The 90s are synonymous with teen movies, but for every 10 Things I Hate About You there’s an Angus sitting on the shelf going unwatched. We have a soft spot for the teen films of this era, and as much as the hits hit, there’s a wealth of underrated gems that capture the complexity and intensity of adolescence that you’ve forgotten about… or you’ve maybe never heard of. Today we’re shining a spotlight on the 90s teen movies that flew under the radar but left a lasting impact on everyone who saw them.
SLC Punk! is a VHS staple that revolves around two young punk rockers navigating life in Salt Lake City. Starring Matthew Lillard as Stevo, the son of wealthy Reagan Republicans, the film takes an insightful and often hilarious look at what it means to rebel and how to find your identity in a world that’s begging you to sell out.
But I’m A Cheerleader explores the intricacies of coming out as a member of the LGBTQ+ world as a young person, and it’s sadly still relevant today. This film’s razor sharp wit and colorful, campy aesthetic remains as eye-catching as when it was released in 1999, and the soundtrack will take you back to your indie rock days. Starring Natasha Lyonne as a high school cheerleader who’s sent to a conversion camp, the film shows that there’s no one way to live your life.
One of the biggest fears for teens in the 90s was conforming to society’s will. Whether it was getting a job, going to class, or cutting your hair, there was nothing more anathema in the mind of an antisocial teen than getting in line. That’s essentially the pitch of Disturbing Behavior, a film that puts a dark twist on the high school experience. The film follows Rachel Wagner (played by Katie Holmes) as she unravels the mystery of a group of perfect students who literally short circuit and start freaking out. What she discovers is genuinely upsetting.
House Party is a blast. Starring Kid ‘n Play as two teens who want to throw the party to end all parties when Play’s parents are out of town, the film may seem it’s a classic teen comedy but it did something that Can’t Hardly Wait never could – introduce white audiences to the Black experience. House Party may not be as hard hitting as Boyz N The Hood, but it’s not trying to be. This movie just wants to show audiences that regardless of race, creed, or color young people just want to have a good time.
Based on a true story, October Sky is the inspiring story of Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal) a teen who longs to get out of his coal mining town and get into rocket science following the launch of Sputnik 1. There are some incredible performances in this movie for everyone involved, and it’s a touching look at what it means to be young and ambitious when the world is stacked against you.
One of the most shocking movies of the 90s, Larry Clark’s Kids is an unflinching portrayal of troubled teens in New York City. Written by a young Harmony Korine, this haunting depiction of youth culture has it all, and by “all” we mean disturbing topics like sex, drugs, and HIV. This is not a film to take lightly.
Todd Solondz’s Welcome to the Dollhouse is a quirky and darkly comedic look at how awkward it is to be a teenager. Starring Heather Matarazzo as Dawn Weiner, a middle schooler whose entire life is spent being the butt of someone else’s joke, this film is not for the faint of heart. Welcome to the Dollhouse dives into the brutality of our teen years and never resurfaces.
Angus is the heartfelt underdog story of Angus Angus Bethune, an overweight high school student who lives with his truck driving mother and oddball grandfather. This film has a classic teen movie set up – a loner tries to win the heart of a popular girl and he learns to be himself. If you ever felt like an outsider at school this film will hit you where it hurts. Side note: it features the best Weezer song ever recorded, “You Gave Your Love To Me Softly.” Now that’s a jam.
In 1990, Christian Slater made the CB radio sexy in Pump Up the Volume. Starring Slater as Mark, an introverted straight A student harboring a secret – he’s a pirate radio DJ with an outsized libido. In his DJ persona he’s able to give voice to the frustrations of high schoolers everywhere, even when he can barely speak two words out loud when he’s at school. This film about self expression and fighting against the powers that be is a must-watch and it has a truly killer soundtrack.
How can a film about a bunch of nerdy Kiss fans be good? We don’t know but Detroit Rock City ROCKS. Set in the 1970s, the film follows a group of four teenage misfits on a mission to see KISS in concert. This wild ride takes them out of their parent’s basements and into the real world where they discover that life is more than just listening to rock n roll. A fun ride, Detroit Rock City is perfect for anyone who spent their high school years air guitaring in their room.