10 Most Inspirational Teen Movies Of All Time

"Life goes by so fast that if you don't stop and look around, you might miss it."

If we’re talking about movies that exemplify innocence, then Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is on the wholesome end of that spectrum. However, where some films on this list are inspirational because they give the kids responsibility, treat the protagonists like adults, worthy of respect: Ferris Bueller makes the cut through being a celebration of that other aspect of teen life, a wilful independence.

Ferris, the most popular kid in class, skips school to take advantage of a glorious day to hang out with his his girlfriend Sloane and his best friend Cameron in the city. He has an ulterior motive too, however: Cameron needs some cheering up, and Ferris is determined to give him a fantastic day out.

Ferris himself is cheerfully narcissistic; Sloane, a bit of a cipher. It’s Cameron who stands out the most, played with a fantastic, martyred ennui by Alan Ruck. He’d rather stay in bed, but his bright, sunny bestie cajoles him out into the sun. He’d rather play it safe, but his mischievous BFF persuades him to steal his dad’s prized Ferrari, a car that Cameron believes his father loves more than he loves him.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is probably John Hughes’ most lightweight teen flick, almost entirely crowd-pleasing, feelgood comedy… but there’s a theme buried amongst the iconic set-pieces. Ferris isn’t just playing hookie to sing Twist And Shout in the world’s ugliest waistcoat: he’s trying to get the heartsick, neglected Cameron to stand up to his distant father, to stop brooding and to decide that he’s worth more than he’s getting.