Ah, high school, a time full of awkward encounters, wild first experiences, and moments parents just can’t understand. When movies try to portray this especially tumultuous period in any teenager’s life, only a few manage to stand out as accurate and entertaining reflections of the triumphs and tribulations of some of the most important years for most people.
Related The 1982 film perfectly captures what it was like to be in high school during that time, with its attention to small details like the language, what work was like, and even the food obvious throughout its 90-minute runtime. It was also considered transgressive then for its bold portrayal of sexuality and taboos like abortion, which it seamlessly weaved into its realistic yet humorous depiction of teenage life.
5. Dazed and Confused An iconic stoner comedy movie by director Richard Linklater, Dazed and Confused takes fans back to the 1970s, specifically to 1976 in Austin, Texas, where several teenagers are celebrating their last day of high school. There’s no clear plot, with the 1993 film jumping between characters that include star football player Randall “Pink” Floyd , scary bully Fred O’Bannion , and incoming freshman Mitch Kramer .
Directed by Amy Heckerling, Clueless is a time capsule for the ’90s, featuring prominent fashion trends like knee-high socks and preppy outfits that would become even more common after the film’s premiere. It also served as a crucial evolution for the teen genre, essentially serving as a blueprint for the coming-of-age chick flick obsession that came with the new century.
2. Superbad Starring Jonah Hill and Michael Cera as a hilarious duo making the best of their last weeks of high school, Superbad chronicles their misadventures when they’re invited to a huge house party. Determined to be cool and hopefully lose their virginity on that night, Seth and Evan go the extra mile to somehow get alcohol for the event. An unfortunate run-in with two police officers ends up complicating their mission, especially since they catch the dim-witted Fogell trying to buy liquor.