Top 10 Teen Movies That Deal With Serious Issues

Jason Reitman's coming-of-age tale about a pregnant 16-year-old girl was inescapable when it was released, and "Juno's" success was not only due to its snappy dialogue. The endearing film tackles its subject matter with humor, style, and realism. As the titular character, played by Ellen Page, goes down the adoption route, she struggles to play the part of an adult while still ultimately being a teenager. Along with teen pregnancy, "Juno" also touches upon themes of choice and communication, all while delivering an endlessly quotable and entertaining experience.

Summer flings are inherently passionate, but also poignant - romances destined to burn brightly and briefly. That emotion becomes intensified when it coincides with someone's first love, as is the case in "Call Me By Your Name." Set in the gorgeous Italian countryside, the young Elio falls for Oliver, a graduate student who comes to stay temporarily with the teenager's family. Although no stranger to relationships, Elio has never experienced real love. "Call me by Your Name" shows Elio trying to understand his own emotions before his desire becomes all-consuming. Elio and Oliver experience some incredible highs and create lasting memories, but every summer must come to an end.

Awkwardness and adolescence go hand-in-hand, and few films explore this theme as effectively as "Eighth Grade." Social media defines Kayla's world, shaping her self worth and identity. While attempting to connect with an audience by crafting a persona on YouTube, Kayla's anxiety gets the better of her in the real world. The teen feels isolated not only from her peers but also from her father, as she tries to twist herself into a person that others might notice. "Eighth Grade" is relatable, heartwarming, depressing, uncomfortable, and very relevant.

As the call of adulthood beckons and Sacramento grows exponentially smaller, Christine becomes fixated on the future. Renaming herself Lady Bird, she pushes furiously to move away from her past and present, be it by dreaming of a New York College or trading a lifelong friend for more popular alternatives. Lady Bird's complicated relationship with her mother carries most of the movie's emotional weight, but she’s also influenced by plenty of other people, all of who are passing by while pursuing their own lives. Saoirse Ronan’s performance, Greta Gerwig’s direction, and the film’s semi-autobiographical nature adds to its impact and realism.

In the strange sub-genre of teens with terminal illnesses, "The Fault in Our Stars" raises above its contemporaries through the sheer might and chemistry of its two leads. A teenager with thyroid cancer, Hazel goes to a support group and meets Gus, who’s in remission. Despite their situations, the two decide to go on a trip to Amsterdam to meet a reclusive author. Mortality is a difficult subject at any age, but "The Fault in Our Stars" is more about life than death. Hazel and Gus might not spend too much time together, but they make the most of it.

Depression, sexuality, bullying, and abuse; "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" touches upon so many different issues that everyone can understand. Diagnosed with clinical depression, Charlie finds some company at school when he befriends two step-siblings, both of who are still learning about themselves. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" focuses heavily on repression – be it of memories, emotions, or sexuality – and the importance of taking charge of your life. While the film doesn’t shy away from showing the characters’ struggles and pain, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is ultimately about healing.

Adulthood and its complexities can become a part of an innocent teen's life seemingly overnight. "Thirteen" is about Tracy, a depressed girl who discovers an exciting new world of sex, drugs, and petty crime through one of her classmates, Evie. Rather than sugarcoat or scandalize this transition, "Thirteen" presents Tracy and Evie's unhealthy relationship with authenticity and familiarity. Co-written by Nikki Reed who was a teenager at the time, "Thirteen" explores the temptations and traps of adolescence and how there’s often no simple answer that can solve everything.

Based on a novel by Angie Thomas, "The Hate U Give" might center around teens but its themes are universal. A black teen who attends a mostly white school, Starr Carter is caught in the middle of two worlds and cannot fully commit to either. However, she has to take a stand following an incident that leads to the death of her friend. Dealing with racial injustice and police brutality, "The Hate U Give" tackles these sensitive and complex issues through the experiences of a teenager who’s only beginning to see the worst of them unfold.

Set in South Central Los Angeles, "Boyz n the Hood" remains as relevant three decades later as it was in 1991. Both as a child and a teenager, Tre Styles has potential for greatness but he lives in a world beset by violence and systematic oppression. Along with his friends and family, Tre navigates gangs, drugs, and oppressive police officers, knowing full well that one wrong move could result in death. Although "Boyz n the Hood" casts a candid light on its themes, the film stresses that there is hope even when things seem beyond salvation.

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

“Dead Poets Society” (1989)
Because “Carpe Diem” Is a Message Worth Getting Behind

“Everything, Everything” (2017)
Because Abuse Is Not Always Obvious

“Heathers” (1989)
Because Is There Any Mature Theme This Movie Doesn’t Tackle?

“The Diary of a Teenage Girl” (2015)
Because Teen Movies Can Be Weird, Empowering & Clumsy.

"Kids" is ugly and upsetting, and that is a compliment. Written by Harmony Korine, "Kids" follows a group of boys and girls over the span of a day as they discuss sex, drugs, and AIDS. Filmed almost like a documentary, the movie is populated by mostly unlikable teens who lead lives free of the need to pander to an audience or storytelling conventions. Drenched in realism and unafraid to get uncomfortable, "Kids" is as unapologetic in its exploration of provocative themes as Telly is in his pursuit of his next naive conquest.