The Best Teen Movies of the 1980s

Generation X is a generation like none before and likely none after us. Ours is a generation that movies were made of - movies that defined Generation X for what it was: A generation of youth gone wild for want of freedom and all that came with it. We were blessed with the best teen movies ever made.

When I watch these movies today, I'm transported back to junior high when the things that went on in these movies were happening all around me.

The events that took place in these movies weren't too far off the mark. We threw our wild parties while our parents were out of town, we snuck out of the house for no reason other to say we did it, girls were left with tough decisions to make, and the boy's chased us like there was no tomorrow - geek, jock, and everything in between.

Of course, real life wasn't near as funny as the movies were (not all the time, anyway) and there were real consequences for our actions. Did my grandparents think I was like those kids in the movies? I hoped not, otherwise I would be still be grounded some 25-years later.

So, what are the best teen movies of the 1980's that best define Generation X?

The Last American Virgin (1982):

This was one of those coming of age movies. Even though I personally loved this movie, I always seemed to turn a few shades of red when I watched it.

The plot involves a love triangle that develops between Gary (Lawrence Monoson), Rick (Steve Antin), and a girl named Karen (Diane Franklin). Karen ends up with Rick and the pair have sex. Karen ends up pregnant and Gary helps her get an abortion. It's a little sad because even after a tender weekend following Karen's abortion, poor Gary still doesn't get the girl and is heartbroken when he finds her with Rick at her birthday party.

The Last American Virgin soundtrack includes: Open Arms (Journey), Keep On Loving You (REO Speedwagon), I Know What Boys Like (The Waitresses), Since You're Gone (The Cars), and many more hits of the time.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982):

This is one funny movie at most times with a sprinkling of the more serious, namely a teenage pregnancy and the decision to end it.

Stacy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) could be considered a hyper-sexual 15-year-old girl who works at a pizzeria in the mall. She has sex for the first time with a guy in his mid-20's (he thinks she's 19). The act leaves her unsatisfied and she moves along to her next conquest.

Following a date with Rat, she invites him to her bedroom hoping for a little action, but this freaks him out. She then moves on to Damone and ends up pregnant. She then decides to have an abortion and Damone says he'll help out with cash and a ride. He totally goes back on his word and ignores her phone calls. It's Stacy's brother, Brad (Judge Reinhold), who gives her a ride thinking she's going bowling with friends.

That's all right. Once Linda finds out what Damone does (or didn't do), she spray paints his car and locker with a certain profanity. Take that, Damone!

In the midst of Stacy's drama, her brother, Brad, loses his girlfriend, get's fired from his job, ends up in a pirate hat working for a restaurant (think "Long John Silvers"), fantasizes about Stacy's BFF Linda (Phoebe Cates), and in the end is in the middle of a hold up at the convenience store he started working for.

Spicoli (Sean Penn) is a surfer-type with a major marijuana habit who takes up too much class time, according to American History teacher Mr. Hand. At one point, he orders up a pizza - delivered during class time.

Come on Spicoli. Seriously? If I had a pizza delivered during class, I would have been sitting in Mr. Whitaker's office waiting for his lame comedy routine before the paddle met my yes ma'am!

If you haven't had the chance to watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High, you really should rent it or catch it the next time it comes on television. It truly is a riot!

The Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack include: Somebody's Baby (Jackson Browne), Speeding (The GO-Go's), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Sammy Hagar), Don't Be Lonely (Quarterflash), Sleeping Angel (Stevie Nicks), and more.

Sixteen Candles (1984):

This is the funniest teen movie ever made! We follow Samantha (Molly Ringwald) whose sixteenth birthday is lost on her family who are preparing for her older sister's wedding the next day. Her grandparents arrive and one set brings along a strange foreign exchange student.

Sam has a huge crush on rich kid Jake who she thinks doesn't even know she exists.

During a school dance, Sam is bombarded by "The Geek" (Anthony Michael Hall) who has a crush of his own on her. She flees to solitude in the auto-shop but "The Geek" follows her. They start talking and when he tells her that Jake has been asking about her, they decide she should go and talk to him. "The Geek" reveals to Sam that he has a bet with his friends and, in her excitement over Jake, gives "The Geek" her underwear. Bad move. He is seen holding them up in the boys bathroom for all to see.

By the way, Sam lets out a house-shaking scream when she learns about the underwear incident from her best friend who tell's her that her brother paid a buck to see them.

While Sam is dealing with her own issues, there's more action going on elsewhere. Lots of action. So many more events that there is no way I could cover it all. If there was ever a movie epitomizing the 1980's teenager, this is it.

The Sixteen Candles soundtrack includes: Sixteen Candles (The Stray Cats), True (Spandau Ballet), Turning Japanese (The Vapors), Rebel Yell (Billy Idol), Young Americans (David Bowie), and more!

If you're the teenager of a Generation X'er, this is one of those movies that might help you understand your parents a little more - after all, we're a generation who refuses to lay down and let age overcome us. We're just as quirky now as we were "back in the day."

If you ever have the chance to catch these movies, whether you have already seen them or not, watch them. They'll certainly bring the nostalgia to the surface. Who couldn't use some of that in their lives every now and then?