The teen movie genre is one of the most popular with thousands of movies telling stories about the joys and pains of being a teenager. While the subject matter of these movies varies, most of them fall under the rom-com subgenre. That includes the gender-swapped remake of Pretty in Pink.
Most teen movies are both loved and hated for having clichés such as enemies turning to lovers, best friends becoming something more, or the good girl falling for the bad boy. While rom-coms dominate the genre, there are several gems with stories that go beyond teenage love and the hilarious mishaps that often come with it.
Updated on October 5th, 2022 by Danielle Bruncati: While the teen movie genre continues to be dominated by romantic comedies, the truth is that not all teenagers can relate to falling in love young. That's why it's so important for the teen genre to diversify and tell all kinds of stories from ones of revenge (like Netflix's Do Revenge) to ones about friendship and dismantling problematic institutions. As teenagers themselves get smarter and take on more activism roles, the movies geared towards them have begun to undergo a similar shift.
Do Revenge (2022)
Available On Netflix
Netflix's newest teen black comedy might contain some background romance but this instant teen classic is far from a traditional romantic comedy. Drea (Camila Mendes) has had a nude video leaked by her boyfriend to the entire student body, while Eleanor (Maya Hawke) is still dealing with the fall out of being outted by a friend and made to seem like a predator. Together, the girls team up to get revenge on their bullies.
At it's core, Do Revenge is all about the power of friendship and teen girl rage. Eleanor and Drea are two determined girls who will not sit by and let their reputations continue to be tarnished by untouchable people. While Drea and Eleanor aren't traditional role models, the two are some of the best teen girl characters in movies.
Stick It (2006)
Available To Rent On Apple TV
Stick It is one of the most underrated teen movies that is written by a woman. It centers on Haley (Missy Peregrym) an extremely talented gymnast who left the sport on bad and indulged in her teenage angst and reckless side. After getting in trouble with the law, Haley finds herself back in the world of eleite gymnastics thought this time, she's playing be her own rules.
The movie examines the problematic world of elite gymnastics, specifically in its outrageous and unfair scoring system. With the help of her friends and the rest of the gymnastics community, Haley sets out to prove that they're all winners in their own way.
Unpregnant (2020)
Available On HBO Max
Unpregnant is one of the best female-led buddy comedy in recent years. The movie follows estranged best friends Veronica (Haley Lu Richardson) and Bailey (Barbie Ferreira) as they go on a road trip from Missouri to New Mexico in order to obtain an abortion.
Veronica and Bailey are allowed to be messy and loud and authentically themselves which is a nice change from teen movies where teen girls are expected to be quiet and proper. In addition, the movie also comments on the changing world of abortion rights which is important.
The Cheetah Girls (2003)
Available On Disney+
Arguably one of the best Disney Channel Original Movies of all time, The Cheetah Girls focused on the power of female friendship over romantic love. Setting out to be the first freshman to win their high school talent show, the four friends get more than they wished for when they're approached by a high profile music producer that wants to record with them.
At it's core, The Cheetah Girls is about friendship, following your dreams, and examining when things might seem to good to be true. In addition, The Cheetah Girls is one of the most inclusive and diverse DCOMs to this day, making it easy for everyone to see themselves in it.
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
Available On HBO Max
Based on the novel of the same name, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower is one of the best coming-of-age movies of all time. Fresh out of a mental health care institution, Charlie (Logan Lerman) is anxious to start his freshman year by himself. Luckily, he befriends two outcast seniors who take him under his wing.
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower takes a very grounded approach to exploring teenage adolescence. It's been hailed for not shying away from the deep issues and really exploring Charlie's depression and past trauma. It's not for the faint of heart, but it is a moving movie that will leave no dry eye in the room.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Available On Hulu
Fans of teen movies are familiar with The Breakfast Club, one of the top movies of the genre. The movie follows five teenagers with different personalities stuck together in detention. Over the course of their punishment, they get to know each other better and bond as they reveal things about themselves that no one else knows.
The confessional formula of the movie, lightened at times by elements of humor, works quite well here. The Breakfast Club has great characters, each with unique traits that anyone can relate to; from Claire (Molly Ringwald) who gives in to peer pressure because of her popularity to John (Judd Nelson) and his abusive parents.
