Top 20 Best Teen Movies of the 1980s

[Music] foreign Mojo and today we're counting down our picks for the top 20 teen movies of the 1980s [Music] it already came true for this list we're looking at the best films from the 80s that represented adolescents in a truly Timeless manner because we'll be talking about some key plot points a minor spoiler alert is in effect was your favorite Teen Movie from the decade featured on the list let us know in the comments number 20 Adventures in Babysitting could things get more chaotic than babysitting three kids well yes excuse me I couldn't help but notice that YouTube groups of people are about to start killing each other and please just wait on that until we could get off the train when Chris's best friend gets stuck at a bus station Chris loads the kids she's babysitting in the car to go pick her up however a blown tire sees things going from bad to worse as they end up on the run in Chicago throughout the film we see Chris get Vengeance on her scumbag boyfriend while one of the kids Brad survives both a stabbing rejection and a real stabbing safe to say it was a night to remember for these teens through navigating romance Playboy magazines and even Thor it was a wild adventure we couldn't resist I'd just like to say thanks forgiving me what was probably the greatest night of my life [Music] so far number 19 Some Kind of Wonderful Keith and Watts have been best friends for a long time but you know the grill neither of them has realized their feelings for the other yet well seeing as I drive you to school every morning you probably be at home asleep in Bay Keith was instead crushing on Amanda the beautiful popular girl it's only when the two start going out that watt suddenly has to confront her crush on her best friend luckily throughout the film Keith realizes that his pursuit of Amanda is superficial and that he has more depth than he initially let himself admit's over you're cool you're blushing yeah right the day I blush meanwhile Watts learns it's more important to be herself than to change to impress others it's a fantastic friends to lovers plot and one that demonstrates how being yourself attracts the right kind of people into your life I really wanted him they're yours you knew you were gonna get there I hope no I didn't know number 18 the lost boys we love when a teen movie has a horror twist so when the Emerson Brothers moved to Santa Carla and found it was littered with vampires we were hooked there's a number on the back and pray you never need to call us one of the brothers joins the Charming and dangerous group of vampires while the other takes on the role of vampire Hunter the dynamic makes for some pretty great tension as the two try to figure out where they belong in their new home I don't know Mike it's only getting a D in school or something you know [Music] I'm gonna work this out you trust me okay Sam even though the film takes place in a Dark Twisted Supernatural underworld at the end of the day Michael and Sam were both just trying to fit in they do so by succumbing to peer pressure and navigating different Social Circles which is kind of what being a teenager is all about oh you're right Marco number 17 Stand By Me When Vern overhears his brother talking about seeing a dead body he recruits his friends to see it for themselves though no we didn't go to the drag races we'll get hide it nobody will care because everybody's gonna be so jazzed about what we found it's not gonna make a difference yeah my dad will hide me anyway but hell it's worth the hiding along the way they discover more about each other and themselves than they ever imagined possible all while trying to beat a group of older boys to the body the most relatable part of this film isn't the moments of friendship though they are very endearing too it's when we learn that the once tight-knit group ultimately ended up growing apart we saw less and less of Teddy and burn until eventually they became just two more faces in the Halls it happens sometimes friends come in and out of your life like Busboys in a restaurant when the adult Gordy writes about no one ever having friends later in life like the ones they have when they're 12. we're taken right back to that precious time in our own lives before we grew up well she's in school yeah yeah see in junior high number 16 Fame [Music] this film explores the price of Fame set against the background of a performing art school full of teens who are exceptionally talented we follow an ensemble cast of characters in various disciplines from the day of their audition to their last day of high school with some achieving their goals and others falling flat and don't think talent's enough to get you through you've got to have a strong technique a good agent and most of all a thick skin because now you're part of an underprivileged minority and you're going to suffer woven through their high school years are their personal woes and performative triumphs all set to some seriously catchy Tunes the entire film is a good reminder for teens everywhere to shoot for the stars while simultaneously highlighting the importance of staying grounded and realistic [Music] [Applause] number 15 Can't Buy Me Love This Teen Love Story manages to tackle important issues that resonate with teenagers in a lighthearted comedic way the movie centers around Ronald who wants to turn around his social standing I think it would be more fun the party with those guys our senior year go to the games let's go to all the games you sit in the visiting section Kenneth at our own school he proposes a deal to popular girl Cindy he'll pay her for a fake relationship in order to achieve popularity Cindy who could use the money agrees but by the time they've agreed to Stage a breakup she's developed genuine feelings for him you ignored the Donald Miller dork for 17 years now you want to ride on the Ronnie Miller Express I don't want to ride the Ronnie Miller anything looks like you're the only one unfortunately popularity has gone to Ronald's head and it takes some time before he finds his way to his true self a popular Motif in teamflix is when the characters realize they don't need to change themselves to be happy or well-liked and this film absolutely nailed it without being preachy or stereotypical I was just hoping we could sweat this out you know the real me and the real you so number 14 Footloose see this is our time to dance it is our way of of celebrating life who doesn't love dancing out their teen turmoil especially when it's forbidden when Ren McCormick Chicago to Beaumont he's shocked to discover that dancing is illegal in the small town chill fact that's true that's been for about five or six years being the rebel that he is he decides to do something about it all while facing off with his foes and tractors and falling in love with the preacher's daughter the music and atmosphere of this film captures 80s Essence at its core but the Adolescent struggles we see the characters deal with are Timeless from dealing with parental issues and navigating grief we see a lot of meaningful moments sprinkled in with the lighthearted ones and that is what makes this film a classic [Music] number 13 Dirty Dancing this 80s movie is set in the early 60s at the Catskills and features a dreamy Patrick Swayze paired up with the adorable Jennifer Gray needless to say there is a lot to love about it nobody puts baby when baby steps up to dance with Johnny we get to watch her learn the art as is expected the two fall in love despite hailing from opposite sides of the tracks you're not scared of anything I don't know me I'm scared of everything I'm scared of what I saw I'm scared of what I did of who I am and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you dirty dancing showed us what it looks like to grow from a teen into a young adult how to fight for what's right and to make sure we always stand our ground it also provides the kind of sage wisdom that will always remain relevant no matter how much time has passed [Music] number 12 The Outsiders this film was based on a novel written by an actual teenager so it should come as no surprise that it's an accurate depiction of teen life I can't take much more The Outsiders tells the story of the lower class greasers and their Rivals the upper class socials the Greaser story takes a dramatic turn for the worst when Johnny murders one of the socials and he and Ponyboy have to go on the run with the help of their friends [Music] we see the boys deal with issues surrounding opposing social classes while realizing that everyone isn't so different Ponyboy represents the spirit of Youth in the film and reminds us of the importance of seeing the world through a non-judgmental lens so don goes down today [Music] Nothing Gold and stay number 11. Pretty in Pink Molly Ringwald starred in several seminal 80s films and this one is perhaps the most mature of the bunch I'm not sad about it I'm not hurt I mean you know I am hurt a little bit but I know if I don't do it I'll just feel a lot worse in another one of John hughes's many hits Ringwald plays Andy opposite Jon Cryer as ducky and Andrew McCarthy as Blaine the three of whom make up a love triangle when both boys fall for the film's protagonist his name is Appliance that they can't be friends with you I mean does it change the way I feel about you oh that's very nice Andy deals with her best friend's feelings for her while she crushes on the rich boy Blaine and hides the fact that she comes from a very different world she does all of this while dressing flawlessly we might add the film explored mature themes like family troubles and peer pressure and these topics are all too familiar for countless teenage viewers you know maybe it doesn't happen all the time it doesn't mean it isn't right right doesn't mean you can't try number 10. Risky Business [Music] everyone we begin with a familiar scenario Joel's parents are out of town so their hard-working son decides to play hard while they're away he spends the night with Lana a beautiful sex worker but it costs him in more ways than one what if I said I'd be your girlfriend next couple days when Joel fails to pay the procurer he finds Lana and some other sex workers now living under his roof not to mention his dad's Porsche gets totaled what's Joel to do simple he turns his house into a brothel with his admission to Princeton on the line Joel has to raise money but not raise suspicion before his parents get home Risky Business indeed is this couch open and I'm in a meaning we need the room yeah I need a few minutes Number Nine Dead Poet Society even though it may seem silly or wrong you must try in this 1989 drama Robin Williams plays John Keating the new English teacher at an all boys Prep School Keating quickly shows that he's not like the other props through his unique way of teaching poetry he encourages the boys to make the most of their talents it's a powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse Reviving his Dead Poet Society they become inspired to follow their dreams but it won't be easy when the tragic loss of one of their own puts keating's job in Jeopardy the boys are determined to save their Mentor arguably the most moving film on this list Dead Poet Society is a tribute to inspirational teachers and will motivate you to seize the day seize the day number eight Heathers this satire of high school clicks shows the Dark Side of popularity you Heather no I'm a Veronica Veronica is a member of the Heathers but she's fed up with their manipulative ways when leader Heather Chandler tries to ruin her reputation Veronica and her boyfriend JD accidentally poison her and make it look like she took her own life the couple leaves two more bodies in their wake but that's not enough for JD who becomes increasingly unhinged fearing that she might be next Veronica comes to her senses and will do anything to protect herself and her classmates number seven A Nightmare on Elm Street it has inspired a franchise and many parodies but there's nothing like the original in this slasher film disfigured serial killer Freddy Krueger haunts the dreams of suburban teens and if they die in their dreams they die for real shocked to see her friends dying one by one final girl Nancy learns the terrifying truth behind the murders the teen's parents killed Freddy out of Revenge and now he's out for blood himself he's dead honey because Mommy killed him as Freddy sets his sights on Nancy she is bent on defeating him once and for all this horror classic isn't just scary it also blurs the lines between fantasy and reality whatever you do don't fall asleep number six say anything I love you what I love you how many more times do I have to say it's the summer after graduation Lloyd wants to be a kickboxer and valedictorian Diane has a fellowship coming up although they come from two different worlds the two surprise everyone when they start dating Diane's overprotective dad Jim is not impressed and wishes his daughter would hit the books you're not a permanent part of her life your distraction putting her studies and Jim's wishes first Diane abruptly dumps Lloyd Jim turns out to be not so trustworthy however as he faces jail time Diane finally decides her future for herself and Lloyd will say and do anything to win her back holding that Boombox sure was worth it [Music] will number five Fast Times at Ridgemont High all I need are some tasty waves cool buzz and I'm fine based on a book by Cameron Crowe this teen comedy gives us an inside look at the lives of high school students sophomore Stacy and Mark get some love advice from their senior friends but nothing will prepare them for what comes next after lying to him about her age Stacy loses her virginity to an older man and later finds herself in a love triangle with Mark and his friend Mike a sometimes funny and honest take on high school this cult film is as real as ever even decades later with the vibe after 30 million chicks something is going to happen number four Ferris Bueller's Day Off Bueller Bueller Bueller High School senior Ferris Bueller pretends he's sick so he can skip class along with pal Cameron and girlfriend Sloane Ferris is out and about in Chicago driving in Cameron's dad's Ferrari what could possibly go wrong for one ferris's sister and his principal will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth even if it means breaking the law in a nutshell I hate my brother and as his eventful day off draws to a close Ferris has to race home and act like nothing happened a hilarious movie for sure but also one that reminds us that fun can sometimes come before all else life moves pretty fast [Music] if you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it number three Sixteen Candles Jake you're not gonna believe this but I had this very bizarre dream and you were in it Molly Ringwald gave us major prom goals in Pretty in Pink but we've got to say that we prefer this flick where she plays Samantha Baker whose whose is anything but Sam's family is so busy preparing for her sister's wedding that they completely forget about her birthday it doesn't help that she's in a love triangle I swear to God this has got to be a joke she's crushing hard on high school senior Jake Ryan while geeky Ted is interested in her a series of embarrassing events and a wild party at Jake's house bring the trio closer in ways they never imagined For Better or For Worse Sam's 16th birthday is one she will never forget happy birthday number two Back to the Future [Music] in 1985 Michael J fox gave us two great movies Teen Wolf and this sci-fi classic after a botched experiment with a scientist friend Doc Brown 80s teen Marty McFly time travels to 1955. in the past Marty has two tasks ahead of him first he has to make his parents fall in love or he'll never be born second without plutonium to power the DeLorean he has to find his way back to the future but through the power of love and a show-stopping rendition of Johnny Be Good Marty manages to save himself and the course of history a fun ride from start to finish you will want to watch it time and time again Great Scott before we unveil our top pick here are some honorable mentions The Karate Kid Daniel Larusso learns to navigate High School romances rivalry and karate show me lacks on catch that that's that's Porky's this movie walked so American Pie could run do you know Mike [Laughter] [Music] [Applause] Weird Science John Hughes struck gold again with this sci-fi Coming of Age tale so so what would you little Maniacs like to do first the last American Virgin another teen film centered around virginity through a complicated web of relationships and Victor have you seen Karen oh yeah I think I saw her go in the kitchen thanks Vic [Music] better off dead John Cusack stars in this dark comedy about Teen Angst you would die to get the attention of the is this woman you know then there are better ways of getting attention before we continue be sure to subscribe to our Channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos you have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them if you're on your phone make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications number one The Breakfast Club sure what was that eat my shorts in this beloved 80s film five teens from different Social Circles have to spend their Saturday in detention together they butt heads at first but find a common enemy in the overbearing assistant principle Vernon who expects them to stay in the library and do as they're told not if they can help it what was that Ruckus oh what Ruckus as the group opens up to each other they realize they're not so different after all each team has their cross to bear and finds comfort in knowing they're not alone funny and touching all at once The Breakfast Club teaches us to shatter stereotypes that each one of us is a brain and an athlete and a basket case princess and a criminal does that answer your question [Music] sincerely yours The Breakfast Club [Music] read with our picks check out this other recent clip from Ms Mojo and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos

Channel: MsMojo

Views: 110,404

Keywords: 1980s, 80s high school movies, 80s movies, 80s teen movies, Drama, Film, Movies, a nightmare on elm street, back to the future, best movies, dead poets society, fast times at ridgemont high, ferris bueller's day off, heathers, high school, john hughes, list, mojo, msmojo, risky business, say anything, sixteen candles, teen movie, teen movies of the 1980s, the breakfast club, top 10, watch mojo, watchmojo, 80s movie

Id: MoOmSK8WE0E

Length: 21min 39sec (1299 seconds)

Published: Sun Aug 27 2023