The only thing as great as graduating high school is attending the high school prom - or at least that's what Hollywood has conditioned audiences to believe. In fact, a lot of the biggest and best celebrities didn't even attend their own high school proms. Maybe that's why prom scenes have become a staple in a majority of teen movies.
And while it's true that not every high schooler will attend their prom, the good news is they will have tons of movie examples to fill the prom-size void in their hearts, if they have one. The best part is, no two prom movie scenes are ever alike, which is pretty impressive since there's only so much that can happen at a high school prom.
Back To The Future (1985)
Back to the Future is arguably one of the best movies to come out of the 1980s and definitely one of Robert Zemeckis's most popular movies of all time. The movie not only launched a successful franchise but it also gave the world one of the best high school prom scenes ever.
After finally reuniting his parents on the night of their high school prom, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) takes the stage to shake up the subpar music being played at this 1950s era prom. Not only does he get everyone dancing, but he also accidentally invents rock and roll in this new timeline he has created.
Footloose (1984)
Footloose follows Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon), a city boy who relocates to a small town where the local minister has outlawed dancing. Not only does Ren fall in love with the minister's daughter, but he also becomes determined to overturn the ban and bring dancing back to the town.
Footloose might not have achieved classic status like so many other 1980s movies did but it is worth watching for the prom scene alone. After all, who doesn't love an illegal prom?
High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
When the first High School Musical premiered as a Disney Channel Original Movie, no one knew how big it was going to be. Fast forward a few years and the epic film trilogy ended on the big screen with the release of High School Musical 3: Senior Year.
Unlike other prom scenes, this one was purely fictional, having been staged for East High's spring musical. Being a staged musical number has its advantages though since the entire cast got to be involved and the choreography was impeccable. It surely was a "A Night to Remember" and a prom scene that never gets old.
Lady Bird (2017)
Lady Bird is a coming-of-age movie that no one was ready for but came barreling in any way. The movie has become one of the best coming-of-age films in recent years and went on to be nominated for five Oscar nominations.
While most prom scenes focus on romantic love, Lady Bird did something different and instead focused on the platonic love shared between two best friends. After dumping her boyfriend, Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) decides to attend the prom with her best friend Julie (Beanie Feldstein). The scene is not only emotional but it's also somewhat hilarious because of the way the nuns refuse to let anyone dance or touch inappropriately.
Never Been Kissed (1999)
Never Been Kissed is one of those movies whose plot hasn't really withstood the test of time. After all, having a teacher fall for a journalist (Drew Barrymore) whom he thinks is a teenager simply should not have happened. But excluding this, the movie did have an epic prom scene.
Not only does Josie (Barrymore) save the school from throwing a lame prom by suggesting the theme be "historical couples," but she also gives an epic monologue where she reveals her true identity and laments on how bullying is wrong.
Pretty In Pink (1986)
When it comes to high school movies in the 1980s, no one did it quite like John Hughes. This is why it might surprise many to learn that Pretty In Pink is his only teenage film that actually features a prom scene. It also might surprise people to learn that the prom scene ending was controversial, even to its creator.
While Andie (Molly Ringwald) shows up to prom with her best friend Duckie (Jon Cryer) after realizing Blane (Andrew McCarthy) is no better than his rich friends, Blane ends up making it up to her and the two share a memorable kiss in the parking lot. This scene also gave us one of the best movie prom outfits of all time.
Prom (2011)
When talking about movie prom scenes it would be silly to leave out Disney's Prom, which revolves entirely around high school prom. With an ensemble cast, there's sure to be one character's prom experience audiences can identify with.
After weeks of planning, getting asked out, and getting rejected, everything comes to a head as the seniors walk into their senior prom under the stars. The pinnacle moment of the prom occurs when Jesse (Thomas McDonell) saves the day by fixing Ali's (Janelle Ortiz) fountain centerpiece that had stopped working.
To All The Boys: Always & Forever (2021)
It might surprise fans to know that there almost wasn't a prom scene included in the epic conclusion of the To All The Boys franchise. However, the creators realized that Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter Kavinsky's (Noah Centineo) high school love story couldn't end without an epic prom scene.
What makes this prom scene so great is that it truly showcases the highs and lows of a high school prom. In the beginning, everyone is having fun and an epic dance circle breaks out where everyone can show off their best moves. But then, Peter wins Prom King and suddenly he's whisked away to take pictures while Lara Jean watches from the sidelines. It's a bittersweet moment that perfectly encapsulates many teenagers' feelings about graduating high school. Of course, the scene ends on a high note with Peter agreeing to slow dance with Lara Jean.
Twilight (2008)
Twilight is either loved or hated by audiences, but there's no denying the 2008 movie adaptation had a huge effect on the teenage culture at the time. For Bella Swan, the only thing worse than nearly losing her life at the hands of a blood-thirsty vampire is having to attend her high school prom.
Part of what makes this prom scene so iconic is the fact that Bella is so against attending. It's one of the few films that reminds audiences that prom doesn't have to be a big deal. And yet, Bella goes and has a swoon-worthy moment where she sways with Edward underneath the twinkling lights.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
10 Things I Hate About You is the pinnacle teen romantic comedy and arguably the best teen movie to come out of the 1990s. It also happens to have one of the most iconic prom scenes of all time.
Not only do Patrick (Heath Ledger) and Kat (Julia Stiles) show off their dancing moves as Kat's favorite band plays, but there also ends up being an epic fight where Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) gives Joey (Andre Keegan) what he deserves: a punch in the face.