Films About Romance in High School
High school is often depicted as a pivotal time in young people's lives, filled with exploration, self-discovery, and, of course, romance. Films that focus on high school romance capture the innocence and intensity of first love, navigating relationships against the backdrop of adolescence, friendship, and the pressures of growing up. These stories often resonate with audiences, evoking nostalgia and reminding viewers of their own formative experiences. Below is a selection of notable films that delve into romantic relationships set in high school.
“10 Things I Hate About You”, 1999
Director: Gil Junger
A modern adaptation of Shakespeare's “The Taming of the Shrew,” this romantic comedy revolves around two sisters with contrasting personalities. When a new student is paid to date the older, unapproachable sister, unexpected feelings develop.
Starring: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, David Krumholtz, Andrew Keegan, Susan May Pratt, Gabrielle Union, Larry Miller, Daryl Mitchell, Allison Janney, David Leisure, Greg Jackson, Kyle Cease, Terence Heuston, Cameron Fraser, Eric Riedmann, Quinn Maixner, Demegio Kimbrough, Todd Butler, Dennis Mosley, Bianca Kajlich, Nick Vukelic, Ben Laurance, Aidan Kennedy, Jelani Quinn, Jesse Dyer, Aaron Therol, Carlos Lacamara, Joshua Thorpe, J.R. Johnson, Wendy Gottlieb, Brian Hood, Travis Muller, Ari Karczag, Laura Kenny, Alice Evans, Jesper Inglis, Nick Brown, Monique Powell, Brian Mashburn, Kay Hanley, Michael Eisenstein, Michelle Babin, Tim Bennett, Shelsie Blake, Greg Bronson, Frank Caraan, James Huffman;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “10 Things I Hate About You” on the website imdb.com
“The Fault in Our Stars”, 2014
Director: Josh Boone
Based on the bestselling novel by John Green, this poignant film follows the love story between two teenagers, Hazel and Gus, who meet at a cancer support group. Their relationship blossoms as they navigate the challenges of illness and mortality.
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Nat Wolff, Willem Dafoe, Lotte Verbeek, Ana Dela Cruz, Randy Kovitz, Toni Saladna, David Whalen, Milica Govich, Allegra Carpenter, Emily Peachey, Emily Bach, Tim Hartman, Mike Birbiglia, Bethany Leo, Alexis Hodges, Jean Brassard, Carly Otte, Lily Kenna, Silvio Wolf Busch, Viviana Cardenas, Jordan Drexel, P.J. Rosotto, Tanner Boatwright, Cheyenne Hurley, Jennifer Kline, Carole Weyers, Lauren Blumenthal, Nikki Lipinski, Sebastian Dean, Alexander Murph, Taylor Detorre, Josh Potter, Steven Edmonds, Cindy Zeng, C.J. Evans, Daniel Booko, Jacqueline Piñol, Sitara Attaie, Jim Pirri, Jean Gilpin, Joey Richter, Nicholas Guest, Danielle Hartnett, Matthew Wolf, Dina Morrone, Sophie Guest;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Fault in Our Stars” on the website imdb.com
“To All the Boys I've Loved Before”, 2017
Director: Susan Johnson
This rom-com centers on Lara Jean, a shy high schooler whose secret love letters are accidentally sent to her crushes. The resulting chaos leads to a fake relationship that unexpectedly turns real, exploring themes of vulnerability and self-acceptance.
Starring: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Andrew Bachelor, Trezzo Mahoro, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranac, Israel Broussard, John Corbett, Kelcey Mawema, Julia Benson, Joey Pacheco, Edward Kewin, Jordan Burtchett, June B. Wilde, Isabelle Beech, Hunter Dillon, Christian Michael Cooper, Rhys Fleming, Pavel Piddocke, Jeb Beach, Cameron Crosby, Yael Yurman, Yasmin Pena, Dean Alonzo Hoover, Treyden Pastro, Richard Stewart Rigby;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “To All the Boys I've Loved Before” on the website imdb.com
“Easy A”, 2010
Director: Will Gluck
Inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne's “The Scarlet Letter,” this film features Olive, a high school student who pretends to lose her virginity to boost her social standing. As rumors swirl, she navigates the complexities of love, friendship, and reputation.
Starring: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd, Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Cam Gigandet, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell, Alyson Michalka, Fred Armisen, Juliette Goglia, Jake Sandvig, Morgan Rusler, Nicki Tyler Flynn, Braeden Lemasters, Mahaley Hamilton, Jameson Moss, Blake Hood, Bryce Clyde Jenkins, Neil Soni, Stacey Travis, Bonnie Burroughs, Eddie Applegate, Norma Michaels, Yolanda Snowball, Andrew Fleming, Johanna E. Braddy, David Gore, Lalaine, D'Anthony Palms, Ryan Parker, Rawson Marshall Thurber, Christopher De Lorenzo, Nancy Karr, Clay Black, Bradley Charles Etheridge, Veerta Motiani, Michael Strauss, Lance Kerfuffle, Drew Koles, Max Crumm, Jeremiah Hu, Jessica Jann, Danni Katz, Jason Kropik, Julianne Celeste, Seth Donavan, Sam Gall;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: comedy, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
“Cruel Intentions”, 1999
Director: Roger Kumble
A darker take on high school romance, this film follows wealthy step-siblings who make a bet to seduce an innocent new girl. The story explores themes of manipulation, desire, and the consequences of their actions.
Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Sean Patrick Thomas, Eric Mabius, Louise Fletcher, Joshua Jackson, Swoosie Kurtz, Christine Baranski, Alaina Reed Hall, Deborah Offner, Tara Reid, Herta Ware, Lê Thị Hiệp, Charlie O'Connell, Fred Norris, Ginger Williams, Drew Snyder, Phil Hawn, Jim Jenkins, Spencer Kayden, Stephen Kearin, Alisha Klass, Guy Kochlani;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
“Love, Simon”, 2018
Director: Greg Berlanti
This coming-of-age story follows Simon, a high school student who has not yet come out as gay. When an email falls into the wrong hands, Simon must navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and acceptance in a world where he fears rejection.
Starring: Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Logan Miller, Keiynan Lonsdale, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Talitha Eliana Bateman, Tony Hale, Natasha Rothwell, Miles Heizer, Joey Pollari, Clark Moore, Drew Starkey, Mackenzie Lintz, Cassady McClincy, Alexandra Sgambati, Jamila Thompson, Emily Jordan, Patrick Donohue, Terayle Hill, Tyler Wiesner, Haroon Khan, Joshua Mikel, Nicholas Stargel, Nancy De Mayo, Christian Ojore Mayfield, Chantell D. Christopher, Mandy Fason, Philip Covin, Campbell Godfrey, Robbie Rogers, Christopher L. Plunkett, Jessi Peralta, Carsen Rowe, John James, Ahsia Pettigrew, Erick Nathan, Ahmed Zakzouk, Erica Lee Rahola, Aaron Davidson, Jonathan Fritschi, Jaidi Ventura, Kyle «Wolfy» Walker, Matthew Laraway, De'Lisha Williams, Ivan A. Gomez, Dylan Cheek, Danni Heverin;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Love, Simon” on the website imdb.com
“She's All That”, 1998
Director: Robert Iscove
A classic teen romantic comedy about a high school jock who makes a bet that he can transform an unpopular girl into the prom queen. As he helps her makeover, unexpected feelings develop, challenging stereotypes and societal norms.
Starring: Freddie Prinze Jr., Rachael Leigh Cook, Matthew Lillard, Paul Walker, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Kevin Pollak, Anna Paquin, Kieran Culkin, Elden Henson, Usher, Lil» Kim, Gabrielle Union, Dulé Hill, Tamara Mello, Clea DuVall, Tim Matheson, Debbi Morgan, Alexis Arquette, Davino Buzzotta, Chris Owen, Charlie Dell, Michael Milhoan, Carlos Jacott, Ashlee Levitch, Vanessa Chester, Patricia Charbonneau, Katharine Towne, Wendy Fowler, Flex Alexander, Robert Baglia, Debbie Lee Carrington, Clay Rivers, Sara Rivas, Amon Bourne, Takbir Bashir, Anthony Rivera, Jarrett Lennon, Brandon Mychal Smith, Milo Ventimiglia, Kente Scott, Kim Cottom, T.J. Espinoza, Brian Friedman, Tony Fugate, Caroline Girvin, Alicia Gilley, Scott Hislop, Jennifer Lee Keyes, Richard Kim, Stephanie Landwehr;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,9;
More information about the film “She's All That” on the website imdb.com
“The Spectacular Now”, 2013
Director: James Ponsoldt
This film portrays the relationship between Sutter, a charming but troubled teenager, and Aimee, a shy, introverted girl. Their romance serves as a vehicle for exploring themes of love, responsibility, and personal growth.
Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Masam Holden, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dayo Okeniyi, Andre Royo, Bob Odenkirk, Nicci Roessler, Ava-Marie London, Whitney Goin, Levi Miller, E. Roger Mitchell, Kaitlyn Dever, Gary Weeks, Logan Mack, Valerie Payton, Christopher Nathan, Tory Willis, Mike Hickman, Whitney Christopher, Doug Haley, Keith Silverstein, Alex D'Lerma, Dina Sherman, Karen Strassman, William j Barry, Carey Beckerdite, Faith Blankenship, David Cooke, Nico Ford, David Fritsch, Greer Howard, Anniston Howell, Abigail Jackson, Brad Langford, Wanda Morganstern, Andre Pith, Rodney Lee Rogers, Porter Spicer;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Spectacular Now” on the website imdb.com
“A Walk to Remember”, 2002
Director: Adam Shankman
Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, this romantic drama tells the story of Landon and Jamie, two high school students from different backgrounds who fall in love, leading to life-changing lessons about love and loss.
Starring: Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah, Lauren German, Clayne Crawford, Al Thompson, Paz de la Huerta, Jonathan Parks Jordan, Matt Lutz, David Andrews, David Lee Smith, Xavier Hernandez, Marisa Miller, Paula Jones, Erik Smith, Al Butler, Seth Howard, Julia Ann West, Frances E. Davis, Dean Mumford, Anne Fletcher, Robin Clark, Vivian Cherry, Arlene Martell Martin, Nikki Gregoreff, Elaine Caswell, Diva Gray, Cassidy Ladden, Janie Barnett, Gordon Grody, Kevin Osborne, Jason Paige, Janette Andrade, Charles E. Bailey, Sheila Brothers, Kelly Cole Childers, Jason Cicardo, Jenny Gulley, Spencer Kayden, Kevin Lapsley, Tony Moore, Ryan Sweeney, Chip Thomas, Robert C. Treveiler;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
These films illustrate the diverse experiences of love during high school, showcasing the joys and heartaches that come with young romance.
In the world of cinema, films about romance in high school have always held a special place, capturing the essence of young love, self-discovery, and the rollercoaster ride of emotions that comes with navigating the complexities of teenage life. From the heartwarming coming-of-age tales to the angst-filled dramas, these films have a way of resonating with audiences of all ages, reminding us of our own experiences and the universal truths of love and growing up. Through captivating storytelling, relatable characters, and memorable soundtracks, these films have become timeless classics, reminding us that no matter how much time passes, the trials and tribulations of teenage romance will always hold a special place in our hearts.
