One of the most-watched movies on Paramount+ is sure to be a nostalgic hit for fans of 1990s teen movies. Going back to movies like Rebel Without a Cause and Blackboard Jungle, there had been a long history of movies aimed at a teen audience. The Brat Pack movies of the 1980s helped to cement it as a more permanent genre, leading into the 1990s.
When looking at the best teen movies of all time, a lot of them come from the ’90s. There was more versatility to the genre at this time, ranging from teen rom-coms, like She’s All That, to R-rated teen comedies, like American Pie. Even horror movies like Scream manage to capture the distinct teen vibe of the 1990s.
There are certainly a lot of great teen movies from the ’90s, but all these years later, there is one that still holds up wonderfully and continues to represent the teen movie genre exceptionally.
Clueless Is One Of The Most-Watched Movies On Paramount+
Clueless Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary
As it celebrates its 30th anniversary, Clueless has found new love as it enters the top 10 most-watched movies on Paramount+ (via FlixPatrol). An updated take on Jane Austen’s Emma, Alicia Silverstone stars as Cher, a privileged yet well-meaning high school girl in Beverly Hills who discovers her talents as a matchmaker.
The movie was directed and directed by Amy Heckerling, who had already proven her teen movie chops with the classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Silverstone led a young Clueless cast of future stars, including Paul Rudd, Donald Faison, and the late Brittany Murphy. It was a critical hit with 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Since then, the movie has only grown in reputation with its success on streaming, further pointing to the fact that it still connects to audiences, with its sharp humor and charming characters. The popularity of Paramount+ also bodes well for the plans for an upcoming Clueless TV series, with Silverstone back as Cher.
Our Take On The Streaming Success Of Clueless
Clueless Is A Definitive ’90s Movie But Also A Timeless Comedy
While the 30th anniversary of this popular movie could explain the recent success of Clueless, it is also just a great movie to revisit. It is surprising how timeless the movie feels despite being such a definitive 1990s movie. From the slang to the fashion to the pop culture references, Clueless is like a time capsule of the 1990s.
Most importantly of all, Clueless is as funny today as it was when it was made.
Even with the very distinct setting, Clueless doesn’t ostracize viewers unfamiliar with the era. It is a fully realized world that has its own personality, but also captures the universal feeling of being a teenager. There are some dated jokes, and Clueless‘ relationship between Cher and Josh (Paul Rudd) is still awkward, but it holds up very well.
Most importantly of all, Clueless is as funny today as it was when it was made. Silverstone is a fantastic comedic protagonist, giving a hilarious performance that is so specific but never cartoonish. She carries the movie, but the entire ensemble perfectly fits into the world Amy Heckling has so richly built.
30 years later, it is as clear as ever why Clueless is an iconic teen movie and why new and old fans continue to seek it out. As the teen movie genre evolves, it will always be one of those defining тιтles.