Top 10 Ultimate Teen Movie Franchises

Nothing says the teenage experience quite like high school! This musical franchise is, big shocker, about a group of high school kids who both perform in musicals within the story and are in one themselves, while also following their lives throughout the rest of their time in secondary school. The “High School Musical” franchise manages to encapsulate the teenage experience with unforgettable rhymes and characters we all feel like we know. The characters may be archetypal and the music generic, but being clichéd also means the cast are relatable and the songs may be stock, but they’re so dang catchy!

Based on the smash hit book series of the same name, “The Twilight Saga” depicts the romance between high school everygirl Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen, as well as the supernatural forces that threaten to keep them apart. Although somewhat divisive among film critics, there’s no denying the impact the series has had in reinvigorating the fantasy romance genre and in how successful it’s been financially. Love it, hate it, hate to love it, or love to hate it, “The Twilight Saga” struck a chord with teens and adults alike and has managed to become a fixture of pop culture.

Teen films frequently touch on the topic of sex, but few franchises have made it their… uh … tent pole (pun intended) quite like “American Pie.” These movies follow a group of sex-crazed teenagers as they develop into sex-crazed young adults and then into sex-crazed regular adults, all while getting into outlandish and often hilarious situations that usually have a sexual component. As outrageous as these films can be, they still have a down-to-earth feel to the characters and situations, making them relatable enough that they can occasionally tug on our heartstrings… when they’re not busting our guts with laughter.

A dystopian YA series based on the books of the same name, “The Divergent Series” follows a teenage girl named Tris in a society where people are divided according to values and her discovery of a conspiracy involving those who belong to multiple factions like her. While its critical reception was so-so and it may bear a striking resemblance to some of our entries yet to come, “The Divergent Series” still distinguishes itself with strong lead performances, especially by Shailene Woodley, and issues of belonging which teens can empathize with.

While there are dozens of teen horror and slasher franchises to choose from, we decided on “Scream.” Unlike most of the horror movie series out there, the characters of “Scream” are familiar with many common tropes of the genre, leading to lots of metafictional humor throughout, as well as characters who feel more like people; instead of the usual, inevitable victims in horror films that we’ve been conditioned not to get attached to. The “Scream” franchise revitalized the horror genre and it’s still one that feels refreshing to this day.

Everyone’s favorite web-slinging superhero has been appearing on the silver screen for many years, and he’s usually portrayed as, if not necessarily by, a teenager. This lends Spider-Man an extra level of relatability for teens than most other superheroes. Not only does Spidey have to contend with villains threatening New York, but he also has to do so while juggling all the typical issues faced by teenagers, whether it’s his first jobs, girls, or school in general. All of the franchise’s individual series have their own strengths and each has spoken to a new generation, so it was impossible for us to single one out.

Another YA book adaptation, the “Maze Runner” series follows a group of amnesiac teens who awaken in a mysterious maze and their attempts to escape it. However, even getting out doesn’t mean the strange tests are over. The “Maze Runner” films do a better, and more literal, job than most at encapsulating the teenage zeitgeist of feeling like you’re lost in a world you don’t understand. While these movies are generally easier to find your way through than real life, they’ll still get you thinking about your own path and entertain you to boot.

The biggest and best of the YA dystopia franchises, “The Hunger Games” follows Katniss, a contestant in the eponymous games of kill or be killed, who gradually becomes involved in a movement to overthrow the regime responsible for them. The franchise depicts a frightening and well-realized future world and features compelling and memorable characters, with its lead being an iconic character. Were it not for the age and impact of our top two, “The Hunger Games” might be a contender, but the competition among teen films is a fierce one.

Yes, if you think about it, this is a franchise of teen movies. Centered on Marty McFly, a teenage wannabe rocker, and his eccentric friend Doc Brown, a genius scientist who created a time machine out of the most unreliable car in history, the “Back to the Future” movies are a blast (both from the past and in general), with hilarious comedy, iconic characters and quotes, and spectacular music. These aren’t just great teen films, but also great movies overall that have had an indelible impact on pop culture, past, present, and future.





Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:



“Descendants” franchise (2015-)







“Bill & Ted” franchise (1989-)





“Camp Rock” franchise (2008-10)





“I Know What You Did Last Summer” franchise (1997-2006)







“The Cheetah Girls” franchise (2003-08)

Of course, it’s “Harry Potter!” In case you’ve been living in a cupboard under the stairs for the last few decades, this book series turned film series follows the titular boy wizard and his friends in their adventures throughout their time studying magic, as well as battling evil; namely the inhuman wizard who killed Harry’s parents. The franchise’s massive cast of unforgettable characters, many of whom grow up before our eyes, as well as the endlessly intriguing Wizarding World hidden right next to our own, have captured the imaginations of people all over the world.