Teen Movies, Ranked

John Hughes' 1985 film traps five student archetypes in Saturday detention and became the blueprint for the modern teen movie. Its closing freeze-frame fist-pump is one of the most parodied images in film.

Amy Heckerling's 1995 film transplants Jane Austen's 'Emma' to Beverly Hills and made Alicia Silverstone a star. It seeded a generation of slang and remains a fashion touchstone.

Tina Fey adapted Rosalind Wiseman's book 'Queen Bees and Wannabes' into this 2004 comedy about high-school cliques. It's so endlessly quoted that October 3rd is now unofficially 'Mean Girls Day.'

John Hughes' 1986 comedy follows one epic skipped school day across Chicago, with Matthew Broderick breaking the fourth wall throughout. Its fake-sick schemes and parade lip-sync are permanent pop-culture fixtures.

This 1999 hit reworks Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew' and features an early breakout for Heath Ledger, whose bleacher serenade is iconic. Sharp, romantic, and endlessly rewatchable.

Produced by Judd Apatow and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, this 2007 comedy launched Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse's 'McLovin.' It defined the raunchy-but-heartfelt friendship comedy.

Emma Stone's 2010 breakout riffs on Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter' as a girl weaponizes a fake reputation. Its whip-smart script earned Stone a Golden Globe nomination.

Richard Linklater's 1993 ensemble captures the last day of school in 1976 Texas and launched Matthew McConaughey ('alright, alright, alright'). A hangout-movie classic with a killer classic-rock soundtrack.

Greta Gerwig's 2017 solo directorial debut earned five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Saoirse Ronan anchors a raw mother-daughter story about wanting to leave home.

Stephen Chbosky adapted and directed his own bestselling novel in 2012, with Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. Its earnest take on trauma and belonging made it a Gen-Z touchstone.

Olivia Wilde's 2019 directorial debut follows two high-achieving best friends cramming a lost high-school social life into one night. Critically adored for its energy and Kaitlyn Dever–Beanie Feldstein chemistry.

Diablo Cody won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for this 2007 film about a pregnant teen, played by Elliot Page (then credited as Ellen Page) in a career-making role. Quirky dialogue and a big heart carried it to a Best Picture nomination.

Made for roughly $400,000, Jared Hess's 2004 deadpan cult comedy grossed over $46 million and spawned a merch empire of 'Vote for Pedro' shirts. Its awkward charm is either your thing or it isn't.

This 2000 comedy turned competitive cheerleading into a hit and helped make Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union stars. It spawned a long direct-to-video franchise and a stage musical.

The 1999 gross-out comedy about four seniors vowing to lose their virginity by prom was a box-office smash and launched a long franchise. Landmark for its era, though its humor hasn't aged gracefully.

Amanda Bynes carries this 2006 gender-swap comedy loosely based on Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night.' Broad and silly, it's become a nostalgic guilty pleasure.

The 2008 adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's novel grossed over $400 million worldwide and defined YA-romance mania. Culturally massive, but its wooden dialogue and blue-gray tint keep it out of the upper tiers.

This 2001 parody mashes up every teen-movie cliche from 'She's All That' to 'The Breakfast Club.' A few sharp gags, but the scattershot raunch mostly undercuts the films it's mocking.

This 2018 Netflix romance was a streaming hit but savaged by critics for its regressive romance and jealous-boyfriend plotting. Widely cited as a low point for the modern teen rom-com.

Adapted from a Wattpad story that began as One Direction fan fiction, this 2019 romance was critically panned for its toxic central relationship. It spawned sequels despite dismal reviews.