The movies had always had the best interests of their younger audience at heart. After all, teens and students represent the major part of cinema-goers. This is also the reason why so many movies focus on stories about young adults or teens. Most popular student movies often cover such themes as adolescence, relationship dynamics, self-identity, and friendship. These are the topics most young people constantly worry about, so there is no surprise they are widely represented on the screen. So, let’s see what kind of movies teens and young adults are watching, which has changed much over the decades, and what movies land the top rankings in their lists. Here are some of the most popular movies among student audiences.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
There is no better way to start the list of most popular movies about students than this forever classic – The Breakfast Club. This iconic coming-of-age film is certainly the biggest achievement of John Hughes. Although the director is known for making movies for children and young adults, The Breakfast Club has certainly hit the jackpot in this director’s career.
So simple and honest, the movie tells the story of five high school students who must spend Saturday morning in detention. Young people from different social groups and backgrounds start to bond after spending several hours together. They discover that despite all the high school stereotypes, they share a lot in common, including their fears, insecurities, issues with parents, and desire to be noticed and loved.
Despite almost forty years of difference, this move remains as relatable and close to students’ hearts as in the 1980s. The well-written characters and explorational topics of friendship, teenage angst, and social status have made it a favorite movie among several generations of students.
Lady Bird (2017)
This is one of the greatest directorial debuts in recent years. Greta Gerwig created a movie based on her childhood experience living in a small town in the early 2000s. The main character, Lady Bird, tries to find out who she is and what she wants to do with her life. We follow Lady Bird, Saoirse Ronan’s character, in her final high school year. We watch her experiencing an early identity crisis, testing her relationships with her mother, starting and ending her first relationships, and much more.
This movie strongly resonates with students and teens due to its authentic portrayal of a young woman in her coming-out-of-age story. The brutal honesty, raw emotions, and realistic approach draw us to the screen. In addition, the movie goes deep into exploring the relationship between a mother and a teen daughter who is about to leave home. That is also one of the reasons to watch this movie with a parent. Lady Bird can be a therapeutic experience for all parties involved.
Booksmart (2019)
Another directorial debut, Booksmart by Olivia Wilde, was yet another success among younger audiences. This movie tells the story of two high schoolers, academic overachievers, who decide to spend an epic last school night before graduation. During the night, the girls discover that combining fun time with studies is more than possible. In fact, most of their peers have managed to get into great schools while having fun, building relationships, and making mistakes like all other teens. Maybe the protagonists simply didn’t know about the option of ordering free essays online on speedypaper.com during their school years. Who knows?
So this last night is the girl’s last chance to make memories, go wild, and enjoy their end-of-high-school experience. This part comedy, part heartfelt drama, won’t leave any student indifferent. Booksmart has gained popularity among students due to its relatable characters, realistic portrayal of teens’ nervousness and anxiety about the future, along with powerful themes of friendships, loyalty, and nostalgia.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World by Edgar Wright has changed the coming-of-age genre. It follows similar comic-style delivery, visual effects, and line delivery as the comic books it was based on. This style, delivery, and specific sense of humor contribute to one of the most authentic and bellowed teen movies of all time.
The movie tells the story of Scott Pilgrim as he meets the girl of his dreams and has no other choice but to fight for his new love battling her seven evil exes. With its unique visual style, video game references, and witty humor, the film has developed a cult following among students and teens.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Yes, this is yet another movie about Spider-Man. Though, it seems that this movie, although with old and familiar characters, has managed to do something new with the delivery and portrayal of the new Spider-Man. Partly, the popularity of this animated movie lies in the plot and character arcs. Presenting several spider-people from various universities has definitely played the trick. However, the heart of the movie lies in the animation design, sense of humor, innovative approach to plot delivery and use of mixed animation styles. Overall, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won over critics and students with its original, breathtaking animation style and engaging storyline.