Teenage characters and settings have allowed for a wide variety of explorations of intimate and mature themes while at the same time finding accessible ways to appeal to younger audiences. More than simply a standard coming-of-age story, teen movies have the ability to become iconic landmarks of their generation, and each person has their own individual favorite.

Teen movies continue to be some of the most versatile and effective films not just for teenagers, but for audiences of all ages and walks of life. Modern teen movies such as Red White & Royal Blue, Bottoms, and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah continue to prove the longevity of the genre across generations and time periods. However, no matter what time period teen movies are released in, the greatest and most resonant of them will always find an audience of all ages. In terms of the modern communities centered around film discussion, Letterboxd stands out as the modern platform most popular with younger audiences of the digital social media age. While not perfect, the average ratings and opinions on Letterboxd provide better insight into what teen movies today's teenagers and young adults consider to be the best of the best.

12 'Lady Bird' (2017)

Letterboxd Score: 3.9/5

Lady Bird and friend staring

Lady Bird follows the story of Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (played by Saoirse Ronan), a young Californian teen on the verge of graduating with plans to escape her small town. In her last year at her Catholic high school, she deals with a number of struggles and issues on her journey of self-discovery and self-evaluation. From losing friends to new boyfriends to an overbearing, tightly clung mother, Lady Bird truly learns her place in the world as she anticipates going off to New York for college.

A24's signature coming-of-age teen movie creates a vivid recreation of relatable teenage struggles and issues from an era rarely touched upon in modern cinema, the 2000s. Inspired and resonated from writer/director Greta Gerwig's own personal experiences, Lady Bird is an intimate and honest portrayal of teen life tackled with care and understanding, and resonated with so many audiences, both teenager and alike, that it even found itself being nominated for Best Picture.

Lady Bird
R

In 2002, an artistically inclined 17-year-old girl comes of age in Sacramento, California.

Release Date
September 8, 2017
Director
Greta Gerwig
Cast
Saoirse Ronan , Laurie Metcalf , Tracy Letts , Lucas Hedges , Timothee Chalamet , Elizabeth 'Beanie' Feldstein
Runtime
93

Watch on Netflix

11 'Superbad' (2007)

Letterboxd Score: 3.9/5

Jonah Hill and Michael Cera in Superbad

Superbad follows the story of best friends Evan and Seth (played by Michael Cera and Jonah Hill) and their attempts to attend a party and lose their virginities. Their plans continue to fall apart, however, and they are left attempting to pull together the pieces and make it to the party by any means necessary.

The impact that Superbad has had on not just teen movies but comedy movies as a whole cannot be understated. The movie has reached insurmountable levels of recognition and cultural status, with moments from the film going down as some of the most iconic comedic sequences in modern film history. While it can be argued whether Superbad's status and legacy in the teen movie genre may have overstayed its welcome, the Letterboxd community still considers it a legend of the genre.

Superbad
R
Release Date
March 20, 2007
Director
Greg Mottola
Runtime
113

Rent on Apple TV

10 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' (2012)

Letterboxd Score: 3.9/5

Logan Lerman in The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Image via Summit Entertainment

The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows the story of Charlie (played by Logan Lerman), a shy reclusive student dealing with depression and starting his first year at high school. While he's always been used to watching from the sidelines, he soon finds himself making friends with Sam and Patrick (played by Emma Watson and Ezra Miller). They are able to help Charlie come out of his shell at high school, and Charlie begins to take the next steps toward dealing with his depression and deeply rooted traumas.

More than any other modern studio teen film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is willing to delve into a number of deeper and darker themes that are rarely explored in the genre, yet still deserve important messages. The film has a high level of maturity toward the subjects and themes that are rarely seen in teen films of the era.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
PG-13
Release Date
September 20, 2012
Director
Stephen Chbosky
Cast
logan lerman , Dylan McDermott , Kate Walsh , Patrick de Ledebur , Johnny Simmons , Brian Balzerini
Runtime
102

Watch on Showtime

9 'Rushmore' (1998)

Letterboxd Score: 3.9/5

Jason Schwartzman, playing Max Fischer in Rushmore, smiling on campus
Image via Buena Vista Pictures

One of the earliest directorial works from acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson, Rushmore follows ambitious teenager Max (played by Jason Schwartzman), who has his life completely changed when he falls in love with a new first-grade teacher at his prep school. Max soon enlists the help of the father of two of his classmates, Herman Blume (played by Bill Murray), for tips in order to woo his newfound crush, yet his plans go awry when Herman begins a relationship with the teacher. Max and Herman soon find themselves against one another in a constant battle for her attention.

Rushmore combines all of the classic trends and archetypes of the blossoming teen romance movie with the typical conventions and stylings of director Wes Anderson. The result is a hilarious match made in heaven, as the variety of quirky and flawed characters interact with one another in increasingly hilarious and chaotic ways. The film was one of the first instances in which Anderson showed off one of his greatest strengths as a director, his ability to direct young actors and actresses.

Rushmore
R

A teenager at Rushmore Academy falls for a much older teacher and befriends a middle-aged industrialist. Later, he finds out that his love interest and his friend are having an affair, which prompts him to begin a vendetta.

Release Date
December 11, 1998
Director
Wes Anderson
Cast
Jason Schwartzman , Bill Murray , Olivia Williams , Seymour Cassel , Brian Cox , Mason Gamble
Runtime
93

Rent on Apple TV

8 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986)

Letterboxd Score: 3.9/5

Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, and Matthew Broderick as Cameron Frye, Sloane Peterson, and Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Image via Paramount Pictures

Ferris Bueller's Day Off follows the story of the titular infamous high school slacker, Ferris Bueller (played by Matthew Broderick). Joined by his best friend Cameron (played by Alan Ruck) and his girlfriend Sloane (played by Mia Sara), Ferris decides to skip school for the day and goes on a series of adventures in Chicago.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is filled to the brim with so much charm and wit that it's hard for any audience to not get wrapped up in the comedic antics of Ferris and his friends. Broderick especially does such a great job portraying Ferris Bueller, playing the sort of perfect popular student who is always two steps ahead of everyone else.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off
PG-13

Release Date
June 11, 1986
Director
John Hughes
Cast
Matthew Broderick , Alan Ruck , Mia Sara , Jeffrey Jones , Jennifer Grey , Cindy Pickett
Runtime
103 minutes

Watch on Netflix

7 'Real Women Have Curves' (2002)

Letterboxd Score: 3.9/5

a boy and a girl sitting on the edge of the bed

Real Women Have Curves follows the story of Ana (played by America Ferrera in her feature film debut), a student who has just graduated from high school and dreams of continuing her education at Columbia University. However, her traditional parents have other plans for her and have her instead spend the summer working and providing for the family, not ready for her to go off to college.

While many teen movies can be written off as only focusing on the non-issues facing well-off pampered students, Real Women Have Curves is a rare teen movie focusing on higher gravitas issues. Ana deals with lots of struggles over the course of the film, from poverty facing her family to dealing with her own self-image, and all of these issues are tackled with the maturity that is required.

Watch on Max

6 'Dazed and Confused' (1993)

Letterboxd Score: 3.9/5

Matthew McConaughey in 'Dazed and Confused'
Image via Gramercy Pictures

Dazed and Confused is a chronicle of stories following a variety of characters on their last day of school in 1976. Next year's group of seniors has already begun hazing rituals for the upcoming first-year students, and every student is getting ready for a massive nighttime party. All of these characters come ahead and collide with one another in conjunction with the party, creating a night to be remembered for the ages.

Director Richard Linklater's increased focus on dialogue and character mannerisms helps make Dazed and Confused a unique and distinct take on the classic teen movie. It's a film that places its audience inside the 1970s, creating vivid recollections and memories of the decade. Very few movies are able to capture the strange and beautiful essence that Dazed and Confused provides, helping it attain its legacy as a true cult classic.

Dazed and Confused
R
Release Date
September 24, 1993
Director
Richard Linklater
Cast
Jason London , Joey Lauren Adams , Milla Jovovich , Shawn Andrews , Rory Cochrane , adam goldberg
Runtime
103 minutes

Watch on Hulu

5 '10 Things I Hate About You' (1999)

Letterboxd Score: 3.9/5

Patrick and Kat from 10 Things I Hate About You standing together and pointing at the camera.
Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Adapted from a classic Shakespeare play, 10 Things I Hate About You follows Cameron (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a new high school student who instantly falls in love with a girl named Bianca (played by Larisa Oleynik). An issue arises when he learns that Bianca isn't allowed to date until her older senior sister, Kat (played by Julia Stiles) goes out as well. Cameron then hatches a plan and recruits bad boy Patrick (played by Heath Ledger) to go out with Kat so that he can go out with Bianca.

10 Things I Hate About You is able to take a classic Shakespearean storyline and perfectly adapt it to a contemporary setting. The on-screen chemistry and dynamic between Kat and Patrick are up there with some of the best that romantic comedy films can offer, whether they're teen movies or otherwise. This is thanks to the great performances given by Stiles and Ledger, who perfectly encapsulate the overwhelming strength and power of unexpected love at a young age.

10 Things I Hate About You
PG-13

A high-school boy, Cameron, cannot date Bianca until her anti-social older sister, Kat, has a boyfriend. So, Cameron pays a mysterious boy, Patrick, to charm Kat.

Release Date
March 31, 1999
Director
Gil Junger
Cast
Heath Ledger , Julia Stiles , Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Larisa Oleynik , Larry Miller , Andrew Keegan
Runtime
97

Watch on Disney+

4 'But I'm a Cheerleader' (1999)

Letterboxd Score: 4.0/5

Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall as Megan and Graham about to kiss in But I'm a Cheerleader
Image via Lionsgate Films

But I'm a Cheerleader follows the story of Megan, an all-American cheerleader girl who has everything that a prep queen would ever want in high school. However, she simply isn't finding enjoyment or fulfillment from her boyfriend and is much more active with her fellow cheerleader friends. Her conservative parents start to think that she may be a lesbian, and they send her off to a "sexual redirection" school where she lives with other LGBTQ+ people and learns how to be straight.

But I'm a Cheerleader is the rare 20th-century LGBTQ+ comedy film that has aged like a fine wine, and perfectly toes the line between campy comedic absurdity and important life lessons. It's able to tell its story in the absolute perfect tone possible, resulting in an equally hilarious and heartwarming tale of self-acceptance.

Watch on Tubi

3 'Almost Famous' (2000)

Letterboxd Score: 4.0/5

Patrick Fugit and Kate Hudson in 'Almost Famous'
Image via Columbia Pictures

Almost Famous takes place in the year 1973, and follows the story of 15-year-old William Miller's unabashed love of music and aspiration to become a rock journalist. In order to prove himself to Rolling Stone Magazine, he is given an assignment to interview and tour with the up-and-coming teenage band, Stillwater. However, the wild life of a rock star band proves to be much more than William ever could have expected, as he faces a slurry of adulthood, relationships, and chaos as he falls further in love with music.

Almost Famous is filled with so much heart and hilarious moments that easily make it one of the most rewatchable and quotable teen movies of the early 2000s. Especially with its unique road trip premise, the frequent changes in settings and the absence of an actual school setting make it highly unique compared to other teen movies of the era. The film has also aged tremendously well in the decades to follow and is considered quite possibly the best movie by director Cameron Crowe.

Almost Famous
R
Release Date
September 22, 2000
Director
Cameron Crowe
Cast
Billy Crudup , Frances McDormand , Kate Hudson , Jason Lee , Patrick Fugit , Zooey Deschanel
Runtime
122

Watch on Showtime

2 'The Graduate' (1967)

Letterboxd Score: 4.1/5

Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson and Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin in The Graduate
Image via Embassy Pictures

One of the first and most iconic teen romance movies of all time, The Graduate follows the story of Ben (played by Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate who is filled with worries about his future. His life only continues to get complicated when he finds himself in a confusing and scandalous love triangle between an older woman (played by Anne Bancroft) and her daughter Elaine (played by Katharine Ross)

The Graduate has surmounted a powerful and everlasting legacy since its release over 50 years ago, thanks in part to its timeless messages of growing up and aimlessness when entering adult life. The film is highly effective at being both a hilarious comedy and being highly depressing in tone, a difficult balancing act that is executed perfectly, with both aspects of the film complimenting one another with high precision. It's a film that still leaves a massive impact on audiences to this day, and whose influence is seen in modern films like Shiva Baby.

The Graduate
PG

Release Date
December 21, 1967
Director
Mike Nichols
Cast
Anne Bancroft , Dustin Hoffman , Katharine Ross , William Daniels , Murray Hamilton , Elizabeth Wilson
Runtime
107

Watch on Tubi

1 'Back to the Future' (1985)

Letterboxd Score: 4.2/5

Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown and Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly trying to make the DeLorean work in Back to the Future
Image via Universal Pictures

More than simply a landmark film in the realm of teen movies, Back to the Future is a monumental landmark title in the world of sci-fi filmmaking, revolutionizing an era of filmmaking in its wake. The film follows the story of eighties teenager Marty McFly, who is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, and inadvertently disrupts his parents' first meeting, as well as attracting his mother's romantic interest. It soon becomes up to Marty to play matchmaker and repair the damage that he's caused and get his parents to fall back in love and return to 1985.

While the sci-fi aspects of Back to the Future are a great hook, the real timeless aspects of the film come from its core teen movie roots, especially with time travel coming with its own collection of great comedic potential. Marty himself is such a great character to watch on screen and unfold in the strange regressive world of 30 years ago, only furthering the film's undeniable charm and staying power with audiences. Back to the Future will continue to hold a monumental legacy with all those who watch it, as it is one of if not the most iconic teen movie of all time for good reason.

Back to the Future
PG

Release Date
July 3, 1985
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Cast
Michael J. Fox , Christopher Lloyd , Lea Thompson , Crispin Glover , Thomas F. Wilson , Claudia Wells
Runtime
116

Watch on Peacock

NEXT: The Best Teen Movies on Netflix Right Now