There are many movies like Netflix’s Senior Year that cater toward millennials. Such movies tap into the nostalgia that the millennial generation has for their childhood and teenage years. However, popular ’90s songs and early 2000s accessories like butterfly clips don’t make up an entire generation’s experience.
Fans at Ranker have voted for the best movies about millennials. These movies range from funny to serious but offer a glimpse into quintessential millennial stereotypes and issues. Each of these movies has a unique perspective on the generation that grew up before everything revolved around social media, proving that millennials are deeper than the childhood nostalgia Hollywood keeps throwing at them.
The DUFF (2015)
Stream on Hulu
Based off the novel of the same name by Kody Keplinger, The DUFF follows Bianca as she learns she is the “Designated Ugly Fat Friend” in her friend group and makes a deal with popular Wesley to help her social skills. Eventually, Bianca realizes every girl has felt like the DUFF at some point.
The DUFF is a relatable millennial movie. The story is cliché, but the moral is solid and reminiscent of Mean Girls. It’s a feel good romantic comedy about a girl finding her worth outside of her physical appearance and bullying. Self-acceptance is important for any generation and The DUFF puts it at the forefront.
Black Swan (2010)
Stream on Prime Video and Hulu
Black Swan chronicles a ballerina, Nina, overcoming her demons to perform in Swan Lake. Nina frequently experiences hallucinations as she puts pressure on herself to be perfect, causing the audience to question what is real and what is in her head. She evolves from being the timid white swan into the confident black swan.
Natalie Portman’s performance as Nina is wonderful. She embodies the anxiety and struggle for perfection that is relatable to many millennial viewers. The intense pressure she feels from her mother and her work feels real and is equally uncomfortable as she tries to become someone she’s not for a role. Black Swan is psychological thriller portraying mental health in the workplace.
(500) Days Of Summer (2009)
Stream on Prime Video
In (500) Days of Summer, Tom falls head over heels in love with Summer. Unfortunately, she doesn’t return his feelings and the movie follows their entire relationship to see where Tom went wrong as he deals with the heartbreak. (500) Days of Summer is a realistic depiction of love.
The movie is proof that not all endings are happily ever after. Tom put Summer on a pedestal and fell in love with who he thought she was. He fell in love with the idea of loving Summer than with the actual person. His relationship woes are relatable and a lesson to millennials that happiness is not dependent on another person.
The Social Network (2010)
Stream on Netflix
The Social Network is a biographical drama about the founding of Facebook. Starring Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, the film follows Zuckerberg as he develops the popular social media website and is under fire for stealing the idea from the Winklevoss twins.
Millennials have grown up in the rise of social media. From MySpace to Facebook to Twitter, The Social Network is a behind-the-scenes look at how people have connected through social media. With a solid story and great direction, the movie is a must-watch for any social media user purely for the storyline. It is a modern story of greed and betrayal with Oscar-worthy performances.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
Stream on Peacock
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a romantic action comedy based on the Scott Pilgrim comics. As Scott Pilgrim meets the purple-haired girl of his dreams, he must defect her seven evil exes in order to win her heart. In the style of video games and comic books, Scott is even able to earn an extra life after defeating an ex.
With deadpan deliveries of many jokes, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a commentary on the hipster culture popularized by millennials. The situations are bizarre, and Scott manages battling the exes with trying to win a record deal with his band. The nontraditional storytelling is offbeat and highly amusing for anyone who has ever dealt with a romantic partner’s exes.
Neighbors (2014)
Rent on AppleTV
Starring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, Neighbors is a wild ride as a couple struggles with a fraternity moving into the house next door. Although they initially attempt to befriend the young neighbors, they declare war and attempt to get back at the frat boys for a series of pranks.
Neighbors appeals to wide audiences. Older millennials can relate to the young couple and young millennials relate to the frat boys. The young men are entitled and have total disregard for those around them. The couple are a pair of desperate parents who are learning to balance their new child with their old partying ways. Neighbors is a believable fight of young vs. old and conveys a story of growing up and away from rowdy behavior.
21 Jump Street (2012)
Rent on AppleTV
21 Jump Street follows Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as undercover cops posing as teenagers in a high school to catch drug dealers. There are countless one-liners to keep audiences laughing and the storylines show the incompetence of the new cops. It’s about unlikely friendships and finding career success when facing difficulties.
The film does a good job showing how adults have no idea what they’re really doing and are just making it up as they go along. 21 Jump Street shows two polar opposites helping each other become the best versions of themselves. It is a feel-good movie with hilarious moments that portrays the highs and lows of millennials struggling to find success.
Juno (2007)
Stream on Prime Video
Juno is a coming-of-age drama depicting teen pregnancy and adoption. Juno is a cynical teenager who must decide about her unplanned pregnancy. Juno finds a loving couple looking for a baby whose marriage quickly deteriorates thanks to her presence, but she ultimately decides to allow the woman to become a single mother to the baby.
After the release of Juno, and reality shows such as MTV’s Teen Mom, which has been airing for 9 seasons since its premiere in 2009, millennial teen pregnancy was pushed into the spotlight.
Superbad (2007)
Rent on AppleTV
With breakout roles from Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, Superbad finds Seth and Evan wanting to party and lose their virginities before graduating high school. They suffer setbacks, conflicts, and nothing goes the way they planned. Superbad is a classic teen movie filled with well-done clichés and lovable characters.
Although the plot is similar to American Pie, Superbad has more relatable characters that are still funny. Seth, Evan, and Fogell look more like regular teenagers compared to the American Pie cast. They’re awkward yet overly confident. Their frustrations including fear they will be busted for a fake ID is a normal teenage experience. The movie is hilarious while being heartwarming as the teens navigate their friendship with the addition of college and girlfriends.
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
Stream on HBO Max
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age drama based on the book of the same name by Stephen Chbosky. Following a teenager as he is released from a mental health facility, he befriends fellow students and struggles with normal adolescent issues. The film tackles tough subjects like sexuality, abuse, and suicide.
With standout performances from Emma Watson and Logan Lerman, viewers will be able to relate to the characters. High school can be a difficult time for many students and The Perks of Being a Wallflower brilliantly captures the teenage experience on a realistic level. It is an awkward time full of low self-esteem, high emotions, and identity development. Audiences will not be disappointed by the charming and heartbreaking teenage drama.
