High school was weird. Hormones were raging, homework was sky-high, everyone was coming of age, and nothing was more important than graduating.Actually, it’s not much different from college.
1. "The Breakfast Club"
There is nothing more awkward than being stuck with a group of social strangers for a Saturday. John Hughes (also the writer of "Pretty in Pink" and "Sixteen Candles")
is great at writing dialogue. If you’ve ever wondered how you became
friends with a random stranger after one group project, this movie is
for you.
2. "Risky Business"
Four reasons not to pass this up: 1. Baby Tom Cruise dancing in whitey-tighties. 2. Love triumphing over money. 3. The relatable bitterness of watching friends get higher SAT scores and get accepted to better schools. 4. The struggle to make a name for yourself in a world where everyone already has a name for themselves. Remind you of post-grad life?
3. "Easy A"
Emma Stone’s sex life—in fact,
anybody’s sex life—is absolutely none of your business.
4. "Mean Girls"
Moving to a new school is hard enough without being targeted by the reigning female power clique. Written by and starring the hilarious Tina Fey, every line in this is pure gold. Four for you, Glen Coco.
5. "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off"
A classic. Who hasn't dreamed of blowing everything off and going to Chicago for a day?
6. "Juno"
If you thought high school was hard by itself, try doing it while pregnant.
7. "Paper Towns"
Everyone is afraid of leaving friends after graduation, especially if you have the kind of friends that stick with you across state lines, bad parties, and pointless crushes. Not to mention that this movie absolutely destroys the manic pixie dream girl trope
. Hate on John Green all you want, but don’t knock this movie till you try it.
8. "Dead Poets Society"
The teachers who genuinely care about students are legends. Plus, if Robin Williams can't make you appreciate poetry, nobody can.
9. "The Duff"
Just because.
10. "Pretty in Pink"
This movie features the three greatest struggles of high school: unrequited love, dating across cliques, and finding a prom dress that actually fits. If you’ve ever been on the losing side of a love triangle, or if you wondered what John Cryer was like before "Two and a Half Men" sucked the life out of him, this movie is for you.
11. "Perks of Being a Wallflower"
Last but not least, one of the most poignant coming of age movies of all time. People forget how hard growing up can be. This movie is unflinching, heartfelt, and powerful.