The teen film (also called teen movie or teenpic) is a film genre targeted at teenagers and young adults in which the plot is based upon the special interests of teenagers, such as coming of age, first love, rebellion, conflict with parents, teen angst and alienation. Very often these in itself serious subject matters are presented in a glossy, stereotyped or trivializing way. Films in this genre are often set in high schools, or contain characters that are of high school age. Sexual themes are also common, as are nudity and crude forms of humour.

However, there are also teen films that are suitable for family viewing, and thus avoid the more mature themes.

Beach films

The genre can trace its roots back to "beach films" of the 1950s and '60s, such as the Gidget series.

John Hughes

The genre gained more credibility during the 1980s with the appearance of writer/director John Hughes. His legacy of teen films (The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, etc.) proved to be popular not only with audiences, but with critics also.

Codes and conventions

Codes and conventions of the teen film genre include: prom, alcohol, illegal substances, high school, parties and all-night raves, losing one's virginity, relationships, social groups and cliques, and American pop-culture.

Noteworthy actors

Teen films also include actors, such as Annette Funicello and Hayley Mills in the '60s and '70s, members of the Brat Pack in the '80s and early '90s, and Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, Jason Biggs and other teenage sensations in the later '90s and '00s, who are either preteens or teens at the time of the movies themselves.

See also

• List of teen films
• List of film genres
• Teen drama - (List of teen dramas)
• Teen pop
• Teen magazine - (List of teen magazines)

External links

• Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best High School Movies

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