tate, a frustrated teenager who pursues a potential romantic partner named Jordana. Meanwhile, he grows increasingly concerned about the state of his parents’ marriage and attempts to thwart a possible fling between his mother and the kooky Graham, played by a mesmerizing Paddy Considine. “Submarine” is a quirky little comedy-drama, complete with a few stylistic flourishes like narration, fancy camera work, and rapid editing. It also treats all of its characters with respect and nuance, avoiding the usual teen comedy clichés and archetypes. It was never destined to be a major hit, but it’s a lovely way to spend ninety-seven minutes.

After floundering in development for years, “The Way, Way Back” was finally produced and distributed by Fox Searchlight following the success of similar indie flicks like “Juno” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” Liam James stars as Duncan, a 14-year-old who is dragged to a beach house in Cape Cod with his mother and her critical boyfriend. The movie is packed to the gills with stars, including Toni Collette, Allison Janney, a marvelous Sam Rockwell, and Steve Carell, who goes against type by playing an enormous jerk. The comedy-drama isn’t that different from others out there, but it stands out for being filled with hilarity, humane situations, and a remarkable cast.

The plot of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” may sound familiar – a shy outcast named Greg rekindles a childhood friendship with Rachel, who has recently been diagnosed with leukemia. Only one year earlier, “The Fault in Our Stars,” another teen romance centered around cancer, made enormous waves at the box office, and this 2015 film looked to be capitalizing on its success. However, “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” tended to avoid sentimentality and melodrama, instead relying on dry and awkward humor to tell its tender story. But while its focus is primarily on comedy, it still finds time to explore its rich thematic material with the necessary amount of maturity. Winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for U.S. Drama at Sundance, this movie is a treasure.





Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.



“The To Do List” (2013)





“The DUFF” (2015)





“The First Time” (2012)





“The Way He Looks” (2014)





“Booksmart” (2019)

“Sing Street” was written and directed by John Carney, the same man who gave us the magnificent musical “Once.” And, like “Once,” “Sing Street” concerns itself with the wonderful joys and expressions of music. It follows Cosmo Lawlor, a teenager who starts a band to impress an attractive wannabe model. As you may expect, the movie is filled with phenomenal music, both original and licensed from iconic ‘80s bands like Duran Duran, Hall & Oates, and The Cure. In between the fantastic musical segments is a touching story with an enormous heart and more than enough jokes to keep things entertaining. It’s one of the most delightful and enchanting films of the decade, and arguably the best teen movie of its time.