The 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s were filled with teen movies that had been films that defined a generation. They were stories of friendship, romance, and adventure that introduced characters that remain iconic to this day. But, while they were appreciated when they were released,plenty of things that occurred in these movies were certainly not okaywhen the movies premiered, but under the lens of the modern day, they are actually far worse. Some of the most iconic films actually face the dark reality of holding many problematic characters, moments, or plot lines included in what had been considered a beloved film at the time of release.
Many movies have aged poorly over the years, as dialogue and expectations for what is considered appropriate have changed over time. The type of bullying and sexual harassment in 80s and 90s films that gets laughed off as banter is actually highly problematic and makes previous love interests look like dangerous predators, while romances come off holding many red flags. These are things that were not acknowledged to be as dangerous as they should have been at the time, with many elements to those stories being romanticized or sexualized, and no one is held accountable for their actions.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Breakfast Club
A beloved teen classic about a group of students who could not be more different, it is considered one of the best teen movies there is. Stuck in the library for Saturday Detention, this ragtag group is forced to spend time together and learn about each other in the isolated confines of their high school, with only their absent principal around to verify they remain in school.
Why It Hasn’t Aged Well
But, the film is riddled with harassment and inappropriate behavior. The romance between John and Claire is played for chemistry, laughs, and banter. Except for the part where he is actively making her uncomfortable throughout the filmand is disrespectful of her boundaries. The romance between Andrew and Allison is not much better, as most of it relies on Allison’s physical transformation from goth outcast to preppy for the duo to have a happy ending. It means that while Andrew does not need to change at all, Allison must alter herself in order for the relationship to work.
Sixteen Candles (1984)
Sixteen Candles
Sixteen Candlestries to be a coming-of-age story about Samantha Baker, who faces the disappointment and shock of her family forgetting her birthday due to her sister’s wedding. As sad as the central storyline is of Samantha being forgotten by her family, the film’s central romance makes the film age horribly.
Samantha’s love interest, Jake, is never actually depicted as a good person. He is horrible to his girlfriend, Caroline, to the point where, after he has lost interest in her, he basically allows and shows no care that Caroline’s sexual harassment occurs. Ted, the film’s geek character, is no better. He sexually assaults Caroline because of Jake’s comment that Caroline would be too out of it to notice anything happening. Even after this, Jake is still considered a love interest and is never held accountable for his actions.
She’s All That (1999)
She’s All That
When Zack claims he can turn anyone into the Prom Queen, his friend Dean points out Laney Boggs, who is shy, unpopular, and considered ugly because she wears glasses. Zack embarks on a mission to transform Laney out of her nerdy personality and into one of the school’s most popular students.
But, when the entire premise of a romance begins with a bet and manipulation, it should not be as easily forgiven as it is. Lacey and Zack do get together at the movie’s conclusion, barely after Laney discovers the truth. While the trope that a girl is only beautiful after she takes off her glasses does not help the film, the premise of needing to change a girl entirely in order for her to be considered worthy while barely altering the male’s character or allowing him to face the consequences of his actions has not allowed this film to work anymore.
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Big (1988)
When 12-year-old Josh Baskin wishes to be big, he wakes up as an adult but remains mentally and emotionally twelve years old. Tom Hanks puts on an exciting and joyful performance as the physical adult trying to work out what it means to be a grown-up as a tween.
But trying to place a mental and emotional 12-year-old in romantic and sexual situations with actual grown adult women is a step too far. WhenBigimplies that Josh had sex with a woman, the film officially crosses the line. Although he is a physical adult, Josh is still technically a minor, and the woman he slept with is completely unaware of the truth.
Grease (1978)
In what has become one of the best-known musical romances, Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson have opposing interests. Throughout the film, they try to fill the shoes as to what the other is looking for in a partner.
For one thing, if you need to change everything about yourself in order to be a couple, odds are, this relationship should not be happening at all. Otherwise, it manages to get worse when Danny attempts to force Sandy to be physically and sexually intimate with him, resulting in her rushing away from him. At that point, does it even make sensethat they end up together?
Clueless (1995)
Based on Jane Austen’s novel,Emma,Cluelessis a modern take on what is considered a timeless story, even if that is arguable in itself as well.Cluelessfollows Cher, a high school girl who does not see much outside of her own set of interests. But, when her ex-step-brother Josh enters the picture, things change.
Nearly everything about the romance between Cher and Josh does not sit well. From the fact that they used to be step-siblings and Mel still looks at Josh as a son, to the age gap that would make Cher underage while Josh is an adult. There is not a lot that works in this movie’s favor.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
10 Things I Hate About You
Considered one of the best adaptations of a Shakespeare play, this timeThe Taming of the Shrew, the movie follows the love story between Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona. When new student Cameron falls in love at first sight with Kat’s younger sister Bianca, Cameron embarks on a mission to be able to date her after discovering that Bianca can not date until Kat does.
While Patrick’s feelings for Kat may eventually become genuine, he spends most of the movie lying to her and getting paid to date her. Kat is rightfully betrayed and horrified when she finds out. However, in the case of both main love stories, both Cameron and Patrick get away with their behavior for manipulating the situation when each of thegirls goes on to forgive them and go out with them.
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American Pie (1999)
American Pie
Any teen film with a massive focus on sex runs the possibility of being considered severely problematic. Three teenage boys, Jim, Chris, and Kevin, embark on a quest to lose their virginity by prom night, or they will consider themselves or the one to fail a loser.
Why it Hasn’t Aged Well
The concept that being a virgin makes someone a loser at all is a highly problematic concept that puts unnecessary pressure on everyone. The amount of sexual harassment by the male characters that gets played for jokes, sexism, and blatant disrespect for the female characters all show that this movie aged horribly over time, but certainly was problematic when it came out as well.
Never Been Kissed (1999)
When adult journalist Josie Geller enrolls in high school as a student to try and show the parents what their kids have been up to, Josie gets more than she bargained for. Falling in love with her teacher, Sam Coulson, is only one of her problems.
Josie is actively lying to the surrounding students. She is an adult getting involved in relationships with teenagers that the movie plays as a joke without any legitimate consequences. Sam growing romantically interested in Josie while believing she is a teenager makes him come off as a predator, and it is not okay to romanticize the student/teacher romance.
17 Again (2009)
As an adult, Mike is unsuccessful and has basically become more of a nuisance to his wife and children than a supporting husband and father. But, when he gets another chance to do his life over again as a teenager, it means he can have a new life.
As a teenager, Mike is placed in highly sexual discussions with his teenage daughter and her classmates. Teenage Mike’s growing romance with his adult wife puts her in an uncomfortable position because she believes he is a teenager, and Mike never actually tells her the truth, leading to many uncomfortable meetings between various characters.
