Are you tired of watching modern teenage films with the same plot all over? Or do you miss being a teen after life has beaten you down? Don’t worry. This list is for you. Here are 18 best 90s teenage movies that will refresh the teenage soul in you.
1. Rushmore (1998)
English 1h 33m IMDb
Director: Wes Anderson
Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams
Most students will try to excel academically for the average grade or their favorite subject. And often, they do not entertain extracurricular activities.
But Max Fischer, the main character in this film, begs to differ as he almost did every after-school activity but had a failing grade. And as he got suspended, he fell in love with a teacher.
The viewers find the characters and situations different from what usually happens. The humor slowly builds up as you get to know the characters more. Furthermore, the more you rewatch the film, the more you will understand and appreciate the story.
2. Dazed And Confused (1993)
English 1h 43m IMDb
Director: Richard Linklater
Stars: Jason London, Wiley Wiggins, Matthew McConaughey
The end of your high school life can be heartbreaking or exciting, depending on how you spend the last days. The peers in this film choose to do hazing to the first-year students of their school while breaking their vows.
The director did a great job choosing Dazed and Confused stars. They introduced the now celebrities to the world, including Matthew McConaughey.
Furthermore, people are crazy about the soundtrack used for this movie, which was not cheap for the producers. It cost them 1/6th of their budget to have this music.
3. Heavenly Creatures (1994)
English 1h 39m IMDb
Director: Peter Jackson
Stars: Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet, Sarah Peirse
Although there are many make beliefs scenes in the film, Heavenly Creatures movie is actually from a true story. It tells about two girls sharing an exceptional bond and strong imagination. However, the more the two friends are together, the more their parents think their relationship is not healthy anymore.
Peter Robert Jackson is an excellent director, primarily famous for his Lord of the Rings trilogy. He makes a great fantasy film, which fits well with the girls’ imagination in this film. The actresses possess incredible chemistry, which emphasizes the relationship more.
4. Show Me Love (1998)
Swedish 1h 29m IMDb
Director: Lukas Moodysson
Stars: Alexandra Dahlström, Rebecka Liljeberg, Erica Carlson
People always say opposite people attract each other, just like magnets. The movie Show Me Love, originally Fucking Åmål, is a Swedish film that shows how a teenage girl who is famous and another teenage girl who has no friends fell in love with each other.
Many people relate to the film’s story. It takes time to accept and be forward when you feel in love with someone who might not even look at you the same. It even gets more challenging when you are in love with the same sex and the town is not open to such.
5. Pump Up The Volume (1990)
English 1h 42m IMDb
Director: Allan Moyle
Stars: Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Anthony Lucero
There are many ways to voice your thoughts or oppose someone, such as forming a strike or boycott. Pump Up the Volume takes the path of broadcasting it live on the radio. This action opened the eyes of many students while also causing a commotion.
Although this movie is more than 30 years old, it inspires many people. Students can relate to the unfair rules of the schools, while adults show interest in the political side and how media can influence many people.
Even now, these issues still happen. However, many teens learned how to fight for their rights.
6. Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)
English 1h 28m IMDb
Director: Todd Solondz
Stars: Heather Matarazzo, Christina Brucato, Victoria Davis
Dawn Weiner is full of insecurities as she has an intelligent brother and an attractive little sister. The teenager’s parents don’t pay much attention to her, and her schoolmates always bully her. She is in love with a friend of his brother, but the story will have a different turn.
There may be many movies about an unpopular teen who still lives a great life, but this movie is more relatable. Viewers thought this film precisely portrayed what their lives were like during junior high. Through this film, they can recall the harsh memories of their times, which impacted them.
7. Election (1999)
English 1h 43m IMDb
Director: Alexander Payne
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein
Most of the time, when a teenage movie has a teacher with a significant role, it involves helping the student achieve their dreams or being a love interest. However, Election shows the rivalry between an overachieving student and her social studies teacher.
Reese Witherspoon is superb with intellectual roles, just like her role in Legally Blonde. Meanwhile, the writer did a great job of delivering the message about the algorithm in voting.
Most people do not vote for the candidates’ intentions but for the person who is more attractive to them since they have apathy towards voting.
8. House Party (1990)
English 1h 40m IMDb
Director: Reginald Hudlin
Stars: Christopher Reid, Robin Harris, Christopher Martin
Have you ever tried to sneak out of your house to attend a party at your friend’s? House Party is a tetralogy with the first movie that tells a wild story on the journey of Kid on the way to the party, where a lot also happens.
This comedy movie brings out the fun in a house party to the audience just watching through the screen. Christopher Reid, who played Kid, is entertaining, and the soundtrack is perfect for the film. Do not miss the sequels; they are just as enjoyable as the first.
9. Cruel Intentions (1999)
English 1h 37m IMDb
Director: Roger Kumble
Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon
Although a teen movie, Cruel Intentions plays around with seducing and manipulating an innocent girl over a wager. The vintage car and a steamy night with the step-sister are on the table. The goal is to attract the headmaster’s virgin daughter and remove her purity.
Even though the film is an adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons, people enjoyed the movie version, which is rare since the screen mostly takes away the fun in books.
It has a balance of steamy scenes and romance that teens can still enjoy watching. The casts did a great job with the personality of their characters.
10. Scream (1996)
English 1h 51m IMDb
Director: Wes Craven
Stars: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
Enough with the Romance Comedy. Who is not familiar with Scream? It is one of the classic horror movies ever made. The first in the movie series is about a serial killer in a black robe and white mask with eyes on Sidney and her teenage friends.
People admit they were obsessed with this film in high school or younger. The writer is very clever as this horror film amuses the audience with satirical comments on the typical plots of horror movies. So, although this film is technically horror, there are laughing moments as well.
11. Pleasantville (1998)
English 2h 4m IMDb
Director: Gary Ross
Stars: Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen
There are many ways to escape life. One of the common coping mechanisms is by watching films. Sometimes, people imagine what their lives would be if they were in the stories. In this movie, the siblings did end up being in the black and white film of Pleasantville, where the way of living is different.
Viewers commend the actions of the casts despite being colorless. The crew behind the special effects did a fantastic job at the transitioning of colors. The movie is so good that it made people watch it more than once and will still watch it again.
12. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
English 2h IMDb
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo
This movie is a modern take on the well-known Romeo and Juliet love affair. Just like in the original Shakespeare story, their parents keep the two lovebirds separated, creating obstacles on their way to love.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes play the leading roles. With these actors, there is no doubt about the excellent acting.
While Leo was doing the speech in his scene, Claire couldn’t help but cry even if she was not supposed to be conscious. People also commend the sets and the costumes that the staff made from scratch to make them more unique.
13. Cry-Baby (1990)
English 1h 25m IMDb
Director: John Waters
Stars: Johnny Depp, Ricki Lake, Amy Locane
Cry-Baby is a musical and comedy movie that shows a hint of Grease parody and 1950s teen movies. Wade Walker, played by Johnny Depp, is a bad boy who can make the women go crazy for him, even the good girls.
Not only can he catch the hearts of the other characters in the film, but also of the audience. Many women fell in love with this version of Johnny, thinking he was sexy and hot. Meanwhile, some scenes in the film are ridiculous but add to the fun plot. He was such a heartthrob before and until now.
14. Boyz n the Hood (1991)
English 1h 52m IMDb
Director: John Singleton
Stars: Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Hudhail Al-Amir
Boyz n the Hood will wake you teens who want to learn more about the lives of black people in the hood. The story shows the violence in the neighborhood caused by gangs of the same race and other illegal lives.
The story may be fictional, but it portrays reality as John Singleton, the director, and writer of this film, based it on his experiences.
People appreciate that this movie talks about issues others primarily do not discuss. Not only do the black people relate to the problems discussed, but also other races.
15. The Virgin Suicides (1999)
English 1h 37m IMDb
Director: Sofia Coppola
Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods
This film is about the Lisbon sisters, told from the perspective of boys who are obsessed with them. The pretty sisters, however, live a mysterious life. Although fans were frustrated with the trailer as it shows very little of the plot, it made them more excited to watch the movie.
They appreciate that the director had kept some pieces in the book. There might be confusion about who tells the story, but the book is the same as the group of boys tell it. The movie is depressing, and the viewers are not ashamed to admit their hearts got broken.
16. Clueless (1995)
English 1h 37m IMDb
Director: Amy Heckerling
Stars: Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy
Cher Horowitz, the main character of this film, played by Alicia Silverstone, is great at matchmaking. She paired two of her teachers and gave a makeover to one of her friends to find a boyfriend. However, although she is beautiful and famous, she is highly selective in finding her partner.
Fans praised Alicia for looking so good in the film. The audience expected her to be like a mean girl, but to their surprise, her role and everyone else is likable. It is an iconic teen movie, thus becoming a hit during the 90s.
17. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
English 1h 37m IMDb
Director: Gil Junger
Stars: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Being a popular girl means everyone expects you to have a famous boyfriend. But what if your parents forbid you to date?
10 Things I Hate About You is a story about Kat, who, despite her beauty, no one would date as she is rough. Meanwhile, her little sister, the popular girl in school, can only date if Kat has one.
The film is lively and entertaining to watch with its somehow typical rom-com plot. The actors, especially Julia Stiles, did a great job with their roles. They are not acting in some scenes anymore, but genuine emotions flow.
18. Never Been Kissed (1999)
English 1h 47m IMDb
Director: Raja Gosnell
Stars: Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Michael Vartan
It would be nice to re-experience high school and get a second chance on things you had not done or be someone you were not. Josie Gellar is a newspaper editor who has to go undercover in high school for news. This time, she tries to fit in and be with the cool kids instead.
The viewers reminisced about their time during high school. Some relate to Josie Grossie, who got teased throughout their academic journey. Moreover, almost everyone who watched the film can’t help but think about the corrections they’ll make if given a chance to return.
Summary
Many great movies are getting released, but there are also iconic movies before today’s generation that you must watch. Do not forget to add these 18 best 90s teenage movies to your bucket list. You will not regret watching these. Trust me on this one. The classics are the best!
