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It seems like every decade or so Hollywood remembers that teenagers like going to the movies. And they especially enjoy seeing movies about their experience. The 90s was a great decade for blockbuster movies, and thanks to the success of Clueless in 1995 a torrent of teen movies followed. From the deliciously devious Cruel Intentions to Wes Craven’s superbly intense Scream films, teen movies took over the decade like no other genre.
Clueless defined 90s teen culture unlike any other film from the decade. Impeccably directed by Amy Heckerling; this big, bright, and colorful movie speaks to young people on their level. Thanks to its witty dialogue, iconic fashion moments, and Alicia Silverstone’s star turn as Cher Horowitz, Clueless remains a touchstone for teens to this day.
“What’s that collar for? Is it to keep him from licking his stitches?” 10 Things I Hate About You is one of the most insanely quotable teen films of all time. A modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, this instant classic perfectly mixes comedy and romance for such a fun time. It helps that the film is buoyed by actors like Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon Levitt; something that sets the film apart from other movies of the era.
She’s All That is a quintessential 90s teen movie. Built on the foundation of the classic ugly duckling tope, the movie rises above what could be a super basic premise thanks to the charm of Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook. It may sound silly now, but when Cook removes her glasses and walks downstairs dressed for prom, our theater was absolutely breathless.
The Craft may not be a perfect movie, but when this bad boy premiered audiences weren’t ready for the shockwaves that it would send out through teen girls everywhere. This supernatural teen drama single handedly brought witchcraft to the mainstream thanks to its moody tone and dark aesthetic. The occult aspects of this film are great, but the bond between the four lead characters is why this film continues to resonate.
It doesn’t matter if you were a teen when it was released or if you’re coming to the film today, Can’t Hardly Wait resonates at a cellular level. Set during one raucous high school graduation party, this snapshot of teenage life is packed with awkward crushes, drunken confessions, and last-chance moments before adulthood knocks on the door. Made up of an all-star cast, there’s at least one storyline that will hit you hard and stick with you all night.
By the time American Pie hit theaters in 1999, the teen movie thing was ready to move on from its Shakespeare era. Crude, crass, and a total throwback to films like Porky’s and The Last American Virgin, American Pie reels you in with its promise of seeing a guy boink a pie, but leaves you with an emotionally resonant story that refined the genre and set it on an entirely new path in the 21st century.
This ultra-sexy adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons could be a disaster. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillipe as rich step-siblings who put together a crass contest based around whether or not Phillipe’s character can bed Reese Witherspoon, the film is an absolute all-timer. A lot of this comes down to the campy tone that everyone is aware of, and the excellent cinematography. You’re forced to take this movie more seriously than you would something like Road Trip.
Wes Craven’s Scream reinvented the slasher genre while providing meta-commentary on the teen horror tropes we all know by heart. By mixing comedy with pure intensity, Scream transcends the teen and horror movie genres to become a pure work of cinematic art. From the opening scene that leaves an A-List teen star of yesteryear hanging by her guts in a tree to the brutal final moments of the film, you’ll be on the edge of your seat from the moment the credits hit.
The whipped cream bikini. For many of us this single scene in Varsity Blues triggered a sexual awakening, but reexamining the movie today it’s clear that there’s much more going on in this film. Starring James Van Der Beek as Mox, a second string quarterback in a West Texas town with Ivy League dreams, Varsity Blues puts high school life under a microscope in a way that few films did in the 90s. This wasn’t a huge blockbuster when it was released to theaters, but don’t tell that to the legion of teenage fans who watched this on repeat on a Friday night. If you missed this cult classic the first time around, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how serious this high school football film is.
Closer to Heathers than American Pie, Jawbreaker is a raucous, brutal look at teenage politics. Revolving around a clique of teenage girls who accidentally kill one of their own, the film takes no prisoners with its sharp critique of feminine beauty standards and what is and what isn’t acceptable for anyone who strives to be popular. Not for the faint of heart, Jawbreaker must be seen to be believed.