20 Classic 1980's Teen Movies - MovieListicles.com

Break out the Aqua Net, crank up the synth-pop, and get ready to travel back to a time when teen angst, big dreams, and even bigger hair ruled the screen.

The 1980’s gave us a golden era of teen movies that shaped a generation and still hold up decades later.

What made 1980’s teen movies so special was that they created archetypes we still see today: the misunderstood outcast, the popular heartthrob, the quirky best friend, and the rebel with a Walkman.

These movies weren’t just about teens, they were made for them. Directors like John Hughes became household names for a reason: they just got it.

Let’s take a nostalgic ride through the neon clad, music on cassette, coming of age backdrop of ’80s teen movies.

Links provided to stream each movie!

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Iconic 80’s Teen Movies

1. Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)

Rating: PG-13 | Stream on Tubi | Stream on Amazon Prime

A nerdy high schooler pays the most popular girl to pretend to date him, hoping it will boost his social status, but popularity in the ’80s teen scene comes with a price. This flick captures the era’s obsession with cliques, crushes, and classic makeovers.

2. Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)

Rating: PG | Stream on Tubi | Stream on Amazon Prime

A dance obsessed teen rebels against her strict military dad to audition for her favorite TV dance show, teaming up with a rebellious boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Big hair, loud music, and ultimate ’80s teen girl energy make this one a retro delight.

3. Loverboy (1989)

Rating: PG-13 | Buy on Amazon

A pizza delivery boy becomes the town’s go-to “extra service” guy for lonely housewives, until things spiral hilariously out of control. This quirky comedy dishes out laughs with a side of ’80s teen rebellion and charm.

4. Teen Witch (1989)

Rating: PG-13 | Stream on Tubi | Stream on Amazon Prime

An awkward teen discovers she’s a witch and uses her powers to climb the social ladder, cast love spells, and serve up some truly magical fashion. This cult classic sparkles with ’80s charm, catchy rap battles, and girl power vibes.

5. Sixteen Candles (1984)

Rating: PG | Stream on Amazon Prime

On her sweet sixteen, a teen girl is horrified when her entire family forgets her birthday, while she silently pines for her dream guy. This John Hughes gem captures the awkward, hilarious, and heartfelt highs and lows of 1980’s teenhood.

6. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Rating: R | Stream on Amazon Prime

A crew of California teens navigate high school, part time jobs, sex, and stoner surf sessions in this iconic slice of life comedy. With its unforgettable characters and bold honesty, it defined the wild spirit of early ’80s adolescence.

7. Heathers (1989)

Rating: R | Stream on Tubi | Stream on Amazon Prime

A smart outsider teams up with a mysterious new guy to take down a trio of popular mean girls, all named Heather, at their preppy high school. Dark, satirical, and totally twisted, this ’80s teen movie flips the high school hierarchy on its head.

8. Just One of the Guys (1985)

Rating: PG-13 | Stream on Tubi | Stream on Amazon Prime

A teen girl disguises herself as a guy to prove she can make it as a serious journalist, only to get tangled in a web of crushes and locker room confusion. Gender swapping hijinks meet ’80s teen comedy gold in this underrated classic.

9. Better Off Dead (1985)

Rating: PG | Stream on Amazon Prime

After getting dumped by his girlfriend, a lovelorn teen contemplates dramatic exits, but ends up in a surreal journey full of skiing duels, paperboy chases, and foreign exchange romance. Only in the ’80s could heartbreak be this bizarre and hilarious.

10. Say Anything (1989)

Rating: PG-13 | Stream on Amazon Prime

A charming slacker falls for the class valedictorian, leading to one of the most iconic boom box moments in teen movie history. This heartfelt ’80s rom-com proves that love sometimes speaks louder than words.

11. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

Rating: PG-13 | Stream on Amazon Prime

A blue collar teen gets caught in a love triangle between his tomboy best friend and the popular girl he’s always admired. It’s a classic ’80s tale of friendship, self discovery, and realizing the right one might’ve been there all along.

12. The Breakfast Club (1985)

Rating: R | Stream on Amazon Prime

Five high school students from totally different cliques bond during Saturday detention, peeling back stereotypes to reveal who they really are. The ultimate ’80s teen movie, it’s angsty, funny, and surprisingly deep.

13. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Rating: PG-13 | Stream on Amazon Prime

A clever high schooler fakes being sick to skip school and drags his best friend and girlfriend on a wild adventure through Chicago. This ’80s teen legend made playing hooky look like an art form.

14. Weird Science (1985)

Rating: PG-13 | Stream on Amazon Prime

Two nerdy teens use their computer to magically create the perfect woman, leading to chaos, confidence boosts, and unexpected life lessons. It’s a bizarre and hilarious ride only the ’80s could dream up.

15. The Lost Boys (1987)

Rating: R | Stream on Amazon Prime

A pair of brothers discover their new California town is crawling with vampire… cool, leather clad, teen ones. This cult classic blended horror, humor, and hair spray into one unforgettable slice of ’80s teen cinema.

16. The Goonies (1985)

Rating: PG | Stream on Amazon Prime

A misfit gang of kids set out on a treasure hunt to save their neighborhood, encountering booby traps, pirate ships, and plenty of ’80s adventure along the way. This one’s pure teen spirit and a true 80s gem.

17. Pretty in Pink (1986)

Rating: PG-13 | Stream on Amazon Prime

A working class teen falls for a rich boy, clashing with high school cliques and expectations along the way. Molly Ringwald reigns supreme in this ’80s love triangle that still sparks debate over who she should’ve picked.

18. Footloose (1984)

Rating: PG | Stream on Amazon Prime

A rebellious teen moves to a small town where dancing is banned and promptly shakes things up. With killer moves and a rockin’ soundtrack, it’s a dance fueled fight for freedom in true ’80s fashion.

19. The Outsiders (1983)

Rating: PG | Stream on Amazon Prime

1950’s Greasers against Socs create a gritty, emotional tale of teen brotherhood, class conflict, and staying gold. Packed with young ’80s heartthrobs, it’s an unforgettable look at adolescence on the edge.

20. The Karate Kid (1984)

Rating: PG | Stream on Amazon Prime

A bullied teen learns karate from a wise handyman to take on his rivals and find inner strength. It’s an underdog story full of heart, training montages, and pure ’80s motivation. Wax on, wax off.