The '90s defined the teen movie for a new generation: Films like Clueless, She's All That, and American Pie taught young people how to dress, how to talk, and how to prioritize prom over anything else. But while many of us grew up loving these movies, the critics weren't always so kind. To show you how all the decade's teen classics stack up when it comes to the reviews, we're ranking every '90s teen movie by Rotten Tomatoes score. You might be shocked to find out that some of the flicks you thought were universally beloved actually got panned.
OK, so we couldn't actually include every '90s teen movie, but we tried to list all your faves—teen comedies, teen romances, teen horror, and yes, even a few that stretch the definition of the genre but do prominently feature teen characters. So read on to find out which 50 teen movies made the cut, and whether or not you agree with the critics. And for more '90s nostalgia, revisit these 30 Beloved Movies You Won't Believe Are 30 Years Old.
50 | The Next Karate Kid (1994)
Columbia PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 7 percent
49 | Jawbreaker (1999)
Sony Pictures ReleasingRotten Tomatoes score: 11 percent
And for more movies we're still quoting, check out these 30 Movie Quotes Every '90s Kid Knows by Heart.
48 | My Boyfriend’s Back (1993)
Buena Vista PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 14 percent
47 | Encino Man (1992)
Buena Vista PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 15 percent
And for more movies the critics hated, These Are the Movies on Rotten Tomatoes With 0 Percent Ratings.
46 | Idle Hands (1999)
Sony Pictures ReleasingRotten Tomatoes score: 15 percent
45 | High School High (1996)
TriStar PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 19 percent
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44 | Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999)
Miramax FilmsRotten Tomatoes score: 19 percent
43 | The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)
MGMRotten Tomatoes score: 20 percent
And for some follow-ups that are actually worth watching, here are 20 Movie Sequels Better Than the Original.
42 | Mad Love (1995)
Buena Vista PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 28 percent
41 | Drive Me Crazy (1999)
20th Century FoxRotten Tomatoes score: 28 percent
And to see how the critics felt about more movies you love, we're also Ranking Every Marvel Movie, From Worst Reviewed to Best.
40 | Dangerous Minds (1995)
Buena Vista PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 28 percent
39 | Empire Records (1995)
Warner Bros.Rotten Tomatoes score: 29 percent
38 | Good Burger (1997)
Paramount PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 32 percent
37 | Hackers (1995)
MGMRotten Tomatoes score: 33 percent
36 | Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (1991)
Warner Bros.Rotten Tomatoes score: 34 percent
35 | Disturbing Behavior (1998)
MGMRotten Tomatoes score: 34 percent
34 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
20th Century FoxRotten Tomatoes score: 35 percent
33 | Hocus Pocus (1993)
Buena Vista PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 37 percent
32 | Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
Sony Pictures ReleasingRotten Tomatoes score: 40 percent
31 | But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
LionsgateRotten Tomatoes score: 40 percent
30 | She’s All That (1999)
Miramax FilmsRotten Tomatoes score: 41 percent
29 | Varsity Blues (1999)
Paramount PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 42 percent
28 | I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Columbia PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 42 percent
27 | Fear (1996)
Universal PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 46 percent
26 | Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)
New Line CinemaRotten Tomatoes score: 46 percent
25 | The Doom Generation (1995)
LionsgateRotten Tomatoes score: 47 percent
24 | Detroit Rock City (1999)
New Line CinemaRotten Tomatoes score: 48 percent
23 | The Faculty (1998)
Paramount PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 53 percent
22 | Cruel Intentions (1999)
Columbia PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 54 percent
21 | The Craft (1996)
Columbia PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 55 percent
20 | Never Been Kissed (1999)
20th Century FoxRotten Tomatoes score: 55 percent
19 | School Ties (1992)
Paramount PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 60 percent
18 | American Pie (1999)
Universal PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 61 percent
17 | Wild Things (1998)
Columbia PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 63 percent
16 | All I Wanna Do (1998)
Miramax FilmsRotten Tomatoes score: 67 percent
15 | The Baby-Sitters Club (1995)
Columbia PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 67 percent
14 | Angus (1995)
New Line CinemaRotten Tomatoes score: 67 percent
13 | 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Buena Vista PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 69 percent
12 | Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
Buena Vista PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 72 percent
11 | Romeo + Juliet (1996)
20th Century FoxRotten Tomatoes score: 72 percent
10 | Mermaids (1990)
MGMRotten Tomatoes score: 73 percent
9 | Cry-Baby (1990)
Universal PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 73 percent
8 | Scream (1996)
Paramount PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 79 percent
7 | Pump Up the Volume (1990)
New Line CinemaRotten Tomatoes score: 81 percent
6 | Clueless (1995)
Paramount PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 81 percent
5 | Pleasantville (1998)
New Line CinemaRotten Tomatoes score: 85 percent
4 | Rushmore (1998)
Buena Vista PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 89 percent
3 | Dazed and Confused (1993)
Universal PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 92 percent
2 | Election (1999)
Paramount PicturesRotten Tomatoes score: 92 percent
1 | House Party (1990)
New Line CinemaRotten Tomatoes score: 93 percent