15 Of The All-Time Best Movies For Teens To Enjoy In Lockdown
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Lockdown is hard for teenagers, it's especially hard to keep them entertained indoors when all they want is to see their friends. But, there's still hope for keeping them amused.
Why not take this opportunity to give them an education in film, and why not start with some of the best teen movies on Netflix. Here is a compiled list of the 15 best movies for teens to enjoy this lockdown.
To All The Boys I've Loved Before
Lara Jean finds out exactly what happens when every single person you've ever had a crush on receives the secret, embarrassing love letters you wrote them.
2018's To All The Boys I've Loved Before is the best teen movie to watch on Netflix during lockdown. Your teen is bound to enjoy all the romantic adventures that Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) and Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) embark on in this soon-to-be teen classic.
This is one of the movies that has it all - a childhood best friend, siblings, high school rivalries and first crushes.
Lady Bird
Lady Bird (2017) is one of the teen movies that cannot be missed.
The film follows seventeen year-old 'Lady Bird' (Saoirse Ronan) through her coming-of-age in 2002.
Documenting all of her tantrums, teen drama and so-called romances (Timothee Chalamet) throughout her last year of high school before heading off to college, Lady Bird feels like an all too raw account of what it is like being a teenager, and will leave your teenager in awe of what films can be.
Add this to the list of films to watch during lockdown and you're in for laughter, tears and the need to call your mum and tell her you love her.
Dumplin'
Willowdean (Danielle McDonald) accidentally ends up as the leader of a revolution in her small Texas town - the beauty pageant revolution. Dumplin' (2018) is a sincere, heartfelt and uplifting story about Willowdean and her fight to find herself, her place in the world and rediscover her love for family and friends.
And it has an incredible soundtrack to boot.
Alex Strangelove
Starring Daniel Doheny, Alex Strangelove (2018) is the perfect high school senior. He's got a great girlfriend, is class president and a straight A student with his whole future planned out.
But, his perfect life turns upside down when he gets a crush - on a boy. Alex Strangelove is one of the best films for teens who need something funny and meaningful with a lighthearted touch.
Sierra Burgess Is A Loser
Sierra Burgess Is A Loser (2018) tells the story of a wrong-number incident that sparks a romance between unpopular Sierra (Shannon Purser) and lovable high school sports star Jamey (Noah Centineo). The catch?
Jamey thinks he's falling in love with the gorgeous cheerleader, Veronica. With music from Sabrina Carpenter and moments that will have you rolling on the floor, Sierra Burgess Is A Loser has made it to countless lists of best teen movies on Netflix. This Netflix original is guaranteed to keep your teen occupied this lockdown.
Clueless
One of the classics, and arguably one of the best teen movies of all time, Clueless (1995) is a loose adaptation of the Jane Austen novel Emma.
This film follows Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) and her friends as they navigate teen life in their Beverly Hills high school. The film boasts beautiful costume design, catchphrases that will get stuck in your head, as well as romance, humour, dramatics and all the makings of the perfect teen movie.
You can't have an education in the best teen movies on Netflix without putting Clueless at the top of your list.
The Kissing Booth
Based on the book by Beth Reekles, The Kissing Booth (2018) is an American romantic comedy that follows 'quirky' teenager Elle (Joey King) as she ends up in a whirlwind, forbidden romance with the school's bad boy Noah (Jacob Elordi) that puts her friendship with Noah's younger brother at risk.
This film is about fighting with your best friend, fighting for your best friend, and fighting for love.
The Kissing Booth is addictive, romantic, fiery and should, without a doubt, make it to your list of the best teen movies on Netflix.
Easy A
Olive (Emma Stone) starts seeing her life reflected in The Scarlet Letter, the book that she is studying for her high school English class, once a nasty rumour about herself starts to spread.
But, she's smarter than people give her credit for and she starts to use the lies to her own advantage - gaining money and popularity. Easy A (2010) is hilarious, fresh and a unique take on the classic teen movies that everyone loves.
With scenes that you'll never forget, and countless familiar famous faces, Easy A is not a teen movie that will disappoint this lockdown.
Bring It On (Again)
Although this is the sequel, you don't need to have seen the first to watch any of the Bring It On movies. These cheerleading classics are some of the most quintessential teen movies on Netflix.
Every movie is packed with drama, sassy comebacks, fun routines that you'll wish you could recreate, and a whole lot of teen romance. If you haven't seen these noughties movies, you haven't fully completed your education in teen movies.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) is an American classic directed by John Hughes.
If you watch this during lockdown, you'll get to join Ferris (Matthew Broderick) as he takes the day off school - convincing almost everyone around him that he's near death - to go on the adventure of a lifetime around Chicago.
There's no moment to rest during this film, as Ferris plans clever pranks, conniving schemes and tries to fit as much fun into one day as he possibly can.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off has cemented itself throughout the years as one of the teen movies that everyone must watch at least once.
What A Girl Wants
If teen movies set in the noughties are more your speed, What A Girl Wants (2003) is the perfect choice for Netflix movie night this lockdown. Daphne (Amanda Bynes) lives a comfortable life in America with her mum, but she's never met her dad.
This film follows what happens when she travels to London to meet her father (Colin Firth) and all the shenanigans that ensue when her new family is perhaps not everything she expected.
Kiki's Delivery Service
Every teenager needs to fall in love with a Studio Ghibli movie, it is as much a rite of passage as their first day of secondary school. And this lockdown is as perfect a chance as any.
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) is a whimsical story about a young witch-in-training out on her own for the first time, and learning about the responsibilities of life.
This is a sweet story, that is beautifully written and animated and your teenager is bound to fall head over heels for this film. If you want a movie on Netflix that will teach your teen important messages about life, and that will leave a lasting impression, Kiki's Delivery Service is the best choice.
Five Feet Apart
Five Feet Apart (2019) is the directorial debut from actor Justin Baldoni, about Stella (Hayley Lu Richardson) and Will (Cole Sprouse) who manage to fall in love and try to have a relationship despite always having to keep five feet apart.
These teens are determined to not let their cystic fibrosis diagnosis keep them from experiencing love, friendships and everything that it means to be a teenager in America.
This is one of the sadder teen movies on Netflix, so get the tissues and blankets handy, and enjoy another movie night in lockdown.
A Cinderella Story
Hilary Duff is the queen of classic teen movies, and A Cinderella Story (2004) is no exception. Full of all the Cinderella tropes that everyone knows and loves, but with a modern twist, this is the perfect movie to sit down and watch on Netflix during this lockdown season.
It's funny, has emotional moments, romantic, and is full of wonderful tales of friendship. A Cinderella Story is not a teen movie you can miss.
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World
If you'd prefer a teen romance that has more action with a superhero twist - Scott Pilgrim Vs The World (2010) is the perfect movie on Netflix for you and your teen this lockdown.
Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a musician who enters a competition to win a record deal, but he has to battle and defeat the seven evil exes of his new girlfriend Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Scott Pilgrim Vs The World is a cult classic and is loved by countless film fanatics.
It's an infectious, fast paced movie so packed full of youth that you will never forget the first time you watched it.
For movie nights that the whole family can enjoy we've got the 25 best classic family movies locked down as well as the Top Coming-Of-Age Films.
Main image credit: Sallehudin Ahmad / Shutterstock.com
Second image credit: Urbanscape / Shutterstock.com
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Creative Writing and Film
Natalie RayworthBachelor of Arts specializing in Creative Writing and Film
Born and raised in London, this writer and editor has a deep passion for creative expression. With a Bachelor's in Creative Writing and Film, Natalie has experience crafting both factual and imaginative pieces. When not writing or editing, she can often be found immersed in a good book or exploring the city's many secondhand bookstores. A lover of music and art, Natalie brings a creative flair to her work, inspired by her lifelong fascination with the Natural History Museum and her childhood days spent pretending to be Peter Pan in the Diana Memorial Playground.
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