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Three decades after its release, "Grease" is still the word. Set in 1959, the musical follows the T-Birds and Pink Ladies, gangs of less-than-wholesome teenagers at Rydell High. After enjoying summer lovin', Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olsen (Olivia
Newton-John) have trouble making their relationship work at Rydell -- mostly because Danny is a lame boy who cares more about his rep than being with a gorgeous Aussie. And just because she didn't want to "get physical."
4. "NEVER BEEN KISSED" (1999)
Some of the scenes in this movie are almost too embarrassing to watch. Whether she's grinding a feather boa or picking food out of her braces, Drew Barrymore's "Josie Grossie" is the perfect loser looking for acceptance from the cool kids. As the youngest copy editor at the Chicago Sun Times (who has an office and a secretary, which -- this former copy editor can tell you -- is ludicrous), Josie Gellar gets a make-it-or-break-it reporting assignment to go undercover as a high school student. Watch out for Jessica Alba, James Franco and Marley Shelton in bit parts as the popular kids.
3. "BILLY MADISON" (1995)
Remember when Adam Sandler was funny? In Sandler's piece de resistance, the title character is a drunken idiot living off his dad's fortune. When his father (Darren McGavin, also the dad in "A Christmas Story") announces plans to sign over his lucrative hotel business to a weaselly Madison Hotels exec ("The West Wing's" Bradley Whitford, before he was taken seriously), Billy comes up with a plan to prove his own aptitude: go back to school and pass every grade again. Crazy lunch ladies ("I made 'em extra sloppy for ya!") and a teacher who puts glue on her face ("Thank you very much, Miss Lippy!") await.
2. "THE BREAKFAST CLUB" (1985)
It's totally '80s, and totally awesome. No one has captured the high school experience better than director John Hughes, and that's why two of his movies are taking silver and gold on my list. "The Breakfast Club" is about cliques and stereotypes, and finding common ground with people outside of your circle. The jock (Emilio Estevez), the brain (Anthony Michael Hall), the criminal (Judd Nelson), the princess (Molly Ringwald) and the kook (Ally Sheedy) spend a Saturday together in detention hall, and end up pouring their hearts out to one another -- after showing off some killer '80s dance moves in the library.
1. "FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF" (1986)
"Bueller? ... Bueller? ... Bueller?" So what if this movie's about skipping school? It's a classic. Who didn't think Ferris (Matthew Broderick) was the coolest guy ever? Who didn't want to date/be Sloane (come on, that white leather fringe jacket was off the chain in '86)? The movie -- about a slick high schooler determined to cut school with his girlfriend and best pal, despite his principal's mounting suspicion -- is pure fun with a healthy splash of heart. Supporting characters such as Ferris' jealous sister, Jeanie (Jennifer Grey with her original nose), and Principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) are priceless. And on top of everything, it gave us one of the best movie quotes: "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Save Ferris!
