10 Underrated Teen Movies That Could’ve Been Cult Classics
Teen Movies are enjoyed by people of all age groups and distinct taste. The light, intriguing stories, poignant screenplay, and portrayal of beautiful young love have mesmerized the world’s audience. Only a few teen movies cover the distance to make it to the cult-classic hall of fame. Here, ten teen movies of a cult classic caliber will be observed and discussed.
1. Trojan War (1997)
Trojan War is a teen romantic comedy typical of the 90s. Starring Will Friedle and Jennifer Love Hewitt, it explores the tension and humor in a typical love triangle. The story-line follows high-school student Brad who likes his classmate Brooke. His best friend Leah develops feelings for him. The movie is full of hilarious moments and interesting twists.
2. Bully (2001)
This film was a disputed release in its day. ‘Bully’ focuses on a group of south Florida teens who plot the murder of their aggressive friend. The painstakingly precise script and screenplay proved to be too ‘real’ for the era’s critics. The concept of teen abuse and repercussions hits close to home, making it an exciting watch.
3. Get Over It (2001)
This teen comedy-drama derived its story from two famous Shakespearean plays. The story-line has many similarities with ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. The story revolves around the nuanced and complicated relationships between high-school students participating in a musical. The type of comedy depicted was ahead of its time. Present viewers might have a good laugh watching.
3. Elephant (2003)
The Gus Van Sant psychological drama involves teen violence rooting in aggressive video-games and the subsequent tendencies of outbursts. Two teen boys plot an armed takeover after playing such games. The film mirrors the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre with a balanced perception of reality and fiction.
4. The Assassination of a High-School President (2008)
The film was among the forerunners of modern Hollywood comedies. Action star Bruce Willis plays an impertinent principal. The story follows a young journalist in his pursuit of a SAT paper theft. There are multiple hilarious moments as he closes in on his target.
6. Prom Night (2008)
The slasher-horror movie draws inspiration from the original 1980 film. It successfully incorporated the spirit of an 80s school prom. The disco theme and a serial killer villain is typical in films of that era. Some critics dismissed the movie for its depiction of female violence.
7. The Dirties (2012)
Matt Johnson’s directorial debut revolves around two teens filming a comedy. They take revenge on their high-school bullies in the process. The movie is quite relatable as it details life in high-school hallways. It plays with the notion of vengeance of the people pushed over the edge by bullies.
8. Me & Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
This movie was similar to ‘The Fault in our Stars’. It is based on Jesse Andrews’ homonymous novel. The script describes the undying friendship between awkward Greg, his best friend Earl, and leukemia-patient Rachel.
9. Mid90s (2018)
Jonah Hill’s directorial debut highlights his personal experience growing up in Los Angeles in the 1990s. The comedy-drama is spun around Stevie and his coming of age obstacles in life.
10. Big Time Adolescence (2019)
Jason Orley’s debut is the very paradigm of modern comedy-dramas. The development of a teenager into an adult and his friendship with a college dropout. The peer-mentor misguides, and the two learn through mutual mistakes. The movie’s strength is the audience’s relatability throughout Monroe’s journey.
Films are judged as per the entertainment they provide the audience. Teens feel misunderstood and neglected throughout their growing period. These movies are relatable and transparent in their portrayal of teenage life. So get watching and let us know which films you discovered yourselves in and liked the best.
