35 Best Teen/Young Adult Movies of All Time

The best teen films resonate with audiences of all ages and talk about a crucial moment in a person’s life. From teen adventures to high school horror stories, and from crushing crushes to picture-perfect prom nights, young adult films have a special place in viewers’ hearts. These movie favorites amplify the hopes, dreams, fears and aspirations of young people, bringing them to life on the big screen with witty dialogue, memorable soundtracks and grand romantic gestures.

Although the genre revolves around teen culture, these films serve as time capsules that capture the essence of a specific era, often featuring groundbreaking performances from future stars. Teenagers are at the forefront of iconic films like The Breakfast Club, Uninformedand Mean Girlsand offers insightful commentary on the trials and triumphs of the teenage experience, exploring the importance of social circles, the intensity of first loves, and the promise of a better future. These films have something to offer everyone, encapsulating the universal themes that make adolescence an unforgettable time in life.

35

The Graduate (1967)

Directed by Mike Nichols

As the title suggests, The graduate it deals with a very specific moment in young adult life, full of confusion and questions. Dustin Hoffman stars in his breakout role as Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate who finds himself with his entire future ahead of him and completely no idea what to do next. His aimless world becomes even more complicated when he begins having an affair with his parents’ married friend, while at the same time falling in love with her engaged daughter.

The graduate came to be seen as a film for an entire generation of young adults. He spoke to a generation of young people who, unlike previous generations, were leaving university without really knowing what to do next.. It’s a feeling that remains relatable nearly 60 years later. The iconic ending of The graduate is a perfect summary of the idea of ​​young people who hold on to something without realizing whether they really want it or not.

34

Almost Famous (2000)

Directed by Cameron Crowe

A movie set in the world of rock and roll stars might not seem like a typical setting for a teen story, but Almost Famous offers not only a wonderful coming-of-age journey, but also a love letter to 1970s music. The film follows William, a socially awkward young teenager living with his strict, overbearing mother while also pursuing his dream of being rock journalist. This leads him to pose as an adult to write a story about an up-and-coming rock band while joining them on the road.

The film serves as a kind of wish fulfillment for teenagers as William is taken from his repressed life and taken to parties, rock concerts and private jets as the band Stillwater begins to really take off. However, it’s also interesting to see how someone sheltered, inexperienced, and young can still be more mature than these adults living in a fantasy world.

33

The Spectacular Now (2013)

Directed by James Ponsoldt

The spectacular now is a unique, low-key coming-of-age story that mixes the fun and joy of life right now with the dread and darkness of feeling like things aren’t going to get better from here. Miles Teller stars in the film as Sutter, a popular high school student known as the life of the party. After breaking up with his girlfriend, Sutter forms a connection with reserved and intelligent classmate Aimee (Shailene Woodley).

However, Sutter also brings danger to her life due to his struggle with alcoholism, which Aimee has never experienced before.

It’s easy to get carried away by the romance between these two young people, as Sutter is a fun guy who brings genuine happiness and excitement to Aimee’s life after she is forgotten at school. However, Sutter also brings danger to her life due to his struggle with alcoholism, which Aimee has never experienced before. It’s also a fascinating look at what a teenager like Sutter faces when high school ends and the party ends..

32

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Directed by Peter Weir

Robin Williams is the prominent cast member in Dead Poets Societybut although he plays a pivotal and entertaining role in the drama, the film is actually about the young people in the ensemble. Set in a teenage boarding school in 1959, Dead Poets Society follows young people inspired by their new English teacher (Williams), who encourages them to look beyond the structure of school and explore more about themselves.

Williams’ John Keating is one of the most inspiring teachers in film history, but the film is really about the reaction of students who begin to open up to possibilities beyond what they imagined for themselves. It captures the feeling of finding new interests from a young age, the fear of what it means to embrace something new, and the thrill of pursuing something that is a true passion.

31

Sing Street (2016)

Directed by John Carney

Sing Street is another coming-of-age film with a musical center. Set in 1980s Ireland, the film follows Connor, a teenager living in a working-class neighborhood and struggling as the new kid at a Catholic school. Inspired by popular music of the time, such as Duran Duran, he forms a band in hopes of catching the attention of an older girl in the neighborhood.

The film examines an era of great hardship for most people in Ireland and Sing Street It beautifully reflects the reality of what it must have been like to grow up in a dark time and at the same time is an extremely entertaining film. It’s a story that doesn’t pander to the audience about unrealistic happy endings, but rather embraces the magic of youthful hope and the idea that the future can be brighter. There also happens to be some great music to drive the story forward.

30

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Directed by Nicholas Ray

Seen as one of the first films aimed at teenage audiences and talking about their experiences, Rebel without a cause is a film that shows how provocative and scandalous the teen genre can be by telling authentic stories from young age groups. James Dean stars in the film as Jim Stark, a taciturn and mysterious young man with a troubled past who arrives in a new town, quickly making new friends and also many enemies.

The film is considered an examination of the so-called decline of American youth at the time, while also being a critique of fatherhood at that time. Dean helped become an icon with his innovative and dangerous performance that inspired so many actors who followed him. Rebel without a cause was thought to inspire teenage delinquency as well, provoking the iconic kind of film that adults feared but that teenage audiences fully embraced.

29

Risky Business (1983)

Directed by Paul Brickman

Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts have made him one of the most popular action movie stars of all time, so it’s easy to forget that his career began with teen roles like in Risky business. The film stars Cruise as Joel, a fairly normal teenager who finds himself in an ideal situation as a young man when his parents leave town, leaving him with the house to himself. However, their plans to have fun quickly spiral out of control.

The film features many elements that have become popular in similar teen films, such as the trustworthy teenager with a college future suddenly putting everything at risk when they start breaking some rules. However, because it’s an ’80s teen project, audiences might be surprised to look at the film and see that it’s a much more complex and mature take on the genre than most similar films of the time. Of course, one of the selling points is Cruise’s star-making performance, in which he perfectly sells the innocence and charm of youth.

28

Carrie (1976)

Directed by Brian De Palma

While most people picture a certain type of film when they talk about young adult films, it’s fun to see how other genres can be blended into authentic, relatable stories about the teenage experience. Based on one of Stephen King’s most popular novels, Carrie stars Sissy Spacek as the titular character, a young woman who is outcast at school and subject to her mother’s authoritarian religious teachings at home. As Carrie continues to be the target of torment, she begins to unlock psychic powers within herself.

The supernatural elements can take the story in an exciting direction, but in many ways, Carrie is another story of a teenager who is struggling to fit in. It’s heartbreaking to see the cruelty that the kind and gentle Carrie is forced to endure simply because her sheltered life has made her different from others. It also features the most iconic movie prom scene of all time.

27

The Last Film Show (1971)

Directed by Peter Bogdanovich

Many YA films are about young people looking to the future and deciding what to do with the rest of their lives. The last photo exhibition is one of the best films in this aspect, because deals with the reality that many young people face when they are trapped in their small hometown with no real prospects outside of it. The film follows a group of teenagers completing graduation in their small Texas town, which is falling apart culturally and economically.

It’s a dark but gripping story of young people’s ambition colliding with the reality of their situation. The film depicts the same types of themes that many teen films feature, such as sex, romance, and friendship. However, all these elements are viewed through the prism of the somewhat depressing reality in which the characters find themselves. This was one of Jeff Bridges’ first major film roles, earning him an Oscar nomination.

26

Rushmore (1998)

Directed by Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson explored many different subjects in his films and through his unique voice, such as childhood adventures (Moonrise Kingdom), fraternal ties (Darjeeling Limited) and paternity (Fantastic Mr. Fox). Given how distinct Anderson’s voice is, it’s fascinating to see him place it in a coming-of-age story that makes Rushmore really stands out in the genre. Jason Schwartzman stars as Max, a young man at a private school who has thrown himself into every extracurricular activity he can imagine but fails in class.

Max is Anderson’s brilliant character, funny and intelligent, but completely oblivious to how the real world works. As is expected with Anderson, RushmoreThe teenage love story is also unique, with Max falling in love with a kindergarten teacher at his school, who is beginning a romance with Max’s married mentor (Bill Murray). Rushmore is hilarious, quirky, and surprisingly moving as Max seeks to find his purpose among many hobbies.

25

On the Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig

The limit of seventeen stands out in the crowded field of teen films due to its authentic portrayal of teenage angst and the stellar performances of its cast. Hailee Steinfeld’s nuanced portrayal of Nadine captures the essence of a disaffected teenager struggling to find her place in the world, while Woody Harrelson’s turn as the witty Mr. Bruner adds depth and humor to the film. The film’s ability to address important themes like grief, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships with sensitivity and grace sets it apart as a true gem in the realm of teen cinema.

24

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Directed byStephen Chbosky

Set in the 1990s, The perks of Being a Wallflower focuses on the challenges of growing up with raw, unflinching honesty. Through the eyes of Charlie (Logan Lerman), a lonely teenager who navigates the complexities of high school life, the film explores a range of heavy topics, including depression, anxiety, grief and abuse, with a sensitivity and authenticity that make it truly a film. . Great teen movie. Chbosky’s masterful adaptation of his own novel captures the essence of the teenage experiencedoing The perks of Being a Wallflower a timeless and moving exploration of the human condition.

23

Dynamite Napoleon (2004)

Directed by Jared Hess

In Jared Hess’ quirky directorial debut, Napoleon Dynamite celebrates the misfits and outsiders of the teenage world with its offbeat humor and unforgettable characters. At the center of the film is Jon Heder’s portrayal of the titular character, a socially awkward and endearingly awkward high school student who navigates the idiosyncrasies of his life in small-town Idaho. The film’s strength lies in its ability to embrace the eccentricities of its characters, from Napoleon’s eccentric family members to his equally peculiar friends, creating a unique and hilarious tapestry of teenage life. Napoleon DynamiteThe lasting appeal stems from the celebration of individuality.

22

Too Bad (2007)

Directed by Greg Mottola

Very bad takes the classic teen comedy formula and infuses it with a cheeky, irreverent twist. The film’s strength lies in its ability to capture the authentic dynamic between two teenage best friends, played with perfect comedic timing by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, as they embark on a wild and hilarious quest to get alcohol for a party. However, it is Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s portrayal of the eccentric Fogell, aka “McLovin“, which elevates the film to iconic status. While some of the film’s crudest jokes may not have aged gracefully, Very bad cements its place as a quintessential teen classic.

21

Cruel Intentions (1999)

Directed by Roger Kumble

Cruel intentions boldly reimagines the classic story of manipulation and seduction, Les Liaisons Dangereusesin the context of privileged New York City high school students. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe deliver captivating performances as conniving half-siblings Kathryn Merteuil and Sebastian Valmont, whose devious scheme to corrupt the innocent Cecile Caldwell (Selma Blair). sets the stage for a twisted game of power and desire. Cruel intentionsIts strength lies not only in its talented cast, but also in its ability to expose the underbelly of wealth and privilege.

20

Pretty in Pink (1986)

Directed by John Hughes

Beautiful in pink is the quintessential 80s teen movie, written by the iconic John Hughes. The film is a touching and relatable story about high school social dynamics and self-discovery. The film’s strength lies in its authentic portrayal of teenage lifefrom the awkward moments of unrequited love experienced by Andie’s best friend, Duckie, to the pressure of fitting in with the popular crowd. Beautiful in pinkThe iconic soundtrack perfectly captures the essence of the era. This John Hughes and Molly Ringwald film will remain one of the best depictions of teenage life that film has to offer.

19

Juno (2007)

Directed by Jason Reitman

Juno is a notable addition to the young adult film genre thanks to her distinctive voice and genuine approach to the subject matter. Elliot Page shines as the sharp-tongued, fiercely independent Juno MacGuff, who faces the challenges of an unexpected pregnancy with resilience and intelligence.

The film’s power lies in its ability to address a sensitive topic with sincerity and humor.never shying away from the complexities of the situation. Diablo Cody’s script, with its unique dialogue and well-developed characters, sets the story apart from other teen films, while Reitman’s direction brings out the best in the talented cast.

18

The Craft (1996)

Directed by Andrew Fleming

The craft It seamlessly combines elements of the supernatural, dark comedy, and feminist empowerment. The film follows four high school students who delve into the world of witchcraft, harnessing their new powers to seek revenge on their tormentors and navigate the complexities of adolescence. The craft explores the darker aspects of teenage lifeaddressing themes of isolation, betrayal and fascination with power. The dynamic between the central quartet of witches, played by Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell and Rachel True, is electrifying, with each actress bringing depth and nuance to their roles.

17

Easy A (2010)

Directed by Will Gluck

Emma Stone’s magnetic performance as Olive Penderghast, a high school student caught in a web of rumors and misunderstandings about her sexual exploits, is the driving force behind Easy Aa smart and fun addition to the teen genre. Inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet LetterThe film follows Olive as she navigates the complexities of high school social dynamics and the consequences of her newfound notoriety. Stone’s impeccable comedic timing and effortless charm shine, making her character relatable and endearing.

16

Heathers (1988)

Directed by Michael Lehmann

Bursting onto the scene as a scathing commentary on the unattainable ideals and sentimentality of ’80s teen films, Heathers featured the charismatic antihero JD, played by Christian Slater, and the fiercely independent Veronicaplayed by Winona Ryder. JD, an homage to the iconic James Dean and JD Salinger, exudes sarcasm and rebellion, while Ryder’s Veronica, initially part of the popular clique known as the Heathers, begins to question the superficiality and conformity that permeates her school. Heathers emerges as a subversive piece that challenges the norms established by years of John Hughes films.