In today’s over-modernised world it is hard to capture a teenager’s attention, yet over the long term we can see certain common threads in which films work best and are searched for most. At one point, the cult film translated into Czech as “Prci, prci, prcičky” became a byword for top teen comedy, and it appealed to more than one generation. Comedies are the favourite genre of all adolescents and teenagers.
After this success came a real avalanche of films that used the same ingredients of sex, high school and virginity. A whole series of B-grade American comedies modelled on “American Pie” were made, and as their quality declined, the genre itself began to decline too.
In high school teen comedies, the actors are usually at least 5 to 8 years older than the age of the people actually at school.
Table of contents
The best films for teenagers
This raises the question of what “best film” actually means. Is it the most popular one, or the one that earned the most? Is it the film that caught the attention of the most teenagers and that they talked about most among themselves? In our editorial team we agreed that the best films meet exactly the criteria above. In other words, the most popular, the highest-earning and the ones teenagers discussed for many hours.
In our article we bring you films divided into the best films for teenage girls, the best films for teenage boys and, finally, for both groups. Let’s take a look at what we have chosen for you. With the growing popularity of Netflix, we also always include films aimed mainly at teenagers that you can also watch on Netflix. On Netflix, too, films about sex, love, fun and violence lead the way among teenagers. The simple concept of a group of young friends going through embarrassing moments and adventures still works, just in a new guise.
So what can a teen film dressed up in new clothes look like? For example, like the series Sexify, released in summer 2021, whose name is inspired by the hugely successful music streaming app Spotify. The series revolves around a student with little sexual experience who launches a dating app for people looking for sex. Through this, it touches on various issues related to sex and dating. Dating apps have multiplied their profits in recent years, so this topic is very “sexy” and extremely relevant for teenagers who were stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Of course, it all has to play out with the traditional cringe-inducing humour and a comic touch.
Tip: Netflix itself calls this type of film in the Czech Republic Teen Comedies.
The best films for teenage girls
We divided our article because girls usually have different interests from boys. When it comes to films, they prefer romantic films. Here are the three best films for teenage girls.
Films on Netflix:
- 365 Days
- The Kissing Booth
- Fifty Shades Freed
- To All the Boys
- Aloha
1) High School Musical (2006 – 2008)
In High School Musical and its sequels you will find love, intrigue and heartache. All the emotions that interest teenage girls. In all three films we meet the main characters Troy (Zac Efron), Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale), her brother Rayen (Lucas Grabeel) and their friends from high school.
The first High School Musical was made in 2006. In this instalment we get to know the individual characters and their personalities. It was written by Peter Barsocchini and directed by Kenny Ortega. The second instalment was made in 2007. It takes place during the summer holidays in Utah. The final instalment was made in 2008. It is the last part of the whole trilogy and closes one chapter in the lives of the main characters.
The first film and its sequels were conceived as a television musical. All the films are woven through with music, which was compiled into soundtracks that sold millions of copies worldwide. The dance routines to the songs are also very popular, and teenagers around the world still copy them to this day (they were created by the director himself, Kenny Ortega, who is also a choreographer).
2) 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
10 Things I Hate About You is inspired by Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew. The film was made in 1999 and directed by Gil Junger. It received seven nominations for the Teen Choice Award. One of the reasons we included this film among the best films for teenagers is that it stars the irresistible and sadly late Heath Ledger. None of us will ever forget the scene where the main character Kat (Julia Stiles) reads out her list of ten reasons in front of the whole class. Which is an incredible feat for an introvert.
3) The Twilight Saga (2008 – 2012)
You could say that all the films listed in this article are unforgettable, which places them among the best films for teenagers. However, the Twilight Saga is unique in some way. Perhaps it is the dark fantasy theme of vampires, or the innocent glances of shy Bella. The films are based on the book series of the same name by Stephenie Meyer. They tell the story of a love triangle between a human girl, Bella Swan (Kristen Stuart), the vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and the werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). The best-known music from the films is Bella’s Lullaby, a piano solo.
The best film comedies for teenage boys
Boys also like different things from girls. For example: fast cars, suspense, fantasy, sex and fun between the sheets. Here are the three best films for teenagers and boys struggling with puberty. As mentioned in the introduction, when most people in the USA, and here too, think of a teen film, they probably picture “American Pie”. A simple script, good acting, embarrassment and suspense.
If you have already seen these films, read our tips for motivational films too.
Films on Netflix:
- The Line
- The Perfect Date
- Before the Storm
- Jexi
- Pet
- He’s All That
American Pie (1999 – 2012)
The original title of the script that screenwriter Adam Herz sent to the studio was: “Untitled Teenage Sex Comedy That Can Be Made For Under $10 Million That Most Readers Will Probably Hate But I Think You Will Love”. Loosely translated, it means a nameless teen sex comedy that could be made for under 10 million dollars, which most viewers will hate, but which I think you will love. In the end, the original English title became “American Pie“.
The main character is Jim Levenstein (Jason Biggs), who in each instalment deals with a problem connected to growing up. In the first film he loses his virginity with Michelle Flaherty (Allison Hannigan). The second instalment takes place when Jim’s group of friends is planning an unforgettable party. With Michelle’s help, Jim tries to solve his sexual problems. At the end of the film he realises that he loves Michelle. The third instalment concludes the story of Jim and Michelle, who are planning their wedding. The supporting characters appear less in this instalment. In the fourth and final instalment, all the characters reappear at a school reunion. The main characters take stock of what has been, how they once imagined their adult lives, and how they could change them now.
Apart from these four main films, another four films were made featuring the supporting characters.
- American Pie Presents: Band Camp (2005)
- American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile (2006)
- American Pie Presents: Beta House (2007)
- American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009)
The Czech equivalent of American Pie is Snowboarďáci and Rafťáci, which could be counted among the pioneers of this genre in the Czech Republic. Vojta Kotek and Jiří Mádl became idols, and their stories largely copy the plot of American Pie, just set in Czech surroundings. At the start, the characters are untouched by sex and have a bad relationship with girls, which ends happily in the end.
Fast & Furious (2001 – 2017)
The Fast and Furious films are a series about street car racing and tuning. However, they are not only about racing, but also about gangs, love, pretty girls and everything that goes with cars. The film did not win as many fans among the older generation, as it is simply very exaggerated and unrealistic. Among teenagers, however, it became a cult hit, partly because it manages to combine tough macho role models, beautiful girls, a dream life and a somewhat fairy-tale storyline. If you like realistic films, this film is not for you.
Even though eight films have been made, none of them has lost quality over time (as sequels and third instalments often do). Even the eighth and latest film (released so far) is packed with action, fast cars and chases. The only thing partly missing is the physical presence of one of the main characters, Brian O’Conner, whose actor Paul Walker died tragically in a car in 2013. The scenes that had not yet been shot for the eighth film were filmed with his brother, who was then digitally altered.
Many directors worked on these films, including Rob Cohen, Justin Lin and F. Gary Gray. The main roles were played by Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and others. However, not all the characters appeared together in every film. Even Paul Walker did not appear in all of them (he was not in the third film, Tokyo Drift). Fast & Furious 9 is scheduled to premiere in May this year. How did the filmmakers deal with the character of Brian O’Conner? For this series, it was always important to cast attractive and likeable actresses and actors, who then became idols for both girls and boys.
Avengers (2012 to 2019)
The Avengers films (four so far) were based on the comic books by Marvel Comics. The first film was made under the direction of director and screenwriter Joss Whedon. It was produced, of course, by Marvel Studios. In all the Avengers films, superheroes come together to help super-agent Nick Fury save the world from their common enemy, Loki. The film brought together comic book characters who had already appeared on the big screen in their own solo films. The main roles were played by:
- Iron Man – Robert Downey Jr.
- Captain America – Chris Evans
- Hulk – Mark Ruffalo
- Thor – Chris Hemsworth
- Black Widow – Scarlett Johansson
- Hawkeye – Jeremy Renner
- Nick Fury – Samuel L. Jackson
- Loki – Tom Hiddleston
Films for teenage girls and boys
Among teenage boys and girls, there are certainly some who will happily watch the best films aimed at the opposite sex. There may be a romantic boy who enjoys watching 10 Things I Hate About You. Likewise, there may be a girl who loves watching the fast cars in the whole Fast & Furious series. Both, however, will definitely enjoy The Hunger Games films, which combine romance and suspense.
The Hunger Games (2012 to 2015)
The Hunger Games is a film full of suspense, drama and killing. It was made in 2012 based on the dystopian novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. By 2013, the first film in the series had become Lionsgate’s highest-grossing film, earning 691 million dollars. While the first film was still being shot, the premiere date of the second film, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, was announced. All the sequels, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2, were based on the books.
The films are set in a post-apocalyptic future in the country of Panem, which lies in the ruins of former North America. The story of the first and second films revolves around the Hunger Games. In these games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) try to survive, and despite great difficulties they succeed. In the last two films, Katniss is not only trying to stay alive but is also fighting for the future of the people of all of Panem. Will she succeed in this mission too?
What are or were your favourite films and comedies for teenagers? Which films shaped your youth and did you watch over and over again? Do you agree with our selection, or would you add other films? Share your opinion with us in the comments.
USD amounts are approximate, converted at the Czech National Bank rate of 21.75 CZK per USD on 9 October 2026.
