Image credit: Paramount Pictures, TWE, MGM, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures, New World Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures, Atlantic Releasing Corporation, Columbia Pictures, Warner Bros.
The '80s gave us a treasure trove of teen dramas that go way beyond the well-trodden halls of 'The Breakfast Club', offering a kaleidoscope of high school experiences that deserve their own spot in the teen movie hall of fame.
These are the kind of movies that didn't always make it to the top of the box office charts, but they nailed the teen experience in a way that makes you feel like they were lifting pages right out of your high school diary, blending humor, drama, and those painfully awkward moments into a perfect '80s mixtape of emotions.
An underachieving high school senior, Lloyd Dobler, falls for the class valedictorian, Diane Court, in the summer before she leaves for college, leading to an iconic boombox serenade and a touching exploration of young love.
2. "Heathers" (1988) Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Veronica Sawyer, a high school student in Ohio, becomes disillusioned with her popular girl clique, the Heathers, and teams up with a rebellious new student, J.D., to play a deadly prank on the clique's leader, inadvertently sparking a series of murders disguised as suicides.
A high school student, Joel Goodson, left alone at home, gets involved with a call girl, leading to a series of misadventures including turning his parents' house into a brothel, evading a pimp, and dealing with the pressures of getting into Princeton.
4. "The Karate Kid" (1984) Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
A teenager, Daniel LaRusso, moves to California and struggles with bullies from a local karate dojo, leading him to learn karate from Mr. Miyagi, a wise and unassuming martial arts master, to stand up for himself, culminating in a climactic karate tournament.
5. "The Sure Thing" (1985) Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
College student Walter Gibson embarks on a cross-country journey with his uptight classmate, Alison Bradbury, in pursuit of a "sure thing," a beautiful woman in California, only to find his feelings for Alison growing during their adventures.
A San Fernando Valley girl, Julie, falls for a punk from Hollywood, Randy, leading to a Romeo-and-Juliet-esque romance that challenges the social norms and cliques of 1980s teen culture.
7. "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986) Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
Ferris Bueller, a charismatic high school student, fakes illness to skip school and embarks on a day-long adventure through Chicago with his girlfriend Sloane and best friend Cameron, outwitting his principal and his suspicious sister along the way.
Samantha's 16th birthday is overshadowed by her sister's wedding, and she pines for her crush Jake, leading to a series of humorous and poignant events, including a forgotten birthday and a school dance.
9. "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982) Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%
A group of Southern California high school students navigate the challenges of sex, love, and adolescence, with iconic characters like surfer dude Spicoli facing off against strict teacher Mr. Hand.
10. "The Lost Boys" (1987) Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%
Two brothers move to a California town filled with mysterious and dangerous bikers who turn out to be vampires; the younger brother befriends a group of vampire hunters, while the older one gets drawn into the vampire gang.
11. "Some Kind of Wonderful" (1987) Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%
A working-class teen, Keith, pines for the popular girl, Amanda, while his tomboyish friend, Watts, harbors feelings for him, leading to a love triangle that challenges their perceptions of love and friendship.
12. "Pretty in Pink" (1986) Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Andie, a high school girl from the wrong side of the tracks, falls for rich kid Blane, navigating the challenges of high school social hierarchies and peer pressures, culminating in a poignant prom night.
13. "Lucas" (1986) Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%
A socially awkward 14-year-old, Lucas, falls for an older girl, who in turn falls for the high school football star, leading Lucas to join the football team in a misguided attempt to win her heart.
14. "The Outsiders" (1983) Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
In this film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel, set in 1960s Oklahoma, two rival teenage gangs, the Greasers and the Socs, grapple with conflicts that reflect the class and social divisions in their community, leading to tragedy and profound realizations about unity and belonging.
A high school wrestler, Louden Swain, decides to drop weight to challenge the state's top wrestler, facing physical and emotional challenges along the way, and finds inspiration in an unexpected romance with an older woman, Carla.
Two socially awkward teenagers, Gary and Wyatt, create a perfect, beautiful woman, Lisa, using their computer, leading to a series of bizarre and comedic scenarios as Lisa helps them navigate high school life.
17. "Footloose" (1984) Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%
A big-city teenager, Ren McCormack, moves to a small town where dancing and rock music are banned, and he challenges the conservative local government and revitalizes the community by fighting for a high school dance.
18. "Can't Buy Me Love" (1987) Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
A high school nerd, Ronald Miller, pays the most popular girl in school, Cindy Mancini, to pretend to be his girlfriend for a month to boost his social status, but the facade leads to unexpected complications in both their lives.
19. "Less Than Zero" (1987) Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
Based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel, the film follows a college freshman, Clay, returning home to Los Angeles for Christmas, only to find his ex-girlfriend and best friend struggling with addiction and his privileged lifestyle turned upside down.
High schooler Louise Miller learns she's a descendant of witches and possesses powers, which she uses to become popular and win the heart of her crush, but she learns that magic can't solve all her problems.
