10 Best 80s And 90s Teenage Movies That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best 80s And 90s Teenage Movies

If you’re going to watch a bunch of underrated teen comedies during the lockdown, these are some of the best ones from the 1980s and 1990s. Have a look at this.

Filming the lives of teens is a difficult endeavor.

To be able to tap into the correct realism of speech and action, one must pay close attention to and have a thorough knowledge of those turbulent years. Developing an adolescent film can be reduced to parody or obnoxious cliche if this understanding isn’t present when making a comedy.

The majority of people are on the correct track. The apex being John Hughes’ films. To this day, the filmmaker’s works continue to resonate with audiences because of their depiction of adolescence. However, what about films that were less well-known? Listed here are five underappreciated teen comedies made in the 1980s and five made in the 1990s.

1.  80s: Gregory’s Girl (1980)

Gregory's Girl (1980)

This endearing slice-of-life film from Scottish director Bill Forsyth

The film Gregory’s Girl received positive reviews from critics, however the United States did not receive any of those positive reviews. It’s a classic narrative of a high school boy’s crush on a female classmate, and it’s still relevant today.

With its charming and witty script and an all-star cast of undiscovered actors, Forsyth’s film captures a boy’s first crush in an authentic way.

2. 90s: Welcome Home Roxy Charmichael (1990)

Welcome Home Roxy Charmichael, a teen comedy written and directed by Jim Abrahams, garnered poor reviews from audiences and critics. The movie is largely recognized as a mixed bag of comedic and lighthearted drama elements.

Despite the fact that the picture was a flop upon its premiere, Abraham’s film has a small following. Overall, it’s an underrated comedy with an engaging lead performance by Winona Ryder that holds up well in the long run.

3. 80s: The Last American Virgin (1982)

The Last American Virgin (1982)

Teen comedies abound throughout the 1980s, with many falling under the “teenagers yearning for sex” subgenre. It was a rare occasion for a sex comedy to achieve emotional resonance. The Last American Virgin was one of the first movies to surprise its viewers by delivering something unexpected.

While critics were unimpressed with the picture, time has been kind and it has become a cult classic. Up until the film’s emotional climax, audiences were kept in suspense by broad, ludicrous comedic beats.

4. 90s: Slums of Beverly Hills (1998)

Tamara Jenkins, the writer and director of Slums of Beverly Hills, tapped into the middle-class female teen mindset with her film.

Vivian, a 1970s-era adolescent struggling to deal with her neurotic family, was played by Natasha Lyonner, who gained critical acclaim. However, despite the film’s lack of wide distribution and the fact that it received only modest critical acclaim, it is a charming look at adolescent angst through the eyes of Lyonne.

5. 80s: Hiding Out (1987)

Hiding Out (1987)

After his part as “Ducky” in Pretty in Pink and his role in 1987’s critical and financial flop, Jon Cryer had a difficult time.

It didn’t help that I was hiding out.

There are a few good parts in the novel, which features a man who disguises himself as a high school student in order to hide from the mob, in which the character reflects on his own feelings as a youngster.

6.  90s: Angus (1995)

While making his sweet film about an overweight student who falls in love with the prettiest girl at his high school, director Patrick Read Johnson wanted to strike gold with it. To their dismay, moviegoers passed on this universally praised farce.

The script by Jill Gordon and Charlie Talbert’s moving performance elevate the film to a new level of emotional depth and levity.

7. 80s: Lucas (1986)

Lucas (1986)

The 1986 film Lucisis, which was mostly overlooked at the time, is now highly regarded by those who have seen it.

In this blend of young love and sweet comedy, Corey Haim was well-received as a 14-year-old boy who falls for a lady who falls in love with his best buddy.

The film was well-received by critics and gained a tiny following on home video because of its romantic and amusing yet realistic depiction of first love and grief.

8. 90s: Flirting (1991)

It’s fair to say that this picture is more of a drama than a comedy, yet the Australian film industry is known for making comedies.

Flirting has several amusing moments due to its realistic portrayal of teens in a 1960s boarding school reacting to the rebellious spirit of others.

Pre-fame and young

Nicole Kidman and Thandie Newton star in a picture that has been praised by critics but is largely forgotten by the general public in the United States. Due to its biting wit and affection for the characters, the film was praised by critics.

9. 80s: Three O’ Clock High (1987)

Three O' Clock High (1987)

When Casey Siemaszko gets home at the end of the day, he finds himself in a battle with the school bully. Some critics thought the film’s humor to be effective, while others were less enthusiastic.

Three O’Clock High, released in 1987, failed to find an audience. Due to the film’s witty script and crazy scenarios, it’s sometimes overlooked in discussions about 1980s teen comedies. In 1989, Siemaszko was cast in the smash blockbuster Western Young Guns, which paved the way for a long and successful acting career.

10.  90s: Dick (1999)

Snarking at the political system is just like making a teenage movie. It’s a dangerous move to combine the two. In his 1999 comedy,Dick, filmmaker Andrew Fleming struck the perfect blend between the two. The Watergate break-in inquiry is sparked by the accidental discovery of two 15-year-old females.

Two teenagers whose unintentional exploits resulted in comedy gold are Michelle Williams and Kirsten Dunst. Amidst the zaniness, the two actresses bring to life a very authentic representation of two teen best friends through effortless chemistry and natural comedy. Most reviews felt it was a really funny film that was anchored in its comedy by the performances of its two protagonists.