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15 Teen Movies That Deserve Their Own Stage Version

With the Broadway successes of “Legally Blonde” and “Bring It On,” as well as the Off-Broadway cult following for “Heathers,” teen movies are increasingly becoming a basis for composers and librettists to create new musicals. In fact, the recent La Jolla production of “Freaky Friday” and upcoming D.C. premiere of the “Mean Girls” musical seem super fetch for potential New York runs.

However, what about some other teen films that, while loved by many, are continually passed over when it comes to Broadway adaptations? Here are 15 adolescent films we feel could rock the stage:

1. ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’

The classic 1986 film about a high schooler who skips school while pretending to be sick gave Matthew Broderick his breakout role. Who wouldn’t want to see a massive parade onstage?!

2. ‘A Walk to Remember’

Based on the eponymous Nicholas Sparks novel, this breakout film for Mandy Moore is a tragic love story between a rebellious teenager and a leukemia patient. Already a successful recording artist at the time, Moore would later voice Rapunzel in Disney’s “Tangled.”

3. ‘The Notebook’

Based on another Nicholas Sparks novel, this 2004 movie cemented Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as Hollywood royalty. “The Notebook” is one of the most popular romance films of its decade, and we would love for this movie to receive the “Bridges of Madison County” treatment.

4. ‘John Tucker Must Die’

This 2006 film is about three women who attempt to take down a manipulative athlete who has secretly been dating all three of them at the same time.

5. ‘The Breakfast Club’

This 1985 Brat Pack film about five teenagers who meet for detention and discover that they are more than their stereotypes was a groundbreaking portrayal of the teenage psyche. It continues to be cherished by teenagers of every generation.

6. ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’

Based on the graphic novel series, this 2010 film features the musician Scott Pilgrim trying to win the love of Ramona Flowers by defeating her seven evil exes.

7. ‘She’s the Man’

Based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” this movie tells the story of Viola Hastings, who disguises herself as a boy to join her brother’s school’s soccer team. It’s one of Amanda Bynes’ better-known movies.

8. ‘Easy A’

In this movie based on “The Scarlet Letter,” Emma Stone plays a high schooler who takes pride in her new status as the school tramp. Considering Stone’s stint in the Broadway revival of “Cabaret” and her Oscar win for “La La Land,” we’d love to see her play a role in a possible Broadway production of this film.

9. ‘Jennifer’s Body’

This 2009 horror comedy film starring Megan Fox is about a high schooler who kills her classmates, while her best friend tries to stop her.

10. ‘The Edge of Seventeen’

One of Hailee Steinfeld’s more recent films, this movie is about a high schooler who tries to navigate her way through adolescence after her father’s death. Steinfeld earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Nadine.

11. ‘Spring Breakers’

This 2012 dark comedy film is about four young women on spring break who meet a drug dealer and descend into a world of drugs and crime. It is considered one of Selena Gomez’s earliest ventures into more adult roles.

12. ‘The Bling Ring’

This 2013 crime film starring Emma Watson and Taissa Farmiga is based on a true story about a group of burglars who robbed various celebrities in 2008 and 2009.

13. ‘Crossroads’

This 2002 movie was Britney Spears’ first feature film and was promoted with the hit single “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman.”

14. ‘10 Things I Hate About You’

Based on Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew,” the movie is about two high school students, Cameron and Patrick, who try to win the hearts of fellow students Bianca and her sister, Kat.

15. ‘The House Bunny’

In this 2008 comedy, a former Playboy Bunny (Anna Faris) becomes house mother to an unpopular college sorority. The film also features a Stone before “Easy A.”

Which teen movie would you love to see hit the stage? Let us know in the comments below…

Written by Joseph Kisiday

Joseph Kisiday is a 2016 graduate from Christopher Newport University, majoring in Music Composition. Joseph's love for theatre came at a young age through discovering the musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber, such as "Cats" and "The Phantom of the Opera." When he is not writing, Joseph can be found watching operas or Miyazaki films.

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