(Photo by Miramax)
All 1999 Teen Movies Ranked
For moviegoers of a certain age, 1999 was a particularly fertile year for teen-centric films that spoke directly to the adolescent experience. Whether it was a rom-com like 10 Things I Hate About You, a biting satire like Election, a bawdy sex romp like American Pie, or a darkly comic drama like Cruel Intentions, there was a little something for everyone, and several of them went on to develop cult followings that hold strong to this day.
This year, all of those films celebrate their 20th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, we decided to take a quick little jog down memory lane and look at the whole batch of 1999 teen movies to see how they rank against each other. Are they really as good as you remember?
#17
Adjusted Score: 16658%
Critics Consensus: This throwaway comedy falls victim to its hip sensibilities.
Synopsis: When an exclusive clique of teenage socialites accidentally murders their best friend, Liz (Charlotte Ayanna), on the morning of her...
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#16
Adjusted Score: 18200%
Critics Consensus: An uneasy mix of slapstick and gore, Idle Hands lacks the manic energy and comedic inspiration required to pull off its goofy premise.
Synopsis: When slacker teen Anton Tobias (Devon Sawa) has his right hand possessed by a demonic force, he finds that his...
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#15
Adjusted Score: 21943%
Critics Consensus: As a dark comedy-thriller, this movie lacks humor and thrill.
Synopsis: A hardworking and bright high-school senior, Leigh Ann (Katie Holmes) has her impending status as valedictorian jeopardized when her bitter...
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#14
Adjusted Score: 24229%
Critics Consensus: As disposable as its predecessor is indispensable, The Rage: Carrie 2 mimics the arc of Stephen King's classic story without adding anything of value.
Synopsis: When her closest friend commits suicide after being manipulated by the popular crowd, quiet and bookish Rachel Lang (Emily Bergl)...
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#13
Adjusted Score: 30172%
Critics Consensus: Unoriginal story.
Synopsis: Nicole (Melissa Joan Hart) and Chase (Adrian Grenier) live next door to each other but are worlds apart. However, they...
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#12
Adjusted Score: 43600%
Critics Consensus: Despite its charming young leads, She's All That can't overcome its predictable, inconsistently funny script.
Synopsis: High school hotshot Zach Siler (Freddie Prinze Jr.) is the envy of his peers. But his popularity declines sharply when...
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#11
Adjusted Score: 47315%
Critics Consensus: This is a predictable football movie that lacks intensity.
Synopsis: In West Canaan, Texas, high school football reigns supreme. When starting quarterback Lance Harbor (Paul Walker) turns up injured, the...
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#10
Adjusted Score: 50229%
Critics Consensus: It's dark humor sometimes hits, but mostly misses the target.
Synopsis: An annual beauty pageant in small-town Minnesota turns ridiculously competitive and ultimately chaotic in this biting comedy. Amber Atkins (Kirsten...
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#9
Adjusted Score: 51400%
Critics Consensus: Silly plot, over-the-top directing style.
Synopsis: Rock-loving teens and aspiring musicians Hawk (Edward Furlong), Lex (Giuseppe Andrews), Trip (James DeBello) and Jam (Sam Huntington) can't wait...
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#8
Adjusted Score: 55400%
Critics Consensus: Miscasted performers and humor miss the mark.
Synopsis: In this coming-of-age comedy, Tim Dunphy (Shawn Hatosy) is leading a go-nowhere existence, spending his days smoking pot and hanging...
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#7
Adjusted Score: 59801%
Critics Consensus: This darkly comic drama and its attractive young cast are easy on the eyes, but uneven performances and an uninspired script conspire to foil Cruel Intentions.
Synopsis: Annette (Reese Witherspoon) unwittingly becomes a pawn in Sebastian's (Ryan Phillippe) and Kathryn's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) deliciously diabolical wager of...
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#6
Adjusted Score: 59257%
Critics Consensus: Drew Barrymore's effervescent charm is almost enough to make you forgive this teen comedy's incredibly silly storyline.
Synopsis: Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore), a baby-faced junior copywriter at the Chicago Sun-Times, must pose as a student at her former...
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#5
Adjusted Score: 68429%
Critics Consensus: So embarrassing it's believable, American Pie succeeds in bringing back the teen movie genre.
Synopsis: A riotous and raunchy exploration of the most eagerly anticipated -- and most humiliating -- rite of adulthood, known as...
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#4
Adjusted Score: 63257%
Critics Consensus: A charming piece of work with believable characters.
Synopsis: Three old friends -- Mike (Omar Epps), Roland (Taye Diggs) and Slim (Richard T. Jones) -- recount memories of their...
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#3
Adjusted Score: 75314%
Critics Consensus: Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger add strong performances to an unexpectedly clever script, elevating 10 Things (slightly) above typical teen fare.
Synopsis: Kat Stratford is beautiful, smart and quite abrasive to most of her fellow teens, meaning that she doesn't attract many...
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#2
Adjusted Score: 75229%
Critics Consensus: A clever, funny slice of alternate history, Dick farcically re-imagines the Watergate era and largely succeeds, thanks to quirky, winning performances from Michelle Williams, Kirsten Dunst and Will Ferrell.
Synopsis: Betsy (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene (Michelle Williams) are two 15-year-old girls in 1976. When Betsy visits Arlene at the Watergate...
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#1
Adjusted Score: 97629%
Critics Consensus: Election successfully combines dark humor and intelligent writing in this very witty and enjoyable film.
Synopsis: Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), a well-liked high school government teacher, can't help but notice that successful student Tracy Flick (Reese...
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14%
62%
92%
