No one knows those technicolor feelings of a first love (and a first heartbreak) like the teenagers in the best teen romance movies. It’s a genre that never gets old because no matter your age, we can all remember and relate to those messy feelings of figuring yourself out and figuring out how to love someone else — if only for a while — at the same time.
Teenage romance movies, like high school movies writ large, may have earned a bad reputation for being silly. And sometimes, they are (to which we say: so what?). At their core, though, the best teen movies represent the variety of experiences that come from discovering yourself (and others) at this age. And thankfully, as Hollywood changes for the better, there’s even more diversity to come from teen romance movies. Ideas around who’s considered to be leading character-worthy or who gets to be a love interest are (finally) changing, and we feel secure enough to say there are both teen rom-coms and tissue-worthy romantic teen movies for everyone today.
Below, we’ve put together a mix of stream-worthy new teen romance movies and iconic teenage love stories that have pretty much defined the genre. Consider this the start of your ultimate young-love movie marathon — complete with enough meet-cutes, butterflies, and happy endings to convince you that teen romance isn’t dead. (Though if you like a little pathos with your pleasure, don’t worry: we’ve included plenty of movies with tearjerker twists, too!)
1. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Arguably the best subgenre of teenage rom-coms is inspired by classics, and as far as that goes, 10 Things I Hate About You has it all. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Taming Of The Shrew, the plot follows bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger)'s attempt to win a bet by convincing undateable Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles, for not the last time on this teen movies list) to give him a chance. It has enemies-to-lovers, charming side characters, and most importantly, the line: “I guess in this society, being male and an asshole makes you worthy of our time.” It still, and we’re pretty sure always will, holds up.
Stream it on Hulu, Fandango At Home, Amazon Prime, or Disney+.
2. Titanic (1997)
Listen. The character of Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet, were that context somehow needed) is 17 years old when the Titanic sets sail. That means Titanic is a teenage love story, and that means cinema’s all-time greatest romance is a teen romance movie. We won’t be taking questions.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Paramount+, or Pluto TV.
3. Rye Lane (2023)
If you're a fan of classic rom-coms like Notting Hill or Love, Actually, then you have to watch Rye Lane. It made our list of most best 2023 Sundance premieres for good reason. It's a love story in all of its dreamy, messy, magnetic glory. Plus, the chemistry between leads David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah cannot be denied.
Stream it on Hulu.
4. Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Who says irreverent and downright-ridiculous movies can’t also make you feel something? With a delightfully ‘80s soundtrack and a closet full of costumes Helena Bonham Carter could shop from, this quirky horror-comedy is oddly endearing. It’s got a genuinely sweet love story between Lisa (Kathryn Newton) and the Victorian-era corpse she accidentally reanimates (Cole Sprouse), and it manages to make a nostalgic nod back to high school love stories of yore without that nostalgia feeling gratuitous or gimmicky. In short, it’s a lot of fun, and among new teen romance movies, it’s worth a watch.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Google Play.
5. Clueless (1995)
Anyone that grew up in the ‘90s with this movie will tell you that Cher’s outfit-building computer is something they probably still dream about to this day. The movie itself is plenty funny and charming, and the romance aspect — to our point about riffing off the classics earlier — borrows from Jane Austen’s Emma to cute effect. As one reviewer on Letterboxd called it, Clueless is “cinematic comfort food.”
Stream it on Paramount+, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
6. You Are the Apple of My Eye (2011)
This Taiwanese teen romance, based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Giddens Ko, became a box office phenomenon at home and a surprise word-of-mouth hit in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea. (A South Korean remake even came out in 2024!) It dives into all the chaos and sweetness of first love, following star pupil Shen Chia-yi (Michelle Chen), class clown Ko Ching-teng (Kai Ko), and friends as they learn to navigate adolescence’s highs, heartbreaks, and yearbook moments. A wistful, tender look at the “what ifs” of our teenage years, You Are the Apple of My Eye will make you feel something whether you’re living those years now or looking back with a little mist in your eye.
Streaming it: We’ll be honest, this one’s tough to find on U.S. streaming platforms! Check YouTube, or go old school and track it down on DVD or Blu-ray.
7. Easy A (2010)
Admittedly, there’s a lot about this movie that feels dated (case in point: undertones of homophobia and performative feminism), but at the time of its release, it actually was pretty sexually liberating. A lot of people needed to hear being slut-shamed in high school is, in fact, something you get over. Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson are so endearing as her parents, and if you’ve never seen the iconic “Pocketful Of Sunshine” scene, you should watch it for that alone.
Stream it on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, or Google Play.
8. John Tucker Must Die (2006)
We support women’s rights, but more importantly, we support women’s wrongs — isn’t that how that meme goes? We’re not saying revenge is the best course of action in any given situation, but where this movie is concerned? Kind of. It’s got romance, but it also has girls supporting girls, and that’s the real love of this movie.
Stream it on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, or Google Play.
7. She’s the Man (2006)
We wanted this to be gayer. You’ll probably want this to be gayer. Frankly, even the Shakespeare play it was based on is gayer. But this movie is still an icon of the genre and definitely worth a watch. And if it doesn’t have you quoting “girls with asses like mine do not talk to boys with faces like yours” for the rest of time, you’re missing out.
Stream it on Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home, or Amazon Prime.
10. Crush (2022)
Sure, it’s a bit cliche, but so what? Crush has a WLW love triangle, awkward queer teen moments, and a lot of really cute scenes. It’s not reinventing the wheels of the genre by any means, but it’s worth a watch regardless, if for no other reason than because the gays deserve some silly, cliche romance movies too!
Stream it on Hulu.
11. But I’m A Cheerleader (1999)
Speaking of WLW romances and also just beloved lesbian movies writ large, But I’m A Cheerleader is a classic and, frankly, probably a little ahead of its time despite the, you know, blatant stereotyping and internalized homophobia. If nothing else, the cast is incredible — starring Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Melanie Lysnkey, and even RuPaul, so you know you’re in for a great time.
Stream it on Tubi, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, or Amazon Prime.
10. She’s All That (1999)
This is 10 Things I Hate About You meets A Walk To Remember — a similar bet situation, except he’s the popular guy and she’s the nerdy girl — but the ending won't make you sad. It's a fun time, and Matthew Lillard is a hidden gem – between Freddie, him, and a Sarah Michelle Gellar cameo, it almost feels like a little Scooby Doo reunion. (But if you want to cringe a whole lot more, watch the gender-bent remake He’s All That on Netflix.)
Stream it on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Paramount+, or Netflix.
13. Warm Bodies (2013)
So maybe a zombie movie isn’t exactly what you’d picture in a list of rom-com movies for teens, but that’s exactly why we’re including it. Not only does it (a bit ironically) breathe new life into both genres, it’s actually genuinely charming and funny to watch.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, YouTube, or Apple TV.
14. A Cinderella Story (2004)
As far as fairytale retellings go, this one is especially worth a watch. Sure, it has some “I’m not like other girls” vibes, but it also has Jennifer Coolidge being an absolute icon, so we think it evens out? That and Hilary Duff’s speech about waiting for rain in a drought make it worth the watch.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Fandango At Home, or Apple TV.
15. Pure (2022)
Set against the glossy backdrop of cotillion, this short film (because swoonworthy teen love stories can be short films, too!) follows 17-year-old Celeste, a debutante-in-training and poet who’s finding the language for her queerness. On the eve of her cotillion ball, coming out into society takes on new meaning when an unexpected romance enters Celeste’s life. Written, directed, and produced by then-23-year-old Black queer filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris, this awarded indie gem was created as a “love letter to Black queer youth," Harris told Teen Vogue.
Stream it on HBO Max or Apple TV.
16. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
To All the Boys is a vital addition to the teen romance movies canon — the story is extremely heartwarming, the relationships are all pretty healthy and no less compelling for it, and the sisterly bond between the Covey sisters alone is worth watching it for, romance aside. It also helped usher in more diversity in Netflix romance movies and marked an important moment for Asian American teen representation in particular. Lara Jean Covey, our biracial Korean American heroine (played by Vietnamese American actress Lana Condor), has been celebrated as a multidimensional, deeply relatable teen. Elements of Korean culture are part of her life without being her whole identity, and she gets to have her pick of cute boys — a scenario too often saved for white romantic leads. (FYI, some Hollywood execs wanted to make Lara Jean white, something creator Jenny Han had to fight against.)
Make it a whole marathon with the full trilogy to see why To All the Boys so quickly earned its place as one of the best romantic franchises of all time. (Are we exaggerating? We honestly don’t think so.)
Stream it on Netflix.
17. The Way He Looks (2014)
The Way He Looks is a Brazilian, queer teen rom-com with disability representation (one of the main characters is blind). It’s cute, it’s inclusive, and it has so many heartfelt moments — we loved it and are pretty certain you will too if touching teen love stories are your thing.
Stream it on Prime, Apple TV, or Google Play.
18. The Prince & Me (2004)
Maybe these days being a princess isn’t exactly most people’s dreams, all things considered. But if you’d like to suspend disbelief for a couple of hours and enjoy the idea of the childhood fantasy, this Julia Stiles-powered vehicle, a popular entry on any roundup of good romantic movies, is for you.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, or Apple TV.
19. Moonshot (2022)
Humans really have no business colonizing anything else, much less a whole different planet. Still, if you want to enjoy some teen romance that isn’t set in high school, definitely give Moonshot a try. It has its cute moments, and Lana Candor is the rom-com queen!
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, or Fandango At Home.
20. Isi & Ossi (2020)
We have two words for you: fake dating. This German rom-com is an underrated masterpiece of the trope in our opinion, and the leads have such fantastic chemistry you’ll feel it go by so fast. Title character and rich girl Isi pretends to date poor boxer Ossi as a way to piss off her parents — and in true rom-com spirit, will find she has a lot more in common with him than she thinks.
Stream it on Netflix.
21. Grease (1978)
We can’t make a list of teen rom-coms and not include the original blueprint! Sure, none of the cast looks like teenagers (because they weren’t, but are we surprised?), but there’s a reason this movie is still so widely known today. If you’ve never seen it, definitely put it on your watchlist.
Stream it on Apple TV, Fandango At Home, or Amazon Prime.
22. Save The Last Dance (2001)
First, a fun fact: Julia Stiles got her role in Save The Last Dance after the director saw her 10 Things I Hate About You table-dance. (It’s a small world for teen romance movies, apparently!) Second and more importantly: This movie’s treatment of its central interracial relationship (between Stiles’ Sara and Sean Patrick Thomas’s Derek) carries a bit of a mixed legacy. Some applaud the movie for calling out harmful white-girl behavior — as Chenille (Kerry Washington) does in a memorable monologue — while others say it feeds into “bitter Black woman” tropes and ultimately still rewards whiteness. (If you remember Sara’s high-stakes dance sequence with The Chair, you know what we mean.) Still, for its time, Save The Last Dance said things about interracial relationships, racism, and classism that most other teen movies weren’t saying.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Google Play.
23. Girl Haunts Boy (2024)
The best way to meet a single cutie? Haunting their bedroom. That’s the meet-cute for grieving teen Cole and Bea, the 1920s-era ghost he discovers is haunting his new house. More accurately, she’s trapped there due to a curse from an ancient ring, meaning the two have plenty of time to get to know each other. Haunting becomes friendship becomes something more — you know how that goes — and even though falling for a ghost comes with some logistical issues, this pair makes it look pretty cute. Girl Haunts Boy may not be destined to live on as an all-time romantic classic, but it’s a fun, light-hearted watch when you’re in the mood!
Stream it on Netflix.
24. Love, Simon (2018)
Speaking of representation, Love, Simon excels in telling a gay romance story that, while touching on some traumatic aspects of the LGBTQIA+ experience, never lets the trauma be the center of its story. Not only that, but it’s genuinely a romance and doesn’t end with the protagonist destroyed by circumstances at the end. Cute, cliché in the best way, and certainly worth watching!
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Fandango At Home, or Google Play.
25. Never Been Kissed (1999)
If you’re watching this movie for the first time in 2024, your jaw might drop at the realization this was a top pick for love story movies in its day. More to the point, it’s still one of the first movies people think of when asked to name teen rom-coms. Why is that so bonkers, you ask? In broad strokes, Never Been Kissed is about a journalist (Drew Barrymore) who goes undercover as a high school student, because Investigative Journalism. Because she’s actually an undercover adult, what happens next isn’t technically about a romantic connection between a high school student and her English teacher, but only technically. What matters is that one of the two characters spends 95% of the movie thinking that’s what’s happening, and — ew? We’re leaving it here less as a romantic movie recommendation and more because it did undeniably influence the teen movie genre.
Stream it on Apple TV, Disney+, and Amazon Prime.
26. The Duff (2015)
We won’t try to convince you this movie is the critics’ pick for best teen romance movie — it’s not. But it is a fun, guilty pleasure rom-com to throw on in the background when you feel like watching something where the leads actually have very good chemistry despite the script’s shortcomings. Still, let it be known that Mae Whitman is neither fat nor ugly, and even if she were, those aren’t bad things, and they don’t disqualify anyone from being deserving of love. If you can get past that, though, the main characters actually work really well together.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, YouTube, or Apple TV.
27. Saved! (2004)
There’s so much to unpack with this movie in terms of the problematic language used throughout — definitely, it was a product of its time. Still, it has a lot of clever dialogue to go with it, too many iconic lines to quote, and a heartwarming found-family dynamic that may just be better than any of the romantic aspects. (Did we mention it also has Mandy Moore, Jena Malone, and Macaulay Culkin?)
Stream it on PlutoTV, Tubi, Fandango At Home, or Amazon Prime.
28. Do Revenge (2022)
Everything about this movie was a little unhinged, but it was still very fun to watch. Do we think the romance aspect of it was perhaps a bit misplaced? A little bit. But even then, the romance we do get is still cute, and a lot of the themes shown can spark a lot of meaningful conversation — it’s definitely a sleepover-movie-night kind of watch.
Stream it on Netflix.
29. The Princess Diaries (2001)
The thing about The Princess Diaries is that it’s not outright a romance movie. Still, if you’ve ever watched it before, there’s no way you can convince us that Mia and Michael didn’t literally invent love. The foot pop? Simply iconic. “Because you saw me when I was invisible?” We’re reaching for the tissues. The M&Ms pizza? If we’re not proposed to that way one day, we aren’t getting married. Now, our secret hot take: While it isn’t a teen love story, if you’re really on the hunt for some romance, go for Princess Diaries 2. It was the world’s introduction to Chris Pine’s blue peepers, and if the in-development Princess Diaries 3 has even half the sequel’s delightfully cheesy charm, we’ll stream it faster than you can say Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Princess of Genovia.
Stream it on Disney+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Google Play.
30. The Half Of It (2020)
The Half Of It is definitely more coming-of-age movie than rom-com, but here’s the thing: it still delivers a lot of complex emotions, portrays a platonic relationship between people of different genders and, while the romance aspect could definitely have been more front and center, it’s still a beautiful story.
Stream it on Netflix.
31. Sierra Burgess Is A Loser (2018)
The good parts about this movie: a romantic lead who wears something other than a 2-6 pants size and the role female friendship plays. The bad part: centering your whole premise around catfishing someone. Lest we give the movie an undue amount of flack though, it drew its inspo from something that far predates Catfish: The TV Show: the 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac. And it’s not like it’s the only teen rom-com out there — or on this list, even — that relies on the hidden-identity trope. Ultimately, it’s just a fun one to watch when you don’t want something super serious.
Stream it on Netflix.
32. The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Again, we’d argue this movie falls more in the coming-of-age realm than rom-com, but what’s wrong with celebrating some platonic love, too? This is a genuinely compelling story about imperfect characters that still manage to love each other despite their personal struggles.
Stream it on Tubi, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
33. Wild Child (2008)
This is another one of those movies that isn’t good, but sure is fun. The romance is cute, but most importantly, we just love watching Poppy (Emma Roberts) find herself through unexpected connections to her mother. Plus, the line “I didn’t start it, it wasn’t my fault and if this were America, I would sue” is just incredible.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Google Play, or Apple TV.
34. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
We don’t know anyone who watched this when it came out and doesn’t agree this should’ve been a queer romance instead. It’s not unfortunately, but it’s still definitely worth a watch for the vibes alone and to enjoy What Could Have Been.
Stream it on Disney+, Apple TV, or Amazon Prime.
35. Say Anything (1989)
Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything will always securely have a place among the best teen romance movies. And that’s not only because of the oft-copied boombox scene that launched probably a billion ill-advised Grand Romantic Gestures from straight dudes. Despite being solidly set in high school, this movie tends to feel a bit graduated from your typical trope-y teen romance (no shade intended!), with smart writing and a super-believable cast. It’s been, and will continue to be, popular with the hopeless-romantic set for a reason.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, YouTube, or Google Play.
36. Love & Basketball (2000)
Okay, okay. Unfolding over 12 years, this movie doesn’t only take place when its leads, Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps), are in their teens. But it still solidly feels like a teenage romance movie, and an exceptionally good one at that. When creating Love & Basketball, writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood was inspired by two things: her own life (the movie is semi-autobiographical) and her dream of making, as she later put it, a “Black When Harry Met Sally.” The end result is a forever-classic, and we kind of want to know who IRL Prince-Bythewood “played for their heart” because honestly, that’s an incredible line.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Google Play, or Apple TV.
37. A Walk to Remember (2002)
Be honest. If you were a conscious human around the time this movie came out, you at least thought about singing “Only Hope” in your school talent show. Adapted from a Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name, the story of Jesus-y Jamie Sullivan (Mandy Moore) and headed-nowhere-fast Landon Carter (Shane West) has spent years tear-staining many a pillowcase at sleepovers. It feels like an unsubtle call to go to church, but hey, it’s also got all the teen romance we need.
Stream it on Pluto TV, Tubi, The CW, or Netflix.
38. Heathers (1988)
L.O.L. Joking. (Kind of?) A satirical take-down of high school, Heathers isn’t your aspirational teen love story. But there is some undeniably crackling chemistry between leads Veronica (Winona Ryder) and her most assuredly psychotic love interest J.D. (Christian Slater). You could even call their connection explosive. Watch and you’ll see what we mean.
Stream it on Tubi, Pluto TV, or Amaron Prime.
39. The Kissing Booth (2018)
The best way to ruin a perfectly good friendship? Fall for their sibling. That’s the dilemma for Elle, a high school junior with the hots for her lifelong best friend’s older brother, Noah. Secret feelings, as they tend to in rom-coms, come to the surface, helped along by a kissing booth school fundraiser gone awry. Based on then-15-year-old Beth Reekles’s viral Wattpad novel, the Kissing Booth YA trilogy — yes, you can triple up after watching the first movie — became a Netflix sensation, in no small part for introducing fans to Jacob Elordi, an association he isn’t exactly ecstatic about today. To be fair to Elordi, the movies aren’t without their problems, from issues of tokenization to cringe that sometimes just feels problematic (see: the romanticization of controlling male behavior). Problems withstanding, Kissing Booth’s explosive success is inarguably what helped usher in Netflix’s era of new teen romance movies, earning it a spot on our list for that reason alone.
Stream it on Netflix.
40. Twilight (2008)
We had to? Well, no one made us. But also, we had to. Whether you’re here to hate-watch Twilight, analyze it for queer subtext, or because you sincerely find the story of Bella and Edward romantic, there’s no denying the Twilight saga skyrocketed the teen romance genre to a new level of ubiquity.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Google Play.
41. Tall Girl (2019)
Being comfy with standing out is something a lot of teens — and people of all ages! — struggle with, and this movie’s titular tall girl Jodi (Dance Moms star Ava Michelle) is no exception. At 6-foot-1 (and a half, as she’d tell you), Jodi feels too tall to date the boys in her school. So when a same-height foreign exchange student enrolls, she develops a crush — and, more importantly, begins to reckon with what height insecurities have meant for her self-image. There’s a love triangle and a beauty-queen sister (played by Sabrina Carpenter) — meaning, the movie’s got its share of tropes. But when you’re in the mood for a high school love story, are you really looking to see the genre flipped? There’s also a sequel, if it’s a double-feature kind of night!
Stream it on Netflix.
42. Cruel Intentions (1999)
Like Heathers, this definitely isn’t the movie to stream if you’re looking for heartwarming teen love and cathartic romance. Cruel Intentions is so not that. It gets billed as a teenage romantic drama, but depending on how you watch it, this movie is either unpardonably problematic or it’s a trove of over-the-top camp beloved by some queer viewers. Regardless of which side you fall on, know there are some irrefutably Not Good Things in this movie — for one, Cruel Intentions should come with a content warning for sexual assault. Make sure your friends know what’s up before streaming this together, and skip it for a different pick if anyone feels uncomfortable.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Fandango At Home.
43. Alex Strangelove (2018)
In this romantic teen dramedy, high school senior Alex Truelove has it all lined up: a sweet girlfriend, a solid friend group (including a pal played by Nik Dodani), and a plan to finally lose his virginity. But meeting Elliot — an openly gay teen who makes Alex question everything he thought he knew about himself — complicates things. What follows is a mix of late-night flirtations, undeniable chemistry, and some big, identity-defining moments that are handled with a refreshingly lighter touch. Instead of leaning on tired trauma tropes, the movie keeps its heart (and, mostly, its humor) intact, making for a coming-out-while-coming-of-age story that feels affirming and supportive.
Stream it on Netflix.
44. What a Girl Wants (2003)
It’s got Amanda Bynes at the height of her comedic powers. It’s got a “cool American girl takes on London” plot, and it has Colin Firth in leather pants. Sold? While What a Girl Wants is primarily a fun, heartwarming look at a father-daughter (Firth-Bynes) dynamic, it’s got some teen romance, too. Bynes’ Daphne catches the eye of leather jacket-wearing musician Ian (Oliver James), and believe it or not this, Gen Z, is the hairstyle we thought cute boys had in 2003.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Google Play, or Apple TV.
45. Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Is it even a romantic teen movies list if we didn’t have the OG teen love story on here? Baz Luhrmann’s super-stylized adaptation gives us Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet (Clare Danes) as two Verona Beach teenagers in the business of falling in love and, well, we’re pretty sure you know what happens. If you want a little pathos with your pleasure, Romeo + Juliet delivers, and the iconic costumes alone make it worth a watch.
Stream it on Apple TV, YouTube, or Amazon Prime.
46. Everything, Everything (2017)
One of those rare book-to-movie adaptations fans actually liked, Everything, Everything isn’t light on the melodrama. But with a premise like the one we’re about to describe, why would you expect it to be? The story centers on Maddy Whittier (Amandla Stenberg), a teenager with a rare illness that essentially makes her allergic to the world, forcing her to be confined at home. Next door, in moves Olly Bright (Nick Robinson). Feelings are caught, perspectives are changed, and characters come of age. Is it corny? Yes. Do we really care? Not so much.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Google Play.
40. The Sun Is Also a Star (2019)
Again: If you’re not into corniness, keep it moving. If you’re here to watch pretty people make increasingly extended eye contact, this might be your movie. Set in New York City, it follows a day’s worth of unexpected events that unfold when pragmatic Natasha Kingsley (Yara Shahidi) meets starry-eyed Daniel Jae Ho Bae (Charles Melton). Complicating things? They’ve met just hours before Natasha and her family are set to be deported. If you’re on the fence about watching this one, just look up photos of Shahidi and Melton, then decide.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, or Fandango At Home.
48. Before Sunrise (1955)
Maybe this Richard Linklater film is more of an early 20s romance than it is a teen romance. If you watch it, though, we don’t think you’ll blame us for the suggestion. Before Sunrise is a 24-hour portrait of a spontaneous connection between two young people — an American, Jesse (Ethan Hawke), and a French student, Céline (Julie Delpy) — who meet on a train. Deciding to impulsively hop off and spend a free day together in Vienna, they walk, they talk, and they feel things. If you do too, you’ll be happy to know there’s also a Before Sunset and Before Midnight movie, each picking up with the characters (and the actors) left off nine years later.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Google Play.
49. 20th Century Girl (2022)
A teen love movie formula exists for a reason. 20th Century Girl doesn’t try to part from that formula, and we’re glad it doesn’t. A classic tale of matchmaking-gone-wrong, this South Korean romantic drama is a charming exploration of first love and high school-era friendship with a healthy dose of circa-1999 nostalgia.
Stream it on Netflix.
50. The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995)
We love a good friendship-turned-romance. No spoilers — it’s kind of in the title — that’s what happens in this queer mid-90s dramedy. After gas station employee Randy (Laurel Holloman) finds a friend in popular girl Evie (Nicole Parker), the pair make discoveries about their identities and sexualities together. It’s a raw, unpolished, and heartfelt look at teen love, coming out, and coming into yourself, and it was all of those things before queer teen stories were common on screen.
Stream it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Google Play.
51. Submarine (2010)
Charmingly offbeat — think Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind vibes, but as a teen rom-com — Submarine follows Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts), an eccentric Welsh 15 year old with a very non-eccentric goal: to lose his virginity before his next birthday. He hopes to achieve that goal with classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige), the aloof-girl object of his infatuations. And before you ask, yes, she has bangs. What aloof girl in 2010 didn’t?
Stream it on Tubi, YouTube, or Amazon Prime.
52. Candy Jar (2018)
Who doesn’t love a good academic-rivals-to-lovers yarn? This one’s as sweet as the title sounds, following two overachieving debate rivals, Lona (Sami Gayle) and Bennett (Jacob Latimore). They’ve spent their whole high school careers squaring off, but that commitment to one-upping each other is put to the test when circumstances push them to work on the same team. What starts as eye-rolls and sharp tongues just might soften into something sweeter, much to the surprise of their equally competitive moms (Uzo Aduba and Christina Hendricks).
Stream it on Netflix.
53. Step Up (2006)
Before it was a franchise with a spin-off TV show — and before Channing Tatum was Channing Tatum, which is to say, Zoe Kravitz’s ex — Step Up was a teen romance taking circa-2006 pop culture by storm. It wasn’t the first to cash in on America’s rising dance craze; Save the Last Dance had come out five years before, and DVRs were full of recorded Dancing With the Stars episodes. (What a time.) Step Up was still something of a surprise hit, though, following troublemaker Tyler (Tatum) and classically trained ballerina Nora (Jenna Dewan) as unexpected dance partners at a performing arts high school. As far as the dancing goes, there’s definitely a strong waft of “white people using hip hop for clout” happening here, and for being a movie that draws so much from a Black art form, it’s written by a white man. Watched with that in mind, there’s still some fun 2000s teen romance moments to be found here.
Stream it on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.
54. Back to the Future (1985)
Back to the Future is likely to be called a high school comedy or a time-travel movie well before it’s described as a teen love story. But there is romance happening here — after all, Marty McFly’s entire ability to get back home to 1985 in one piece hinges on how well he plays matchmaker to his teenage parents. Sure, it’s an iconic teen movie first and a romance second, but you can’t tell us you don’t feel something when Marty’s dad (a fantastic Crispin Glover) finally goes for the girl.
Stream it on Hulu, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV.
55. Let the Right One In (2008)
Swedish horror-drama, anyone? Let the Right One In may not be a teen movie in the same way that high school-set flicks are. But make no mistake: it’s absolutely a teen love story, and a haunting one at that. Set in wintry 1980s Stockholm, it tells the story of 12-year-old outcast Oskar and Eli, the mysterious girl who moves into the next building. Masterfully blending elements of horror, coming-of-age drama, and romance, it’s a deeply felt movie that’ll get into your veins, if you catch our drift.
