Although watching a new movie or TV show is fun, and can bring its fair share of excitement and surprise, there’s something quite comforting about watching an old show or movie, whether you’ve seen it multiple times or not.
And although watching an older movie, say from the 90s, can highlight some major tech differences, like the huge landlines in Cruel Intentions or the outdated radios in Pump Up the Volume, the timelessness of these movies shows that some human experiences are, after all, quite universal.
So, if you’re wondering what to watch on your next movie night, we’re encouraging you to steer clear from your streaming platform’s “Newest Releases” section and look through some nostalgic 90s cinematic treasures instead. Among our favorites are the hilarious House Party, the tear-jerking 10 Things I Hate About You, the brilliant Romeo + Juliet and the nail-biting comedy-horror Scream, which became the first of its franchise.
Plus, you might even get to see some of your favorite celebrities baby-faced right at the beginning of their careers too. What’s more adorable than that?
Here are the best 90s movies for teens!
‘Clueless’
As one of the most classic ’90s movies, Clueless will immediately take you back in time. The coming-of-age film, starring Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash and Paul Rudd, follows a group of high schoolers as they navigate dating, academics and, of course, fashion.
‘She’s All That’
Starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Freddie Prinze Jr., She’s All That is another must-watch option from the late 90s teen movies selection. The movie, available on Hulu, follows high school stud Zach (Prinze Jr.) as he makes a bet to transform his high school’s nerdy outcast Laney (Cook) into the next prom queen.
‘House Party’
Led by Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin, 1990’s House Party is one of the all-around most recommended 90’s movies. The film follows two best friends Kid and Play as they decide to host a house party when things quickly get out of control making it a night they’ll never forget.
‘Never Been Kissed’
In one of Drew Barrymore’s most iconic roles, Never Been Kissed follows the up-and-coming journalist Josie (Barrymore) as she goes undercover in a high school to investigate teenage culture. The connection she sparks with her dreamy English teacher (Michael Vartan), however, is much more than what she bargained for.
‘Good Burger’
Starring the hilarious dynamic duo Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, Good Burger is a ’90s treasure that’ll keep you laughing for days. The film follows a teenager called Dexter (Thompson) as he begins to work for his local fast-food joint only to have to save it from going out of business.
‘Encino Man’
Decades before becoming an Oscar winner, Brendan Fraser had another iconic role as the frozen caveman who came back to life in Encino Man. The film follows two high schoolers (Sean Astin and Paul Shore) as they teach Fraser’s thawed-out caveman all about the world and how to behave in it.
‘Empire Records’
Starring Liv Tyler, Robin Tunney and Renée Zellweger, Empire Records is another coming-of-age story that follows a group of employees at a record store throughout one whirlwind of a day.
’10 Things I Hate About You’
In one of Heath Ledger’s most iconic roles, 10 Things I Hate About You tells the story of two completely different sisters; one who is happy being an outcast while the younger one can’t wait to come out of her shell. House rules, however, dictate the youngest can’t date if the oldest is still single.
‘Election’
Starring baby-faced Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon, 1999’s Election tells the story of two ultra-competitive high schoolers who are ready to do just about anything to win student president.
‘Scream’
As 90s teen horror movies go, it doesn’t get much better than Scream. In 1996, the franchise officially began with the fan-loved comedy-horror movie Scream. Starring Courtney Cox, Neve Campbell and Drew Barrymore, the film tells the story of a group of high schoolers who become the targets of a mysterious killer in a Halloween costume known as Ghostface.
‘Dazed and Confused’
In another ultra-nostalgic coming-of-age movie, 1993’s Dazed and Confused follows a group of teenagers during the last day of school in 1976 Austin, Texas. Among the stars of the movie are Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Cole Hauser and Matthew McConaughey.
‘Cry-Baby’
Starring Johnny Depp and Ricki Lake, Cry-Baby is a musical romantic comedy about a boy from an outcast group called the “drapes” who falls in love with a girl from their rival group, aka the “squares.” A Romeo & Juliet in 1950’s Baltimore, if you will.
‘Pleasantville’
Starring Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire, 1998’s Pleasantville tells the story of two siblings, Jennifer and David, as they get accidentally trapped inside David’s favorite black-and-white TV show with the same name.
‘Rushmore’
In perhaps one of the lesser-known movies in this list, Rushmore follows the overly ambitious yet troubled teen Max (Jason Schwartzman) as he falls in love with a teacher (Olivia Williams) who has her sights on his new friend (Billy Murray) instead.
‘Pump Up the Volume’
Staring a young Christian Slater, Pump Up the Volume tells the story of an introverted teenager who uses his pirate radio show to air out his deepest thoughts about school and society as a whole. That all changes, however, when another student (Samantha Mathis) tries to uncover his otherwise anonymous identity.
‘Romeo + Juliet’
90s teen romance movies were elite and there are few more romantic, and aesthetically pleasing, than this one. Starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes right at the beginning of their careers, it’s no wonder Romeo + Juliet is a favorite for many. The film, which follows the classic Shakespeare tale, tells the story with a modern twist, all through the eyes of director Baz Luhrmann.
‘Mermaids’
In one of the sweetest family movies on this list, Mermaids tells the story of an unconventional mom (Cher) and her type-A daughter (Winona Ryder). Although these two have seemingly nothing it common, they soon realize its their differences that can bring them together.
‘Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion’
Starring the hilarious duo Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino, Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion is a true ’90s cult classic. The movie follows Romy and Michelle, two failed 28-year-olds who invent fake careers to impress former classmates at their ten-year high school reunion.
‘But I’m a Cheerleader’
Starring an ultra-young Natasha Lyonne, But I’m a Cheerleader was a queer story way ahead of its time. The movie follows Megan, a naive teenager who’s sent to a gay conversion therapy camp by her strict parents after they suspec she’s a lesbian.
‘Seven Years In Tibet’
Starring a young Brad Pitt, Seven Years In Tibet is one of the best 90s teen movies on Netflix. The movie is based on a book of the same name and is set during World War II. An Austrian mountaineer escapes a prisoner-of-war camp and travels to Tibet where he strikes up a friendship with the 14th Dalai Lama who ultimately changes his views on life.
‘American Pie’
There’s no movie that celebrates teenage horniness quite like American Pie. The 99 classic follows Jim (Jason Biggs) and his friends as they make a pact to lose their virginities before the end of high school.
‘Cruel Intentions’
With Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar as questionably close stepsiblings, Cruel Intentions tells the story of mean girl Kathryn (Gellar) as she concocts a diabolical plan to get back and her ex and come out on top no matter what (or who) stands in her way.
‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’
In one of the few horror movies on this list, I Know What You Did Last Summer stars Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt, and other beloved 90s stars as a group of teens trying to move on from a tragic accident the year before. But as summer begins again, a killer begins to come after them.
‘The Craft’
1996’s The Craft follows outcast and secretly telekinetic Sarah (Robin Tunney) as she moves to a new high school and bonds with three other girls. Together, they explore a whole new level to their magical powers.
‘Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead’
What would you do if you were a teenage girl and your babysitter mysteriously dropped dead? Well, in 1991’s Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead Christina Applegate’s Sue is left to take care of her four brothers after her mom left and the babysitter suddenly dies.
‘Drive Me Crazy’
If you love a pretend-to-be-dating trope, then Drive Me Crazy might be the movie for you! Starring Melissa Joan Hart and Adrian Grenier, the movie follows neighbors Nicole and Chase as they fake being in a relationship to attract the attention and jealousy of who they’re really after.
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