Why Teen Movies Mean So Much: 8 Iconic Teen Girl Classics That Defined a Generation, Explained 🍿💅

[@thetake]

Go to uncommongoods.com/thetake to get 15% off your next gift!

[@annarose932]

Could you guys @thetake do a analysis of the undesirable girl next. A woman who is seen as undesirable and embarrassing both in romantic and friendship relationships, and often has a appearance or personality seemed 'ugly'. Think it would be really amazing to see. (Examples being Mary in Pride & Prejudice; Harriet in Emma; Martha in Heathers; Bianca from The DUFF; and even Peggy Schuyler in the musical Hamilton).

[@trinaq]

One of the best teen movies I've watched in recent years is "Eighth Grade." It felt like I was seeing myself through Kayla, the protagonist, as her awkwardness and struggle to fit in was universally relatable.

[@hennyternegren7173]

I'm glad you mentioned Dirty Dancing but I feel like most people fail to mention *why* the movie is so good, what themes it actually deals with; it's not just some cute movie about a girl falling in love with her dance instructor at a summer resort, it's about a girl coming of age and growing more independent instead of just being daddy's girl. It's about sexual awakening, it's about class injustice, it's about standing up for your friends and about finding personal integrity. I've watched it a zillion times but the first few ones, when I myself was a teen, I didn't get all this.

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

Oh, yes, Dirty Dancing is truly a masterpiece of philosophy! All those deep themes about class struggle and sexual awakening - it's like War and Peace. But, in reality, the movie is just another teen romance with a "bad boy" and some dancing. The class injustice here is no deeper than any other movie about a poor dancer falling for a rich girl. And Johnny’s defense? Just another cliched plot device to move the story forward, which in real life would probably just get some "aww" sympathy, not a revolution. In the end: dancing, music, Patrick Swayze - that's it. Everything else is just the backdrop for a melodrama. Although, for your eleven-year-old brain, it's a masterpiece! Probably, when you're watching it, it all really seems deep and important. But when you grow up and realize that the film is just a surface-level melodrama with a couple of worn-out cliches.

[@hennyternegren7173]

​@@T.U.G._Alétheon you know at first I thought about writing a serious reply explaining myself further, but your reading comprehension level couldn't even get my first comment right so /: that seems like a waste of time

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

@@hennyternegren7173 Well, to be honest, I was thinking of giving you a detailed response, but it seems like even the simplest point didn’t quite get through. You know, sometimes words get lost in translation. So maybe continuing in the same direction is just a waste of time... or maybe not?

[@alipanroosendaal9503]

@@T.U.G._Alétheon Hello. Tell me, do you get some sort of malevolent kick out of demeaning strangers for being enthused by something and simply expressing that? Perhaps you should ponder for a while on your lack of civility and social skills and then maybe also address your patent discomfort with the notion of pluralism before critiquing anyone else.

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

@@alipanroosendaal9503 Hello! A defender has appeared... It seems you've taken it upon yourself to play the role of a moral judge, though the very nature of your comment shows that you might not fully grasp the point. I’m not humiliating anyone, I’m simply expressing my opinion, which, by the way, is also part of the pluralism you're so concerned about. Perhaps you should reflect before labeling others and offering unsolicited advice. Maybe you're trying to mask your own discomfort by preaching about "politeness" and "social skills," but we all have different boundaries and perceptions, and your suggestions aren't likely to make me change my point of view. Before criticizing others, consider that your “crossed” concern might be hiding some inner struggles you should address.

[@Daisy-jx2hf]

I watched Eighth Grade when I was 22 or 23 and it was painfully relatable there were several points where I had to pause to breath because I felt like I was getting war flashbacks The scene where she’s hyping herself up at the pool party to go outside in her bathing suit was too real

[@arinav28]

I'm 28. I still feel like a teenage girl tbh. I always relate more to teen movies!

[@kamsismith]

I wish there was more teen movies, specifically teen comedies focusing on teens of color. There were some like House Party, but most of the teen movies centering on teens of color are always dramas and most teen comedies centered around teens of color are always found on TV.

[@TheatreThreads]

Let’s create them

[@trinaq]

I agree, though maybe some up and coming writers will create them in the near future.

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

Oh, right, of course, House Party is the only example of teen movies with Black characters, and everything else is just dramas or cheap TV comedies, right? It's easy to slap a label on it, but that's complete nonsense. Seriously? Look at films like Dope or Barbershop, where there's humor and reality without the drama, or Crazy Rich Asians - a comedy that breaks stereotypes, not just some dumb TV show. Teen movies with Black characters have long moved beyond being one-dimensional. It's not all just dramas and TV fluff. Stop clinging to outdated stereotypes!

[@kamsismith]

@@T.U.G._Alétheon Barbershop is geared towards adults. I'm talking about teen comedy movies and I’m aware of Dope. I'm saying teen comedy movies with teens of color are few and far between as most of them are TV shows or it’s a drama with the most traumatic stuff possible like false convictions or sexual assault. No teen of color needs to be reminded of that kind of stuff every day. How damaging is it for teens of color to be shown depressing content?

[@crowboggs]

*Easy A* and, despite some problematic elements, *Drop Dead Gorgeous*

[@adreena456]

Drop Dead Gorgeous is iconic

[@Hallows4]

Glad they’re planning on a Part 2. Not to get too cynical, but the elephant in the room is that until relatively recently, there was a serious lack of diverse perspectives (race, class, orientation, ect…) in teen movies. If Part 2 comes through, I’d love to see films that examine classic teen issues and tropes from those perspectives.

[@tylerhackner9731]

John Hughes was the benchmark of quality teen film directors and will never be seen again

[@fairdose]

I think the most awkward tween movies of all time is easily Todd Solondz's "Welcome to the Dollhouse" (1995). Other teen movies that I absolutely love and are consistently over looked where the teens are fully fleshed out and realized characters are the Danny Embling movies by John Duigan, namely "The Year My Voice Broke" (1987) and "Flirting" (1991). "I Capture the Castle" (2002) is another favorite. All these films, I think, really capture how painful watching your childhood slip away is.

[@roseofjerichotours]

"The Year my Voice Broke" and "Flirting" definitely needs the Criterion treatment.

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

I completely agree! Welcome to the Dollhouse is a film that literally shatters the stereotypes about teen movies. It doesn’t hide behind cute, fake images but instead brutally and honestly shows the darker sides of adolescent life, which for many might be uncomfortable, but that’s exactly where its power lies. It’s not just awkwardness, it’s reality, a reality that has been so long avoided in cinema. As for Danny Embling and John Duigan, while their films try to show "realistic coming-of-age," they often remain limited to small social observations. Yes, the characters in The Year My Voice Broke and Flirting are "developed," but this development sometimes feels like still water, lacking real impact. They try to show the pain of growing up but forget about the vibrancy and dynamics that truly capture the essence of the adolescent experience. I Capture the Castle is another one that, essentially, lacks energy. The characters seem more like shadows than real people with genuine emotions. It’s one of those films that tries too hard to be “deep,” but in the end, it drowns in its own desire to show the loss of childhood, without the spark that could truly move the viewer. So yeah, films like Welcome to the Dollhouse represent boldness and uncomfortable truth, and they deserve way more attention than these half-forgotten reflections on coming-of-age.

[@ennuiblue4295]

you have good taste ☺️

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

@@ennuiblue4295 Thank you. It's more about critical and analytical thinking than having good "taste." Sometimes, I find it hard to just enjoy the moment when people discuss something that, to me, seems insignificant or uninteresting. Instead of relaxing, I start analyzing why, in my view, it lacks value. My "taste" for deeper understanding makes me look for meaning in what others might see as just entertainment. I understand everyone has their own perspective, but sometimes it's hard not to speak up when something feels shallow to me. It doesn't mean I lack respect for others' opinions, but I often feel like I can't just be part of the conversation without analyzing everything around me.

[@fairdose]

@@T.U.G._Alétheonennuiblue4925 was replying to my comment, not your’s. You’re a bit high on yourself and your opinions aren’t you?

[@adreena456]

Janice from Mean Girls was the true villain, she took a girl who had no idea about American high school and used her to settle a beef with Regina then got angry with her when she adopted the traits that she was surrounded with! At least Regina was open about being mean, Janice was more covert about it

[@sar182]

I think the point of mean girls is that there is no real villain because at the end of the day, they're just teenagers. They all do shitty things to different degrees but they all ultimately learn their lessons, grow and move on from it, and stay friends. We all did stupid and mean shit as teenagers but it doesn't define us as people and doesn't make us an ultimately good or villainous person

[@trinaq]

There will never be another filmmaker quite like John Hughes. He was one of the first directors who seemed to really understand teenagers, and didn't talk down to them, or belittle their problems. His influence has inspired many contemporary works, often being cited as a love letter to his films.

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

Oh, seriously? John Hughes a genius? Let’s not be naive. Sure, he made a couple of iconic films, but let’s not elevate him to the status of an irreplaceable guru of teen culture. Yes, he made The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, but let’s be honest: his films are often just naive, surface-level stories where teens are either idealized angels or crude stereotypes. Did he "understand teens"? Maybe, but within his own bubble, where all teens are either well-off, middle-class white kids you can talk to like younger versions of adults. Hughes’ influence? Sure, but let’s not turn him into an icon. Many modern filmmakers who make teen films are much more nuanced and complex in depicting reality. It doesn't mean his work wasn't important - but it doesn't mean his approach can't be challenged. Yes, he was a pioneer for his time, but the world has changed, and we shouldn’t put him on a pedestal as the only one who "understood" teenagers. Hughes’ films are love letters too, but not necessarily to the real lives of teens - more to the fantasy we want to see in them.

[@1105grumpy]

​@@T.U.G._Alétheon let's not forget Hughes was a complete a*hole.

[@cethomas324]

I’ve got to say, I’m a Gen Xer who recently rewatched The Breakfast Club. I was so disappointed It’s actually pretty awful. Particularly the way Judd Nelson’s character treats Molly Ringwald’s. Yuck. I didn’t make it through. And the racism of Sixteen Candles is unbelievable. And in that film date rape is made to seem okay! Nooo, thanks. I still love Ferris Bueller even if he is a sociopath.

[@samedhaarora7048]

You shoud do a series like this for late 20s and more age groups

[@MissBlueEyeliner]

The Perks of Being a Wallflower might be a bit dark for this video but I related more to those characters than any of the films from my own era.

[@theshifthashithefan]

There are a lot of excellent teen films made in other countries or are independently made - why is this list so Hollywood-studio heavy? What immediately comes to mind are “Dance Me Outside” (Canada) about teens on a First Nations reservation and “Flirting” from Australia,

[@thetake]

Thanks for watching! 📺If we didn't include your fave in this one, make sure to let us know what it is so we can make sure it's in the next one! ➡Up next, check out our recent video on how My Neighbor Totoro shows us how to find the light even in the darkest of times: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joKrpXp_lMeDpsk ➡Or join us in looking at how Millennials and Gen Z are actually surprisingly a lot a like (and that's not a bad thing!): kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5qpY56KjsRpjq8

[@REB_reb]

What about the movie Thirteen?

[@MissBlueEyeliner]

I saw it when I was 13 and am still traumatised.

[@larissatom6910]

It was too extreme and not relatable to the majority of teen viewers.

[@MnMsandOreos]

My favourite teen movie is by far Fast Times and Ridgemont High. It feels so real

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

Oh, of course, Fast Times at Ridgemont High - the perfect depiction of reality! Too bad that reality looks more like an idealized version of teenage life that only exists in movies. But hey, let's not get into that-on the bright side, thank you for films like this, and for people like you who still take them seriously. Fortunately, some of us have moved beyond the idea that teenage struggles are all about short romances and comedic antics. But hey, if this is your idea of "realism," well, to each their own.

[@emilyoriotis334]

@@T.U.G._Alétheon What I find realistic about Fast Times is not what happens, but how the characters act. They feel like real teenagers. Like how Linda takes on the younger Stacy as a teacher or guide, acting like she is the authority on men and dating, when she's incredibly inexperienced. I knew so many girls like that, and I knew just as many Stacys who were desperate to be cool and fit in that they would listen to anything. And when Mike completely ghosts her when she finds out she's pregnant? That's almost too real. And when Stacy's brother is mostly annoyed with her but steps up and takes care of his little sister when she needs him is such a nice moment, and is a realistic portrayal of a brother sister relationship. And Mr Hand and Spicoli? Come on, we've all seen that dynamic play out when we were in high school!

[@Mahros1]

I would be interested in a comparison with teen movies from the rest of the world with the US ones, should you have the chance.

[@inesatt1313]

Thank you,I really needed this list

[@Nicole-zh7pl]

Two favorites which were part of the loser queer in me were But I'm A Cheerleader and Welcome to the Dollhouse.

[@chronos13]

Great list but I would also add Edge of Seventeen!

[@janewasson4845]

Odd Girl Out is an excellent movie about teen bullying.

[@maliciousanddelicious]

I second this recommendation. Alexa Vega did a great job in the film.

[@SunShine-qk4rb]

Maybe the D.U.F.F is a movie for a future list. This was a great list.

[@paisan8766]

8th Grade was literally the opposite of my 8th Grade experience. It made me feel bad for other people like the protagonist.

[@Mareyy12]

I think that "Speak” is also a film worth watching. Especially for teens who are dealing with trauma and mental health problems.

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

You’re recommending a movie when people might actually need real medical help. It’s like suggesting someone with a broken leg watch a film about how fractures are treated instead of sending them to a doctor. Speak is a superficial attempt to address serious issues that require a much more thoughtful approach, not shallow, feel-good solutions through movie characters. This film is for those who prefer to stay in the comfort of illusions, not for those genuinely dealing with mental health struggles. If you want to help, recommend seeing a professional, not seeking solace in art that too often simplifies real problems.

[@angelagokool9514]

I love 80s and 90s teen movies, since those are the ones that the most familiar to me. These are what my sister and I grew up watching. We've seen some from the 2000s, even though I wasn't a teenager at the time. We weren't really watching any by the 2010s, or even the more recent ones, since we've gotten older. Also, even if you weren't a teenager in the 80s (we weren't), the movies can still resonate with you. If you watch any of these as an adult (I do, sometimes), they bring back a sense of nostalgia. I'm just giving an opinion. I'm not trying to prove that I'm an expert on anything. If I'm right, then I'm right. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong. I understand that movies are only works of fiction and entertainment and are not based on real life.

[@queridasolar1711]

A great coming of age film I can recommend is the film 'The Edge of Seventeen' with Hailee Steinfeld

[@EduReyes05]

People say The Breakfast Club was the Blockbuster of the 80s but for me the Blockbuster of that decade is Heathers (As a teenager I'm offended of John Hughes cliches)

[@alissaj9501]

I would really love to see Black Teen girls as the main character. And not just any film, one with well written characters and story lines.

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

You want to see Black girls in leading roles, but only if they meet someone’s expectations? Are Black girl characters only worthy of attention if they’re in high-budget dramas? Can a film like Nappily Ever After not be deep and interesting just because it doesn’t have boring plot lines with "well-developed characters"? It looks like a desire to collect all these elements just to make the film seem "respectable," rather than real and organic.

[@alissaj9501]

@ Nappily Ever After was NOT an accurate depiction of teen black girls, hence why we need more!! Have a good day!!

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

@@alissaj9501 "Accurate depiction!!!??? Are you out of your mind? Black girls are different, and each of them is a unique individual with their own experiences, dreams, and struggles. The problem isn’t that films like Nappily Ever After don’t provide an "accurate" depiction, but that we keep trying to find a single universal image for an entire group of people. That’s not cinema reality, it’s just a desire to simplify everything into stereotypes and clichés. Why isn’t anyone talking about how films should reflect diversity and complexity, not try to shove everyone into one box? Also, what does "more" mean? More films that will also try to create the "accurate depiction"? That’s a dead-end. Films should be about real people, not idealized "images." Every Black girl is a unique story, and no film will ever be "accurate" for everyone." Have a good night (17:49)

[@alissaj9501]

@ I’m not reading that dissertation. I don’t care about your opinion on this! You wasted your time! Take care!

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

​@@alissaj9501 I'm sure you've already copied my dissertation and sent it to your friends as your own, probably adding a few changes here and there to make it look like your "original" work. But deep down, we both know where the ideas came from. (hugs)

[@mardimagoo7065]

Say Anything! The kids in that movie graduated the same year I did! It's a classic I return to year after year

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

Grow up already!

[@levoldunom]

Is “Donnie Darko” a teen movie?

[@keenoled]

Hahah, right? I also thought of Wildhood, but with the same problem as Donnie Darko; is it too dark to be a "teen movie"?

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

Donnie Darko is not just a coming-of-age film, but a story about battling inner demons and perceptions of reality. It may start off as a typical teen movie, but quickly veers into psychedelia and philosophy, which are far from easy for every teenager to grasp. It's more of a film for those ready to reflect on deeper questions than just school relationships and heartbreaks.

[@BBB888B8B8]

Frankly all coming of age are helping me get through my twenties tooo

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Oh don’t we all love a bit of recommendations?

[@mbanerjee5889]

Easy A and Bring It On

[@aprilchardy1]

The Craft? Cruel Intentions? Anything not bubblegum?

[@jenni4claire]

Rebel without a cause. Classic teens as people

[@4aquilah]

Not putting The Hate U Give in this list is criminal. Yes it's about BLM but it's also about teenagers navigating being both the victims and challengers of the world.

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

Well, if you think The Hate U Give is a must-include on this list, let’s open our eyes a bit. Sure, the film tackles the BLM theme, but let’s not pretend that automatically makes it a masterpiece. That doesn’t guarantee the film is deep and multi-layered. Teens who are both victims and contenders for the world - oh, what a unique revelation! We’ve never seen that before in cinema. And yes, the film tries to show that teens face harsh realities, but what’s new here? Honestly, it’s all just cliched and more of a social thriller than truly great filmmaking. The crime isn’t excluding The Hate U Give from the list, it’s acting like it’s somehow especially important. It’s just another film that uses social issues to create dramatic scenes but does little to actually develop the theme.

[@4aquilah]

​@@T.U.G._Alétheon this is the kind of long-winded response full of vague criticisms that the frenemy in The Hate U Give portrayed. This film may not be as unique as the 2 John Hughes films from the list...just because you claim that it doesn't develop the theme. What theme? What was left undeveloped? Or do you just want to criticize a film not made for white girls. 🙄

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

@@4aquilah Oh, of course, let's open our eyes to this "profound critique." How could I have forgotten! The Hate U Give isn't just a film, it's essentially a cultural phenomenon! Sure, it doesn't develop the theme, doesn't reveal it from any unexpected angles - but wow, how beautifully it embodies all those overused tropes about teenagers and social injustice. In the world of cinema, we've obviously never seen teens who are both victims and contenders for change! It's revolutionary! And about the idea that the film "doesn't develop the theme" - well, sorry, I guess I'm just not sensitive enough to grasp all the layers of symbolism that, I assume, were meant to be on the level of Plato. But yes, confidently stating that the film isn’t important for white girls - now that is a truly groundbreaking perspective! Maybe The Hate U Give is a masterpiece, just hidden behind a cloud of social activism, and not something "mundane" like deep theme development or good filmmaking. 🙄

[@ClaireYeo-u3w]

What about Napoleon Dynamite?!?!

[@nikki5095]

Respectfully, eras are distinct periods of time not categories.

[@diegodreossi1458]

Bottoms is a good movie

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

"Honestly, this video was disappointing. Instead of providing an interesting and in-depth overview of teen movies, it comes across as superficial and predictable. The selection of films is overly obvious, and it immediately gives the impression that the creators didn’t bother to dig into the material. It's like someone rushed through the task, trying to fill space-nothing fresh or exciting. Moreover, it seems that in an attempt to please a broad audience, the creators just copied popular titles without offering much analysis. The films that could really highlight unique aspects of teen life are somehow left out. Not only does this feel frustrating, but it also creates a sense that all the other films don't matter as much. Also, the feeling that every movie should be something "special" or "popular" creates a sense of pressure. Why does every film have to fit a mold? Where’s the room for true self-expression, for more original ideas? Honestly, this approach makes the whole list predictable and, frankly, quite boring. If this were my choice, I wouldn’t bother wasting time on such shallow lists. It’s better to turn to real experts or spend time on deeper, more thought-provoking films, rather than relying on generic recommendations you can find on any blog."

[@thevirtualjim]

I have always really enjoyed coming of age movies (especially ones set in HS or college). I was a teen in the 80s and The Breakfast Club is still one of my all-time favorite movies. All the others ones you discuss are also very good too, from any era.

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

Grow up already! How long are you going to cling to movies that were popular when you were a teenager? The Breakfast Club isn’t a masterpiece, just a product of its time. Nostalgia is strong, sure, but let’s be honest: these films oversimplify teenage problems, reducing them to empty stereotypes. Those who still worship them clearly don’t understand that growing up isn’t just about experiencing adolescent struggles-it's a much more complex and nuanced process. Maybe it's time to look at modern films that actually tackle important issues and don't just reduce everything to the same tired clichés from the '80s?

[@sunnyfawn13]

Some Kind of Wonderful

[@T.U.G._Alétheon]

???

[@AcrobaticFunk]

Teen girls watch heathers just trust

[@AcrobaticFunk]

Yes I worry about the amount of Jason dean edits in my fyp but it’s fine cause he’s kinda babygirl

[@ricelovesriceee]

feels illegal to be this early!

[@845josie]

she's the man, princess diaries, raise your voice, freaky friday, bend it like beckham, og disney channel originals like motorcrossed, thirteenth year, brink, double teamed, rip girls -

[@jadziawynter9241]

First! 🥇