Whether in music, fashion, slang or within a specific social context, teen movies often reflect some of the most important aspects of young people at a given time. We selected titles that became movie classics and the most recent productions that explore the interesting period of adolescence!
Club of Five (1985)
John Hughes directed several films that marked the generation of teenagers in the 80's. However, none is as memorable as The Breakfast Club, a teen dramatic comedy that explores the insecurities, difficulties and thoughts of young people during this delicate period of maturation. The premise is simple: five teenagers with very different personalities must spend a Saturday in detention at school and write an essay about themselves.
Trailer:
Breakfast Club (The Breakfast Club 1985) - Subtitled TrailerGenre: Dramatic comedy.
Film impact: Clube dos Cinco became one of the greatest teen classics of all time by analyzing the complexities of this period of maturation. He was honored 20 years after his debut at the 2015 MTV Movie Awards with the Silver Bucket of Excellence Award.
Beverly Hills Patties (1995)
Inspired by Jane Austen's classic novel Emma, Beverly Hills Girls was a film that had a huge impact on youth culture and fashion in the 90's. The film tells the story of a wealthy teenager named Cher. With good intentions, the young woman tries to help the people around her: make her teachers find love, redesign a new student and take care of her widowed father. However, her personal relationships will make her question her motives and attitude issues.
Genre: Romantic comedy.
Film impact: At a time when the grunge style dominated the world scene, this film introduced a new generation to a sophisticated fashion style of designer clothes with brands that would also be worshiped by teenagers after its release.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Big names like Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt weren't even known when 10 Things I Hate About You was released. However, they would go on to achieve great success due to this delightful teen romantic comedy of the late 90s. The story is based on characters from William Shakespeare's play, The Taming of the Shrew.
Genre: Romantic comedy.
Film impact: With several references to Shakespeare and a strong female protagonist, the film continues to stand out in the genre by addressing themes such as feminism and parental repression.
Mean Girls (2004)
Written by comedian Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live), Mean Girls tells the story of a teenager growing up in Africa. Cady never studied in a school and sees her life transformed when her parents move with her to the United States. In the film, Cady meets the classic "groups" of American high school and finds herself caught up in a vendetta between her two friends against the most popular girls in school.
Genre: Comedy.
Film impact: The film became a true cult symbol for the 2000s generation. Several references from the film ended up becoming slang among young people and the script was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2018.
Enjoying the Crazy Life (1986)
A teenager decides to skip school and enjoy a crazy day in the city of Chicago with his best friend, his girlfriend and a Ferrari. The lies told by Ferris Bueller will turn into a real snowball and the day will be much more surprising than he had planned.
Genre: Dramatic comedy, adventure.
Film impact: The film that took Matthew Broderick to stardom is still a great reference for its script that explores the diversity of thoughts of teenagers and striking scenes like the famous music scene at the end of the feature.
Young, Crazy and Rebel (1993)
The first film that leveraged the career of director Richard Linklater (Boyhood), Young, Crazy and Rebels tells the story of a group of teenagers during the course of the last day of high school classes in 1976. The film presented to the general public a new generation of still unknown actors like Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich and Matthew McConaughey.
Genre: Comedy.
Film impact: With this film, Linklater had a major impact on what would later be known as the "hangout comedy" genre. This sub-genre features a group of people just enjoying a few moments over a period of time.
Out of Series (2019)
Actress Olivia Wilde's directorial debut, Booksmart is one of the most acclaimed teen films of recent years. It tells the story of two friends who focused high school on getting good grades and staying away from trouble to get into the university of their dreams. When they discover on the last day of school that even the school's most hard-partying students have also gotten into prestigious universities, they decide to make their last night as memorable as possible.
Trailer:
Out of Series | EXCLUSIVE Trailer SubtitledGenre: LGBT, Comedy.
Film impact: The film has two strong female protagonists (one of them is a lesbian) and a script that challenges contemporary friendships and the pressure of American schools to enter elite colleges.
Dope: A Dangerous Slide (2015)
The ups and downs of a group of black teenagers in the United States are presented in this acclaimed film by Rick Famuyiwa. In history, Malcolm is a young nerd obsessed with hip hop and who has the dream of studying at the prestigious Harvard University.
Trailer:
Dope: A Dangerous Slide - Subtitled TrailerGenre: Dramatic comedy.
Film impact: Dope presents the social difficulties faced by North American black teenagers due to the context they may be inserted in, such as dangerous neighborhoods and the constant police threat.
Ladybird (2017)
A tender coming-of-age story about the relationships between teenagers and their parents. Lady Bird is a girl who dreams of going to a university in New York and thinks she hates her hometown of Sacramento, California. In her senior year of high school, her relationships will be put to the test as she tries to navigate the next stage of her life.
Trailer:
"Lady Bird" - Legendary Official Trailer (Universal Pictures Portugal) | HDGenre: Dramatic comedy.
Film impact: Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, the film is a love letter to the city where the director grew up. Gerwig was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for the film. Only five women have been nominated in that category to date and only Kathryn Bigelow has received the statuette.
Cooley High (1975)
This classic '70s teen movie might not be as well known to a wide audience, but its impact was huge when it first came out, helping to shape the hundreds of similar high school-centric stories that would grow out of it. This comedy-drama tells the story of best friends Leroy "Preach" Jackson and Richard "Cochise" Morris as they navigate this coming-of-age, fun time.
Genre: Dramatic comedy.
Film impact: In a period where the black population of the United States was portrayed in a violent and stereotyped way in films, Cooley High placed its characters in everyday situations, presenting complexity and aspirations to each one of them.
Dirty Dancing - Hot Beat (1987)
A low-budget film that exploded at the box office worldwide when released in the late 80s. Dirty Dancing tells the story of Frances, also known as Baby. The young woman spends every summer with her family at a resort in the mountains of New York. Baby will meet and bond with the venue's staff and develop an intense relationship with a hot rhythm dancer.
Genre: Drama musical.
Film impact: With a cult soundtrack to this day, Dirty Dancing influenced a generation of people, especially by bringing to the cinema a sensual dance that until then was marginalized. The final scene of the film is still a great reference in cinema and television and has been reproduced countless times.
Grease - In the Time of Brilhantina (1978)
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John star in this musical that rocked a generation of teens in the '70s and continues to delight a new generation with its energetic songs. Grease tells the story of Sandy and Danny, who lived a beautiful love story in one summer. What Danny didn't know was that the girl he fell in love with was going to attend the same school as him the following semester. He's going to have to reconcile the bad boy fame that passes in front of his friends and the love he has for Sandy.
Genre: Musical.
Film impact: Based on the 1971 musical play, Grease breathed new life into a musical genre that had been partially forgotten since Hollywood's Golden Age. The performances have become a cinematic classic and the story touches on sensitive subjects such as abortion.
Summer Madness (1973)
Before Star Wars, acclaimed director George Lucas helmed this teen movie based on his own experiences growing up in the 60s. The film follows a group of teenagers on their last night of summer break. Relationships, parties and a lot of Rock & Roll surround the scenery of neon lights and the colorful cars that these young people drive throughout the plot.
Genre: Comedy.
Film impact: The film masterfully portrays a unique moment in the United States, where the change in politics, economy and culture would change dramatically in just a few years. George Lucas also manages to capture the mood of nostalgia that is now very common in period films in the view of adolescence.
Transviated Youth (1955)
What was it like to be a teenager in the 50's? This period was marked by the end of World War II, in which young people were under a climate of great pressure and trauma. In Juventude Transviada we have one of the best performances by one of the most emblematic actors in Hollywood, James Dean. He lives the story of a troubled teenager who moves with his family to Los Angeles. The family problems, the passions that arise and the confusion it causes in the new city are portrayed in a raw and realistic way.
Genre: Drama.
Film impact: The penultimate film in the life of James Dean became the greatest reference for his rebellious style. Their transgressive costumes and attitudes would transform and influence a generation of teenagers in the 60s, especially after the rise of the Beatles.
Say What You Want (1989)
If you've ever seen a young man holding a radio over his head and declaring himself to a girl, know that the scene's reference is in one of the most emblematic teen movies of the late 80's, Say What You Want. The film tells the story of the relationship between Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane Court (Ione Skye), and is the debut film from acclaimed director Cameron Crowe of Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire.
Genre: Romantic comedy.
Film impact: Say What You Want's sharp script remains this film's strongest point, but the final scene, where John Cusack holds a radio over his head to declare himself to his love interest is arguably the biggest influence. The scene has been replayed and reimagined countless times in pop culture.
Love, Simon (2018)
Based on the book Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Love Simon was a major milestone in the history of American cinema, being the first film by a major Hollywood studio to feature a gay protagonist. In the story, Simon's difficulties in coming out to his family and friends become even more complicated when a classmate blackmails him into getting closer to his best friend.
Trailer:
Love, Simon | Dubbed TrailerGenre: LGTB, romantic comedy, drama.
Film impact: In addition to being the first film with a gay protagonist made by a major film studio, Com Amor, Simon stands out for its delicacy in revealing the difficulties of coming out of the closet among teenagers and the microaggressions that this population suffers within the family and the environment. circle of friends.
Death Attraction (1988)
Suspense and comedy blend in this cult classic film starring Winona Ryder. Veronica Sawyer is in the circle of three mean high school girls. They're all called Heathers and they make her life hell. When Veronica meets the rebellious JD, she sees an opportunity for revenge. The film was rediscovered by a new generation of teenagers after the story was adapted into a musical.
Genre: Comedy, suspense.
Film impact: Heathers is a dark comedy that exaggerates teenage anger and frustration. In recent years, the film has had a musical adaptation that has become a worldwide phenomenon, and the story was also adapted into a television series in 2018.
The Lie (2010)
To what extent can a lie disseminated in a school affect a teenager's life? In A Lie, we meet the straight girl Olive, who ends up lying about losing her virginity. When the lie is spread throughout the school, she sees that people's judgments are worse than she could have imagined and, in response, decides to behave like a rebel.
Trailer:
THE LIE ( EASY A ) - Subtitled TrailerGenre: Romantic comedy.
Film impact: Emma Stone became one of the most recognizable actresses when The Lie was released. The film broke stereotypes of characters and teenage stories due to the protagonist's quirky humor and Stone was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Siblings Jake Gyllenhaal and Maggie Gyllenhaal star in this teen movie about time travel that became a veritable cult phenomenon in the early 2000s. questions about quantum physics, wormholes and psychological disorders in a thriller and mystery format.
Trailer:
Donnie Darko - TRAILER (2001) [HD]Genre: Suspense, drama.
Film impact: Theories to explain Donnie Darko's script have popped up since the film's release, and they continue to interest people. The film has become a veritable cult symbol and its reference in pop culture remains largely strong.
The Hate U Give (2018)
Police violence against the black population is revealed in this film through the eyes of Starr, a teenager who witnesses the murder of her best friend by a white police officer. Amidst blackmail and discussions about racial issues that set fire to the neighborhood where the crime took place, Starr will use his voice for a protest movement against violence.
Trailer:
The Hate You Sow | subtitled trailerGenre: Drama.
Film impact: The racial tensions and injustices that happen in the world were explored intensely in this film. As with the book on which the screenplay was based, the film also opened up many discussions about police violence in the United States.
June (2007)
The delicate independent film Juno makes a sensitive analysis of the issues of teenage pregnancy and the possibility of abortion. In the story, Juno is a 16-year-old girl who becomes pregnant by her boyfriend and will try to face the dilemmas of choosing her.
Trailer:
JUNO TrailerGenre: Dramatic comedy.
Film impact: Juno was a teen film from an independent production company that managed to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture in 2008 for telling an intimate story and giving voice to interesting and complex characters. The film also took the statuette for best original screenplay of the year.
The Girl in Hot Pink (1986)
Molly Ringwald, John Cryer and Andrew McCarthy star in this fun romantic comedy that brought together some of the biggest names in teen movies of the '80s. The film tells the story of Andie, a lower class girl in her high school who ends up in a relationship with a rich and popular boy. However, the relationship is frowned upon by both parties' best friends.
Genre: Romantic comedy.
Film impact: Molly Ringwald became a teen icon in the 80s in a variety of high profile roles including The Girl in Shocking Pink. The film had a positive impact by featuring a low-income character who managed to transform old clothes into amazing modern pieces for the time. Today, this practice is quite common among many teenagers.
Nick & Norah - A Night of Love and Music (2008)
Independent music dominated the 2000s with bands like The Strokes and Kings of Leon becoming very popular. The film, starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings, tries to present the climate of this genre, where the best gift for teenagers at the time was to make a pirated CD with a selection of the best songs. In the story, an indie band from New York is going to play at a secret location in the city, and a group of friends spend the night trying to find out where the show will take place.
Genre: Romantic comedy.
Film impact: This 2008 teenage plot became a true cult symbol for those who were young in the mid-2000s. The soundtrack also revealed independent artists and actors still unknown to the general public.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Written and directed by the author of the book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower touches on sensitive issues of adolescence: anxiety, depression, trauma and social challenges. In the story, we follow Charlie, a shy boy who returns to school after the suicide of his best friend. He will find in a new social circle, some reasons to smile again and take more risks in life.
Trailer:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower Subtitled Trailer [HD]Genre: Dramatic comedy.
Film impact: Issues such as trauma and mental health are delicately addressed in this film by Stephen Chbosky. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is also a beautiful homage to the aesthetics of the 90s.
Footloose (1984)
Have you ever imagined living in a city where dancing is prohibited? For Ren McCormack this would also be nonsense. Starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose is a classic teen movie that tells the story of a city where there is great repression against young people. When the rebellious Ren moves there, he will defy the city's laws and try to show a new life to the people he meets along the way.
Genre: Musical comedy.
Film impact: This was one of Kevin Bacon's first films and his most important role to date. Several references to this classic continue to be incorporated into pop culture and a new version of the film received a makeover in 2011.
