My Top Ten Favorite High School Films of All Time!
1.) “LUCAS”
I related to only a few characters in teen movies growing up, “Ducky” from “Pretty In Pink” was one, and Corey Haim in “Lucas” was another. Haim’s spot on portrayal of an unpopular band geek hits all the right awkward notes. The movie doesn’t talk down to it’s teen viewers, it tells their story in a true to life fashion. If you have ever felt like a high school outcast in real life then this sweet story will tug at your heart strings.
2.) “THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN”
“The Legend of Billie Jean” is the ultimate teenager empowerment film. This movie was way ahead of it’s time with it’s rebellious teenage heroin and revolutionary message, “Fair Is Fair”. I must have watched this film more than any other on this list. As far as a teen idols go Helen Slater (Christian’s sister) takes the cake. Her butch hair-do and positive message to teenagers still has relevance to this day.
3.) “HEATHERS”
“Heathers” was one of the first teen dark comedies to ever be filmed. It’s macabre plot is still controversial and twisted to this day. “Heathers” has a shrewd premise which is wrapped up in great comedy writing topped off with great performances by Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The subject of teen suicide has never been so authentically portrayed onto the big screen with such funny results. In just two words “Heathers” is “big fun”.
4.) “WEIRD SCIENCE”
This movie has no significant pop culture relevance to it but it sure did crack me up when I was a teenager. I watched this movie as much as I could when I was 13 and still can’t get enough of it. This movie has so many quotable lines I don’t know where to start. Not to mention the theme song by Oingo Boingo (with lead Danny Elfman) kicks some major ass! It’s hard to admit, but this is my favorite John Hughes movie, hands down.
5.) “THE BREAKFAST CLUB”
Many people would say that this film is the best teenager movie out there. I agree it’s up there, but it is the most obvious choice and I’ve never been one to pick something just because it is popular (I learned that from watching too many teen movies). “Breakfast Club” defined an entire generations views of high school. It also depicts high school detention and the hierarchy of cliques pretty well. Not to mention the theme song will always remind people of what it was like to be a rebellious teen.
6.) “MEAN GIRLS”
This is the Lindsay Lohan that people fell in love with. Her performance in “Mean Girls” hits all the right comedic notes. Lohan looks absolutely gorgeous as the new girl that doesn’t fit in. Her introduction into lunchroom politics and high school cliques is priceless. This movie updated a stale genre and made Lohan a star. I attribute all of “Mean Girls” success to Tina Fey’s brilliant screenwriting which doesn’t try to pander to today’s youth.
7.) “DAZED & CONFUSED”
“Dazed & Confused” gives us a great look at life in high school during the 70’s. “Dazed” is a deeply detailed, spot on depiction of the last day of school in the summer of 1976. After watching this film I was immediately in love with the soundtrack. Ben Affleck, Parker Posey and Matthew McConaughey give terrific comedic performances that will leave you in stitches. This movie has more substance and detail than any other movie on this list
8.) “BRING IT ON”
How could I forget the best cheerleader movie of all time? Full of over the top cheer competitions and sassy quotable lines, “Bring It On” started a craze of sports themed teen movies that never really took off (”Step Up”, “Drumline”, “Stick It”) . “Bring It On” is very smart and witty, it delivers the jokes with great timing and precision without dumbing down the dialog for the target teen audience.
9.) “ELECTION”
The brightest film on this list is hands down “Election”. This dark comedy gave us the first glimpse of Reese Witherspoon’s transformation technique as an actress which garnered her a Oscar in 2005. Director/Writer Alexander Payne shows both sides of the drama that is high school through a butt kissing student (Witherspoon’s Tracy Flick) and a bored teacher (Matthew Broderick) with realistic and hilarious results.
10.) “BETTER OFF DEAD”
“I want my 2 dollars!”. Who doesn’t know that line from one of the silliest 80’s teen movies ever created? This is my favorite John Cusack film by far. This wacky over the top movie follows Cusack’s character as he attempts and fails suicide multiple times. The hilarious supporting characters make this 80’s comedy classic one of the most memorable cult teen movies ever made.
RUNNERS UP: “NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE”, “CAN’T BUY ME LOVE”, “SUMMER SCHOOL”, “SIXTEEN CANDLES”, “CLUELESS”, “AMERICAN PIE”, “KIDS”, “RUSHMORE”, “FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF”.
November 7th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Great list! I have to say, I was really nervous that you forgot Ferris Bueller altogether. I breathed a sigh of relief when I got to the end.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
What about Zapped! Such a Classic. Boobs and Weed! Watch it! Heathers - Love the song “Teenage Suicide, Don’t Do it” by Big Fun! TIMES ARE MEAN FOR A TEEN–WE KNOW!
PARENTS IGNORE, TEACHERS BORE–WE KNOW!
BUT THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO GO!
TEENAGE SUICIDE; DON’T DO IT!
TEENAGE SUICIDE; DON’T DO IT!
I can go on and on about Heathers, I had a Heathers Themed 30th Birthday Day!
.S. - ‘Heather?’
H.D. - (getting up) ‘Veronica. Color me stoked, girl. I’ve gotten everybody to sign this petition. Even those who think “Big Fun” are tuneless Euro-fags. People love me! You know, you haven’t signed yet..’
V.S. - ‘People love you, but I know you… Jennifer Forbes said the petition she signed was to put a hot tub in the cafeteria, and Doug Hilton said…’
H.D. - ‘Some people need different kinds of convincing than others… Just sign the petition okay?’
V.S. - ‘Don’t talk to me like that, okay?’
H.D. - ‘Look, it was J.D.’s idea. He made out the signature sheet and everything, so why don’t you just sign it!’
V.S. - ‘No.’
H.D . - ‘Jealous much?’