The teen movie genre is a special cinematic category dedicated to cliches, unrealistic romance and a whole lot of angst. If you're a 20-something, you were a teen when the genre was at its apex. John Hughes lit a spark in the 80s which caused the desire for teen movies to spread like wildfire––see what I did there? While many critics would like to see this genre extinguished for good, we'll always carry a torch for these movies. Which is why I've compiled a helpful list to determine which movie best suits your mood.
1. The teen rom com: "Never Been Kissed"
Let's face it. Every teen movie is a romantic comedy, but some of them more so than others. While every movie in the genre could fit this category, this one definitely takes the cake. You've got Drew Barrymore as a journalist who goes back to high school undercover, where she falls for her teacher but she can't be with him because of journalistic integrity. That's a plot formed in rom com heaven.
Also see: Any John Hughes film ever.
2. The painfully self-aware teen movie: "Easy A"
This particular brand of teen movie popped up in response to the overwhelming amount of cliche'd comedies in the early 2000s. "Easy A" in particular knows it's part of the dense genre and embraces it with self-aware and self-deprecating comedy. It also features Emma Stone, Pheobe from Friends, Dan from Gossip girl, Ceasar Flickerman and a pre-crazy Amanda Bynes. It also might help you get through that "Scarlet Letter" essay you have to write. What more could you want?
Also see: "The Duff"
3. The wanderlust teen movie: "What a Girl Wants"
What a Girl Wants Highlights a teen girl in search of her father who takes a leap of faith and travels all the way to Britain to find him. Not only does this movie satisfy the need for travel, but it also highlights Amanda Bynes at her finest.
Also see: "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" or any Mary-Kate and Ashley movie.
4. The fairy tale teen movie: "A Cinderella Story"
Hillary Duff and Chad Michael Murray are a modern day Cinderella and Prince Charming. Need I say more?
Also see: "Chasing Liberty"
5. The time travel teen movie: "13 Going On 30"
Being 30 sounds more like a nightmare to me now, but I guess it's worth it to figure out you're in love with the hulk.
Also see: "17 Again"
6. The based-on-a-book teen movie: "Clueless"
So many movies could fit this category, but no teen movie list would be complete without "Clueless." Cher completely modernizes Jane Austen's "Emma." Which you should probably read unless you want to be totally buggin'.
Also see: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
7. The tear-jerker teen movie: "The Fault in our Stars"
Teens. In love. Who have cancer. You basically need a full box of tissues to watch the trailer.
Also see: Anything John Green or Nicholas Sparks has touched.
8. The extreme makeover teen movie edition: "She's All That"
AKA they make a gorgeous actress put on glasses and then later in the movie she takes them off and the male lead notices her for the first time. It's been done over and over and yet we can't get enough. This movie, however, is worth it for young Freddie Prince Jr. alone.
Also see: "The Princess Diaries"
9. The sports enthusiast teen movie: "Bring It On"
Basically, it's hard for me to get through a conversation without quoting this movie, so it had to go on the list.
Also see: "Remember the Titans"
10. The subtle Shakespearian undertones teen movie: "10 Things I Hate About You"
Based off "The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare, this movie features a killer soundtrack, young JGL, great writing and Heath Ledger, so it's pretty much already your favorite movie.
Also see: "She's the Man"