The Top 10 Quintessential “Teen Movies”

Let’s start with ones that I don’t believe should be included. They may technically fall into the category of “teen movie,” but I chose not to count them. Here they are:

• (1985)

• (1989)

• (1976, 2003)

• (1999)

• (1984)

• (1989)

• (1996)

• (1986)

• (2003)

• movies

• (2001)

• Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023)

They’re good movies, yes, but there’s something about each one that doesn’t fit the description for me. Speaking of which, here are some prerequisites that I used as a guide to compile this top 10:

A. The main characters, and usually most of the secondary characters, are teenagers.

B. The marketing is/was directed at teenagers as a target audience. A good example of this is , which was directed more to adults who enjoy romcoms.

C. The plot often focuses on teenage subculture and interests.

D. Another genre cannot be a more obvious theme. For example, is more of a superhero movie than a teen movie. (This one is a big reason for many of the exclusions listed above.)

And, of course, the top 10 is not based on my preferences (otherwise and would’ve made it), but rather the ones that have secured their spot in the zeitgeist as quintessential teen movies. Drum roll please…

1. (1982)

2. (1999)

3. (1988)

4. (1986)

5. (1999)

6. (2006)

7. (1986)

8. (2004)

9. (1995)

10. (1985)

And here is a collection of ones that were also considered. Keep in mind, there may be a better or more “classic” movie that didn’t make the list, but the top 10 were more firmly planted in the teen movie genre. 

(1989) (1973) (2003) (1978) (1985) (2010) (2002) (2014) (1987) (1987) (1984)

(2010) (1992) (1983) (1984) (2004) (1993) (2008) (2015) (2016) (2018) (2007)

(1985) (1955) (2019) (2017) (2009) (1989) (1963) (2023) (1988, 2007) (2007) (2008) (2005)

And the following I have not seen, so there may be one of them that should have made the list (?):

(2012); (2018); (2018); (2006); (1999); (2015); (2013); (2000)

Congratulations This is your week.

Best Actress:

Cate Blanchett as Dr. Lilith Ritter in

Best Actor: Adrien Brody as Dmitri in

Best Quote: “Who’s got the throat-slitter?” – Ralph Fiennes as M. Gustave in

My top 10 favourite Willem Dafoe Movies:

• Nightmare Alley (2021)

• Clear and Present Danger (1994)

• John Wick (2014)

• Inside Man

• The Aviator (2004)

• Mississippi Burning (1988)

• The Florida Project (2017)

• Spider-Man (2002) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

• Poor Things (2023)

• The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)