This is a list for teen movies, but if we’re being honest, I made it because I love these movies, too, and I’m certainly not a teen anymore. I loved high school, and I still love watching teen movies, and I still listen to boy bands. And I’m not afraid to admit it.
It might look like I forgot all the John Hughes classics, but most of those ended up on the list of Best Movies for Tweens. In making this list, I realized Cameron Crowe was quietly giving John Hughes a run for his money in the 80’s. And, since I’m not a fan of horror movies, I only included one, but I know teens live for that stuff. You can make your own list about that…
Here’s a list of the 20 Best Teen Movies:
- Almost Famous – This is probably one of my favorite movies. It’s set in the 70’s, there’s a rock band on tour, and a kid is writing an article for Rolling Stone. It’s written and directed by Cameron Crowe and it’s Kate Hudson’s first movie. Also, Frances McDormand is great in this film!
- American Pie – A group of high schoolers out to conquer the female form, an apple pie, and this one time at band camp… Also, you get to see Tara Reid in her glory before shit got crazy.
- Bring it On – It’s the story of a cheerleading competition gone bad starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union.
- Can’t Buy Me Love – Nerd Ronald Miller wants to be part of the in crowd, so he makes a deal with cheerleader Cindy Mancini, which he’s sure will help him out. From geek to chic how does it all shake out…
- Dazed and Confused – Alright, alright, alright this one stars Matthew McConaughey in his first movie.
- Dead Poets Society – Seize the day. Robin Williams is wonderful in this film.
- Easy A – Emma Stone stars as Olive, a teen who embellishes her love life and becomes popular for the wrong reasons. Also, you get to see Amanda Bynes in her glory before shit got crazy.
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High – Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli is all you ever need to see in life. Also, this one was written by Cameron Crowe.
- Friday Night Lights – The way this is shot, kind of gives you a headache because the camera is very shaky, but it was so good they made a TV show about it…
- Heathers – When the popular girls, all named Heather, are confronted by one of their own for their cruel behavior, things get crazy. It’s a little dark, and you have to have a sense of humor for it. Also, you get to see Winona Ryder in her glory before shit got crazy.
- Juno – Pregnant teen Juno decides to give her baby up for adoption.
- Mean Girls – These girls are not Heathers, they’re Plastics. High School cliques at their finest. Also, you get to see Lindsay Lohan in her glory before shit got crazy.
- Pretty in Pink – Andie is an outcast in her high school who has a crush on one of the popular guys. By outcast, I mean she has more personality than any of them. It’s a John Hughes film starring Molly Ringwald, nothing more needs to be said.
- Risky Business – Tom Cruise in his breakout roll, and in his underwear.
- Say Anything – John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler is the best. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe.
- Schindler’s List – Not an obvious choice for teen movies, but an important one they should all see. Directed by Steven Spielberg (also, this documentary, Spielberg, is pretty amazing and he goes into detail about the making of this and many of his other films…)
- Scream – Do you like scary movies? I don’t! But I love this one…
- Some Kind of Wonderful – Another John Hughes classic, with a high school love triangle and a lesson in love.
- Superbad – This movie is bona fide bad ass. Also, you get to see Jonah Hill in his glory before he shrunk, and got big again, and shrunk, and got big again…
- The Hunger Games – The books are great, the movies are too, and Jennifer Lawrence became JLaw thanks to this film series. Let’s hope there wasn’t foreshadowing happening in these stories…
Happy viewing!
xoxo
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