Life is full of surprises especially for those who are in school or just entered college. It is a whole new world of experiences, joys, sorrows, friendships, and a whole lot of other things.
But, there are some things that girls can do to break the ice and have meaningful and long-lasting friendships. For example, they can have small parties in which they can have introductions amongst themselves or they can host movie nights in which they can select a movie of their choice and have some fun.
So, Welcome to Adulthood! Your lives are about to change in ways you probably didn’t expect both good and bad. But two things will never change: the happy feeling you get after watching a good movie and that bowl of popcorn to go with it!
Here is a list of 15 movies every teenage girl must watch. Sometimes fictional teens and their over-dramatic college lives can be a fun diversion from your current problems.
Best Ever Movies for Teenage Girls
1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
- Cast: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller.
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
Based on the novel written by Stephen Chbosky and starring Emma Watson, this movie is about a group of friends who find comfort in one another. It is ultimately uplifting and life-affirming. This is a must-watch for everyone, especially for the ones who are scared of the transition from teenage to adult life. Currently streaming on Netflix. Can also be bought or rent on Itunes, Google Play, or Youtube.
2. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
- Cast: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.9/10
This movie is about a 17-year-old boy finding out that he’s attracted to men. It will make anyone believe in love. It’s raw, beautiful, sad, and extremely pleasing. It will make you want to run to Italy and have ice cream while cycling down the roads with your partner. Timotheé Chalamet and Armie Hammer have done a great job and have amazing on-screen chemistry.
You can watch Call Me by Your Name officially here.
3. Hidden Figures (2016)
- Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
This is a science fiction film featuring women who were the brains behind the launch of the first man into space in the 1960s. The United States wanted to beat Russia by sending the first man to space. But, it required the help of three African-American women to achieve the dream.
At first, it was thought of as inconceivable that women could even work at NASA and power the first space flight. But three women, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson clamp down everyone’s mouths as they help aid the first man trail-blaze into space by using math and science to help guide their way.
This true story empowers any woman to know her strength and brains can accomplish more than what any man may tell them. The star cast included Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae, and Kevin Costner.
4. The Notebook (2004)
- Cast: Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Rachel McAdams.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
Undoubtedly College is a time when a girl starts romanticizing her life. And this movie is just what it takes to showcase romance.
A love story of a rich girl and a poor man and how they conquered their love. There were many bumps on the road, but love surely finds a way. Love prevails!
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5. The Social Network (2010)
- Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.7/10
This movie is all about the founder of the social media platform Facebook, Mark Zuckerburg. In this movie, it is seen how he creates Facebook, eventually earning billions and becoming one of the youngest billionaires.
It also shows his two lawsuits, one involving his former friend Eduardo. The character of Mark Zuckerberg was played by Jesse Eisenberg and that of Eduardo by Andrew Garfield. This is a serious sort of film not the ones like a romance or a comedy or action.
You can watch The Social Network officially here.
6. 500 Days of Summer (2009)
- Cast: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Geoffrey Arend.
- IMDb Reviews: 7.7/10
‘This is not a love story; it is a story about love.’ This movie is perfect to watch when you want to be reassured that love is not enough. Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordan-Levitt are so adorable that they will make you literally love everything about this romantic-comedy.
This movie is an offbeat take on romance with a different ending from most romantic movies but still something everyone is bound to like and understand.
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7. The Theory of Everything (2014)
- Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.7/10
This is the story of Stephen Hawking, the most talented and well-known physicist, and Jane Wilde, with whom he fell in love while studying. He has a bright and happy future ahead of him.
But, after being diagnosed with a motor neuron disease and given just two years to live, Hawking solves the life equation. Available on Amazon Prime Video.
8. Dazed and Confused (1993)
- Cast: Jason London, Wiley Wiggins, Matthew McConaughey.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.6/10
Directed by Richard Linklater, an all-time coming-of-age movie director, Dazed and Confused is a great slice of life movie to watch during your college days because of the ensemble cast and the characters they play.
So many different kinds of personalities come together in this movie and each one of them is equally important. It also teaches you a lot about high school/college life.
You can watch Dazed and Confused officially here.
9. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
- Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10
This is an action romance film where Scott has to defeat 7 evil exes of his crush to be able to date him. Highly entertaining with great characters and actors like Michael Cera, Chris Evans, Mary Elizabeth, Anna Kendrick, and Brie Larson. This movie literally takes you on a very funny ride.
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10. The Great Debaters (2007)
- Cast: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10
This film is set in the 1930s during the Jim-Crowe era and is a true story in which a poet and professor named Melvin B. Tolson, played by Denzel Washington, wants to create a debate team in his all-Black college in Texas to compete with the students of Harvard.
It is both inspiring and heartbreaking, making it an important watch for all the viewers. The star cast included Denzel Whitaker, Denzel Washington, JurneeSmollet, and Nate Parker.
11. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
- Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Steve Carell starrer Crazy, stupid, love is in fact a story about love that is crazy and stupid. On one hand, we have a Casanova who eventually falls for a young, smart woman and on the other hand, we have a recently divorced dad trying to fit in and get into the hook-up culture. This movie is intense and hilarious at the same time.
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12. Wonder Woman (2017)
- Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
All those girls who love Marvel movies will then definitely will love Wonder Woman as well. It is a very inspirational and empowering movie. Wonder Woman teaches women that they are stronger than they think and how to see the good in all of humanity. The star cast of the movie was Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, and Connie Nielsen.
You can watch Wonder Woman officially here.
13. Lady bird (2017)
- Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
Saoirse Ronan starrer ladybird, directed by Greta Gerwig is a coming-of-age film about Christine ‘Lady Bird’ McPherson and how she faces her high school days while wanting to leave for college, somewhere really far away from her parents, and deals with her relationship issues in the capital city of California, Sacramento.
Her whimsical character will get you to laugh naturally while some of her opinions will get you to relate with her hard, either way, you will be left with the feeling of wanting to hug your parents right away.
14. Love, Rosie (2014)
- Cast: Lily Collins, Sam Claflin, Christian Cooke.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.2/10
Love, Rosie is a really sweet romantic comedy starring Lily Collins and Sam Clafin that will make your day. This is a story about two childhood best friends who live in denial about liking each other all along with their adult lives and how they date other people to eventually realize that that feels wrong and they should be with each other.
15. The Hunger Games (2012)
- Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.2/10
A sci-fi movie like The Hunger Games is great to watch when you need some time to not think of anything and enjoy a dystopian novel that has a great storyline. A made-up nation of Panem with 12 districts and the Capitol send 2 representatives to play a game of death in a made-up arena.
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16. Definitely, Maybe (2008)
- Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weisz, Abigail Breslin.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.1/10
Definitely, Maybe is a movie about a father telling his daughter the story of how he met and fell in love with her mother, who is in the middle of a divorce, only to realize that he has loved someone else all along and now it’s too late. It showcases a great father-daughter relationship with an understanding daughter who is ready to let her dad meet the woman he loves. Very heart-warming and simple.
17. Pitch Perfect (2012)
- Cast: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson.
- IMDb Ratings: 7.1/10
This is the story of an all-girls band and how they conquer the music world through their singing one step at a time is sure to become a favorite among college girls as it displays girl power at its best. Pitch perfect had an ensemble cast of women like Anna Kendrick, Anna Camp, Brittany Show, Rebel Wilson to name a few.
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18. Easy A (2010)
- Cast: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley.
- IMDb Ratings: 7/10
Emma Stone’s character in Easy A is something every college girl needs to watch. She is sassy, funny down to Earth but sometimes loses her thoughts and makes mistakes, which a lot of people might relate to, which makes this movie very practical.
19. Mean Girls (2004)
- Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Jonathan Bennett, Rachel McAdams.
- IMDb Ratings: 7/10
It’s about a girl named Cady who joins a new school and befriends the A-list girl clique at the school. Everything went well until she falls in love with the ex-boyfriend of a popular girl on the A-list.
You can watch Mean Girls officially here.
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20. Whip It (2009)
- Cast: Elliot Page, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Wiig.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
Bliss, a teenager, whose mother wants her to indulge herself in pageants. However, she is passionate about roller derby. The movie showcase how a mother’s dream for her daughter does not align with what her daughter wants.
You can watch Whip It officially here.
21. Everybody Wants Some (2016)
- Cast: Blake Jenner, Tyler Hoechlin, Ryan Guzman.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
This is a film set in the 80s and the trends of the era. Set in Texas, the main character Jake is a freshman who meets all his new college buddies and baseball teammates. Despite being warned by their coach not to partake in any mischief, they still do it.
The music of the movie is also around the time of the 80s and it is a fun watch. The star cast included Blake Jenner, Tyler Hoechlin, Glen Powell, and Zoey Deutch.
22. Bridesmaids (2011)
- Cast: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.8/10
This a classic girls-night film as it is showcases friendship between the two lead characters Annie and Lillian. The friendship gets tested when Lillian gets engaged and her sister-in-law Helen helps her plan the wedding.
Annie feels left out as her friend prepares for her wedding with her new friends. This film depicts female friendship at its best. The lead actresses were Kristen Wiig who played the character of Annie and Maya Rudolph who became Lillian. Helen was played by Rose Byrne.
23. Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
- Cast: Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.5/10
This film is all about women’s independence. In the 1950s, women attended college for the sole purpose of marrying the right man and finding their future husbands. Katherine Watkins, an art history professor wants this dependency on men to end and wishes that women should have a life of independence and freedom.
She would be considered a modern feminist in a time where women were forced to conform. University-driven women should watch this film because it shows how far women have come to gain their individuality and how standing up for what you believe is never a bad thing. The star cast included Julia Stiles, Julia Roberts, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Kirsten Dunst.
24. The Lucky One (2012)
- Cast: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Blythe Danner.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.5/10
For an ultimate dose of romance, this movie is a perfect example of it.
A lonely Marine who has just returned from war is searching for a woman that he believed was his lucky charm during the war. The movie depicts pure love with a bit of drama.
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25. Step Up (2006)
- Cast: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Damaine Radcliff.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.5/10
This movie is filled with a passion for dance and romance.
For all the girls that love dancing and the romance alongside it, this movie is the one for you. The movie is about a dancer who competes for a dance championship.
You can watch Step Up officially here.
26. Nappily Ever After (2018)
- Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Ricky Whittle, Lyriq Bent.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.4/10
This movie showcases the physical stereotypes that women, especially those of African-American descent have to face when they are living in America. The main character Violet Jones struggles with people’s perceptions about her curly hair.
Her hair is naturally curly and she gets some advice from her mother that people love only those girls who have shiny and straight hair and asks her to do the same so that she gets acceptance in society. She follows all that her mother tells her and believes in her mother’s lessons only. This leads her to get the perfect life that she desires.
But, after some time, she decides to shave off her hair and live the life of her choice. She wants to gain confidence from within and wants as well to break away from her mother’s shadow. It shows women that they can feel empowered without feeling like they have to be held on a pedestal. The star cast included Sanaa Lathan, Ricky Whittle, Lynn Whitfield, and Ernie Hudson.
27. Mamma Mia! (2008)
- Cast: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.4/10
This is a cult classic among girls and families alike. This film showcases how important it is to have strong bonds between family members. It tells the story of female relationships and friendships as well as the relationship between mother and daughter.
Sophie and Donna’s relationship is tested when Sophie decides she wants to find out the identity of her father. The film featured songs from the famous musical band Abba. This film will surely have you singing, dancing and planning your next trip to Greece.
You can watch Mamma Mia! officially here.
28. Neighbors (2014)
- Cast: Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Zac Efron.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.3/10
It is the story of a couple who moves into a neighborhood with their baby daughter. Everything is going just fine when suddenly a new neighbor moves into the neighborhood along with his fraternity that starts causing problems for the couple and their child. It is a comedy and should be watched. The star cast included Rose Byrne, Zac Efron, Seth Rogen, and Dave Franco.
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29. Girls Trip (2017)
- Cast: Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.2/10
This one also revolves around the theme of female friendships. It shows how your friends can see through your fake display of happiness when from the inside you’re not happy. This is the story of four girls who travel to New Orleans because the main character Ryan Pierce has a business there but also wants to have her annual friendship reunion as well.
Things take a bad turn when she realizes her husband has been cheating on her. She hides the truth from her friends but in the end, reveals it all when encouraged by her friends to do so. The star cast included Tiffany Haddish, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall, and Queen Latifah. Regina Hall portrayed the character of Ryan Pierce.
30. Sydney White (2007)
- Cast: Amanda Bynes, Sara Paxton, Matt Long.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.2/10
It is a film about a girl’s journey to pledge for her late mother’s sorority. But, in accomplishing this task, she finds out that it not all a bed of roses and she has to forge her path out. She joins forces with the student government to make changes in the rules of the sorority.
It will give girls a feel of Snow White, the popular fairytale as well because the movie has some of the story’s themes and the title itself suggests that too. The star cast included Amanda Bynes, Sara Paxton, Matt Long, and Jack Carpenter.
You can watch Sydney White officially here.
Few More Honorary Mentions
Miss Congeniality (2000)
- Cast: Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine, Benjamin Bratt.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.3/10
Sandra Bullock is amazing in this film. Her character goes from a tomboyish detective to a diva who is winning a beauty pageant and everyone’s heart, while also being a detective. The journey is highly entertaining and also involves a sweet love story that nobody could have predicted easily.
Legally Blonde (2001)
- Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.3/10
This isn’t a total college movie, to be honest, but still, it showcases life at Harvard Law School. The journey of Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon, as she tries to fit into the life at Harvard in the process of winning over her ex-boyfriend will surely take you back to those important self-discovery years.
No Strings Attached (2011)
- Cast: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.2/10
Adam and Emma run into each other and decide that they will be in a strictly physical relationship without having to fall in love with each other. Things go out of hand when they start to fall for each other.
You can watch No Strings Attached officially here.
Someone Great (2019)
- Cast: Gina Rodriguez, LaKeith Stanfield, Brittany Snow.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.2/10
A thought-provoking movie about a girl who is moving away and has just been broken up with and how she realizes that despite still loving him, she has to move on and that process does not involve seeing or talking to him again. It’s definitely a relatable watch, mostly sad with a fair amount of comic relief.
27 Dresses (2008)
- Cast: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman.
- IMDb Ratings: 6.1/10.
The theme of this movie is self-care. In the movie, it is seen that the elder sister, Jane always looks out for her younger sister Tess ever since their mother died and forgets that she should focus on herself too. She then thinks about taking care of herself and starts a fashion show with the dresses in her closet.
Watch this when you need to remind yourself to “treat yourself” and have a fashion show of the dresses in your closet. The star cast included Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman, and Edward Burns.
You can watch 27 Dresses officially here.
Fleabag
This is a touching, wildly imaginative comedy series based on the award-winning play about a complicated young woman adjusting to life in London experiencing the aftermath of a trauma that is both clever and viciously funny. A brilliant show to watch in the comedy genre, streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Grey’s Anatomy
Starring Ellen Pompeo as an aspiring surgeon and daughter of one of the greatest surgeons, the drama revolves around the personal and professional lives of five surgical interns and their superiors. Currently available on Amazon Prime Video and Disney Hotstar Premium.
Everything, Everything
A bright, inquisitive, and creative 18-year-old who has spent her whole life cooped up in her home falls for the boy next door. They form a strong bond and are willing to sacrifice everything to be together, even if it means losing everything. You will not see the twist coming.
Dead Poets Society
In 1989, this film popularised the phrase “carpe diem.” It stands for all college students can do and means “seize the day.” It doesn’t imply that we should do wild, immoral stuff, but rather that we should look for the beauty of what we do. Students also discover that poetry, music, and art are all worth celebrating.
Little Women
Greta Gerwig brings the whole March family to life like never before in a respectful yet refreshingly contemporary adaptation that couldn’t be more timely. Jo March focuses on her life when sharing the story of the March sisters, a group of four young women who are all willing to live life on their terms. This film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Mean Girls
Cady, a 16-year-old, homeschooled teen, not only makes the mistake of falling in love with Aaron Samuels, Regina George’s ex-boyfriend, but also accidentally joins The Plastics, which Regina George leads. Join Cady as she discovers that high school can and will be extremely difficult. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Euphoria
A look at the lives of a group of high school students as they deal with drugs, sex, and violence. The story revolves around the friendship of two young girls who try to find their place in the world.
Whether you spent your adolescent years drinking cider in a field, playing video games online with peers, learning hard to master a musical instrument, or, as in this case, dissecting brutal sexual encounters in a world of relentless surveillance, there is one universal truth: In ever-shifting variations of the two, puberty is terribly cruel and sweetly innocent. If there’s one thing Euphoria knows a lot about, it’s that. Available on Disney+Hotstar Premium.
Gossip Girl
The show follows the lives of affluent working-class adolescent girls on the Upper East Side. This is a series about young people who are about to reach adulthood. Follow the lives of the characters on this guilty pleasure series.
Pretty Little Liars
The lives of four girls whose clique falls apart after their leader vanishes, in this romantic mystery thriller set in the fictional town of Rosewood. After a year apart, the estranged friends are reunited when they start getting messages from an enigmatic entity known only as “A,” who threatens to reveal their deepest and darkest secrets.
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things
The film follows two teenagers who replay the same day to construct the titular map. The rest is a love story with a fantastical twist, as the two try to find out how and whether they will get out of their never-ending day. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
2 Broke Girls
This comedy series follows two young women who work as waitresses at a greasy spoon diner and form an unlikely friendship in the hopes of starting a prosperous business if they can only raise the money. Available on Amazon Prime Video.
Frozen
The newly crowned Queen Elsa unintentionally uses her power to transform it into ice, and her sister Anna teams up with a mountain man to alter the weather situation in this animated family adventure.
What to expect when you’re expecting (2012)
A hilariously entertaining movie about 5 different couples who are expecting a baby, for the very first time. This film shows the point of view of women as well as men when they are about to become parents and also their experiences.
Yes Man (2008)
Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel starrer Yes Man is a movie about trying to cheer up a lonely, sad man who has lost everything. He is almost forced to join a program that forces him to say yes to every single thing, during this time, he also meets a girl and everything else that follows is hilarious.
10 things I hate about you
Now, this is a movie that has drama, comedy and romance. This movie shows about the life of a girl who can’t go out on a date until her elder sister does. The only challenge that remains is that the elder sister is ill-tempered. The hero of the movie becomes a fake boy to charm the elder sister in order to go for a date with Bianca (Younger sister).
Twilight Saga
Now a lot of you would have already watched this movie but if you haven’t you should watch it to experience a wholesome romantic movie.
This girl, Bella, moves to a new city to live with her father. Upon entering the new school, she falls in love with Edward. She later finds out that Edward is a vampire but despite this fact, she falls unconditionally in love with him.
How to lose a guy in 10 days
Benjamin is an advertising executive who is challenged by his colleagues to make a woman fall in love with him. On the other hand, Andie has to write an article about j how to lose a guy in 10 days.
This movie is a blend of comedy and romance. Watch this romcom to experience a sweet and epic love story.
Ocean’s 8
If you love crime drama then this is the one for you. The movie is about a woman, Debbie, who is released from jail. She, with her 7 other women gang members, steals a diamond necklace from the Met Gala.
Bad Teacher
Elizabeth is a lazy school teacher who has drug addiction and abandonment issues. She is searching for a rich man. She joins as a teacher just for the pay cheque. The story has comedy with a hint of romance to it.
What a girl wants
The movie is about a teenagerDaphne who finds out her biological father is a renowned British politician. In fear of not costing him the elections, she is in a dilemma whether to confront him or not.
Chalet girl
The movie is about a young girl who is a former skateboard champion. After her mother’s tragic death, she wants to earn more money. She is confused between her choice of working as a caterer or going for a championship.
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The list can go endless but the above-mentioned movies are the best ones for a college-going to watch. Make sure you get the point of all the movies listed above. College is the time to explore new ideas and interests. These Hollywood movies will make sure you end up having a whole different lookout for life.
So, these are some of the films that girls can watch and enjoy with their college friends when they want to break the ice and enjoy some quality time together.