Youth and the transition from childhood to adolescence have been themes frequently explored by the seventh art over the years. Ideal films for teenagers that evoke that phase of immaturity and self-discovery, where the characters are still finding themselves and discovering their innermost desires.
Cinema is, in many instances, a reflection of reality that seeks to teach viewers the daily routines and dilemmas of everyday life. Thus, every era has its adolescent cult films that portray what life was like in those years and the joys and hardships that young people had to face.
Early adventures with friends, sexual awakening and adolescent existentialism have been an inevitable attraction for young viewers trying to identify with the characters, or adults who want to relive the nostalgia of their early years. This is a collection of the 10 ideal movies for teenagers.
Top 10 ideal movies for teenagers
In this list, you’ll find everything from 80s cult classics to the most current romantic comedies in which technology is Celestina. Pick your favorite tapes and let the movie marathon begin.
1. The perks of being an outcast (Stephen Chbosky, 2012)
This 2012 film is the film adaptation of the novel of the same name written in 1999. This youth film, written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, pays homage to all those weird introverted teenagers who can’t find their place in the world, but who try to make the journey more pleasant hand in hand with their true friends.
The film, set in the 1990s, centers on the life of Charlie, a shy and lonely young man who, together with two of his best friends, faces the adversities of adolescence. He movielike the book, it tells unavoidable realities without pretensions or censorship, like the love affairs, sex, drugs, identity, friendship and family problems.
2. Under the same star (JoshBoone, 2014)
If it’s a little romantic drama you want, Under the same star It will definitely make you cry. This film, adapted from best seller John Green’s namesake, chronicles the adventure of a teenage couple who must stay strong continue to live experiences and fight against cancer together. First love, inner duels and how difficult life can be are the main themes.
3. bad Girls (Tina Fey, 2004)
This culture classic pop and the teen comedy was written and directed by Tina Fey, and starred Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams. Although it premiered in 2004, it continues to be a comedy favorite of young and old thanks to its masterful way of portray the cliche from high school.
The film follows the life of Cady, a naive young woman who goes from home schooling to studying in a large institution, with hundreds of students and their particular personalities. Along the way, she befriends different people and discovers the benefits and all that being a “bad girl” means at school.
4. Very bad (GregMottola, 2007)
This American teen comedy is one of the most remembered roles of its protagonists: Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. It tells the story of Seth and Evan, a couple of immature young people discovering sex and partying, who a few days before graduating from high school they decide to lose their virginity at all costs. The film proved to be a box office success and eventually became a cult comedy.
5. boys do not Cry (Kimberly Pierce, 1999)
This independent cinema film stars Hilary Swank and Chloë Sevigny. tells the true story of Brandon Teena, a transgender man who from a young age adopts his male identity and tries to find himself and love, before being the victim of a hate crime at the hands of two ex-convicts.
Because of its texture, it has become one of the pioneering films in tackling the topic of male transsexuality and one of the most remembered LGBT+ themed tapes. It was ranked by critics as one of the best films of the year, to the point of bringing an Oscar nomination for Best Actress to Hilary Swank, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama.
6. he shouted (Wes Craven, 1996)
Director Wes Craven revived teen horror and suspense with this film and its sequels (including a TV series). Its plot centers on young Sidney, a young student targeted by a masked serial killer, known as ghost face.
This fearsome killer, with a curious white mask, is responsible for his mother’s death and promises to make her life a nightmare. One of the most famous and successful horror films of his time.
7. Fat (Randal Kleiser, 1978)
One of the pioneers of the teen musical is this film set in the 1950s and starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. It is an adaptation of a successful Broadway musical and quickly became a cult film. both for its soundtrack and its catchy choreography.
The popular film centers on the love story of handsome and rebellious Danny Zuko with young and innocent Sandy Olsson, just when they thought fate would inevitably tear them apart.
8. young men and witches (Andrew Fleming, 1996)
A group of four marginalized young women meet in high school and begin to practice witchcraft for their own benefit, without knowing the consequences their actions would cause. One of its protagonists, Sarah Bailey, learns of her supernatural powers and moves to a new school after her mother’s death. Once there, she meets three young witches and the drama begins.
As a result, Sarah becomes the key piece to being the “fourth” and, therefore, completing the power needed to invoke the four cardinal directions in a special ritual. But every action has her reaction, and these teen witches are going to find out the hard way.
9. High school musicals (Kenny Ortega, 2006)
For sure, one of the most famous teen musicals of recent times. It catapulted his connections to worldwide fame and became one of Disney’s most popular original films. Its huge success among teenagers led to two more sequels, released in 2007 and 2008.
It tells the story of a group of young high school students fascinated by singing, dancing and sports, who begin to discover the love, rivalries and friendship among their peers. The characters are easily identifiable as there are teenagers of all types: from the shy scholar to the outgoing artist, from the handsome athlete to the sensitive singer.
10. out of the loop (Amy Heckerling, 1995)
Also known by its original title, in the dark, is one of the most popular teen comedies of all time and It has become a style reference of the 90s. This film, starring Alicia Silverstone, follows the daily life of a wealthy Beverly Hills student and satirizes the American upper-middle-class lifestyle.
Thanks to pioneers like this 90s film, the famous and typical character of stupid blondeexploited in later films such as legally blonde (2001), bad Girls (2004) or A rabbit on campus (2008) would not have existed. Therefore, she is considered the mother of many contemporary teen films.
honorable mentions
It’s clear that every decade has its flagship films to depict the era’s adolescence and rebellion. Films that have remained in the memory of all the young people who have seen them and that carry nostalgia for the golden age of immaturity. Here are some of the best teen movies that deserve honorable mention:
- To all the boys I’ve fallen in love with (Susan Johnson, 2018)
- Lady Bird (Greta Gerwig, 2017)
- The glittering ring (Sofia Coppola, 2014)
- The club of five (John Hughes, 1985)
- School for Young Assassins -Heathers- (Michael Lehman, 1988)
You now have a good selection of tapes to relive those younger years and remember that time of firsts and no adult worries. Pick your favorite movies, pack your best popcorn, and sit down for an amazing movie marathon with these perfect teen movies.
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