Plot: Friday night party follows various situations of post-grad attendees.

KBZ’s Take: Like other coming-of-age comedies and dramas, this film focused on young adults who are figuring out what to do in life. The film comes off similar to many of Richard Linklater’s best subgenre films such as Dazed and Confused (1993) and SubUrbia (1996) though it can’t quite capture the humor and angst of young adults like Linklater. With that said, it’s an enjoyable film that follows three characters and their viewpoints as they make their way to the party. Recommended film of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XVe3bV

Plot: In an alternate reality 1990’s, youths have to wear electronic collars until they have their first kiss.

KBZ’s Take: This is by far one of the strangest and offbeat films of the subgenre. Though the sci-fi alternate reality is very subtle throughout the film, the sci-fi elements of the electronic collar are present throughout. Balancing these sci-fi elements with a quirky coming-of-age story, Wyrm somehow pulls it off for an enjoyable experience. Though it’s not one of the best films in the subgenre, it’s definitely the most unique subgenre film you won’t regret checking out.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XOXVsv

Plot: A heartbroken physics student builds a time machine to prevent his girlfriend from breaking up with him.

KBZ’s Take: Fans of the Time Travel Films subgenre will definitely want to check this film out. Like most films about Time Travel, the comedic moments in this film come from the repeated attempts at changing the past that affect the future. In this instance, it’s about a relationship and how sometimes the perfect relationship isn’t always the best.  Asa Butterfield, Sophie Turner and Skyler Gisondo are all excellent in this rather little-known gem of a film.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Yc3wJ2

Plot: An honors student and her slacker best friend have 24 hours to find a Plan B pill.

KBZ’s Take: A surprisingly good film that balances the Raunchy Comedy and Sex Humor with a heartfelt coming-of-age tale between two female friends. Though the hunt for the Plan B pill is the catalyst to get the teen women involved with typical Road Trip comedy hijinks, it’s the secrets the best friends reveal about themselves that makes the film worth watching. And unlike most Road Trip comedies, this is one trip you’ll want to take with the excellent Kuhoo Verma and Victoria Moroles.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.hulu.com/movie/plan-b-c110016a-bfc4-4cff-957b-811c0d0faac1

Plot: Two teenage girls become best friends though one of them is dating the other’s ex-boyfriend.

KBZ’s Take: This is one of the better subgenre films that relies on great direction and a script that comes alive with amazing performances. The direction and editing in this film are top notch especially as it takes you through the courting and breakup phase between April (Hanna Marks) and Nick (Dylan Sprouse). Then it’s the performances by Marks and Liana Liberato that turn up the laughs in this very funny Teen Comedy. It’s one of the better female-focused subgenre films that shouldn’t be missed.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XRBran

Plot: A group of teenagers are on a spring break camping trip when one of them accidentally cuts off his ‘prized possession’.

KBZ’s Take: We’ll start off with a warning that this is one of the raunchier subgenre films out of any decade. With a premise that involves a teen getting his member separated from his body, you can imagine the type of jokes involved with this situation. And for the most part, The Package hits most of its marks with some very, very funny situations and dialogue. It’s definitely not a film for the squeamish so viewer beware.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/80175147

Plot: Two teenage academic superstars decide they want to party on the eve of their graduation.

KBZ’s Take: This was one of the more popular subgenre films from this time period – and also had some of the raunchiest moments. While Raunchy Comedy and Sex Humor was a popular theme from 2018 – 2022, Booksmart provided a new take on most of the theme’s tropes we have seen in past subgenre films. Sure, there are some cringeworthy, laugh-out-loud moments in the film, but that lends itself to the film’s charm. The heart of the film is the relationship between Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and that is ultimately what makes the film worth seeing.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3kWI1Oh

Plot: A serial killer swaps bodies with a 17-year-old girl.

KBZ’s Take: If you enjoyed Christopher Landon’s Happy Death Day (2017) and Happy Death Day 2U (2019), then you’ll also enjoy this film (if not more). Similar to how Happy Death Day created a unique experience by meshing together the Time Loop and Slasher Film subgenres, Freaky molds the Serial Killer, Slasher Film and Body Swap subgenres into a hilarious yet often suspenseful creation. Highly recommended film to see especially for Vince Vaughn’s many hilarious physical moments as the ‘teen girl’.

Additional Lists: Top Body Swap Films You Haven’t Seen #2, Top Slasher Films You Haven’t Seen #3

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HJ4vLt

Plot: Two stoner waitresses try to come up with some much-needed cash for rent.

KBZ’s Take: Stoner Films using the Buddy dynamic often heavily rely on the chemistry of the leads – and Maia Mitchell and Camila Morrone have that ‘it’ chemistry in this film. Both actresses are amazing in their roles as the stoned waitresses that can’t seem to do anything right. It doesn’t help that they’re also surrounded by dimwits but that’s partly what makes their trial and tribulations throughout this film hilarious. It’s a more recent (but lesser known) film of the subgenre and highly recommended.

Additional Lists: Top Stoner Comedies You Haven’t Seen #5

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3jgkQOe

Plot: Teenage misfits Hunter and Kevin start a metal band in high school to win Battle of the Bands.

KBZ’s Take: If you loved School of Rock (2003), then you will also love this film. While it is similar to School of Rock with misfits coming together for a battle of the bands competition, this film takes a slightly different path focused on teenage angst. There’s the element of being a metal head in high school and the outsider stigma that comes attached with it. There’s also a great subplot about first love and how it impacts a friendship. But above all, it’s a film about finding a path in life you enjoy. The success of this film is driven by the three main leads – Kevin (Jaeden Martell), Hunter (Adrian Greensmith) and Emily (Iis Hainsworth). The entire film revolves around this trio, and you’ll be rooting for them until they very end. You might even find yourself chanting “Machinery of Torment!”

Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/81207588