As Tom Petty once crowed, a “good girl” and a “bad boy” coming together is enough to make you free fall out into nothin'. Growing up, most of us have dreamed of breaking the rules and risking it all to embrace our rebellious side. While actually doing that is never an option, what’s possible isto be swept off your feetby the exciting depiction of the same desire in cinema. The teenage fantasy finds the perfect home in the classic good girl/bad boy romance that has lured audiences for generations now.
There is an undeniable charm to the dark and brooding outsider who has a heart of gold. Who wouldn’t want to escape their boring everyday routine and seek a thrilling romantic adventure with a rebel — and if along the way the girl says at some point “I can fix him,” you’re in the right place. The unlikely couples in the movies on this list allow us to live vicariously through the good girl’s transformation into a renegade, and through the bad boy shedding his tough exterior and finally revealing his softer side in romance.
Because filmmakers know their audiences root for that spark,the undeniable chemistry, and the feelings rather than common sense when two opposites attract, there is a mine of movies that capture this trope perfectly. As adults, the nostalgia for these iconic on-screen couples runs deep no matter how unrealistic it is, because they introduced us to love’s dizzying heights. Here are the 20 best movies that endure and thrive on the good girl/bad boy fantasy.
20Katie and Andy — Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
Wet Hot American Summeris a parody of summer flicks and the experiences director David Wain had while attending camp as a kid. Set during the crazy last day at Camp Firewood in 1981, the movie throws us in the middle of all the tension — sexual and otherwise — between the counselors.Katieis a shy counselor who’s there with her obnoxious and unfaithful boyfriendAndy, brought vibrantly to life by Paul Rudd.
This cult comedy classic deserves the first spot on the list as it not only kicked off the whole genre of summer camp mockery in cinema but also gave us an endearing but flawed couple in Katie and Andy. They were sweet and cool and awkward and toxic, but we wanted them to work it out somehow anyway.
Rent Wet Hot American Summer on Apple TV
19Tyler and Nora — Step Up (2006)
InStep Up,Norais a privileged modern dancer and the pride of Maryland School of Arts, where she’s preparing for her senior showcase when she meetsTyler, a delinquent. Apparently, Tyler committed small crimes like breaking-and-entering and destroying the art theater with his brothers, which is what landed him with 200 hours of community service. But he’s great when it comes to hip-hop. After reluctantly pairing up with Nora, he inspires her to get out of her comfort zone and loosen up a little.
Directed by Anne Fletcher, the movie was a breakout hit that launched the careers of Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan. Beyond their steamy chemistry in their climactic showcase, the film also brought to the screen the actors’ capacity for performing freely and fully. In a way,Step Upbecame ablueprint for that sizzling dynamicthat makes a good girl/bad boy couple so rewarding.
Rent Step Up on Apple TV
18Jason and Veronica — Heathers (1989)
Christian Slater and Winona Ryder playJason DeanandVeronica Sawyerin this dark teen comedy. Veronica is the new girl simply trying to fit in with the popular clique of her high school, led by Heather Chandler. But after meeting outcast and straight-up psychopath Jason, she finds herself mesmerized by his nihilistic pranks that spiral into murdering fellow classmates. In a twist, Veronica realizes that she must stop him before it’s too late.
Related:These Are 5 Comedies Which Got Way Darker Than Expected
Heathersis a biting satire of high school hierarchies and dysfunctional relationships. The movie not only helped welcome a new era of edgier and bolder teen films, but also introduced us to a compelling and darkly charismatic bad boy who knew just how to woo the good girl and fulfill his own whims.
Stream Heathers on Prime Video
17Tessa and Hardin — After (2019)
Based on Anna Todd’s popular Wattpad stories,Afterthe first installment in the series. It followsTessa Young, a dedicated student who never experienced a reckless rule-breaking lifestyle until she metHardin Scott, a rebellious friend of a friend. Hardin is the textbook bad guy with the messy hair and tattoos peeking out of his black tee, and successfully seduces Tessa away from her boyfriend.
The movie brought Todd’s beloved fictional pairing to life, and also introduced Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin to audiences. Their intense chemistry had fans glued to the turbulent and raw journey of Tessa and Hardin.
Stream After on Netflix
16Sandy and Danny — Grease (1978)
Greasewas thehighest-grossing musical filmof the entire 20th century, so it’s only fitting that the film has an iconic romance going for itself. It tells the story of good girlSandyand bad boyDanny, who meet at a beach over summer vacation, and then see each other again at the same high school. While Sandy tries adjusting to the social scene at Rydell High School, Danny eases into his responsibilities of the T-Birds gang dynamics. Torn between their past and present and their conflicting social statuses, their affection eventually rekindles.
As a classical musical adventure and the perfect summer romance,Greasehas inspired a generation of audiences and filmmakers. Through its two opposing characters, it shone a light on teenage identity crises and the trend of playing it cool. Needless to say, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are the ideal good girl/bad boy couple. This is also one of thsoe stories where the girl becomes more “bad” instead of the bad boy being “fixed.”
Stream Grease on Max
15Leilana and Troy — Reality Bites (1994)
Highlighting the many challenges and struggles of figuring out life as an adult,Reality Bitesfollows a bunch of college graduates in early 1990s Houston. Among them areLelaina Pierce, who dreams of changing the world through documentaries, andTroy Dyer, a poetic and aimless coffee-house guitarist. The two have always had a thing for each other, but their easy bond is tested when ambition and uncertainty pulls them down.
Reality Bitesis a hilarious and heartfelt rom-com that delivers a subtle yet impactful will-they-won’t-they courtship, where Lelaina and Troy wander the line between love and lust. Ethan Hawle and Winona Ryder carved out a memorable dynamic, capturing the precarious relationship with care.
Rent Reality Bites on Apple TV
14Noah and Elle — The Kissing Booth (2018)
Elle Evansis the goody-two-shoes who has never been kissed. Mainly because she spends most of her time goofing around with her childhood best friend Lee. When Elle decides to run a kissing booth at her high school’s Spring Festival, she finds herself face to face with her longtime crush and Lee’s older brother, bad boyNoah Flynn. As their chemistry skyrockets, Elle must either resist her red-hot desires or risk sabotaging her tight bond with Lee.
The Kissing Boothis aNetflix original filmbased on Beth Reekles’ popular teen novel. It launched Joey King and Jacob Elordi into the scene by sparking a frenzy of emotions into their characters, proving that a fresh and younger cast can revive classic tropes in a more exciting and thrilling fashion.
Stream The Kissing Booth on Netflix
13Randy and Julie — Valley Girl (1983)
Martha Coolidge presents a brilliant teen romantic comedy aboutJulie Richman, a type-A, pink-clad cheerleader who leads the perfect life with her arrogant boyfriend, Tommy. At a party, however, Julie falls hard forRandy, a punk rocker from Hollywood. Openly disregarding social norms, Julie dives headfirst into Randy’s freewheeling world of concerts and radical thought. She finds passion but is cautious of the judgment presented by her San Fernando Valley friends.
Related:10 ’80s Rom-Coms That Aged Well
Valley Girlis an all-time classic but also highly underappreciated. From its funky style and portrayal of ‘80s LA to the new wave soundtrack, the film was a breath of fresh air. Especially the way it handled the “good girl gone rogue” formula. That said, Deborah Foreman and Nicolas Cage are absolutely ideal in their roles.
Stream Valley Girl on Fubo
12Dogfight (1991)
On the night before being shipped off to Okinawa in the year 1963,Eddie Birdlaceand three other Marines set out for one final night of drinking in San Francisco, where they’re on leave for 24 hours. They end up participating in a cruel bet where each soldier must bring the ugliest date to a party. Eddie encountersRose, a waitress who may not be very attractive but is wise beyond her years. Even though their romance is doomed from the start, it manages to bloom.
Starring River Phoenix and Lili Taylor in breakout roles,Dogfightis a period coming-of-age romance that stays true to its time by taking characters who judge one another by their face value. Eddie and Rose weren’t the perfect couple and Rose wasn’t always treated well, but they left an indelible mark on the genre with their chemistry.
Rent Dogfight on Apple TV
11Anastasia and Christian — Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
Fifty Shades of Grey
Based on the book by E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey is the first film in the trilogy that follows naive literature student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), whose life changes upon meeting the complicated and tormented billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dorman). Drawn to each other, the two start a romantic relationship where Steele uncovers Grey’s secrets - and explores her own personal desires.
The first in a series of films adapted from E.L. James' best-selling erotic novels,Fifty Shades of Greyreceived mixed reviews from critics and audiences for being creative in picture but lacking substance. The premise, much like the book, sees literature majorAnastasia Steeleagreeing to fill in for an interview that her sick friend was supposed to conduct. After meeting the billionaire entrepreneurChristian Greyfor the first time, she’s appalled by his dominating ways and excessive methods.
After a series of back and forth between the characters, the movie ends with them parting, only fortheir layered narrative to continue in the sequels. Despite being silly and debatable, the movie catapulted Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan into stardom and created a cultural phenomenon. The adaptation stirred fans endlessly, and the couple was nothing if not magnetic.
