Best On Netflix

The 15 Teen Comedies on Netflix with the Highest Rotten Tomatoes Scores

By Josh Sorokach @joshsorokach

Published May 28, 2019, 8:30 a.m. ET

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Collage of Heathers, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Hairspray — Popcorn NOT included.Photos: EVERETT COLLECTION, NETFLIX ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps

young woman in dressing room spraying can of hairspray — *Hairspray* (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Long before fans were singing along to "You Can't Stop the Beat" on Broadway, the original *Hairspray* debuted on the big screen. Starring Ricki Lake, Divine, Debbie Harry, Jerry Stiller, and Sonny Bono, the film enjoyed moderate success upon its 1988 release before later becoming a cult classic.
[Stream *Hairspray* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

young couple laughing in car — **To All the Boys I've Loved Before**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
If you're in the mood for a delightful teen comedy that'll knock your socks off, boy oh boy do we have the movie for you: *Superbad*! Kidding (although it is a solid movie). Another entertaining teen flick that is streaming on Netflix is *To All the Boys I've Loved Before.* Decider's resident rom-com expert Lea Palmieri called it "the movie equivalency of the heart eyes emoji." And you know what? She's not wrong.
[Stream *To All the Boys I've Loved Before* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

Winona Ryder in blazer talking to other girl in blazer — **Heathers**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Long before *Mean Girls* was even a twinkle in Tina Fey's eye there was *Heathers*. Starring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, and Shannen Doherty, this 1988 dark comedy centers on an intelligent teen who teams up with a sociopath to hatch a plot to kill the cool kids. Featuring quotes like "If you were happy every day of your life you wouldn't be a human being. You'd be a game-show host," *Heathers* evolved into a cult classic.
[Stream *Heathers* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

Hailee Steinfeld holding hands out in front of high school standing next to trash can — **The Edge of Seventeen**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson give off some serious Emma Stone/Thomas Haden Church *Easy A* vibes in *The Edge of Seventeen*! This 2016 coming-of-age comedy provides all the hilarious awkwardness of growing up without, you know, *actually* having to live through it. Effortlessly toggling between humor and heart, Hailee Steinfeld perfectly captures all the cringe-worthy craziness of adolescence in this charming teen flick.
[Stream *The Edge of Seventeen* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

two young women surrounded by boxes — **Deidra & Laney Rob a Train**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
After their mother is arrested, two ambitious small-town teens, Deidra (Ashleigh Murray) and Laney (Rachel Crow), plot a series of train robberies in the heartfelt comedy *Deidra & Laney Rob a Train*. Also starring Tim Blake Nelson, David Sullivan, Danielle Nicolet, and Sasheer Zamata, the film originally premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before arriving on Netflix in March of 2017.
[Stream *Deidra & Laney Rob a Train* on Netflix]Photo: Netflix

mother and daughter in matching pink sequin dresses eating chocolate pie at diner bar — **Hairspray** **(2007)**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Despite not being able to tell a verb from noun, this modern remake of the 1988 classic still features some of the nicest kids in town, specifically Amanda Bynes, Brittany Snow, and Zac Efron. If you're a fan of the original film or Broadway musical, the 2007 version of *Hairspray* is now on Netflix.
[Stream *Hairspray* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

young man and young woman in blazers holding hands above their heads. Speaking into microphone in high school gym with vote poster behind them. — **Class Rank**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
You've heard of *Hairspray* and *Heathers*, but you may be unfamiliar with the 2018 film *Class Rank*. Directed by Eric Stoltz, the quirky comedy follows two high school outsiders who team up to try and overtake the local school board. Starring Olivia Holt, Skyler Gisondo, Kristen Chenoweth, and Bruce Dern, *Class Rank* is one of Netflix's hidden gems.
[Stream Class Rank on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

Jennifer Aniston dressed as pageant queen while daughter looks skeptical — **Dumplin'**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
"Many movies have tried before, but *Dumplin'* just might be the very best representation of female body positivity we've ever seen on screen. The new Netflix film stars Danielle Macdonald as Willowdean, a teen who sets out to compete in the Texas town's beauty pageant, following the footsteps of her mother (Jennifer Aniston). As she's coached by a group of fabulous Dolly Parton drag queens and encouraged by her fellow unlikely contestants and friends, Willowdean picks up not only a talent to perform, but a new outlook on her place in the world. Watch this one with your favorite ladies because *Dumplin'* will have you cheering and crying at the same time -- and then making a playlist of your favorite Dolly jams." -- Lea Palmieri
[Stream *Dumplin'* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

teenagers playing beer pong — **Alex Strangelove**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
Why should you stream *Alex Strangelove*? Easy. It's written and directed by Craig Johnson, the mastermind behind the sensational 2014 dramedy *The Skeleton Twins* (currently streaming for free on Vudu). As Joe Reid wrote, "*Alex Strangelove* is the kind of movie we should get more of: the no-frills, zippily written romantic comedy about young people of varied sexual orientations. Alex's dream relationship with Claire gets put in jeopardy when he meets the flirty, gay Elliott and starts to catch some feelings."
[Stream *Alex Strangelove* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

male redhead seen from the back staring out at ocean — **Handsome Devil**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
This 2016 Irish comedy follows Ned (Fionn O'Shea) and Conor (Nicholas Galitzine), a loner and star athlete who form an unlikely friendship after being forced to share a bedroom at their boarding school. Dave Holmes said it best when he wrote that "*Handsome Devil* is the kind of movie John Hughes would've made if he were Irish, gay, and very into rugby."
[Stream *Handsome Devil* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

Michael Cera blocking a super punch — **Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
"Scott, if your life had a face, I would punch it." I mean, how can you not love this movie? Edgar Wright's visual 2010 classic follows Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) as he battles his new girlfriend's seven evil exes in an attempt to win her heart. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Ellen Wong, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, and many more, *Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World* is as rewatchable as it is innovative.
[Stream *Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

Pretty in Pink, two characters at the prom — **Pretty in Pink**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%
When it comes to life and love, sometimes you're the Duckie, while other times you're the Blane. John Hughes' iconic 1986 teen comedy centers on Molly Ringwald's Andie, a high school student forced to choose between dating her childhood pal or a sensitive rich kid. James Spader is aces as the quintessential '80s teen movie villain and "If You Leave" continues to be a staple of the teen genre.
[Stream *Pretty in Pink* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

**Seoul Searching**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
'80s nostalgia is alive and well in Benson Lee's 2016 dramedy *Seoul Searching*. Starring Justin Chon, Jessika Van, and In-Pyo Cha, the film follows a group of foreign born Korean teenagers who attend a government-sponsored summer camp in South Korea aimed to help them connect with their heritage.
[Stream *Seoul Searching* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

Michael Cera and Kat Dennings driving yellow taxi — **Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%
*Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist* is one of the most effortlessly charming "one crazy night in NY" movies you'll ever see. Exuding a nerdy, offbeat charm, the film extends far beyond its two outcasts bond over their mutual love of music premise to deliver a sincere snapshot of a time in your life when every night has the potential to be *thee* night. A razor-sharp script and absolute banger of a soundtrack combine to invigorate the shopworn story of boy meets girl with a distinctive blend of edge and heart.
[Stream *Nick and Norah's Playlist* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

four girls wearing feather boas holding hands and jumping — **Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%
Based on two of Louise Rennison's novels ("Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging" and "It's OK, I'm Wearing Really Big Knickers"), this 2008 British comedy centers on a 14-year-old girl (Georgia Groome) obsessed with growing up, finding a boyfriend, and planning the perfect birthday bash. Helmed by *Bend It Like Beckham* director Gurinder Chadha, the film wasn't released theatrically in the United States, instead premiering on Nickelodeon.
[Stream *Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging* on Netflix]Photo: Netflix

Where to Stream:

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

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There’s no shortage of exceptional titles to stream on Netflix — I’m looking in your direction Russian Doll and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson — but today we’re going to be covering the best teen comedies on the platform. You’re probably thinking, “If this list doesn’t include the classic ’90s film Empire Records I will literally scream.” Fair point. But this list is based solely on Rotten Tomatoes scores so Empire Records, which currently possesses a criminally low 29% on the website, doesn’t qualify.

Is life fair? You just answered your own question, friend.

Rotten Tomatoes may not be perfect, but the website is a useful tool if you’re looking for a critical snapshot of the quality of a film or TV show. The fifteen movies on this list all have one thing in common: angst. Oh and they’re all highly acclaimed… so… two things in common. From classic films like Pretty in Pink and Heathers to modern favorites like Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, these movies are the best of the best of the teen comedy genre.

Which films made the list? Click through the slideshow above to discover the highest-rated teen comedies currently streaming on Netflix.

Where to stream Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist