Some Kind of Wonderful
Theteenmovie is as quintessential to adolescence as growth squirt are . Without them , we ca n’t crack the code on maturation . There ’s so much about our post - formative / pre - grownup years that the grownups are n’t willing to secernate us directly , yet through the films they make about teenagers , we have an idea of what ’s expected .
picture of all genres — including adventure , fantasy , and horror — were prevalent throughout the eighties . And the geological period is renowned for being a cradle of germinal adolescent - point films likeThe Breakfast ClubandSixteen Candles . But what about the arrive - of - age cinema that are n’t as celebrate ? The ones that did n’t get their dues back then ? With ' 80s nostalgia being so prominent , now is definitely the time to bring up these ten underrated teen movies from the decade .
Teen Witch (1989)
Although body snatcher and monster of all variety were present and accounted for in 1980s film , witches were n’t virtually as popular despite the achiever of picture likeThe Witches of Eastwick . So , whenTeen Witch — in the first place pitched as a femaleTeen Wolf — came out in 1989 , hardly anyone saw it in theaters . In fact , it accrued a mere $ 27,843 against a $ 2 million budget . And , it ’s dependable to usurp this put a standstill on witchy activity in teen movies untilThe Craftin 1996 .
Teen Witchconcerns a high school student , Louise ( play by Blake Lively ’s sister Robyn ) , who taps into her witching powers after take she ’s the modern reincarnation of a witch . Upon using say magic , she stirs up trouble for both herself and the boy she has a crush on .
The affableTeen Witchmight not have fare well at the box office , but it ’s gained a following since then . It ’s also found a regular topographic point in Freeform ’s Halloween itinerary .
Just One of the Guys (1985)
Readers will notice the plot of this moving picture bears a strong resemblance to that of the 2006 hitShe ’s the Man . You ’ve likely heard or seen this 1985 funniness , but it ’s seldom brought up when waxing poetic about retro teen movie theater . InJust One of the Guys , young journalist Terri poses as a male student at a different high school so that she can be taken more earnestly as a writer . As Terri ( now Terry ) plays two different roles , she falls in love with her new best friend .
Just One of the Guysadmittedly lacks the finesse of its contemporaries , but this clean lighthearted romp about seeking equality have a highly charismatic carrying into action from its lead , Joyce Hyser .
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
John Hughes was in high demand in the 1980s , but not every one of his films was a runaway hit . To be clean , though , Some sort of Wonderfulwas only drop a line by Hughes , not direct . Nevertheless , this tale of two teens from across the tracks is as formidable asPretty in Pink . Not to advert , it sport three underrated , young thespian from the era .
For Keeps (1988)
Molly Ringwald was always on the leaflet of love in her iconic eighties office , butFor Keepsshows us what happens to the characters after the credit cast . In the movie , Molly make for Darcy , a teenage lovebird who place her aspirations on hold when she and her high school sweetheart , Stan , learn that they ’re now expecting . This development create a whole new band of challenges that neither Darcy nor Stan are machinate for .
For Keepsisn’t the heavily - border drama about adolescent gestation that you ’ve come to see now . In true statement , it merely fret the surface . But for a movie that ’s target at Molly ’s built - in consultation — one accustomed to fancy her bring comparatively less emotionally complicated characters — For Keepsis a lionhearted drive that should n’t be overlook .
The New Kids (1985)
There was an apprehensible amount of press on Sean S. Cunningham ’s shoulders after his low - price 1980 slasherFriday the 13thyielded a moneymaking amount of kale . However , what was slated to be a revulsion moving-picture show finish up being more striking than horrific . That is not to say there are n’t thrills inThe New Kids , but two - thirds of the film are less about maiming and more about escalate intimidation .
InThe New Kids , Lori Loughlin recreate one half of a couple of orphaned sib direct to live with relatives in Florida . There , they become targets of a local group of miscreant .
Little Darlings (1980)
There seems to be a shortage of female person - fronted teen movies these days . But , for those who simply wait for a much needed resurgence , essay out the vastly overlookedLittle Darlings . This 1980 movie may be determine at a summertime camp and about two adolescent lady friend reckon on who can misplace their virginity first , but the film winds up being more heartfelt than ever expect .
Oscar - winning Tatum O’Neal and Kristy McNichol playfully contend in this astonishingly profound narrative about grow up too shortly . The motion-picture show challenge the whim that the teen comedy sub - genre has to be all crude and nude to be memorable . There ’s some businesslike performance from the leads as well as a vernal Matt Dillon .
My Bodyguard (1980)
Adults looking the other way is the explanation behind the events ofMy Bodyguard . Adam Baldwin ( Firefly ) incidentally becomes a Saviour to Chris Makepeace ’s Clifford , a young , rich kid who is being picked on by Matt Dillon ’s Melvin . As Clifford befriends his new defender , he get along to find out of the secret botheration behind his eyes .
Latchkey Thomas Kid were common around this movie ’s outlet so the story capitalizes on that . The characters inMy Bodyguardmight not have been enlist in the armed force or pass on faraway adventure , but there ’s an undeniable torment to be find in this melancholic drama go down at family .
The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)
We did n’t get a lot of fanciful stripling movies in the 1980s . Most were quite grounded in regards to plot and situations . For the most part , the same can be enounce forThe Boy Who Could Fly , a 1986 photograph about a 14 - class - old girl , Milly , who befriends her neighbor , Eric , after she abide a tragical loss . Together , she and Eric observe news way to escape their pain and get by with their respective rigourousness .
The male child Who Could Flysounds like a bummer , but do n’t be put off by the basic synopsis . There is more than a fainthearted gleam of hope in this whimsical dramatic event . And forHalloweenbuffs , the film was written and direct by the original Michael Myers worker himself , Nick Castle .
Running on Empty (1988)
First of all , Running on Emptyis not market as a teen movie . It ’s very much a play with crime element . No , it ’s notThe Godfather , but it is about a home on the run .
Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti severally play the father and female parent , both fugitives , in the movie . They ’re shamed of anti - war crimes they committed in 1960s , but with two Kid in tow , circumvent the consequences of their actions is getting harder and harder to do . Now in a new town , the Pope family find out themselves at the mercy of their oldest male child , who desire a normal life .
Running on Emptyboasts some sterling performances all around ; River Phoenix even got an Oscar nod for his part . This is one flick that will emphatically pull at heartstrings .
Scenes from the Goldmine (1987)
There seems to be an unsaid rule about musical comedy from the 1980s being upbeat . That approximation does not factor into the obscure diamond in the roughScenes from the Goldmine , a 1987 movie about the perils of becoming a player . Catherine Mary Stewart ( The Last Starfighter ) represent Debi , a bud singer - songwriter who is invited to join a come up rock band . niggling does she sleep with , her get romantically involved with the lead will put her career in danger .
Scenes from the Goldminewent down a different path than other music - oriented movies likeFameorGrease 2 . It ’s downright sorry and solemn at times . If you ’re prepared for a more contemplative teen motion picture , then you have to hunt this one down .
NEXT:10 Underrated Horror Movies from the 1980s You Have to See
