15 Must-See Movies for Teens: A Guide to the Best Youth-Oriented Films

Finding movies that appeal to us as teens while still entertaining may take time and effort. We've compiled this list of our favourite movies we believe every adolescent should see. There is something for every youngster on this list, from inspiring sci-fi adventures to coming-of-age tales. So get some popcorn, settle down, and get ready to learn about the top adolescent films.


1. "The Fault in Our Stars"


"The Fault in Our Stars" is a 2014 romantic drama film based on John Green's best-selling book of the same name. The film tells the narrative of two youngsters, Hazel and Augustus, who fall in love despite their cancer problems.


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Shailene Woodley plays Hazel, a 16-year-old girl who has been fighting thyroid cancer for years. She is required to carry an oxygen tank at all times and has mostly resigned herself to a life of seclusion and isolation. Augustus, portrayed by Ansel Elgort, is a pleasant and gregarious 18-year-old who has just lost a leg to cancer but yet manages to retain a cheerful outlook.

Despite their difficulties, Hazel and Augustus are attracted to one other and create a strong and lasting friendship. The story follows them as they deal with the ups and downs of their love as well as the reality of their terminal diseases.

"The Fault in Our Stars" is a moving and heartfelt examination of love and grief, as well as a reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of love to transcend even the most difficult obstacles. The picture gained considerable critical praise and was a box office hit, making more than $307 million.

2. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is a 2012 coming-of-age drama film based on Stephen Chbosky's best-selling book of the same name. Charlie, a timid and introverted high school freshman portrayed by Logan Lerman, navigates the intricacies of growing up and defining his own identity in the film.


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Charlie has always struggled to fit in, and in his new high school, he feels separated and alone. However, things begin to change when he encounters a gang of misfits and outcasts, including his new buddy, Patrick (Ezra Miller), and his stepsister, Sam (Emma Watson). They become a close-knit community and assist Charlie in finding the confidence and bravery to emerge from his shell and accept his real self.

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is a moving and honest depiction of adolescent challenges and successes. The film has realistic and multifaceted characters and covers themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery in an open and nuanced manner. It gained considerable critical praise and was a box office hit, making more than $17 million.

3."Moonrise Kingdom"

Wes Anderson directed the romantic comedy-drama film "Moonrise Kingdom" in 2012. The plot is set in the 1960s and follows Sam and Suzy, two teenage lovers who run away from home to be together.

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Jared Gilman's character, Sam, is a teenage orphan and Scout who has always felt out of place in the world. Suzy, portrayed by Kara Hayward, is a scholarly and quiet little girl who believes her parents misunderstand and abandon her. Despite their differences, the two are attracted to one another and plan to flee to a desolate island together.

They come to depend on one another and find consolation in their common feeling of solitude as they face the obstacles of living on their own and being on the run. "Moonrise Kingdom" is a pleasant and delightful story about adolescent love and the freedom of youth. It gained considerable critical praise and was a movie office hit, making over $68 million.

4."The Hunger Games"

"The Hunger Games" is a 2012 science fiction adventure film based on Suzanne Collins' best-selling dystopian book of the same name. The tale follows Katniss Everdeen, a teenage girl portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, who becomes a symbol of hope for her oppressed society after being selected to participate in the Hunger Games, a violent and fatal tournament.


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The Hunger Games are a yearly event in Panem's dystopian society in which one boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts are selected to fight to the death in a controlled arena. Katniss agrees to play the games in lieu of her little sister and becomes one of the tributes. As she enters the arena, she must rely on her abilities and ingenuity to survive and emerge victorious.

"The Hunger Games" is a suspenseful and action-packed story about survival and self-discovery. The film gained tremendous critical praise and was a box office triumph, earning over $694 million. It generated two sequels and started a successful cinema series.


5. "Eighth Grade"

Bo Burnham wrote and directed "Eighth Grade," a 2018 coming-of-age comedy-drama film. Kayla, a 13-year-old girl portrayed by Elsie Fisher, navigates the rigours of middle school while attempting to be popular and confident.


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Kayla is a timid and awkward adolescent who finds it difficult to blend in with her friends. She spends most of her time alone, creating YouTube videos in which she provides advice on how to be confident and popular. She must address her worries and doubts as she approaches the last week of eighth grade and learns to be true to herself.

"Eighth Grade" is an honest and genuine picture of adolescent problems and successes. The film has likeable and multifaceted characters and delves into subjects such as friendship, social networking, and self-discovery in a subtle and genuine manner. It gained considerable critical praise and was a box office hit, making more than $13 million.


6. "The Spectacular Now"

"The Spectacular Now" is a 2013 romantic film directed by James Ponsoldt. The plot revolves on Sutter, a brilliant and attractive high school senior portrayed by Miles Teller, who falls for Aimee, a quiet and reticent classmate played by Shailene Woodley.


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Sutter is a popular and easygoing student who has always gone with the flow of life. He has never given any consideration to his future and is satisfied to float through his final year. Everything changes, though, when he meets Aimee, a kind and bright girl who is the polar opposite of him. Sutter starts to open up and view the world in a new light as they spend more time together.

"The Spectacular Now" is a charming and heartbreaking look at first love and relationship complications. The film delves into the ups and downs of adolescent love, as well as the difficulties of growing up and making life choices. It gained considerable critical praise and was a box office hit, making more than $6 million.


7. "The Edge of Seventeen"

Kelly Fremon Craig wrote and directed "The Edge of Seventeen," a 2016 coming-of-age comedy-drama film. The plot follows Nadine, a high school junior portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld, as she battles to cope with adolescent issues and the recent betrayal of her closest friend.


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Nadine is a bright and self-assured adolescent who has always felt out of place and misunderstood. She has a troubled connection with her mother and is fighting to find her place in the world. Things worsen when her closest friend, Krista, begins dating her older brother, Darian. Nadine feels deceived and alienated, and she seeks to support and direction from her history teacher, Mr. Bruner.

"The Edge of Seventeen" is a hilarious and sympathetic look at the ups and downs of adolescence. The film has deep and realistic characters and covers themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery in a straightforward and subtle manner. It gained considerable critical praise and was a box office hit, making more than $14 million.


8. "Divergent"

"Divergent" is a 2014 science fiction action film based on the popular dystopian book by Veronica Roth. Tris, a young lady portrayed by Shailene Woodley, must navigate a society split into factions based on personality qualities in the film.


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People in the film's dystopian civilization are separated into five groups based on their major psychological traits: abnegation, amity, candour, dauntlessness, and erudite. Tris is a member of Abnegation, a selfless and altruistic faction, but she realises she does not belong and is labelled as "divergent," which means she does not fit into any of the factions. This puts her a menace to society and she must go on the run and battle to live.

"Divergent" is an exciting and thought-provoking look at identity and self-discovery. The film garnered mixed reviews but was a box office triumph, making over $288 million. It generated two sequels and started a successful cinema series.


9. "The Maze Runner"

"The Maze Runner" is a 2014 science fiction action film based on the popular dystopian book by James Dashner. The plot revolves around Thomas, a young guy portrayed by Dylan O'Brien who becomes caught in a strange and dangerous labyrinth.


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Thomas wakes up in a strange environment called the Glade with no memories of his history. He is encircled by a group of other lads who have also been taken to the Glade and are attempting to escape. Every day, a group of lads known as the Runners travel into the labyrinth that encircles the Glade in quest of an exit. When Thomas arrives, he immediately becomes an important part of the gang, uncovering the mysteries of the labyrinth and the organisation that built it.

"The Maze Runner" is a gripping and exhilarating journey of survival and self-discovery. The film garnered mixed reviews but was a box office triumph, making over $348 million. It generated two sequels and started a successful cinema series.


10. "The Spiderwick Chronicles"

"The Spiderwick Chronicles" is a 2008 fantasy adventure film based on the popular children's book series of the same name. When the Grace children move into the Spiderwick Estate, they find a secret realm full of mystical creatures and peril.


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Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace are three siblings who are having to adapt to their new existence at the Spiderwick Estate after their mother's untimely death. They are helped by their great-aunt Lucinda, who offers them a key to their great-great-uncle, Arthur Spiderwick's, strange study. They are attracted to a secret realm of danger and adventure when they find a hidden book with knowledge of the mystical creatures that inhabit the globe.

The Grace children must use their bravery and ingenuity to defend their new home and the ones they love as they learn about the magical creatures and the danger that threatens them. "The Spiderwick Chronicles" is a fascinating and creative story for adolescents who like adventure and magic. It got mixed reviews but was a movie office hit, making more than $162 million.

11. "The Break-Up"

Peyton Reed directed the romantic comedy-drama film "The Break-Up" in 2006. The film chronicles the narrative of a couple, Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) and Gary (Vince Vaughn), who struggle to deal with the fallout from their breakup and learn to live without one another.


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Brooke and Gary have been together for a long time and live together in a Chicago apartment. Their relationship starts to disintegrate, though, as they begin to squabble and bicker about little matters. When they decide to end their relationship, they must divide their common things and adapt to life apart.

Brooke and Gary are forced to address the reasons that led to their breakup and learn to live without one other as they attempt to go on with their lives. "The Break-Up" is a witty and emotional look at the intricacies of relationships and the obstacles of moving on after a breakup. It got mixed reviews but was a movie office hit, making more than $205 million.

12. "The Princess Diaries"

Garry Marshall directed the romantic comedy film "The Princess Diaries" in 2001. The plot revolves on Mia, a timid and awkward adolescent portrayed by Anne Hathaway, who realises she is a princess and must learn to negotiate her new world.


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Mia is a high school senior living in San Francisco with her artist mother, Helen. She is a timid, awkward girl who tries to fit in and feels invisible among her peers. Everything changes, however, when she realises she is the princess of Genovia, a fictitious European kingdom, and the lone successor to the throne.

Mia is helped by her eccentric grandmother, Queen Clarisse, and a gorgeous tutor, Michael, as she tries to adapt to her new life and the responsibilities of her royal duties. Mia learns to accept her actual identity and gain the courage to be herself along the journey. "The Princess Diaries" is a delightful story about self-discovery and the power of friendship. It got mixed reviews but was a movie office hit, making more than $165 million.

13. "Crazy, Stupid, Love"

"Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a romantic comedy film directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa that was released in 2011. The plot revolves on Cal, a middle-aged guy portrayed by Steve Carell, who goes on a journey of self-discovery when his wife files for divorce.


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Cal is in his forties and has been married to Emily for 25 years. He's happy with his life and hasn't given much care to his looks or personal development. When Emily begs for a divorce, though, everything changes and he is forced to rethink his life.

As Cal tries to come to grips with his new reality, he meets a young guy called Jacob, portrayed by Ryan Gosling, who takes him under his wing and teaches him how to be confident and successful with women. Cal learns to accept his genuine self and achieve happiness on his own terms along the road. "Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a joyful and amusing look at love, friendship, and self-discovery. It gained considerable critical praise and was a box office hit, making more than $142 million.


14. "10 Things I Hate About You"

Gil Junger directed the romantic comedy film "10 Things I Hate About You" in 1999. The film is a contemporary version of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," and it tells the narrative of Kat and Patrick, two high school students who fall in love despite their differences.


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Kat (Julia Stiles) is a rebellious and independent adolescent with a reputation for being rough and unapproachable. She is highly protective of her younger sister, Bianca, and has a no-dating policy. Patrick, portrayed by Heath Ledger, is a popular and charming student who is anxious to earn Kat's affection.

Patrick must manage the rigours of high school politics and the barriers that stand in their way as he attempts to court Kat and win her over. Along the process, he teaches Kat to overcome her anxieties and accept her real self. "10 Things I Hate About You" is a lighthearted and joyful look at love and self-discovery. It gained considerable critical praise and was an economic triumph, making over $63 million at the box office.


15. "Easy A"

Will Gluck directed the comedy-drama film "Easy A" in 2010. Olive, portrayed by Emma Stone, is a high school girl who utilises her wit and charm to negotiate the intricacies of puberty and social standing.


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Olive is a bright and self-assured adolescent who is weary of being neglected and undervalued by her friends. She resolves to take control of her life and reputation by claiming to lose her virginity to a buddy in order to acquire fame. Her approach, however, backfires, and she becomes the object of mockery and scorn from her peers.

Olive is helped by her quirky parents and a gang of misfits who become her odd friends as she battles to negotiate the obstacles of high school and the expectations of her classmates. Along the journey, she discovers how to accept her own self and find the courage to be herself. "Easy A" is a sincere and hilarious examination of identity and self-discovery. It gained considerable critical praise and was a box office hit, making more than $75 million.

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