The 7 Best Teen Musicals Of All Time, From ‘Grease’ To ‘Footloose’
We don’t know how or why, but coming of age films and stylish musicals go together as well as peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, or Beyonce and memorably inventive country albums.
Merging the two distinct genres together into one exciting package, teen musicals have a way of providing younger protagonists a voice to vent their adolescent issues, be it grappling with an unrequited crush or struggling to fit into a set social group.
From 1970s rowdy comedies to foot-stomping Disney Channel films from the 2000s, here are seven fantastic teen musicals we heartily recommend checking out.
Grease (1978)
In many ways, one can almost describe Grease as the ultimate entry in the teen musical genre. Based on the popular Broadway musical, Grease gives credence to all the relatable problems teens experience in high school, including forbidden crushes, anxieties about chosen career paths, social pressures to mesh with a distinct clique, even unplanned teenage pregnancies. Exploring all of these issues with the help of a bop-worthy soundtrack and energetic performances, there’s little reason to wonder why Grease remains as widely loved today as it was in the summer of 1978.
Mean Girls (2024)
We’re not going to make any wild assertions proclaiming 2024’s Mean Girls remake as superior to the original film. Instead, we’ll go ahead and point out the unique achievements prevalent through Mean Girls’ eventual remake, outfitting Tina Fey’s uproarious teen comedy with a fittingly enjoyable soundtrack. (I mean, let’s be honest – it’s borderline impossible not to bob your head along to “Apex Predator.”)
High School Musical (2006)
It wouldn’t be a list of the best teen musicals without mentioning High School Musical now, would it? While it might not be everyone’s preferred cup of tea, High School Musical’s colorful soundtrack allows this Disney cult classic to soar towards new heights, helping establish everyone from Vanessa Hudgens to Zac Efron as legitimate stars to watch out for in the very near future.
Footloose (1984)
Its story might fall into some notably campy territory, but at the end of the day, not even the harshest critic can refute Footloose’s unwavering success. From the career-defining performance of Kevin Bacon to its unforgettable musical score and accompanying dance numbers, Footloose will leave you kicking off your Sunday shoes and grooving along to the beat of its music from its enjoyable start up to its cathartic ending.
Pitch Perfect (2012)
It’s not an accident that the fan-favorite “Cups” became one of the most played songs on the radio in the early 2010s. Tossing together an enjoyable soundtrack with an all-around fantastic ensemble cast, Pitch Perfect consistently manages to deliver one enjoyable scene after the next throughout its fast-moving two-hour runtime.
Hairspray (2007)
Once again, it’s difficult to say for certain which film is better: John Waters’ beloved 1988 Hairspray or its later 2007 remake. But at the end of the day, 2007’s Hairspray deserves an ample amount of praise if only for its standout cast and exceptional array of ‘50s and ‘60s-inspired musical numbers. Toss in a scene-stealing John Travolta as the kind-hearted Enda Turnblad, and you have the makings for an unforgettable teen musical comedy unlike any other in the genre’s history.
West Side Story (2021)
As with the aforementioned Hairspray, there’s certainly nothing wrong with the original iteration of West Side Story. As beloved as the 1961 film is, however, it’s worth pointing out the critical esteem of its 2021 remake by Steven Spielberg. An infectiously enjoyable tragedy disguised as a first-rate period musical, it’s the ideal modern take on Romeo and Juliet, transposing its narrative’s action from Elizabethan Verona to the mean streets of 1950s New York City.
