The best teen movies started in the 1980’s when John Hughes introduced us to some of the most awkward and awesome teenage moments in movies like The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Some Kind of Wonderful. In the 90’s, teenage angst hit a whole new level with movies like Scream, American Pie, and 10 Things I Hate About You.
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In the past decade, Hollywood raised the bar with stories that struck a different chord in the soul. While the anxiety and whimsy still remain, movies like Juno and The Perks of a Wallflower prove that being a teenager isn’t easy at all.
2006
John Tucker Must Die
Source: Playbuzz.com
Three scorned teens join forces to destroy their cheating boyfriend’s heart and reputation. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “I can’t believe I ate meat for him. I mean it was fish, but still. I don’t eat anything with a face.” Beth
When a Stranger Calls
Source: Fanpop.com
A babysitter arrives at a gorgeous house for an ordinary night of sitting. Unfortunately, the psycho on the phone turns her experience into the fight of her life. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “Jill, we’ve just traced the call. It’s coming from inside the house!” Officer Burroughs
Akeelah the Bee
Source: YouTube
Despite her mother’s objections, an incredible talented speller embarks upon a mission to win the National Spelling Bee. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “You know that feeling where everything feels right? Where you don’t have to worry about tomorrow or yesterday? Where you feel safe and know you’re doing the best you can? There’s a word for that; it’s called love. L-O-V-E.” Akeelah
2007
Juno
Source: Blu-ray.com
Life gets even more complicated when a pregnant teen becomes entangled with the couple who wants to adopt her child. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “It started with a chair.” Juno
Superbad
Source: Mentalfloss.com
Two best friends yearn to join the in-crowd at a high-school graduation party. Unfortunately, two cops get in their way. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “McLovin? What kind of a stupid name is that, Fogell? What, are you trying to be an Irish R&B singer?” Evan
Stomp the Yard
Source: IMDB
A troubled street dancer gets entangled in a dance war between two fraternities. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “Gamma who? One word: Bitches.” DJ
2008
Twilight
Source: YouTube
An eternal love between a teenage girl and a vampire creates havoc in the lives of everyone around them. Learn more.
Memorable Quote:
Edward: “And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
Bella: “What a stupid lamb.”
Edward: “What a sick, masochistic lion.”
Cloverfield
Source: Collider.com
A group of friends document their journey to escape the enormous creature that is destroying their beloved city: New York City. Learn more.
Memorable Quote:
Hud: “Okay, just to be clear here, our options are die here, die in the tunnels, or die in the streets. That pretty much it?”
Rob: “Yeah, that’s pretty much it.”
2009
17 Again
Source: The Guardian
A former basketball star gets a second chance at fixing his past when his spirit guide transforms him into a teenager…again. Learn more.
Memorable Quote:
Ned: “It’s a classic transformation story. Are you now or have you ever been a Norse God, vampire, or time-traveling cyborg?”
Mike: “I have known you since what, first grade? I think that maybe I would have told you!”
Ned: “Vampire wouldn’t tell; cyborg wouldn’t know.”
Adventureland
Source: Flavorwire.com
A hopeful college graduate takes a dead-end job at an amusement park and discovers what has been missing in his life. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “Yeah, Frigo was my best friend. Then I turned four.” James
Whip It
Source: Amazon
A spirited teen joins a roller-derby team illegally in order to escape her mom’s conservative wishes. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “Yeah, let’s celebrate mediocrity! That’s fantastic.” Razor
Precious
Source: YouTube
A heavily abused, pregnant teen enrolls at an alternative school for a chance to lead a better life. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “Some folks has a lot of things around them that shines for other peoples. I think that maybe some of them was in tunnels. And in that tunnel, the only light they had was inside of them. And then long after they escape that tunnel, they still be shining for everybody else.” Precious
2010
Easy A
Source: YouTube
A spunky teen suffers the repercussions of telling one tiny lie to her BFF. Her reputation soars, but not in a good way. Learn more.
Memorable Quote:
Marianne: “There’s a higher power that will judge you for your indecency.”
Olive: “Tom Cruise?”
Kick-Ass
Source: Amazon
A geeky teen reinvents his image by becoming a superhero. He faces crime firsthand when a mobster tests his dedication. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “What’s the difference between Spider-Man and Peter Parker? Spider-Man gets the girl.” Dave
2011
Scream 4
Source: Wikia.com
After years of silence, Ghostface returns to wreak havoc on the scarred town of Woodsboro. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “This isn’t a comedy; it’s a horror film. People live, people die, and you’d better start running.” The Voice
2012
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Source: RollingStone.com
A shy teen comes to life when two lively teens befriend him. However, their departure to college threatens to ruin his newfound security. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “You can’t just sit there and put everybody’s lives ahead of yours and think that counts as love.” Sam
Hunger Games
Source: IMDB
Twenty-four teens fight to the death during an annual, gruesome competition. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “Embrace the probability of your imminent death, and know in your heart that there’s nothing I can do to save you.” Haymitch
Pitch Perfect
Source: IMDB
A reluctant college student embraces her weird acapella group and helps them prepare for the annual singing competition. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “Nothing makes a woman feel more like a girl than a man who sings like a boy.” Gail
2013
Warm Bodies
Source: YouTube
A unique zombie develops a friendship with the human girl he saves. Unfortunately, this relationship leads to complications for both parties. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “There’s a lot of ways to get to know a person. Eating her dead boyfriend’s brains is one of the more unorthodox methods, but…” R
2014
The Fault in Our Stars
Source: Parade.com
Two teenage cancer patients fall in love and journey towards one goal: to meet their favorite author. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “I fell in love with him the way you fall asleep: slowly and then all at once.” Hazel
2015
It Follows
Source: YouTube
A teen attempts to escape a sexually transmitted curse that sends ‘Death’ to her door. Learn more.
Memorable Quote:
Yara: “I have an idea!”
Paul: “What?”
Yara: [tilts to one side and farts loudly] “It got away.”
The Duff
Source: CBS
A homely teen enlists a popular jock to help reinvent her image and restore social order to her senior class. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “In the end, it isn’t about popularity or even getting the guy. It’s about understanding that no matter what label is thrown your way, only you can define yourself.” Bianca
Goosebumps
Source: Rollingstone
A teen must save the world when he accidentally unleashes R.L. Stine’s most terrifying monsters. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “Every story ever told can be broken down into three parts: the beginning, the middle, and the twist.” R.L. Stine
Paper Towns
Source: The Guardian
A love-struck teen searches for the girl who won his heart and mysteriously vanished. Learn more.
Memorable Quote: “You have to get lost before you find yourself.” Margo
What do you think the best teen movies of 2016 will be? Do you have any additional movies to add to the list?
