The Ultimate History of the '80s Teen Movie

by James King

A trip back to the era of troubled teens and awesome soundtracks; of Reagan, rap, and Ridgemont High; of MTV, VHS, and “Axel F”; of outsiders, lost boys, and dead poets; of Bill and Ted, Brooke Shields, and the Brat Pack; of three Porky's flicks, two Coreys, and one summer when “Baby” refused to be put in a corner.

The Ultimate History of the ’80s Teen Movie goes behind the scenes of a genre where cult hits mingled with studio blockbusters, where giants like Spielberg and Coppola rubbed shoulders with baby-faced first-timers, and where future superstars Sean, Demi, and Tom all got their big break. Music, comedy, and politics all play a part in the surprisingly complex history of the ’80s teen movie. And while the films might have been aimed primarily at adolescents, the best tackle universal issues and remain relevant to all ages.
From a late ’70s Hollywood influx to an early ’90s indie scene that gave youth cinema a timely reboot, film expert James King highlights the personal struggles, the social changes, and the boardroom shake-ups that produced an iconic time in movie history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Pop Culture, History, Audiobook, Media Tie In

ebook

First published March 19, 2019

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Reviews

[Tahera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was taking a short semester course on the 80's era of movies while reading this book.

The title says it all..the 80s were defined by teen movies! This book gives us a historical, behind the scene look on how the trend started with teen musicals like Grease and Saturday Night Fever in the late 70s (which turned John Travolta into an overnight sensation), the focus then shifting to the pure raunchy side of teen high school/ college life filled with sex and drugs in the early 80s and eventually spreading out to more substantial social, familial and racial issues and problems faced by them.

It talks about the actors, the directors, the movies and the music that played a part in defining the era of the 80s movie scene, their personal struggles and public triumphs: from the Brat Pack, Brooke Shields, Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Demi Moore, Michael J. Fox, Madonna, Donna Summers, Michael Jackson, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, John Hughes (and a whole lot of other big names), to the rise of VHS which gave a new lifeline to movies and the advent of MTV which introduced the idea of original soundtracks and music videos to movie producers instead of them relying heavily on prior released songs and original scores to make up the background music, this book covers everything.

Anyone who is a movie buff like me will like reading this book. My only complaint--the book did not contain any photographs or movie/ behind the scene stills which I feel would have really enhanced the content.

My thanks to NetGalley, Diversion Books and the author James King for providing me with an e-ARC.

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a book about 80's teen movies there was a surprising amount of content not pertaining to 80's teen movies. This was really dry with waaaaaaay too many footnotes.
It was a struggle to get through.
Thank you NetGalley and Diversion Books for my copy.

[Joe Kucharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life moves pretty fast. Sage advice of a hallowed teen from the mid-1980’s, when Reaganomics’s voodoo charmed ideologies, a generation of kids were being raised at the shopping mall, and Huey told us to get back in time.

Hollywood noticed these changes and, like John Bender piercing his ear in triumph, transformed pop-culture into the fast times of Valley girls, lost boys, and top guns doing a risky business while taking the day off. Movies were cheap, stupid, and sexy. Except for those that weren’t. The Ultimate History of the 80’s Teen Movie is, ironically, a deep read about what Hollywood got right in its tutelage of Generation X.

Author James King goes deep in this exhaustive, definitive, look at teen films from the 1980s. This is not a top 10 list. Nor is it a superficial revisit of nostalgia. Instead, The Ultimate History of the 80’s Teen Movie is an historical accounting of that decade, an indexed telling of those artists who had tales to tell, and the audience they found. How Coppola and Scorsese broke ground for Heckerling and Crowe, Hughes and Schumacher. About DeNiro and Pacino’s unlikely inspiration for the Brat Pack. The elevation of Bueller, McFly, and two loveable jokers from San Dimas into cinematic icons. The Ultimate History… is filled with so much teen angst you need Clearasil on stand-by. This is more than nostalgia. This is a Gen X love letter, blasting from a raised boom box, romancing us all

Most importantly, King promotes the modern teen movie into a viable genre. For every Porky’s and Revenge of the Nerds there is an Outsiders and Karate Kid. From Flashdance and Footloose to Red Dawn and Lost Boys, King breaks down the definition of a teen film and explores the relations of such to the average teenager. How Dirty Dancing’s Patrick Swayze and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’s Alan Ruck were in (or close to) their thirties yet embodied the youthful desires of want and acceptance. How a John Hughes production simultaneously raised and destroyed the cliquish life of Chicago Suburbia.

There are, naturally, omittances, particularly of other genres. The rise of teen-oriented horror escapes with the merest of glancing blows; perhaps due to the stay-away Restricted MPAA rating. Sci-fi and fantasy are also mostly ignored as are, surprisingly, films that had massive crossover appeal such as horror-comedies and action-comedies that were specifically targeted at that beautifully-ambiguous PG-13 market.

King’s tome successfully breaks down each year counting the hits, questioning the misses, ultimately concluding the treatise by analyzing the decade’s progressive end. He examines the cultural impact – and the surprising similarities – between the melancholy Say Anything, the brutal sarcasm of Heathers, the joyful comedy of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and the hopeful yearning of Dead Poet’s Society. For a generation that was shown life conjoined within the known classroom, those final films explore that unknown next step. Life continues. And as we were once told, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.


Thanks to NetGalley and Diversion Books for this truly fantastic read. And hey, while I understand that I received an un-proofed copy, I am astonished at the amount of spelling and grammatical errors presented throughout the entire book. I wonder what John Keating would have thought, carpe diem notwithstanding.

Visit Read@Joe's for this review and more!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

super fun book! gave me a new appreciation for some of these movies (like fast times at ridgemont high). this could've been a simple and dry retelling of facts but the author injected humor into his writing that made me laugh out loud a couple of times.

now i gotta go do some rewatches!

**I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

[Beth Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love teen movies from the 1980s like me? Then this book is for you.

This book goes beyond the quintessential teen movie, though, often including movies about burgeoning adults, families, and social issues. In addition to Porky's and Adventures in Babysitting, we get the more adult Wall Street and Terms of Endearment.

At the same time. King gives us a full scope of that movie's place and time. For movie lovers like me, it's a treat to delve into this in-depth history.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Diversion Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a book for film fans and geeks like myself. Which contains instant nostalgia especially if you Grew up during this decade and/or remember growing up watching these movies. Some of which come with a rude awakening watching now. While others still have the magic you remember. That you still get high off off

While waiting for the book TEEN MOVIE HELL to come out i happens upon this book and decided to give it a chance for. The title alone. I was not disappointed. This can be looked at as the more intellectual tome compared to the other book.

Lives up to it’s Title gives you the low down on some Of the productions but also the bus was of the studios behind the films as well as the directors and writers.

The only disappointment is that they don’t cover the more obscure or low brow teen comedies and focus on more the main stream ones. I guess I was looking for more references and longer stories to learn any possible trivia behind some of these films. Then again it is all about the history of these films. So of course the book should stick to the majors as they are the ones who make the moments and memories for a broader audience.

Reading it brings in nostalgia and plenty of memories of the films Discussed and interested in the ones not seen yet. It also offers insight after the fact Into Some of these films and their themes as well as the lasting impact they did or didn’t have.

Give it a try as it more than lives up to it’s title just be warned it’s focus is more on the popular films. So some of the less popular outcasts and more T & A classics or movies that were more big in cable and home video market will be missing. (Like PARADISE MOTEL, THE WRAITH, HOT MOVES) and others films are mentioned but no in depth analysis or behind the scenes info.

Not to mention it has a nice wraparound.

[Deanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book and thought I'd get some cool, fun behind the scenes type reads from it - but it was just too dense. It felt like I was reading the dictionary, and I struggled through alllll of it. Also there was a ton of information that felt unnecessary and kind of irrelevant. I can tell so much hard work went into this, but all the footnotes and references kind of made my eyes blur.

More text book type than fun and informative *shrug*

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was dense. Meaning there was an awful lot packed in here - almost like a textbook, albeit enjoyable. It was not quite what I was expecting. I was expecting perhaps chapters devoted to the movies featured on the cover, but it was more a history timeline of 80s movies. I will say he bookended it well, but I found myself skimming more and more as I went along. I did learn a decent amount of trivia about many of the movies that I can annoy my family with if we watch them again, though! Hey, did you know...?

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jam-packed with research and so many movies. I've made a list of ones I need to re-watch.

[Sam West · Rating 1 out of 5]

Required reading for class. I love my film prof but only time can heal this wound. Lots of gossip and studio exec stuff, terrifically researched and all, just very dull.

[Riann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very immersive history of 80s teen movies. The author showed how the types of teen movies in the 70s directly lead to the teen movies of the early 80s. The historical happenings discussed in each chapter really helped me to gain an understanding of the public consciousness during each year. I learned so much behind the scenes information about my favorite 80s teen movies as well as about lesser known movies which I may have overlooked. The author's footnotes were also very informative.

[Sarah Connolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. Having recently read other nonfiction books about various aspects of the entertainment industry, though, this book just doesn’t hold up.

If you’re looking for an very in depth look into movies of the 80’s beyond just the usual John Hughes/Brat Paxk favorites, this book will do quite nicely. For me, it read a little too much like a textbook. For a book about the entertainment industry, I was really just looking for something more, well, entertaining.

[Karin Garcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know it's the "Ultimate" guide, but it's just too long and in depth. It became dry for long sections. I am pretty familiar with the actors of the 80's. I know all the Brat Pack and most of the movies, but there were so many actors, producers, musicians, composers, directors, Hollywood execs, and studios mentioned that you would have to already be an expert in the history of the 80's movie scene to follow it all.
I enjoyed learning more about many of the movies and stars. Some of the history was interesting. But I really didn't need to know about a random director I don't know, and how he was kicked off a film, then another director I don't know was put on the film, then that director was fired and the original director I've never heard of came back on the film.

[Geneva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great romp down memory lane, having become a teenager in the late 80s. Admittedly my reading experience was enhanced by watching some of the movies that I was reading about. Recommended for those who grew up during the era or for those strongly influenced by the era.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

The title accurately sums up what you will find here: a very thoroughly researched biography of 80s teen movies. Author King takes pains to put all the information into perspective of the era: the power players, the movements, the politics, the movie themes, and the changing social climate.

The book is wonderfully informative and with copious annotations and footnotes that take side information/tangents out of the main text nicely but still provide informative tidbits. It's all there, with intelligent conclusions and less bias than I typically see in this type of work. Perhaps what I appreciate most, this isn't a 'gushing' ode to the genre by a super fan who can no longer be impartial; rather, it's an academic assessment well worth the time for making sense of all the factors that combined to create the environment in which those movies could flourish.

The book is chronological and starts with John Travolta and Saturday Night Fever in the 1970s. From Grease and Porkys, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and the beginning of the 1980s and the atmosphere into which the teen movie phenomenon begins to develop. From Reagan's political changes to other factors including style over substance, the rise of MTV and music tie-ins, low budget straight to video profitability, rise of Blockbuster, low brow comedy, jingoistic leanings, and more. But it all starts with Saturday Night Fever and the story of outcast teens.

There is a big picture to every movie - King puts the puzzle together nicely. The movies that were money winners, the ones that weren't, and why. From Absolute Beginners' misfire to the huge success of Top Gun just a few months later. But just as important, we get background on the directors, actors, and producers. Why they made the choices they did: from Coppola needing money and making Captain EO to Sean Penn's failing marriage with Madonna and how that affected his choice of movies after finding success in e.g., Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

For me, the value of this book is that there is so much more behind every movie than just box office. There is a wide set of variables and influencers on whether they even get made, if they were successful or not, and whether the audience was ready for the underlying themes of the movies. What you don't get here is a lot of gossip or unsubstantiated facts. This isn't an opinion piece but instead is an engaging but intelligent biography of the teen movie movement that started in the 1970s and continued through to the early 1990s. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[J Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ultimate History of the '80s Teen Movie by James King is exactly what the title says and succeeds as such. This is a history, not a collection of gossip or sensationalism masquerading as history, so be aware of that before reading so you will know what you're about to get into.

Rather than jump into the 80s movies King does a splendid job of setting the scene, beginning with the late 70s and how they paved the way for what was to follow. The overall history is bracketed by references to John Travolta, which might seem odd but works very well as a framing story within which the 80s teem movies thrived.

There is not a lot of anecdotal stories unless they serve to advance the history of the genre during this time frame. You won't find much gossip for the sake of dishing on stars. If it doesn't help with the history it won't be here. I find that refreshing and very welcome in a book about Hollywood film, but those who just want to hear sensationalism and gossip will be disappointed. There is plenty here for a wonderful trip down memory lane but it is a trip with substance rather than fluff.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy film history as well as those who remember the films under discussion. I would not have used this during my time teaching but would have suggested it to any student researching the period and genre. It is not an academic book even though it is well-researched and documented.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Vinny · Rating 3 out of 5]

⇾ 3 stars ⇽

I received an ARC from Diversion Books via NetGalley in exchange of honest review. This is a highly-detailed book discussing historical events and behind-the-scenes of the 80s teen movies that a lot of people, including me, might be not aware of. I appreciate the author's hard work and long researches for gathering all of these incredible details in one place. I also like the fact that the book was started with a background from the 70s, allowing us to get a hint of how everything's started in the first place. However, this book was so full of heavy details, it started to feel like a textbook. And honestly, I expected something more fun and lighter, maybe with a few old photos and scenes from the movies. But overall, it was very informative and useful, especially if you're looking forward to learn about the history of 80s teen movies.

[The Kawaii Slartibartfast · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book starts in the late 70s and ends in the mid 90s.
This book starts and ends with John Travolta.

I really enjoyed this book. It dug into history and the background of movie making and quite frankly it's astounding that many of them were made considering the drama. Wow!

There was even a chapter about the late 80's hip-hop movies like Breakin' and Krush Groove. (Wish it were longer, tbh.

I would definitely recommend this to movie fans.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I was excited to read this when I saw it, but once I started reading it, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I was hoping for some more fun facts, less long chapters and maybe some photos, but still an interesting book.

[Shari Suarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts in the late 70's with movies like Saturday Night Fever and then continues throughout the 80's with lots of interesting facts and history of both the movies and the stars of the movies. I had forgotten about so many of the movies I loved until I read this book. I may need a couple of nights to binge 80's movies.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I had read just about every critical/cultural history of '80s teen movies. Most of them were for obvious reasons very heavy on the John Hughes oveure and the shenanigans of the Brat Pack. I was leery of picking up James King's take on the subjec,t, but was very happy that I did. Yes, Mr. King ticks off the requisite chapters on Hughes and the Brat Pack, but what I most enjoyed about the book was the way he also tied in the cultural (with a specific emphasis on music) and political movements of the day. He also delves deeper into the concept of "the teen film,' basically defining the era of '80s teen movies' as starting in the late 70s as the autuers of the New Hollywood were beginning to list towards excess and (in studios' eyes, irrelevance) and the birth of the blockbuster was just over an ocean's horizon in the shape of a shark nick named Jaws. He includes films that I have long loved and/or valued like "Foxes" (Adrian Lyne's first film), "Times Square" (early feminist teen film set in a NYC birthing the punk movement), and "The Legend of Billie Jean" (yes, a commercial flop, but it was ambitious in the concept of being a modern day retelling of the Joan of Arc story-- one where it's the false image of Joan/Billie that is literally burned at the stake and not the actual truth-telling woman).

In short, if you're looking for a comprehensive look at the "teen movie" (and Mr. King has a very loose definition of that phrase) phenomenon of the '80s, I highly recommend this book.

ETA: This is not to say that Mr. King's book is without its flaws. His plot synopsis of 1987's "The Secret of My Success" is so bungled that I doubt he ever watched the movie. Thankfully, he isn't trying to review or comment on it in any depth. Additionally, there is no song on the "Flashdance" soundtrack called "He's the Man." There is one called "He's a Dream," but he mentions that it sounds very similar to Elizabeth Daily's song, "Waiting," on "The Breakfast Club" soundtrack. He is so incredibly wrong, if in fact "He's a Dream" was the song he was referencing.

[K Bright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting many of the films mentioned in The Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movies. It brought back fantastic memories of queuing up at my local cinema with friends, eagerly awaiting the latest release. I also remember devouring teen magazines, poring over articles about the lives of actors and characters. The image of that time, filled with youthful exuberance, is one I cherish.

However, after reading this book, those memories have become somewhat bittersweet. My once unbridled enthusiasm for teen magazines, posters, and memorabilia now feels a bit tainted. The book reveals the darker side of many of the actors’ lives: struggles with addiction, failed relationships, and various personal demons. It’s a stark reminder of how often the glamour of Hollywood masks a harsher reality.

While I’m glad I read it, the joy I once felt for that era now has a shadow hanging over it. If there’s one thing this book taught me, it’s that Hollywood often prioritises profit over well-being, and that the industry’s practices are not always as rosy as they seem.

As a result, I’ve become more discerning—no longer buying teen magazines and limiting my collection of memorabilia. With Hollywood (and streaming services) increasingly reworking films for modern sensibilities, I have come to realise that it’s important to remember the films for what they were, when they were. They played a pivotal role in shaping the person I am today. Without the characters and films that defined my teenage years—like Molly, Andrew, Matt, Rob, and Michael, wouldn’t be the person I am today.

[Gregory Van Den Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

James King’s The Ultimate History of the '80s Teen Movie (2019) analyzes the iconic, often overlooked, 1980s teen film genre as a reflection of its time, moving beyond nostalgia to explore social, political, and industry changes. It covers the evolution from late-70s music-driven hits to early-80s raunchy comedies and late-80s heartfelt dramas.
Key Aspects of the Book:
Contextual Analysis: King links the films to 1980s culture, including Reagan-era politics, rising consumerism, the Cold War, and the rise of MTV and home video (VHS).
The "Brat Pack" and Stars: Profiles the actors who defined the era, such as Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, and Emilio Estevez, alongside directors like John Hughes.
Evolution of Content: Tracks the shift from the raunchy, male-dominated comedies (e.g., Porky's) to the more sensitive, character-driven, and socially conscious stories that defined the later part of the decade.
Industry Shift: Highlights how Hollywood began targeting adolescents as a major demographic, turning low-budget teen films into box-office successes.
The book examines how these films, while targeting teenagers, explored universal themes of identity and suburban life.

[Scott Delgado · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I feel like the author goes off topic a bit. It starts in 1977 and discusses "Saturday Night Fever," "Animal House," and "Grease"--none of which came out in the 1980's. I get you need to start your history a little early, though. Talking about Tom Cruise's early films is fine, but discussing "Cocktail" and "Top Gun," well, those aren't "teen" movies. I'd rather have a snippet about the film "Iron Eagle" which is about a teenager flying a plane. A good chunk is dedicated to "St. Elmo's Fire." Again, not a "teen" movie. Yeah, it relates to the Brat Pack, but I think he could have stuck with the actual "teen" movies they made.

It's a good nostalgia ride. I just feel like it could have been shorter without all of the diversions. I love pop culture, but I think my experience with college professors made me cringe a bit and want to shout "stay on topic!" a lot. I mean, he talks about Guns 'N Roses' debut album. That's great and all. What did it have to do with 1980's teen movie? Was it featured heavily in a classic film? I know a lot about producer Allan Carr now. Yay!

Good nostalgia. Just a bit broader than the title implies.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ultimate History of the '80s Teen Movie by James King is a gift to anyone interested in film history or the 1980s. Even though most readers will probably have seen most (or all) of the 1980s classics discussed, King offers a new look at the era, filled with impeccable research and a fast-paced narrative writing style that reads like a novel. I have published extensively on the 1980s and the teen films of the decade (as well as growing up in the era), but King's book is hands-down the best I have ever read. This is a book that will fill Gen Xers' hearts with joy and bring this awesome topic to a new generation of readers and film aficionados. -- Bob Batchelor, author, The Bourbon King: The Life and Crimes of George Remus, Prohibition's Evil Genius

[Justin Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a great read, if a much more considered and analytical one that i was expecting.

King delves into the pop culture roots from whence 80s teen movies grew, and tells tons of great and fascinating stories about the people who made them, how they got made, who almost made them but ultimately didn't, and the like.

i know a good bit about movies but there was a lot of stuff in here i didn't know / had never heard before. the book does meander a bit and kind of loses focus on the main narrative thread about 2/3rds of the way in, but i'm still not convinced it's worth docking a star over.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually one for books on film - I like watching films and reading books but never the twain should meet. However, I have a weakness and that is 80's movies and in particular brat pack films. Back in the day, I sought information but apart from a few dedicated magazines, there wasn't much to read. So I couldn't resist this. But this turned out to be a lot more than I was expecting. Being a trivia nerd I don't often now learn new things about my expert subjects (expect to see me on Mastermind - specialist subject Emilio Estevez) but I picked up lots of snippets in this I didn't expect. Good times. BUT as much as I enjoyed this it is a little dry, sometimes reading like a textbook rather than something you might read for 'fun'. But that said there was enough in here for me to have really liked reading this book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun! It chronicles teen movies, starting in the late 70s with "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease" and moving into the John Highes and Brat Pack movies of the 80s. It's filled with neat casting stories of who almost got the role, who turned the role down. Other insights I gleaned-Tom Cruise was always crazy, Sean Penn was always trouble and Rob Lowe is hilarious!

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a longtime fan of 80s teen movies, I enjoyed this journey through a cinematic decade I was never alive for. My one gripe is the author's heavy use of footnotes in each chapter - I found it distracting to be constantly pulled out of the story for a detail that didn't really matter. Otherwise, this was a fun book.

[Gianna Rupert · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover and a connoisseur of the teen movie genre, this book was an absolute pleasure and enriched my knowledge of the genre while giving me insights on behind the scenes dealings. I recommend watching Netflix’s The Movies That Made Us, if you want to learn more about some of the classics (Dirty Dancing and Back to the Future) discussed in this book.