Something about the 1990s makes us majorly nostalgic. The 90s was a vibrant decade for teen cinema, producing a wave of films that captured the complexities of adolescence. This era introduced a mix of iconic characters, catchy soundtracks, and catchy one-liners that defined teenage life. From the carefree days of high school to the struggles of self-discovery, 90s teen movies tackled themes of love, friendship, and rebellion against societal norms. We have curated the best teen movies the decade had to offer. Alright, let’s do this thing...
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
CRY-BABY (1990)
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango
“Cry-Baby” is a musical romantic comedy directed by John Waters. It stars Johnny Depp as Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker, a spirited teenager in the 1950s. The film follows his unexpected romance with Allison, a girl from a strict background. Their unlikely relationship challenges societal norms and class differences. With a vibrant soundtrack and uniquely quirky characters, the film iconicly depicts 50s teen culture at its best.
DON’T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER’S DEAD (1991)
Where To Watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu
What do you do when your mother leaves for the summer, and the elderly babysitter she hires unexpectedly bites the dust? There is only one rule in this film: don’t tell mom the babysitter’s dead. Instead, lie about your age to get a job at a major fashion design company and let your younger siblings run the house into the ground. The fun ensues as these kids scam their way to a parentless summer.
BUFFY, THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1992)
Where To Watch: Hulu, Sling TV, STARZ, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play
In this original film version of “Buffy, The Vampire Slayer,” Buffy (Kristy Swanson) is the head cheerleader and most popular girl in school. But there is something different about her, which she discovers when she meets the mysterious Merrick (Donald Sutherland), who reveals that she hails from a long line of vampire slayers. When the evil vampire Lothos stalks into town, Buffy is forced to seize her destiny and trade in her pom-poms for wooden stakes.
ENCINO MAN (1992)
Where to Watch: iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
What do you do when you unwittingly dig up a frozen caveman in your backyard? Enroll him in high school, of course! After discovering a caveman (Brendan Fraser), best friends Pauly Shore and Sean Astin give him a ’90s makeover, and pretty soon, he is the coolest guy at school. This movie is campy fun at its best.
CLUELESS (1995)
Where To Watch: YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes
Perhaps one of the most enduring ’90s teen flicks is the iconic “Clueless,” written and directed by teen-whisper Amy Heckerling. Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone), the crowned princess of Beverly Hills, spends her time shopping with her best friend Dionne (Stacey Dash). Once “clueless” Tai (the late Brittany Murphy) moves to town, Cher makes it her mission of mercy to make Tai over in her vision and to raise her status on the school’s social ladder. Pretty soon, however, Cher herself starts to feel like the clueless one.
EMPIRE RECORDS (1995)
Where to Watch: YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video
It’s Rex Manning Day, and the employees of the indie record store Empire Records happily prepare for his arrival. But when the staff discovers that the Empire is in jeopardy of being sold to the chain store Music Town (aka sellout), they must figure out how to save the Empire. What’s the best way to “damn the man and save the empire?” Throw an epic party, of course.
Fun Fact: Uber fans celebrate “Rex Manning Day” every year on April 8.
ROMEO + JULIET (1996)
Where to Watch: Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Fandango at Home
“Romeo + Juliet” is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic play. It is directed by Baz Luhrmann and stars a teenage Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet. The film is set in modern-day Verona Beach, where two feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, are embroiled in a violent rivalry.
This film is known for its vibrant visuals, modern soundtrack, and stylized dialogue, bringing Shakespeare’s timeless themes of love, fate, and tragedy into a more contemporary setting.
SCREAM (1996)
Where To Watch: YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes
The first installment of the “Scream” movie franchise made an indelible mark on ’90s pop culture. Directed by horror film legend Wes Craven, Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is stalked by an anonymous killer hiding behind a ghost face mask. The “Scream” opening scene is almost as iconic as the franchise itself (thanks to Drew Barrymore). This teen hit is fun and gory, and it is definitely what you need to watch if you need a serious dose of the 90s.
THE CRAFT (1996)
Where To Watch: Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play
Fairuza Balk, Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True play teen witches with serious powers in this 90s cult hit.
“The Craft” is a supernatural drama about a group of teenage girls exploring the art of witchcraft. The story follows Sarah, the new girl in school who befriends three social misfits—Nancy, Bonnie, and Rochelle. As the girls experiment more with their powers, they gain confidence and exact serious revenge on their many enemies. But when Nancy starts abusing her powers, Sarah attempts to reclaim her own power and break free from Nancy’s control, culminating in a dramatic (and iconic) fight scene. This film quickly earned a place on the cult status list for its teenage take on witcraft.
WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE (1996)
Where to Watch:
“Welcome to the Dollhouse” is a dark comedy-drama that invites us into the life of Dawn Wiener, a socially awkward middle school student navigating the rollercoaster of adolescence. Set against the backdrop of suburban New Jersey, this film captures Dawn’s experience as a social outcast at school and at home.
“Welcome to the Dollhouse” is a cult classic celebrated for its honest and unfiltered exploration of the challenges of the dreaded awkward teenage years.
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (1997)
Where To Watch: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play
Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Ryan Phillippe star in this iconic 90s teen horror flick. After a night of hard partying celebrating their high school graduation, the group accidentally hits and kills a man with their car. In a quick attempt to cover up their crime, they immediately dispose of the body and vow to never speak of their crime again. They all move on to college thinking that their nightmare is behind them – until a menacing, hook-carrying man dressed as a fisherman begins to stalk them one by one. They quickly realize that the nightmare isn’t behind them but is just beginning.
CAN’T HARDLY WAIT (1998)
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime, Vudu, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play
Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) is the most popular girl in school. On the eve of graduation, her popular boyfriend dumps her, leaving her to have an existential crisis in the middle of a rowdy graduation party.
WILD THINGS (1998)
Where To Watch: Hulu, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, iTunes
This steamy Miami-based cult hit brings it on in the drama and suspense department.
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (1999)
Where To Watch: Disney+, iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu
AMERICAN PIE (1999)
Where To Watch: HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu, iTunes
Jason Biggs Chris Klein Thomas Ian Nicholas Alyson Hannigan Shannon Elizabeth Tara Reid Eddie Kaye Thomas Sean William Scott Natasha Lyonne Mena Suvari Eugene Levy Jennifer Coolidge Chris Owen
CRUEL INTENTIONS (1999)
Where To Watch: Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu, Pluto TV
Reese Witherspoon Annette Hargrove Ryan Phillippe Sebastian Valmont Sarah Michelle Gellar Kathryn Merteuil Joshua Jackson Blaine Tuttle Sean Patrick Thomas Ronald Clifford Selma Blair Cecile Caldwell Christine Baranski Bunny Caldwell Selma Blair
Cecile Caldwell Tara Reid Marci Greenbaum
DRIVE ME CRAZY (1999)
Where To Watch: Hulu, Sling TV, Starz, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu
DROP DEAD GORGEOUS (1999)
Where To Watch: Vudu, Fandango Now
Denise Richards (Rebecca ‘Becky’ Ann Leeman) Kirsten Dunst (Amber Atkins) Allison Janney (Loretta) Amy Adams Leslie Miller Brittany Murphy Lisa Swenson Ellen Barkin
(Annette Atkins) and Kirstie Alley (Gladys Leeman)
ELECTION (1999)
Where To Watch: Pluto TV, Crackle, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play
In this quirky cult status teen trope, Reese Witherspoon plays Tracy Flick, an annoying straight “A” student whose life goal is to be elected president of Carver High’s student body…and nobody better get in her way. Unfortunately for teacher Matthew Broderick, he learns this the hard way. To bring Tracy back down to earth, he deliberately interferes with the school election results, sorely underestimating Tracy’s power and ambition.
JAWBREAKER (1999)
Where To Watch: Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play
“Jawbreaker” is the ’90s answer to “Heathers”. It’s campy nineties fun.
Rose McGowan (Courtney), Rebecca Gayheart (Julie), Julie Benz (Marcie), and Charlotte Ayanna (Liz Purr) are the coolest, prettiest, and meanest girls in school. The biggest wish of resident social outcast Fern (Judy Greer) is to join this popular group but to no avail. However, when Fern discovers their dirty little secret, she is invited to join the crew; however, in this high school, the popular girls are not only mean but dangerous. It also must be noted that the fashion in this film is on point.
NEVER BEEN KISSED (1999)
OUTSIDE PROVIDENCE (1999)
SHE’S ALL THAT (1999)
Where To Watch: Pluto TV, YouTube, Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video
When his beautiful and uber-obnoxious girlfriend Taylor Vaughn (Jodie Lyn O’Keefe) dumps him for an equally obnoxious yet hilarious Real World TV star Brock Hudson (Matthew Lillard), popular jock Zack Siler (Freddie Prinze Jr.) bets his friends that he can turn any girl in school into the prom queen. They choose the school’s biggest social outcast, Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook), as their target to become the school’s new “It Girl.” When Zack transforms her look and social status, he doesn’t expect to fall in love with her. Now, Zach has to figure out how to tell Laney that their budding relationship was based on a bet.