In no particular order…
Sixteen Candles(1984)
Actors: Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall
One of the many genius collaborations with John Hughes and Molly Ringwald, “Sixteen Candles” shows the less glamorous side to turning sixteen. As opposed to MTV's “Sweet Sixteen,” “Sixteen Candles” is the realistic and disappointing side of being a teenager.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Actors: Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson
Who else but John Hughes could make high school detention so interesting? A group of teenagers from different social groups are stuck in school on a Saturday for detention and end up having the time of their lives. Ridiculous antics, pranks, laughs, deep conversations, and goals are discussed on a day that should be dull and frustrating.
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillipe, Selma Blair, Joshua Jackson, Tara Reid.
Dark and disturbing but every bit entertaining! Sometimes difficult to watch, “Cruel Intentions” is an amazing film that draws you in so that you cannot turn away. Kathryn and Sebastian are two stepsiblings with a strange attraction to each other. They make bets on who can sleep with certain classmates and challenge each other. When Sebastian falls in love with one of his “conquests,” Kathryn is angry and bitter. Anything can happen when two uber-rich stepsiblings become worst enemies.
Pretty in Pink (1986)
Actors: Jon Cryer, Molly Ringwald
Yes, another John Hughes pic. The King of teen movies strikes again with “Pretty in Pink” and, of course, Molly Ringwald stars. A poor teenage girl falls for the rich high-school hottie, but money divides them from really feeling comfortable around each other.
Drive Me Crazy (1999)
Actors: Melissa Joan Hart, Adrien Grenier, Stephen Collins,
It's cute, it's fun, and it's cheesy; but the movie named after a Britney Spears song is worth watching. The teenage witch herself, Melissa Joan Hart, stars alongside Entourage's Adrien Grenier, which makes for great chemistry. When the popular girl can't find a suitable date, she enlists her slob neighbor and gives him a makeover.
Charlie Bartlett (2007)
Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Anton Yelchin, Kat Dennings
Heard of it? This overlooked movie is a must- rent! When the oddball new kid becomes an underground psychiatrist for his high school peers the truth about teens is revealed. Those at the bottom become more important than those at the top: the failing rich kid is helping everyone whereas the high school principle is a depressed alcoholic hoping to win back the love students had for him when he was a teacher.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Actors: Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively
The story line sounds kind of lame, but the movie is actually very touching and sweet. Four friends find a “magical” pair of jeans that fit each of their body types perfectly and decide to share them and each take them on their summer adventures. From Greece to a grocery store, the jeans are a connection between the girls who all have the greatest summer of their lives.
Mean Girls (2004)
Actors: Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried
Yes, one of the few Lindsay Lohan movies that is worth watching. “Mean Girls” is witty, clever, and hilarious. When the new girl from Africa makes friends with two social outcasts, they encourage her to make friends with the “plastics” or popular girls and sabotage them. But, before she knows it the new girl is sucked into their life of beauty and parties.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Actors: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik,
Heath Ledger…need I say more? Even as a teen, Ledger picked great movies. “10 Things I Hate About You” is an teen adaptation of Shakespeare's “The Taming of the Shrew.” A dork wants to date the high school cutie, but she can only date if her older sister (a.k.a. the Shrew) dates, so the dork hunts for a man willing (and brave enough) to date her.
Juno (2007)
Actors: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
A great teen comedy movie about a pregnant teenager? Yes! This hilarious movie is about a young girl in a weird family who gets pregnant and puts the baby up for adoption. Throw in a hamburger phone and a stepmother obsessed with dogs and you've got yourself a hit indie-flick!
