Research consistently shows that the most protective factor for teens is having a strong, positive connection with their parents. However, as our kids approach adolescence, it's common for our relationships with them to get more complicated, conflicted, and disconnected. Why? Parents tend to react to their teen’s attempts to push away from the family by pulling them in closer. Unfortunately, this often results in power struggles, arguments and disconnection. The tighter we hold on, the harder they fight to break free.
The irony is that teens actually want to be close to their families. In a recent Youth Happiness Study, the majority of the 1300 teens interviewed claimed they were often happier being with their parents than being with their friends. The problem is, many teens do not feel like their parents “get them.” In reality, most parents do not.
So how can you build the connection you both so desperately want? One of the best ways we can build and strengthen our relationship with our teen is through open, authentic communication. This is achieved by spending time with them just chilling out, being generous with our trust and understanding, and by listening to them more than we talk.
Of course, getting our teen to grunt, let alone talk openly, can be its own challenge. One effective and fun way to open the lines of communication and ignite a constructive conversation is by watching a movie together. Select one of your teen’s favorite movies or share one of your own. Ask each other questions about it, share your observations and see where it leads you. Some general questions you can ask are:
- What did you think about this movie? What did you like/dislike?
- How does this movie portray teens/families/schools?
- What is realistic vs. “Hollywood-ized”?
- What stereotypes are strengthened/contradicted?
- Do you see any similar behaviors or situations in your own life?
- Did you learn anything from this movie (either positive or negative)? How can you use this information in your life? How does it change your perspective?
- Did this movie bring up any questions or concerns you’d like to discuss?
- If the movie is from a different era: What differences/similarities do you see in how teens/families/schools are portrayed today? Does is seem like life was harder for teens then or now?
Not sure what to watch? Here’s a list of the 50 best coming-of-age movies that are family-friendly (PG-13 or under) and rich with teen-related topics to spark your talk.
1. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, slapstick violence, course language. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teens may recognize: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
What it’s about: A new kid must find a guy to date the meanest girl in school, the older sister of the girl he has a crush on, who cannot date until her older sister does (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cliques, dating, drug use, family conflict, first love, friendship, high school, self identity, sexuality, single parenting, teen angst, teen rebellion, trust, underage drinking
2. American Graffiti (1973)
Rating: PG (brief nudity, frank sexual discussion, moderate profanity, mild violence. Details)
Genre: Comedy, drama
Actors your teens may recognize: Ron Howard, Harrison Ford
What it’s about: A couple of high school grads spend one final night cruising the strip with their buddies before they go off to college (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cliques, driving, first love, friendship, graduation, high school, peer pressure, respect, sexuality, teen angst, teen rebellion, underage drinking
3. Back to the Future (1985)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, mild profanity, mild violence. Details)
Genre: Adventure, comedy, sci-fi
Actors your teens may recognize: Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd
What it’s about: A teenager is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: bullying, family, family conflict, first love, high school, mentorship, prom, racial discrimination, sexuality, underage drinking
4. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Rating: PG-13 (No sexual content, moderate profanity, minor violence. Details)
Genre: Comedy, drama, romance
Stars your teens may recognize: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
What it’s about: The daughter of orthodox Sikh rebels against her parents' traditionalism by running off to Germany with a football team (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about it: applying for college, cultural differences, cultural identity, dating, family, family, conflict, first love, friendship, gender differences, high school, homosexuality, parental pressure, racial discrimination, respect, self identity, team sports, teen angst, trust.
5. Better Off Dead (1985)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, moderate profanity, slapstick violence. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Actors your teens may recognize: John Cusack, Diane Franklin
What it’s about: A teenager has to deal with his girlfriend dumping him among family crises, homicidal paper boys, and a rival skier (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cliques, dating, family conflict, first love, high school, self esteem, self identity, teen angst
6. Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, no violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: Patrick Dempsey, Seth Green
What it’s about: A nerdy outcast secretly pays the most popular girl in school one thousand dollars to be his girlfriend (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cliques, dating, first love, friendship, overcoming the odds, popularity, self esteem, self identity, teen angst, underdog, unrequited love
7. Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
Rating: PG-13 (moderate sexual content, mild violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Seth Green, Peter Facinelli
What it’s about: Multi-character teenage comedy about high school graduates with different agenda of life on graduation night (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cliques, first love, high school graduation, popularity, self esteem, sexuality, teen angst, underage drinking, unrequited love
8. Clueless (1995)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, no profanity, no violence. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Actors your teens may recognize: Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, Stacey Dash, Paul Rudd, Donald Faison
What it’s about: A rich high school student tries to boost a new pupil's popularity, but reckons without affairs of the heart getting in the way (IMDb). Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma.
Teen themes to talk about: body image, cliques, dating, driving, family, family conflict, first love, friendship, high school, homosexuality, popularity, self identity, sexuality, single parenting, stepfamilies
9. Dead Poets Society (1989)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, mild violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama
Actors your teens may recognize: Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles, Robert Sean Leonard
What it’s about: English teacher John Keating inspires his students to a love of poetry and to seize the day (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: compassion, family conflict, first love, friendship, high school, mentorship, morality, parent pressure, peer pressure, respect, self esteem, self identity, suicide, teen angst, trust
10. Dirty Dancing (1987)
Rating: PG-13 (moderate sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, musical, romance
Stars your teens may recognize: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey,
What it’s about: Spending the summer in a holiday camp with her family, Frances "Baby" Houseman falls in love with the camp's dance instructor Johnny Castle (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: abortion, body image, compassion, family, family conflict, first love, friendship, parent pressure, respect, self esteem, self identity, sexuality, sibling rivalry, social class differences, trust
11. Easy-A (2010)
Rating: PG-13 (moderate sexual content, mild violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teens may recognize: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd, Lisa Kudrow
What it’s about: A clean-cut high school student relies on the school's rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cliques, drug use, family conflict, first love, friendship, gossip, high school, homosexuality, peer pressure, popularity, religion, self identity, sexuality, teen angst, underage drinking
12. Emperor’s Club, The (2002)
Rating: PG-13 (moderate sexual content. Details)
Genre: Drama
Stars your teen may recognize: Jesse Eisenberg, Kevin Kline, Rob Morrow
What it’s about: An idealistic prep school teacher attempts to redeem an incorrigible student. (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cheating, family conflict, friendship, high school, mentorship, morality, teen angst, teen rebellion, underage smoking
13. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, mild violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Comedy
Stars your teens may recognize: Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Grey, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara
What it’s about: A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cliques, driving, drug use, friendship, high school, parent pressure, popularity, respect, self esteem, sibling rivalry, teen angst, teen rebellion, truancy, trust
14. Footloose (1984)
Rating: PG (moderate sexual content, moderate violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, musical, romance
Stars your teens may recognize: Kevin Bacon, Sara Jessica Parker, John Lithgow, Chris Penn
What it’s about: A city teenager moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace (IMDb).
Teen themes to discuss: dating, death, family, family conflict, fighting, friendship, morality, parent pressure, prom, religion, respect, sexuality, teen angst, teen rebellion, trust, underage drinking
Note: 2011 remake is rated PG-13. Stars Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald.
15. Freaky Friday (2003)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Comedy, fantasy
Stars your teens may recognize: Lindsay Lohan, Chad Michael Murray
What it’s about: An overworked mother and her daughter do not get along. When they switch bodies, each is forced to adapt to the others life for one freaky Friday (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cheating, driving, family, family conflict, first love, friendship, high school, parent dating, parent pressure, respect, self identity, single parenting, teen angst, teen rebellion, trust
Note: The original Freaky Friday (1976) is rated G and stars Jodie Foster.
16. Friday Night Lights (2004)
Rating: PG-13 (moderate sexual content, mild violence, strong profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, sport
Stars your teen may recognize: Tim McGraw, Lucas Black, Connie Britton
What it’s about: Based on H.G. Bissinger's book, which profiled the economically depressed town of Odessa, Texas and their heroic high school football team, The Permian High Panthers (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: community, family, family conflict, friendship, high school, mentorship, parent pressure, racial discrimination, respect, sexuality, social class differences, team sports, trust, underage drinking
17. Goonies, The (1985)
Rating: PG (mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Adventure, comedy
Stars your teens may recognize: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman
What it’s about: A group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate's long-lost treasure. (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, bullying, friendships, peer pressure, perseverance, self identity, teamwork,
18. Grease (1978)
Rating: PG-13 (moderate sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Musical, romance
Stars your teens may recognize: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
What it’s about: Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance? (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, bullying, cliques, dating, driving, first love, gossip, high school, peer pressure, self identity, sexuality, smoking, team sports, teen angst, teen pregnancy, teen rebellion, underage drinking
19. Hairspray (2007)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Comedy, musical
Stars your teen may recognize: Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer
What it’s about: A pleasantly plump' teenager teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show. (IMDb)
Teen themes to talk about: body image, family, family conflict, friendship, interracial love, overcoming the odds, racial discrimination, respect, self esteem, self identity, teen angst, underdog
Note Hairspray The 1988 version is also rated PG and stars Rikki Lake.
20. High School Musical (2006)
Rating: TV-G (Details)
Genre: Comedy, musical
Stars your teen may recognize: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale
What it’s about: A popular high school athlete and an academically gifted girl get roles in the school musical and develop a friendship that threatens East High's social order. (IMDb)
Teen themes to talk about: cliques, dating, family, family conflict, first love, friendship, gossip, high school, parent pressure, peer pressure, self esteem, self identity, team sports
21. Hoosiers (1986)
Rating: PG (no sexual content, moderate violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, sport
Stars your teen may recognize: Gene Hackman, Dennis Hooper
What it’s about: A coach with a checkered past and a local drunk train a small town high school basketball team to become a top contender for the championship (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: community, family, family conflict, high school, mentorship, overcoming the odds, parent pressure, respect, self identity, social class differences, team sports, teen angst, trust, underdog
22. Juno (2007)
Rating: PG-13 (mature thematic material, moderate sexual content, moderate to high profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teens may recognize: Michael Cera, Ellen Page, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
What it’s about: Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: abortion, adoption, bullying, divorce, family, family conflict, first love, high school, self identity, sexuality, teen pregnancy, trust
23. Karate Kid, The (1984)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, moderate violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, action
Stars your teens may recognize: Ralph Macchio, Elisabeth Shue
What it’s about: A handyman/martial arts master agrees to teach a bullied boy karate and shows him that there is more to the martial art than fighting (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, bullying, compassion, first love, friendship, mentorship, morality, overcoming the odds, respect, self esteem, self identity, single parenting, social class differences, trust, underdog
24. Lean on Me (1989)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, moderate violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama
Stars your teen may recognize: Morgan Freeman
What it’s about: The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school that he is determined to improve (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: drug use, fighting, high school, juvenile delinquency, mentorship, morality, racial discrimination, respect, self identity, single parenting, social class differences, teen rebellion, teenage pregnancy, trust
25. Love and Basketball (2000)
Rating: PG-13 (profanity, sexual content. Details)
Genre: Drama
Stars your teen may recognize: Chris Warren, Kyla Pratt, Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Gabrielle Union
What it’s about: Monica and Quincy love and play basketball together through many life challenges from childhood to adulthood. (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: family, family conflict, first love, friendship, high school, parent pressure respect, self identity, safe sex, sexuality, team sports, trust
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26. Love Simon (2018)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, profanity, drinking/drug use. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel
What it’s about: Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity. (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: bullying, cliques, drinking, family, friendship, high school, homophobia, homosexuality, overcoming the odds, puberty, respect, self esteem, self identity, sexuality, teen angst, tolerance, trust, unrequited love
27. Lucas (1986)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, mild violence, no profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: Charlie Sheen, Winona Ryder, Jeremy Piven
What it’s about: A socially inept fourteen year old experiences heartbreak for the first time when his two best friends -- Cappie, an older-brother figure, and Maggie, the new girl with whom he is in love -- fall for each other (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: bullying, cliques, friendship, high school, overcoming the odds, puberty, respect, self esteem, self identity, teen angst, trust, underdog, unrequited love
28. Mask (1985)
Rating: PT-13 (mild sexual content, mild violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, Biography
Stars your teen may recognize: Cher, Eric Stoltz, Sam Elliott
What it’s about: A teenager with a massive facial skull deformity and biker gang mother attempts to live as normal a life as possible under the circumstances (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, compassion, death, drug use, family, family conflict, first love, overcoming the odds, physical differences, prejudice, self esteem, self identity, underdog
29. Mean Girls (2004)
Rating: PG-13 (moderate sexual content, moderate violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Comedy
Stars your teens may recognize: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, Tim Meadows
What it’s about: Cady Heron is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: betrayal, bullying, cliques, compassion, friendship, gossip, high school , homeschooling, homosexuality, honesty, peer pressure, popularity, redemption, respect, self esteem, self identity, sexuality , teen angst, teen rebellion, trust, underage drinking
30. My Bodyguard (1980)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, moderate violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, comedy
Stars your teen my recognize: Matt Dillon, Adam Baldwin, Joan Cusack
What it’s about: When a boy comes to a new school and gets harassed by a bully, he acquires the services of the school's most feared kid as a bodyguard (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, bullying, cliques, friendship, high school, overcoming the odds, respect, self esteem, self identity, trust, underdog
31. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, mild violence, no profanity. Details)
Genre: Comedy
Stars your teens may recognize: Jon Heder, Haylie Duff
What it’s about: A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home (IMDb)
Teen themes to discuss: body image, bullying, cliques, dating, family, family conflict, first love, friendship, high school, popularity, rejection, underdog
32. Never Been Kissed (1999)
Rating: PG-13 (moderate sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen my recognize: Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Michael Vartan
What it’s about: A journalist enrolls in her old high school as part of her research for a story (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, bullying, cliques, first kiss, first love, high school, peer pressure, popularity, prom, respect, self esteem, self identity, sexuality, siblings, teen angst, trust, underdog
33. Outsiders, The (1983)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, intense violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama
Stars your teens may recognize: C.Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, Diane Lane
What it’s about: When two poor greasers, Johnny, and Ponyboy are assaulted by a vicious gang, the socs, and Johnny kills one of the attackers, tension begins to mount between the two rival gangs, setting off a turbulent chain of events (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: cliques, family, family conflict, fighting, friendship, gangs, juvenile delinquency, runaway, self identity, social class differences, teen angst, teen rebellion, trust
34. Perks of Being a Wallflower, The (2012)
Rating: PG-13 (Moderate sexual content, mild violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, romance
Stars your teen may recognize: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, Dylan McDermott, Kate Walsh
What it’s about: An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world (IMDb).
35. Pretty in Pink (1986)
Rating: PG-13 (Mild sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, James Spader, Andrew McCarthy
What it’s about: A poor girl must choose between the affections of her doting childhood sweetheart and a rich but sensitive playboy (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: alcoholism, body image, cliques, dating, first love, friendship, high school, prom, respect, self esteem, self identity, sexuality, single parenting, social class differences, teen angst, trust, unrequited love
36. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, moderate violence, no profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, romance
Stars your teen may recognize: James Dean, Natalie Wood, Dennis Hopper
What it’s about: A rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, finding friends and enemies (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: driving, family, family conflict, fighting, first love, friendship, juvenile delinquency, peer pressure, self identity, social class differences, teen angst, teen rebellion, underage drinking
37. Remember the Titans (2000)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, sport
Stars your teen my recognize: Denzel Washington, Donald Faison, Hayden Panettiere, Ryan Gosling
What it’s about: The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: friendship, homosexuality, mentorship, overcoming the odds, racial discrimination, respect, team sports, teamwork, trust, underdog
38. Rudy (1993)
Rating: PG (mild violence, moderate profanity, drinking/drug use. Details)
Genre: Drama, sport
Stars your teen my recognize: Sean Astin, Jon Favreau, Lili Taylor
What it’s about: Rudy has always been told that he was too small to play college football. But he is determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of playing for Notre Dame. (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: friendship, death, mentorship, overcoming the odds, perseverance, respect, self identity, social class differences, team sports, teamwork, trust, underdog
39. Sandlot, The (1993)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, strong profanity. Details)
Genre: Comedy, drama
Stars your teen may recognize: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar,Denis Leary, James Earl Jones
What it’s about: In the summer of 1962, a new kid in town is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his rowdy team, resulting in many adventures. (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: bullying, courage, family, fighting, friendship, self esteem, self identity, sexuality, step parents, teamwork, underdog
40. Say Anything (1989)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: John Cusack, Ione Skye, Lili Taylor
What it’s about: A noble underachiever and a beautiful valedictorian fall in love the summer before she goes off to college (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: dating, family, first love, graduation, high school, self esteem, self identity, social class differences, teen angst, underdog, unrequited love
41. School Ties (1992)
Rating: PG-13 (Mild sexuality, mild violence, mild profanity/racial slurs. Details)
Genre: Drama
Stars your teen may recognize: Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Chris O’Donnell, Ben Affleck
What it’s about: A Jewish boy goes to an elite prep school in the 1950’s and hides his religion until a jealous bigot forces it out in the open (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: bullying, cheating, family, family conflict, friendship, high school, morality, parent pressure, prejudice, religion, respect, social class differences, team sports, teen angst, trust
42. She’s All That (1999)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, no violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: Freddie Prinze Jr., Rachael Leigh Cook, Paul Walker, Matthew Lillard, Anna Paquin
What it’s about: A high school jock makes a bet that he can turn an unattractive girl into the school’s prom queen (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, bullying, cliques, dating, death of a parent, first love, high school, peer pressure, popularity, prom, respect, self identity, sexuality, single parenting, teen angst, trust, underage drinking, underdog
43. She’s the Man (2006)
Rating: PG-13 (moderate sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum
What it’s about: When her brother decides to ditch for a couple weeks in London, Viola heads over to his elite boarding school, disguises herself as him, and proceeds to fall for one of her soccer teammates. Little does she realize she’s not the only one with romantic troubles, as she, as he, gets in the middle of a series of intermingled love affairs (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, deception, family, family conflict, first love, gender differences, respect, self esteem, self identity, sexism, sexuality, teen angst, teen sports
44. Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants (2005)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Comedy, drama
Stars your teen may recognize: Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera
What it’s about: Four best girlfriends hatch a plan to stay connected with one another as their lives start off in different directions: they pass around a pair of secondhand jeans that fits each of their bodies perfectly (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, death, family, family conflict, first love, friendship, respect, self esteem, self identity, sexuality, teen angst
45. Sixteen Candles (1984)
Rating: PG (moderate sexual content, no violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, John Cusack
What it’s about: A young girl’s “sweet sixteenth” birthday becomes anything but special as she suffers from every embarrassment possible (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, cliques, family, family conflict, first love, peer pressure, popularity, puberty, self esteem, self identity, sexuality, sibling rivalry, social class differences, teen angst, underage drinking, unrequited love
46. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Rating: PG-13 (mild sexual content, no violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama, romance
Stars your teen may recognize: Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, Lea Thompson
What it’s about: A young tomboy, Watts, finds her feelings for her best friend, Keith, run deeper than just friendship when he gets a date with the most popular girl in school. Unfortunately, the girl’s old boyfriend, who is from the rich section of town, is unable to let go of her, and plans to get back at Keith (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, cliques, courage, dating, family, family conflict, first kiss, first love, friendship, high school, popularity, self esteem, self identity, teen angst, underdog, unrequited love
47. Stand and Deliver (1988)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, mild violence, moderate profanity. Details)
Genre: Drama
Stars your teen may recognize: Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips
What it’s about: The story of Jaime Escalante, a high school teacher who successfully inspired his dropout prone students to learn calculus (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: high school, juvenile delinquency, mentorship, overcoming the odds, racial discrimination, respect, self identity, social class differences, stereotypes, teen angst, teen rebellion, truancy, trust, underdog
48. Teen Wolf (1985)
Rating: PG (mild sexual content, mild violence, mild profanity. Details)
Genre: Romantic comedy
Stars your teen may recognize: Michael J. Fox
What it’s about: A struggling high school student with problems discovers that his family has an unusual pedigree when he finds himself turning into a werewolf (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: body image, dating, drug use, family, family conflict, first love, friendship, high school, peer pressure, popularity, self esteem, self identity, team sports, teen angst, trust, underage drinking, underdog
49. To Sir With Love (1967)
Rating: UR (Details)
Genre: Drama
Stars your teen may recognize: Sidney Poitier
What it’s about: Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy. (IMDb)
Teen themes to talk about: high school, mentorship, morality, overcoming the odds, racial discrimination, respect, self identity, sexuality, social class differences, teen rebellion, trust
50. West Side Story (1961)
Rating: UR (mild violence, mild language. Details)
Genre: Drama, Musical
Stars your teen may recognize: Natalie Wood
What it’s about: Idealistic engineer-trainee and his experiences in teaching a group of rambunctious white high school students from the slums of London’s East End (IMDb).
Teen themes to talk about: death, heartbreak, gang violence, love, morality, racial discrimination, self identity, sexual assault, social class differences, stereotypes, teen rebellion
Having a loving, growing, healthy relationship with your teenager means getting to know them as a person. Hopefully one of these 50 iconic coming-of-age movies can get a conversation started.
