Urban teen movies amplify all of the struggles of adolescence with the added pressure of a sometimes unstable environment. The top urban teen movies feature stories about friendship, relationships, and becoming adults. This is a list of the top movies about inner city teenagers, featuring everything from Do the Right Thing to Kids to Save the Last Dance.
What movies will you find on this list of films focusing on urban teens? You might vote Boyz n the Hood up to the very top. John Singleton's 1991 classic follows a group of friends growing up in South Central Los Angeles as they make plans for their futures. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Lawrence Fishburne, Nia Long, Ice Cube, and many more talented actors appeared in this groundbreaking movie. Dope is another good film featuring urban teenagers.
Young men are often the stars of urban teen films, but in Thirteen, Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed took the spotlight. Other good movies featured on this list of films about inner city teenagers include Harsh Times, Menace II Society, and Higher Learning.
Which urban teen movie deserves the top spot on this list? Decide by giving your favorites a thumbs up and get in on the conversation in the comments section.
1
7916Kids
Rosario Dawson, Chloë SevignyReleased: 1995
Directed by: Larry Clark
Kids is a 1995 American drama film written by Harmony Korine and directed by Larry Clark. It... more2
8117Dope
Rakim Mayers, Blake AndersonReleased: 2015
Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa
Dope is a 2015 American comedy-drama coming-of-age film directed by Rick Famuyiwa. After being... more3
459Fresh
Samuel L. Jackson, Giancarlo EspositoReleased: 1994
Directed by: Boaz Yakin
Fresh is a 1994 film written and directed by Boaz Yakin in his film directorial debut, also... more4
4812Boyz n the Hood
Ice Cube, Angela BassettReleased: 1991
Directed by: John Singleton
Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 American hood drama film directed by John Singleton. Three young men... more5
5822Thirteen
Vanessa Hudgens, Evan Rachel WoodReleased: 2003
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
Thirteen is a 2003 semi-autobiographical American drama film directed by Catherine Hardwicke,... more6
3310Menace II Society
Samuel L. Jackson, Jada Pinkett SmithReleased: 1993
Directed by: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes
Menace II Society is a 1993 drama/hood film and the directorial debut of twin brothers Allen... more7
3415Juice
Tupac Shakur, Samuel L. JacksonReleased: 1992
Directed by: Ernest R. Dickerson
Juice is a 1992 American drama thriller directed by Ernest R. Dickerson, written by Ernest R.... more8
3415Love & Basketball
Tyra Banks, Gabrielle UnionReleased: 2000
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Love & Basketball is a 2000 American romantic drama film starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan.... more9
2810Get Rich or Die Tryin'
50 Cent, Viola DavisReleased: 2005
Directed by: Jim Sheridan
This film is a 2005 American hip-hop biopic crime film starring 50 Cent. It is 50... more10
248Gridiron Gang
Dwayne Johnson, XzibitReleased: 2006
Directed by: Phil Joanou
Gridiron Gang is a 2006 American sports drama film directed by Phil Joanou, and starring... more11
2818Save the Last Dance
Kerry Washington, Julia StilesReleased: 2001
Directed by: Thomas Carter
Save the Last Dance is a 2001 American film produced by MTV Films, directed by Thomas Carter... more12
198Zebrahead
Michael Rapaport, N'Bushe WrightReleased: 1992
Directed by: Anthony Drazan
Zebrahead is a 1992 drama film, produced by Oliver Stone, written and directed by Anthony... more13
2113High School High
Tia Carrere, Jon LovitzReleased: 1996
Directed by: Hart Bochner
High School High is a 1996 comedy film about an inner city high school in the Los Angeles,... more14
121The Hate U Give
Amandla Stenberg, Regina HallReleased: 2018
Directed by: George Tillman Jr.
The Hate U Give is a 2018 American drama thriller film directed by George Tillman Jr., based... more15
2113Kidulthood
Nicholas Hoult, Jaime WinstoneReleased: 2006
Directed by: Menhaj Huda
Kidulthood is a 2006 British drama film about the life of several teenagers in Ladbroke Grove... more16
1911Coach Carter
Samuel L. Jackson, Channing TatumReleased: 2005
Directed by: Thomas Carter
Coach Carter is a 2005 American biographical teen sports drama film directed by Thomas Carter,... more17
1811City of Men
Douglas Silva, Darlan CunhaReleased: 2007
Directed by: Paulo Morelli
City of Men is a 2007 Brazilian drama film directed by Paulo Morelli. The screenplay was... more18
41Goldie
Slick Woods, George Sample IIIReleased: 2020
Directed by: Sam de Jong
Goldie is a 2020 American drama film directed by Sam de Jong. Goldie (Slick Woods) is a... more19
1710Higher Learning
Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer ConnellyReleased: 1995
Directed by: John Singleton
Higher Learning is a 1995 American romantic drama film, directed by John Singleton, and... more20
1912Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lauryn HillReleased: 1993
Directed by: Bill Duke
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit is a 1993 American comedy film loosely based on the life of... more21
169Crooklyn
RuPaul, Spike LeeReleased: 1994
Directed by: Spike Lee
Crooklyn is a 1994 semi-autobiographical film co-written and directed by Spike Lee. The film... more22
1610Maria Full of Grace
Catalina Sandino Moreno, Patricia RaeReleased: 2004
Directed by: Joshua Marston
Maria Full of Grace is a 2004 joint film production between Colombia and the U.S. written and... more23
137Freedom Writers
Hilary Swank, Patrick DempseyReleased: 2007
Directed by: Richard LaGravenese
Freedom Writers is a 2007 drama film starring Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton and... more24
149Dangerous Minds
Michelle Pfeiffer, Andy GarciaReleased: 1995
Directed by: John N. Smith
Dangerous Minds is a 1995 American drama film directed by John N. Smith, and produced by Don... more25
149Hurricane Season
Lil Wayne, Taraji P. HensonReleased: 2009
Directed by: Tim Story
Hurricane Season is a sports drama film directed by Tim Story and starring Forest Whitaker,... more
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25