The 7 Best 90s Teen Comedy Movies, Ranked
Ah, the ‘90s. Such a simpler time.
Whether watching Boy Meets World reruns on ABC or jamming out to Madonna singles on an over-the-shoulder boombox, the ‘90s seemed to mark a wholesome, nostalgic decade people could easily relate to (regardless of whether they actually lived through the ‘90s or not).
As a director extension of this, most viewers continue to gravitate towards films within the fan-favorite teen comedy genre from the 1990s, many of which remain as lauded today as they were upon their initial release three decades ago. From metaware horror films to high school-set Shakespearean adaptations, here are our favorite ‘90s teen comedies, ranked in order from worst to best.
American Pie (1999)
Among the raunchier films of the 1990s, American Pie returned the teen comedy genre to the tongue-in-cheek humor of the 1970s and ‘80s. (Think Animal House, Porky’s, and Revenge of the Nerds multiplied by 11.) With this influential 1999 comedy, American Pie helped shape the pop culture lexicon for practically every generation that followed, introducing a number of non-PG-rated terms still widely used to this day. It may veer a bit too often towards low-brow humor for some, but most, American Pie is a riotously memorable teen comedy you couldn’t forget even if you tried.
Scream (1996)
Admittedly, most people tend to credit Scream for its impressive contributions to the larger horror genre. Expertly redefining the entire slasher subgenre for the next three decades that followed, Scream also deserves praise for its intelligent handling of its teen characters, right down to the natural chemistry between each of its main cast members. Using Kevin Williamson’s comedy-laden script, director Wes Craven establishes an organic flow between sharp humor and suspenseful horror throughout Scream’s two hour runtime, allowing audiences to laugh that much harder – and regularly scream that much louder.
House Party (1990)
Breaking into the music industry in 1987, the hip hop duo Kid ‘n Play soon found themselves entering a wholly new medium with the on-set of the 1990s. Making their official film debut with this uproarious 1990 comedy, House Party traces the chaotic journey of Kid ‘n Play’s fun-loving teenagers as they attempt to enjoy the greatest party of the school year. Incorporating freestyle rap, dance contests, police chases, vengeful bullies, and crashed high school reunions, House Party is guaranteed to literally blow the roof off the house of anyone fortunate to see it.
Rushmore (1998)
An early entry in Wes Anderson’s increasingly eccentric filmography, Rushmore also helped establish Anderson as a creative voice to watch out for in the late 1990s film industry. Though it may lack the same vivid color palette as his later films, Rushmore still shows off the indelible talent Anderson possessed from a remarkably early age, as well as his penchant for odd storylines, cartoonish characters, and bittersweet narrative storylines. Working with his soon-to-be faithful collaborators Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman, Anderson conjures up a characteristically quirky coming of age dramedy unlike any other with Rushmore, ensuring yet another indelible addition to his growing output of films.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
We don’t know why exactly, but the ‘90s marked a golden age for contemporary remakes of classic literary tales, as evidenced by modern Shakespearean adaptations like Romeo + Juliet and 10 Things I Hate About You. Using the Bard’s The Taming of the Shrew as its primary source of inspiration, 10 Things I Hate About You cleverly transposes its Elizabethean source material to the idyllic suburbs of Seattle, Washington. Relying on an ensemble cast of talented young actors, 10 Things I Hate About You’s endearing popularity today only illustrates its superior quality as a romantic comedy, with many justifiably considering it among the greatest romcoms ever made.
Clueless (1995)
As mentioned above, the ‘90s ushered in an array of literary adaptations set in ordinary high school settings. Like the aforementioned 10 Things I Hate About You, Clueless offers a stylistically sound take on Jane Austen’s Emma, translating the Regency Era romance novel to sunswept 1990s Southern California. Updating Austen’s text with fast-paced Valley Girl language, Clueless retains the inherent heart and humor of its literary source material, right down to the vivid characterization surrounding Alicia Silverstone’s fashion-savvy, kind-natured teenager, Cher Horowitz.
Dazed and Confused (1993)
Dazed and Confused may be set in the ‘70s, but it’s almost certainly the seminal teen comedy of the 1990s. Taking inspiration from George Lucas’s breakout work on American Graffiti, director Richard Linklater takes viewers on a wild ride through the summer of 1976, focusing on several groups of disparate teenagers as they enjoy the last day of the school semester. Embarking on a night of casual drinking, eventful parties, meaningless romantic flings, and more than a few recreational substances, Dazed and Confused is the ultimate ode to the 1970s, leaving every viewer pining for a simpler time in their lives – be it the ‘70s themselves or the carefree days of summer vacation.
