The arrival of The Beatles ushered in a new age. Their sound and style was an influence on young men and women. While girls screamed and chased the Beatles, boys copied their mop top style. A Hard Day's Night is regarded as the best Beatles movie, and while it’s really a light-hearted romp, the film previewed the music video age and heralded a shift to a new, fun, and modern generation.
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Before there was band camp, there was Little Darlings. In the film, two teenage girls make a bet as to which will lose her virginity first. Their curiosity showed changing sexual attitudes and motivated teens to have a camp romance.
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Mostly a celebration of the fun antics of high school, the characters in Grease make it cool to be the school rebels. They attempt to navigate relationships, school, work, and cars while giving school administrators hell. Though it might be set in another era, all teenagers can identify with wanting to win the girl while still appearing cool to your friends.
19-year-old Dave and his friends can't figure out what to do with their lives after high school. Dave really wants to race Italian bicycles, but his dad has other ideas. This film motivated teens to literally and figuratively "break away" and follow their dreams.
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Whether they were inspired to skip school to surf, break up with their longtime boyfriend or girlfriend, or ask the pretty girl that works across the mall out on a date, teens were affected by Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Gnarly, dude!
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The Woodstock music festival in 1969 celebrated peace, love, and all things regarded as "counterculture." In 1970, the documentary movie (complete with hours of concert footage) reached a huge audience in theaters. It was a success and brought the counterculture and a host of rock and roll stars to teens across the country.
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The teenagers in Footloose engage in reckless and rebellious behavior. Set in a town that had banned dancing, Footloose influenced teens to make their own way unencumbered by values they no longer shared with their parents.
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The best way to get away from parents and other authority figures is in a car. American Graffiti focused on the culture of "cruising." Though set in 1962, teens can relate to the way the characters spent their nights, in this case, the last night of summer vacation. Plus, the soundtrack is filled with unforgettable cruising classics.
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