Create A watchlist For Your Teens: A List Of Latest Quintessential Films That Gen-Zers Can Relate To

From redefining fashion trends and emojis—to promoting social changes—Generation Z is often praised for its unique approach to life and entertainment.

Gen-Zers are people born between 1997 and 2012—they grew up with the internet, modern technology, and social media. It is evident that teens and young adults of today possess some distinct features that set them apart from the preceding generations—like Millennials.

With an ever-growing focus on the fact that not everything we see on our screens is always the reality, it is essential for Gen-Zers to watch movies and series that depict the pragmatism of their experience.

In recent years, numerous filmmakers have made bold attempts to incorporate these features into their movies—to present content that appeals to Gen-Z. The list below contains movie titles that capture the interests and attributes of Gen-Z—each showcasing the different elements of this generation.

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)

This masterful film perfectly crafts the "whodunnit" trope for Gen Z. When a harmless party game suddenly takes a vicious turn—a group of teens meets with a sticky end in an isolated mansion. Bodies Bodies Bodies follows a satirical approach and depicts some of the negative attributes of Gen Z.

The film brilliantly depicts how modern tech and social media have significantly influenced Gen Z and their mindset. This horror thriller also portrays how the youngsters of this generation operate when it comes to societal and political engagement—and why becoming more aware of what is happening around the world is critical for them.

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

This coming-of-age film follows Nadine Franklin (played by Hailee Steinfeld), who is dealing with engulfing loneliness and the grief of losing her father. But her life becomes more complex when she finds out that her best friend—whom she envies—is developing a romantic connection with her brother. As a result, Nadine tries to seek different coping mechanisms—ultimately—establishing bonds with many different people, including Mr. Bruner (played by Woody Harrelson), her school teacher—who helps her figure things out. The Edge of Seventeen beautifully captures the downsides of teenagehood and the loneliness of Gen-Z.

Booksmart (2019)

Booksmart follows the recipe for creating an outstanding coming-of-age tale by Olivia Wilde—that explores the concept of identity crisis through two high-school besties—Molly (played by Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (played by Kaitlyn Dever). Both the girls are viewed as "nerds"—who are not popular and almost neglected in school. Molly and Amy try to make good memories together as their final day at high school approaches. The thrilling decision takes both girls in different directions, enabling them to embark on a journey of self-discovery while exploring their friendship. The movie covers themes of friendship, modern technology, and various other complexities that every teen faces, but Gen Zers can particularly relate to it.

Eighth Grade (2018)

Eighth Grade takes the audience back in time when Gen Zers were in their early days of exploring social media and were desperately trying to fit in before it was a trend to stand out. The film follows Kayla Day (played by Elsie Fisher), who is trying to get through her final week of eighth grade. She struggles socially, but the only thing that keeps her going is her YouTube channel, which has no viewers. Eight Grade keeps it authentic and real by not romanticizing the transition from middle to high school. Instead, it focuses on the theme of identity crisis and how teens often deal with countless insecurities.

Not Okay (2022)

Tapping into the unhealthy desire for social media validation—this film captures the "caught-in-a-lie" account and cleverly applies it to depict the modern lifestyle of Gen-Zers. Danni (played by Zoey Deutch) is struggling with her social life and career—she has no friends, no romantic partners, and no followers on social media. Desperate to gain followers and friends, Danni fakes a vacation to Paris and posts about it on social media. But her plan soon begins to crumble when a fatal attack occurs in the real world, forcing Danni to update her followers as a surviving victim. This dark comedy focuses on the theme of fear of missing out (FOMO) and its adverse impact on Gen Z.

These films not only portray the struggles of Generation Z but also the need to distinguish between the virtual and real world. Add these films to your teens’ watchlist to shed some light on the darker aspects of the internet and social media—and how it can adversely impact their emotional well-being if not careful.