With the help of our readers, we made a list of the Top ’90s Teen Movies! It wasn’t easy for us or for our readers to make a choice. Let’s face it — the ’90s had awesome teen movies! There are way too many to choose from, but here are some of our standouts!
10. Empire Records
“Empire Records” was one of those under the radar ’90s flicks that didn’t have a huge release at the box office but became successful on home video and cable. It had all of the anti-conformists and rebel teens shouting “Damn the Man, Save the Empire!”
Reader Poll Results: 3.23%
9. Now And Then
“Now And Then” is a coming of age story that switches between the lives of 4 best friends as 12-year-olds in 1970 and as adults in the ’90s. Even though the girls weren’t teens in the ’90s, the movie itself was impactful for girls growing up in the ’90s. Plus, we saw Devon Sawa’s butt… and that was pretty cool to us pre-teens.
Reader Poll Results: 3.23%
8. The Craft
Maybe the Spice Girls didn’t start the “girl power” trend. “The Craft” was released a year before “Wannabe” was and the four witches in the movie definitely had more power… even if it was a little twisted at times. There are plenty of life lessons underneath all of the cool witchcraft in this movie… and the soundtrack was killer too!
Reader Poll Results: 4.84%
7. She’s All That
Photo by Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock (1604743a)
Ah, the good ‘ole “let’s make a bet” storyline that’s never done quite as well anymore as it was done in the ’80s and ’90s. This cheesy, but lovable rom-com will always be close to our hearts. We still can’t listen to “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer without thinking of Zach and Laney’s poolside smooch.
Reader Poll Results: 4.84%
6. American Pie
This teen sex comedy had an awesome ensemble cast that continued on for two sequels together. No one made those father-son moments more awkward than Eugene Levy did!
Reader Poll Results: 6.45%
5. Never Been Kissed
“Never Been Kissed” is about a writer going undercover as a high school student only to realize nothing has changed. Brew Barrymore is both hilarious and endearing as Josie Gellar while she’s supported by a “rufus” cast.
Reader Poll Results: 8.06%
4. Scream
Wes Craven made a huge come back with the “Scream” franchise. While all of the sequels were great, and even the MTV TV show was good, nothing beats the first one. With tons of comedy, old school horror movie references, and legitimate screaming moments, “Scream” not only holds its own as a top horror movie but is definitely an ode to teens as well.
Reader Poll Results: 9.68%
3. Can’t Hardly Wait
“Can’t Hardly Wait” defines teenhood… no matter what era you grew up in, but especially if you were in high school in the late ’90s. We actually knew people who dressed, acted, and said some of these things, but “Can’t Hardly Wait” makes it more hilarious of course.
Reader Poll Results: 11.29%
2. 10 Things I Hate About You
This modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” makes for the perfect romantic comedy. Before Heath Ledger was winning Oscars, he moonlighted as teen heartthrob bad boy, Patrick Verona. (We miss you Heath!) Julia Stiles’ portrayal of Kat as the feminist and anti-everything is spot on. We all knew that one girl in school who was just too cool for it all! And let’s not forget adorable Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the optimistic and lovestruck Cameron who orchestrates the entire plot all so he can get a date with Kat’s sister.
Reader Poll Results: 17.74%
1. Clueless
If there’s one movie on this list that defines the decade, it’s “Clueless”. From the fashion to the slang and discovering there is more to life than materialism, Cher Horowitz taught us so many life lessons and we will never be able to use the word “sporadic” without thinking of her.
Reader Poll Results: 19.35%
Who’s down for a teen movie night? Get your besties together and indulge in these classics!
Sandy Lo is an author, blogger, journalist, and digital strategist. Her personal story is inspiring. Sandy started StarShine Magazine, an online publication in 2001, at the age of 18. She wrote her first novel in 2009, “Lost In You,” followed by the “Dream Catchers” Series. She was the first person ever to professionally interview Taylor Swift and has received personal endorsements for her books from members of boy bands Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees.
