The Very Best Teen Noir Movies

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 1.2K votes 233 voters
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Very Best Teen Noir Movies
Voting Rules
Vote up the best movies about teenagers and high school that have elements of noir films.

The noir genre is often associated with dog-tired older detectives and black and white films. These movies with teen protagonists are out to challenge that notion, while still paying tribute to classic noir tropes. The best teen noir movies feature murderous plots, arch narration, and dastardly deeds. This is a list of the top teenage noir movies including everything from Donnie Darko to The Basketball Diaries to The Rules of Attraction.

What films will you find on this list of the best noir movies about teenagers? In Brick, a moody high school-age private detective sets out to uncover who murdered his girlfriend. Sofia Coppola puts a chillingly beautiful spin on the genre in The Virgin Suicides, which follows five suicidal sisters through the eyes of the neighborhood boys who pine for them. Winona Ryder's voice-over narration is only one of the noir elements in the murderous 1988 black comedy Heathers. Other good films featured on this best teen noir movies list include Alpha Dog, Election, and I Know Who Killed Me.

Which teen noir movie do you like the best? Give your favorite films a thumbs up and get in on the conversation in the comments section.

Most divisive: Poison Ivy
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  • Brick
    1

    Brick

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas, Nora Zehetner
    53 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: Rian Johnson
    Brendan Frye (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), high school loner, plunges into a murky underworld when his ex-girlfriend vanishes. Through the labyrinthine hallways of his school to seedy, drug-laden parties, Brendan uses his wits and fists to uncover the truth. Underneath the veneer of suburban calm lurks a web of deception in this neo-noir thriller. Brick, directed by Rian Johnson, is an award-winning tour de force that deftly weaves classic film-noir tropes into an innovative modern setting. It's a complex tale where everyone's a suspect and nothing is as it seems.

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  • Heathers
    2

    Heathers

    Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty
    70 votes
    • Released: 1989
    • Directed by: Michael Lehmann
    In the dark comedy Heathers, high school senior Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) finds herself entangled in an unusual relationship with the mysterious new kid, J.D. (Christian Slater). Amidst the social pressures of Westerburg High School, dominated by a clique of girls all named Heather, Veronica and J.D. embark on a rebellious journey against the popular crowd. Their actions quickly spiral into a series of disturbing events that blur the line between teenage rebellion and criminal activity. This 1988 cult classic explores themes of popularity, power, and the chilling lengths some will go to leave their mark on society.

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  • Donnie Darko
    3

    Donnie Darko

    Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore
    63 votes
    • Released: 2001
    • Directed by: Richard Kelly
    In the eerie, yet fascinating movie Donnie Darko, Jake Gyllenhaal portrays the titular character; a troubled, sleepwalking teen who is plagued by visions of an apocalyptic future. Guided by Frank (James Duval), his prophetic and sinister bunny-costumed friend, Donnie grapples to understand the complex web of time travel and parallel universes that unfold before him. The film, masterfully directed by Richard Kelly, is a blend of psychological thriller and science fiction genres. It has won several awards for its innovative storytelling and compelling performances, making it a cult classic in contemporary cinema.

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  • Bully
    4

    Bully

    Brad Renfro, Rachel Miner, Nick Stahl
    43 votes
    • Released: 2001
    • Directed by: Larry Clark
    In the unflinching drama Bully, teenage life takes a dark turn. Marty Puccio (Brad Renfro) and Bobby Kent (Nick Stahl) are lifelong friends in South Florida, but their relationship is marred by Bobby's abusive behavior. As the torment escalates, Marty, along with his girlfriend Lisa Connelly (Rachel Miner), concoct a grim plan to end the bullying once and for all. Directed by Larry Clark, this disturbing film presents a stark exploration of teen violence and desperation, based on real-life events. Despite its controversial nature, Bully was praised for its raw performances and relentless storytelling.

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  • The Virgin Suicides
    5

    The Virgin Suicides

    James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst
    45 votes
    • Released: 1999
    • Directed by: Sofia Coppola
    In The Virgin Suicides, an enigmatic tale unfolds in a quiet suburban neighborhood. The Lisbon sisters, Lux (Kirsten Dunst), Mary (A.J. Cook), Therese (Leslie Hayman), Bonnie (Chelse Swain), and Cecilia (Hanna Hall) are the focus of fascination for a group of neighborhood boys. Guided by the strict hand of their mother (Kathleen Turner) and passive presence of their father (James Woods), these girls navigate adolescence under a heavy shroud of repression and mystery. As the film meanders through this labyrinth of teenage turmoil, it subtly explores themes of isolation, longing, and the tragic consequences of suffocating innocence. This dramatic piece is directed by Sofia Coppola, who won Best First Feature at Independent Spirit Awards for this haunting debut.

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  • Kids
    6

    Kids

    Leo Fitzpatrick, Justin Pierce, Chloë Sevigny
    52 votes
    • Released: 1995
    • Directed by: Larry Clark
    Delving into the raw and unfiltered reality of youth, Kids is a riveting drama directed by Larry Clark. The narrative orbits around Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), who prides himself on deflowering virgins, and his reckless friend Casper (Justin Pierce). Unbeknownst to Telly, a former partner Jenny (Chloë Sevigny) learns she's HIV positive, setting off a desperate quest across New York City. As their paths converge, Kids paints an unsettling portrait of teenage life. Complemented by an authentic cast and gritty storytelling, it offers an uncompromising look at the consequence-laden world of adolescence.