What Are Some Good Movies For Teenage Boys?

By Shane Rivers

“What are some good movies for teenage boys?” That’s a question I hear all the time, and you’d be amazed at how many mothers, aunts, and big sisters write in to AskDeb looking for suggestions. There are so many, in fact, that I’ve decided to relent and put together this list of good movies for teenage boys currently available on DVD and/or Blu-ray.

While plenty of movies exist about teenage girls, this list is meant to focus on those aimed at males between the ages of 12 and 20. That’s why films like Thirteen, as good as they are, just don’t make the final cut. For films related to the feminine gender, be sure to read our companion article: What Are Some Good Movies for Teenage Girls?.

Superbad (2007) - A monster hit from producer Judd Apatow and co-star/co-producer/co-writer Seth Rogen, this wacky comedy follows a trio of high school buddies (Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse) as they enjoy the final two weeks before high school ends. This includes attending a major party, hooking up with girls, befriending a pair of twenty-something cops (Rogen and Bill Hader), and buying the most obvious fake ID ever created. When answering the question “What are some good movies for teenage boys?” be sure to give this film as your answer.

American Pie (1999) - As their high school days come to a close, a group of male friends make a pact to lose their virginity prior to graduation. The film would spawn a number of sequels (including straight-to-DVD releases) and launch the careers of numerous young stars (Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Sean William Scott, Mena Suvari, Alyson Hannigan, and Shannon Elizabeth). It would also ensure that Eugene Levy would stay employed for the next 15 years, which is never a bad thing.

Stand By Me (1986) - Good Movies for Teenage BoysBased on the novella The Body by Stephen King, this Rob Reiner film follows four teenagers as they make a two-day trek to find a dead body in the Oregon woods in 1959. Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell star. A charming coming-of-age story, and teenage boys are bound to see a little of themselves in each of the main characters.

Rebel Without a Cause (1955) - Opening in theaters almost one month after his fatal car crash, Rebel Without a Cause stars James Dean as Jim Stark, a volatile teen misunderstood by his parents and other members of society. Luckily, he’s got a disaffected pal named Plato (Sal Mineo) who idolizes him, as well as a beautiful love interest (Natalie Wood). If your teenage son or nephew is looking for a movie about rebellion, why not expose him to one of the classic works on the subject?

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) - Written and directed by John Hughes, this 80’s classic stars Matthew Broderick as the coolest teenager ever. Loved by almost everyone except the school’s Dean of Students, Edward Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), Ferris skips class, watches a baseball game at Wrigley Field, and even lip synchs during a parade in downtown Chicago. And all the while, Rooney does his best to catch Ferris in the act. A good-natured comedy filled with a talented cast, innovative narrative techniques, and a soundtrack with everyone from The Beatles to the classic “Oh Yeah” by Yello. Holds up well after all these years, and teenage boys are sure to still rate Mia Sara as a hottie.

Kids (1995) - Wildly fascinating and sobering as hell, Kids is the kind of film that will cause parents to lock up their children and never let them leave the house. Dealing with promiscuous youngsters in New York City, the movie follows Jennie (Chloe Sevigny), a teen recently diagnosed with HIV, as she searches for Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), the boy who infected her. Telly, by the way, has a policy of only sleeping with virgins, rationalizing that it prevent him from getting an STD. Also starring Rosario Dawson in her film debut, Kids is an unflinching look at life on the streets, and issues such as drug use, alcohol abuse, rape, and child molestation are frequently depicted. Still, it provides a great opportunity to open a dialogue about some of life’s more uncomfortable subjects.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) - The first film adaptation of the long-running J.K. Rowling series, the Philosopher’s Stone finds Harry Potter as a bespectacled 11-year-old about to begin his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along with pals Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), Harry encounters a three-headed guard dog, a living chess set, and a traitor intent on returning Lord Voldemort (the series’ chief antagonist) to the land of the living. Later films in the series are darker (and sometimes better), but any teen who hasn’t experienced this fantasy series needs to start at the beginning. Co-starring Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, and Alan Rickman.

River’s Edge (1986) - After murdering his girlfriend, a teen brags about it to his pals and shows them the location of the body. Inspired by a true story, the film stars Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye, and Daniel Roebuck as the teens, while Dennis Hopper plays a local nut who’s all too eager to discuss his prior misdeeds. A good movie for teens, although highly disturbing.

La Haine (1995) - Three Parisian friends (Vincent Cassel, Hubert Kounde, and Said Taghmaoui) try to make sense of their surroundings in the aftermath of a riot. With violence and racism a constant threat, the trio must contend with skinheads, undercover cops, and the hopeless future of life in the ghetto. With a blistering soundtrack provided by legendary French rap group Assassin, the film--along with Mathieu Kassovitz--would capture a Best Director award at Cannes. A must-see for fans of City of God.

The Lost Boys (1987) - No list of good movies for teenage boys is complete without this tale of youths taking on a gang of California bloodsuckers in the late 1980s. Set to the strains of INXS, Lou Gramm, and Echo & the Bunnymen, the film stars Jason Patric and Corey Haim as brothers recently relocated from Arizona. When Michael (Patric) falls for a local girl named Star (Jami Gertz), it draws the attention of the spiky-haired David (Kiefer Sutherland) and his gang of miscreants. Meanwhile, Sam (Haim) begins to notice the tell-tale signs of vampirism all around him, and he must team with the Frog brothers (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) to clean up Santa Carla.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - Before George Lucas went completely mad and started churning out CGI train wrecks, fans of the series were treated to this sci-fi masterpiece written by Lawrence Kasdan/Leigh Brackett and directed by Irvin Kershner. Filled with revelations, a series of cliffhanger moments, and the debut of both Yoda and Boba Fett, Empire provides a more mature look at the ongoing galactic struggle. Favorite moment: the gathering of all the bounty hunters aboard Darth Vader‘s ship, including the mad droid IG-88 and the reptilian Bossk.

The Basketball Diaries (1995) - Based on the autobiography of author/poet/musician Jim Carroll, The Basketball Diaries features a powerful performance from Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role as a high school basketball star who gets mired down in a life of heroin abuse and prostitution. Co-starring Lorraine Bracco, Mark Wahlberg, Bruno Kirby, and Ernie Hudson (aka the fourth Ghostbuster). For more greatness from the late Jim Carroll, be sure to check out his 1980 debut album, Catholic Boy (which includes the single “People Who Died”).

Boyz n the Hood (1991) - John Singleton burst onto the scene as a writer/director in this supercharged tale of violence and sexuality in South Central Los Angeles. Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is the virginal lead of the film, a young man planning for college despite being surrounded by rampant drug use, drive-by shootings, and police corruption. Both a commercial and critical success, the film co-stars Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, and Angela Bassett.

See Also: