Longing for coming-of-age drama, the hazy days of summer vacation, and maybe a few love triangles along the way? It’s time to take it back to high school and the delights of teen movies. Teen cinema has a long and proud tradition, from the heyday of Old Hollywood, through musicals, comedies, dramas, horror, and pretty much any other genre you can imagine. And why would that be surprising? Coming-of-age stories are packed with heart.
From vintage classics from the 80s and 90s to the latest hit rom-coms, here are the best teen movies on Netflix right now. We’ll keep updating this list as new titles come and go from the streaming service, so stay tuned if you don’t find your favorite on the list at the moment. But for now, check out our picks below, and be sure to sound off in the comments with your favorites.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the bestcoming-of-age shows,shows to binge-watch, andmovies on Netflix.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Based on the New York Times best-selling YA novel of the same name,To All the Boys I’ve Loved Beforewas a breakout sensation for Netflix, launchingNoah Centineoto the heights of internet boyfriendom, and sweeping social media trends. And it’s easy to see why. Director Susan Johnson delivers a light but modern update on the classic rom-com yarn with the tale of Lara Jean (Lana Condor), a hard-working teenage girl who finds her life thrown into chaos when her childhood love letters hit the public eye. Condor is a charmer as Lara Jean, a lovely revamp of the traditional rom-com lead, from her Korean heritage to her understated confidence and disinterest in high school politics. And she’s well-matched by the endlessly charming Centino, who plays heartthrob Peter Kavinsky, a childhood crush who strikes up a fake romance to protect both of their images. Naturally, real romance ensues. It’s a delightful, breezy romance that will sweep you off your feet and take you back to all the best (and none of the worst) of teen romance. — Haleigh Foutch
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You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.0/10
This coming-of-age comedy-drama based on the 2005 novel of the same name sees best friends Stacy (Sunny Sandler) and Lydia (Samantha Lorraine) ruin their dreams of a legendary Bat Mitzvah by fighting for the attention of a boy. A film for all ages,You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvahrelishes its label as a family film by taking the title literally, withJackieandAdam Sandler’s real-life children Sunny andSadiealso appearing in the movie. Sandler’s famous crude brand of humor is toned down (somewhat akin to his work onBedtime Stories) in a narrative that warms hearts and finds moments of genuine emotion in its mostly comical plot. Not to be taken too seriously, this film acts as a fun, harmless ride that does well to educate on Jewish practices along the way. -Jake Hodges.
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All Together Now
Rotten Tomatoes: 68% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Based upon the novelSorta Like a Rockstarby Matthew Quick,All Together Nowis the story of Amber Appleton (Auli’i Cravalho), an overachieving student who gets an offer to audition for the Carnegie Mellon drama program while her life is on shaky ground. Experiencing homelessness with her mother, this selfless young high school student tries to hide her misfortunes and must fight her own pride to accept the myriad of loving hands reaching out to help her achieve her dream. The film is a touching tale of resilience, connection, and having the strength to ask for help when you need it. –Tauri Miller
Do Revenge
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 6.3/10
Do Revengeonly recently came out, but it’s already looking to be a teen comedy classic along with the likes ofCluelessandMean Girls. With electric performances byCamila MendesandMaya Hawke,Do Revengetells the tale of two scorned high school students – one popular, one outcast – as they team up and help each other get revenge on those who wronged them. With impeccable direction and cinematography,Do Revengeis an immersive, hilarious, and unpredictable ride. –Taylor Gates
Along for the Ride
Rotten Tomatoes: 56% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Based on the Sarah Dessen novel,Along for the Rideis a sweet romance between two insomniacs, Auden (Emma Pasarow) and Eli (Belmont Cameli), who meet the summer before college. The summer is full of changes for Auden, as she chooses to spend it with her absent father and attempt to experience a fun, carefree life she missed out on during her childhood. Eli is pivotal in introducing her to these things, and the two spark up a relationship along the way.Along for the Rideis sure to please fans looking for something in the vein ofTo All the Boys I’ve Loved BeforeorThe Summer I Turned Pretty. –Taylor Gates
He’s All That
Rotten Tomatoes: 29% | IMDb: 4.4/10
He’s All That
The Half of It
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 6.9/10
A sensitive, subtle, and smart coming-of-age film,The Half of Itcenters around Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), a high schooler who lives with her widowed father and makes extra money by writing papers for her classmates. When she gets asked by Paul (Daniel Diemer) to write something different – a love letter to his crush Aster (Alexxis Lemire) – an unexpected friendship sparks between the two. And when Ellie finds herself falling for Aster, too, things get even more complicated.Alice Wu’s masterful screenplay and direction, combined with the excellent performances, make this a beautiful and enduring queer dramedy. –Taylor Gates
Rotten Tomatoes: 70% | IMDb: 6.7/10
Moxiedeserved as much hype asBooksmart, but for reasons beyond me, the film fell through the cracks.Moxieis a life-affirming adaptation ofJennifer Mathieu’s novel of the same name. Teenager Vivian’s (Hadley Robinson) eyes are opened to the rampant misogyny in her school when new girl Lucy (Alycia Pascual-Pena) starts questioning the school’s practices. But what makes this meek-mannered teenager take action? Vivian is inspired by her mother’s rebellious years as an activist and musician to start a revolutionary zine, and it’s not long before her anonymous efforts spark a movement among the girls at her school. This isn’t an easy film to watch as the story deals with a lot of heavy subject-matter, but there are plenty of heart-warming moments to tide you through. The diverse cast of characters, the realistic take on school dynamics, several great needle-drops and the bonds of friendship conquering all makesMoxierock! –Monita Mohan
Enola Holmes
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.6/10
You’ve heard of Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill), the world’s most famous detective. You might even have heard of Mycroft Holmes (Sam Claflin), his stuffy older brother. But what about their free-spirited younger sister, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown)? Based on the YA novel by Nancy Springer, this fourth-wall-breaking adventure serves as Enola’s origin story. Raised in relative isolation by their mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter), Enola’s unusual education comes in handy when Eudoria goes missing. She gives her famous older brothers the slip and determines to find her mother all on her own – before being waylaid by the young Viscount Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge), who has a mystery of his own that needs solving. Serving mystery, action, and comedy in equal measure,Enola Holmeswill delight audiences of all ages. —Mary Kate Carr
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 6.5/10
A body-positive tale of self-empowerment through pageantry and heavily inspired by the greatDolly Parton,Dumplin’is a downright delight about learning to love people on their own terms.Patti Cake$breakoutDanielle Macdonaldstars as the titular teen Willlowdean, aka Dumplin’, a powerhouse of charisma who’s masking a serious crisis of confidence with her good cheer. It doesn’t help that the plus-sized teen has a beauty pageant queen for a mother (Jennifer Aniston), whose passion for pageant culture always struck Willowdean as a condemnation on herself. But through the power of shared grieving and a little good old Dolly, the two find their common ground while Willowdean learns to embrace her own beauty and accept that other people (including a rather handsome heartthrob from a neighboring school played by Luke Benward) see that beauty too. It’s about as adorable and uplifting as it gets, with a scene-stealing cast of supporting players and a message of self-love we probably all wish we heard as teens. —Haleigh Foutch
