Top 20 Teen Movies of All Time

This adaptation of John Green’s novel wasn’t the first tear-jerker to touch upon teens with terminal illnesses. Yet, few movies have tackled this difficult subject matter with more intelligence or depth than “The Fault in Our Stars.” That’s mainly because the film respects its characters, taking the time to flesh out their fears, desires, and passions. Hazel Grace Lancaster feels all-too-real, as do her relationships with her parents, support group, and the charismatic Augustus. This makes it all the more heartbreaking when tragedy inevitably strikes. The ending might not be the happiest, but it’s one that the filmmakers 100% earn. This is a movie that treats its young viewers like adults, pulling no punches and offering no easy solutions, but ultimately leaving them feeling stronger.

This contemporary teen comedy gets its inspiration from Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” In terms of its dialogue, setting, and time period, “She’s the Man” is admittedly far-removed from the original play. One element of its source material that the film does manage to capture, however, is the farcical fun. A love triangle is one thing, but when Amanda Bynes’ Viola decides to pose as her twin brother, she finds herself wrapped up in what’s essentially a love hexagon. It’s so complicated that the audience can’t help but laugh at the sheer absurdity of the whole situation, which naturally builds to several funny revelations. While the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, it still finds room for a girl-power message that young ladies can take to heart.

This might at first sound like another cheesy chick flick, yet it’s a surprisingly deep adaption of Ann Brashares’ novel, carried by four immensely talented actresses. Best friends Lena, Carmen, Bridget, and Tibby may go their separate ways over the summer, but they remain connected through a pair of pants that miraculously fits them all. While each girl faces her fair share of typical teen drama, they also confront many heavy issues regarding death, divorce, and virginity. The more serious moments are balanced out with a lot of heart and humor. It’s a coming-of-age story that fits with a wide range of young adults, much like the pants themselves.

Ironically, this teen comedy is considered by many to be a better take on “The Scarlet Letter” than the 1995 film version with Demi Moore. “Easy A” brings Nathaniel Hawthorne’s literary masterpiece into the modern world with a clever screenplay and a breakthrough performance from Emma Stone. As Olive Penderghast, Stone plays a 17-year-old virgin who tells one little white lie that snowballs into a big scandal. Labeled the town tart, Olive decides to have some fun with her new status and discovers something about herself along the way. In addition to being endlessly witty, the film offers an important moral for every teenager: whether you have sex in high school or not, it’s nobody else’s business.

“Grease” isn’t exactly an accurate depiction of the ‘50s. It’s not the most accurate depiction of high school either, but perhaps that’s what makes this musical so enduring. The film is completely wrapped up in its own little world, offering its audience a much-needed escape. Of course, that’s not to say the film isn’t relatable. No matter what era you grew up in, you likely saw a bit of yourself in Danny, Sandy, or one of the other iconic players. These are timeless characters that speak to us even decades later. So, in a strange way, “Grease” does say something enriching about the teenage experience, all while cementing its legacy with an insanely catchy soundtrack.

Where most of the films on this list center on high school, “Eighth Grade” reminds us that middle school can be equally confusing and stressful, if not more so. Between Bo Burnham’s direction and Elsie Fisher’s lead performance as Kayla, the film couldn’t be more authentic in its portrayal of teenage anxiety and disappointment. We all went into middle school expecting great things, although many of us look back at the experience as an awkward chapter in life. We can all identify with Kayla’s insecurities, but “Eighth Grade” is specifically tailored towards “iGen,” a generation raised on technology. As uncomfortable as the film gets, it also provides a source of comfort for today’s youth, assuring them that things get better and that they aren’t alone.

Despite not exactly being critically well-received upon release, this modern take on the timeless story was a box office success and has gained a cult following over the years. So what is it that sets the film apart from all the other Cinderella stories? The performances, for starters. Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray share undeniable chemistry, although it continues to baffle us why Austin can’t recognize Sam behind that masquerade mask. The familiar formula is elevated by its scene-stealing supporting performances as well. Jennifer Coolidge is well-suited to play Sam’s wicked stepmother. As Sam’s fairy godmother, Regina King spins what could’ve been a straight-forward role into gold. Throw in some memorable one-liners and this teenage fairytale ultimately finds its footing.

“Heathers” is the kind of twisted teen movie that only could’ve been made in the ‘80s. At the same time, this satire is very different from the decade’s other teen romps. Instead of being hopeful and lighthearted like John Hughes, screenwriter Daniel Waters tapped into the dark side of teenage life and took it to an extreme. For anyone who went to high school with self-absorbed mean girls and arrogant jocks, “Heathers” is the ultimate revenge fantasy. As over-the-top as the story gets, we’d be lying if we said that the inner troublemaker in us all didn’t identify with the film’s cynical outlook. Decades later, the film is still relevant, provocative, and - above all else - hilarious, giving us some of the genre’s most biting one-liners.

Greta Gerwig wanted her directorial debut to feel “like a memory,” which is the best way to describe “Lady Bird.” The film takes its audience back to 2002, a time when most of us were adjusting to a post-9/11 world. For Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, though, she’s completely wrapped up in her own world. In Lady Bird’s eyes, she’s one of a kind and wishes to be treated as such. In reality, almost every teenager has been in this character’s shoes: hungry for attention, eager to move out, and convinced that they know everything. As confident as Lady Bird is, it only takes a small taste of real-world experience for her to realize that she still has a lot of growing up to do.

“Superbad” aims to get a laugh virtually every second, succeeding with almost every one-liner and visual gag. The film propelled Jonah Hill and Michael Cera to another level of fame while also making stars out of Emma Stone and the artist formerly known as McLovin. Its story couldn’t be more straight-forward, as a quest for alcohol sends our underaged protagonists on an increasingly wild night. “Superbad” isn’t driven by plot, however. This film runs purely on humor and - to the surprise of many - heart. We wouldn’t be as invested in the comedy if we weren’t invested in the characters and the audience genuinely comes to care about this film’s central friendship. As far as gross-out teen movies go, “Superbad” is more evolved than expected.

Most coming-of-age movies focus on a pivotal time in a young person’s life. “Moonlight,” however, follows Chiron Harris through three life chapters that shape who he becomes. We begin in Chiron’s youth as he’s exposed to a cruel world that will only grow harsher with age. Chiron’s teenage years are defined by two moments, one where he experiences true love and another that sends him down a troubled path. It all builds to Chiron’s adulthood where he learns to accept himself. While this Best Picture winner isn’t strictly a teen movie, its themes of sexual identity, toxic masculinity, and self-love are important for young adults to explore. For that reason, it’s a film that every teenager should see, especially those who’re struggling to find themselves.

Netflix has built up a substantial library of teen rom-coms and “To All the Boys” remains their premier offering. Many of us have sent text messages that we regretted writing, but Lara Jean’s circumstances are far more universe-shattering. Over the years, Lara Jean has written several unmailed letters to her crushes. One of those crushes just so happens to be her sister’s ex-boyfriend. When those declarations of love are sent out, Lara Jean winds up in a fake romance that might just be the real deal. The film is simple yet sweet with enough zippy dialogue to keep the plot afloat. It also effectively touches upon issues such as cyberbullying and refreshingly brings together a diverse cast without calling attention to itself.

Yet another modern movie that borrows from a classic, “10 Things I Hate About You” is the high school equivalent of William Shakespeare's “The Taming of the Shrew.” In this interpretation, the quote unquote “shrew” is Kat, a teenage girl with no interest in dating. When she inadvertently gets entangled in her little sister’s love life, though, Kat winds up falling for bad boy Patrick. Despite its familiar tropes, this romantic comedy exceeded expectations thanks to its quotable lines, infectious soundtrack, and plenty of sincere moments. It also helped jumpstart the careers of several cast members, including Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the late Heath Ledger.

In teen movies of the past, gay characters have typically been either delegated to side roles or absent altogether. “Love, Simon” is the film that the LGBTQ+ community had been waiting for, shining the spotlight on a closeted teen struggling to come out. The film avoids the tired stereotypes we’re used to seeing, delivering a believable portrayal of what it’s like to be a gay high schooler in the 21st century. The comedy-drama also avoids having a straight-up villain with even the more antagonistic characters possessing redeeming qualities. Simon’s internal struggle is where the real conflict lies as he deals with insecurity, fear, and feelings he can only express online. It all builds to a heartwarming resolution with plenty of laughs along the way.

John Hughes knew how to strike the perfect balance between realism and fantasy. Sitting in class, waiting for the bell to ring, we’ve all thought about faking sick and having the most epic day ever. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” makes that daydream a reality, doing so with charm, humor, and creativity, not to mention an unforgettable soundtrack. It’s impossible to lay eyes on a Ferrari without getting the “Oh Yeah” song stuck in your head. While the shenanigans Ferris and his friends get into aren’t always realistic, the characters, their dynamics, and their development certainly are. From Ferris’ fourth wall breaks to Ben Stein’s infamous “Bueller” line, few teen comedies remain this quotable even decades later. Days come and go; this one will last forever.

When you’re a freshman in high school, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong anywhere. You’re never alone, however, as there’s always somebody else blending into the crowd with you. Charlie Kelmeckis learns this valuable lesson in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” a smart, funny, and powerful adaptation of Stephen Chbosky’s novel. As he befriends seniors Sam and Patrick, Charlie sees that everyone has a right to the high school experience, be they popular or below average. He also finds that every teen has their inner demons, be it pertaining to bigotry, mental illness, or common insecurities. No matter what you’re going through, it’s a lot easier with a friend in your corner.

If you grew up in the ‘90s, chances are you wanted to be Cher Horowitz. Rich, beautiful, and fashionable, this character epitomizes everything the teenage dream stands for. At the same time, Cher still manages to be an identifiable protagonist. She’s spoiled, but never condescending or mean-spirited. She’s fabulous, but isn’t without her flaws. She’s clueless, but much smarter than she appears. The same can be said about the film itself, which molds the Valley Girl stereotype into a three-dimensional individual. “Clueless” also notably derives inspiration from Jane Austen's “Emma.” Much like how Austen understood the women of her era, writer/director Amy Heckerling gets the mentality of teenage girls down to a T.

Portraying teen angst in movies can be tricky. If you make a character too angsty, they can come off as unlikable. Thanks to Kelly Fremon Craig’s witty screenplay and Hailee Steinfeld’s lovable performance, “The Edge of Seventeen” gives us an angsty teen who we can all sympathize with. Outside of angst, what the movie really gets down is the awkward side of being a teenager. This is a film that understands what it’s like to feel uncomfortable in one’s own skin - not to mention everywhere else. While Steinfeld’s Nadine is a magnet for cringe-worthy moments, Craig’s script treats the character with dignity and empathy. Nadine may not be perfect, but that’s easy to forgive because we’ve all been in her sneakers before.

At a time when most movies didn’t take the world of high school very seriously, writer and director John Hughes showed everyone that teenagers are people too. He defined a generation with “Sixteen Candles,” “Pretty in Pink,” and especially “The Breakfast Club.” Although it hit the scene in the mid-80s, this coming-of-age tale easily could have come out today. High school is still divided into cliques, from the brains, to the athletes, to the basket cases, to the princesses, to the criminals. When you break down every teenager to their core, however, they all have a great deal in common. Our five leads learn this through an eye-opening Saturday in detention, changing both them and the audience forever.

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

“Call Me by Your Name” (2017)
A Coming-Of-Age Romance & So Much More

“Booksmart” (2019)
As Smart as It Is Hilarious

“Bring It On” (2000)
A Cheerleader Comedy with Brains

“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (2015)
Dying Is Hard & So Is Comedy; This Film Effortlessly Balances Both

“Juno” (2007)
The Definitive Teen Pregnancy Movie

While it was far from the first movie about high school, this comedy set a new standard for the genre with unforgettable dialog, biting satire, and characters that felt all too real. Now it seems like almost every teen movie wants to be the next “Mean Girls.” While many are just pale imitations, others have come fairly close to capturing the humor, depth, and wit that put “Mean Girls” on the map. In that sense, you could argue that it ushered in a new golden age of teen movies. With that said, nothing has been able to top Mark Waters’ keen eye for direction, Tina Fey’s brilliant screenplay, or the ensemble’s dead-on portrayals. To this date, it remains queen bee.