Sony Pictures
Ah , high school day , a time full of awkward confrontation , groundless first experiences , and moments parents just ca n’t understand . When movies endeavor to portray this especially riotous period in any teenager ’s living , only a few manage to stand out as exact and entertaining reflections of the triumphs and tribulations of some of the most important years for most people .
From the iconic and ever - charmingThe Breakfast Clubto the legendary and still - fetchMean Girls , the good high school picture show capture the essence of these critical years with body fluid , heart , and a healthy venereal infection of drama . Whether spectator are reckon for a nostalgic see experience or a relatable story , there ’s something for everyone among this diverse excerption of drama , funniness , and add up - of - historic period tarradiddle that put up all kinds of journeying through the ups and downs of young .
Sony Pictures
7. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Fast Times at Ridgemont Highis araunchy gas constant - rated comedybased on Cameron Crowe ’s 1981 book , which he wrote after going undercover as a student at Clairemont High School in San Diego . adjust in the titular schooltime in suburban California , it picture the experience of a group of teenagers , include Stacy Hamilton ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ) , who ends up in a sexual love Triangulum with unsure cat Mark Ratner ( Brian Backer ) and his confident protagonist Mike Damone ( Robert Romanus ) . There ’s also the resident surfboarder dude Jeff Spicoli ( Sean Penn ) , who ’s often stone , and soon butt heads with the strict teacher Mr. Hand ( Ray Walston ) .
The 1982 moving-picture show perfectly captures what it was like to be in in high spirits schoolhouse during that prison term , thanks to its attention to small details like the language , what piece of work was like , and even the food . It was also considered transgressive then for its sheer portrait of sexuality and taboos like abortion , which it seamlessly wander into its realistic , yet humorous depiction of teenage life .
6. Heathers (1988)
Director Michael Lehmann’sHeathersis a scrumptiously dark comedy that takes shoes at Westerburg High School , where Veronica Sawyer ( Stranger Thingsseason 5star Winona Ryder ) is gruesome of the democratic clique ’s fell ways . The ingroup , know as the Heathers , soon meet their friction match in the variety of a disruptive foreigner , J.D. ( Christian Slater ) , who is determined to take them down .
With its enlarged characters and macabre perspective , Heatherswas praised for its bitingly satirical take on high school day . Ryder is unforgettable as the vulnerable , then defiant Veronica , flawlessly play her part as the “ anti - Heathers ” quality . The subversive movie go against the writing style ’s tropes and would influence future teen and eminent school flicks — it was even adapted into a melodious and a telecasting reboot .
5. Dazed and Confused (1993)
Aniconic lapidator comedyfrom manager Richard Linklater , Dazed and Confusedtakes buff back to the seventies , specifically to 1976 in Austin , Texas , where several teenagers are celebrating their last day of eminent school . There ’s no clear plot of ground , with the 1993 moving picture jumping between characters that include star football game player Randall “ Pink ” Floyd ( Jason London ) , shivery bully Fred O’Bannion ( Ben Affleck ) , and incoming entrant Mitch Kramer ( Wiley Wiggins ) .
From keg party to unavoidable hazing , stun and Confusedcaptures the different prospect that make high school feel like such a daunting , exciting , and important prison term . It ’s a well - made and nostalgic tribute to the geological period that gain greatly from Linklater ’s direction , with the filmmaker check that the naturalistic dialog and interactions result in a laid - back vibration that makes the 1993 moving picture so easy to enjoy . Of course , it also aid that the film features fantastic performances from an ensemble cast that include then - uprise star like Affleck , Matthew McConaughey , Joey Lauren Adams , and Parker Posey .
4. Clueless (1995)
Cluelessis an super originative reimagining of Jane Austen ’s 1815 classic novelEmma . star Alicia Silverstone as the gorgeous , wealthy , and democratic high school student Cher Horowitz , it follows her experience after deciding to give the unexampled student , Tai ( Brittany Murphy ) , a makeover . She also plays matchmaker for her teachers , which only makes her more assured about her skills . Cher soon set about entangled in messy drama , however , peculiarly when she realizes she ’s falling for her ex - stepbrother , Josh Lucas ( Paul Rudd ) .
Directed by Amy Heckerling , Cluelessis a sentence capsule for the ’ 90 , feature striking manner trends like knee - high-pitched wind cone and preppy kit that would become even more common after the film ’s premiere . It also served as a crucial evolution for the teenage genre , essentially serving as a pattern for the coming - of - geezerhood chick flick obsession that came with the new century . Plus , Cher ’s reference and floor spark challenged the “ ditzy ” image used to criticize women for decades by highlighting that confidence , intelligence , and femininity can go mitt in hand .
3. The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Clubis aninfluential coming - of - eld moviethat became the quintessential example of the genre from the ’ 80s . It has a deceptively simple assumption , as it ’s centered on time spend during one Saturday detention . Directed by John Hughes , it brings together five very different bookman : the brain , Brian ( Anthony Michael Hall ) ; the athlete , Andrew ( Emilio Estevez ) ; the basket display case , Allison ( Ally Sheedy);the princess , Claire ( Molly Ringwald ) ; and the criminal , Bender ( Judd Nelson ) .
Instead of featuring large genre tropes at that prison term , The Breakfast Clubsteered clear of sex and violence and chose to be a graphic symbol - driven celluloid that made the most out of a small budget . Through open conversations , unexpected exposure , and surprising present moment of connexion , the pupil find what they all have in common , which is a opinion of being lost and misunderstood by adult . This resonated with American audience then — and even now — ensuring that the 1985 film is one that anyone can revisit or come upon for the first clock time today .
2. Superbad (2007)
asterisk Jonah Hill and Michael Cera as a hilarious duo making the best of their last weeks of high schooltime , Superbadchronicles their misadventures when they ’re invite to a huge house party . Determined to be cool and hopefully fall back their virginity , Seth ( Hill ) and Evan ( Cera ) go the special geographical mile to somehow get alcohol for the event . An unfortunate runnel - in with two police officers end up complicate their mission , especially since they catch the dim - witted Fogell ( Christopher Mintz - Plasse ) trying to buy pot likker .
address by Greg Mottola and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg , the flick is a catgut - busting portraiture of the best and risky parts of being a teen . With maturity just around the street corner , the two principal character are desperate to change their repute and have a blast , but terminate up in awkward situations in the unconscious process . Superbadfires on all cylinder , light upon comedy gold with its witty dialog , risible performances , and famous quotes like “ I am McLovin ! ”
1. Mean Girls (2004)
Without a doubt , Mean Girlsis the greatest adolescent and eminent school film ever made . Directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey , the dear 2004 flick admit position at North Shore High School , where homeschooled teenager Cady Heron ( Lindsay Lohan ) has recently transfer . She immediately incur the wrath of the vicious clique of popular girl known as “ The Plastics , ” pass by their queen bee , Regina George ( Rachel McAdams ) . do-or-die to match in , Cady pass through the radical and soon finds herself acquire their toxic behaviors .
Mean Girlsis a pop culture phenomenon that has endured as the secure and most famous example of the genre . Through a comedic lens , Tina Fey would absolutely enamour the wonderful and terrible experience of being a immature woman in high school day , along with all of the social atmospheric pressure that come with it . The film ’s biting satire of high school dynamics has help cement it as a relatable fan favorite , withthe movie ’s memorable linesand over - the - top characters control thatMean Girlswill always be fetch .
