Prom movies are basically modern fairy tales—Cinderella stories where the ball happens in a high school gym with crepe paper streamers. They set expectations (often unrealistic ones) about what prom "should" be: the perfect dress, the dramatic entrance, the romantic slow dance, maybe a grand gesture in front of everyone.

The thing is, these movies span wildly different genres and messages. Some are sweet coming-of-age stories about finding yourself. Others are horror films where prom is literally a bloodbath. Your teen might think they're all harmless fun, but there's a big difference between watching Zac Efron sing about graduation and watching Sissy Spacek unleash telekinetic rage.

Ages 13+ | PG

This is peak Disney prom—big musical numbers, zero actual problems, and everyone gets their happy ending. Troy and Gabriella navigate college decisions while preparing for prom and graduation. The prom scene is genuinely lovely, with elaborate choreography and the kind of magical night every kid dreams about.

What's good: It's wholesome, optimistic, and treats prom as a celebration rather than a social battleground. No one gets humiliated, no one's left out, and the drama is minimal.

What to know: This sets expectations SKY HIGH. Real prom doesn't have professional lighting and backup dancers. But as far as prom fantasies go, this is harmless.

Ages 13+ | TV-14

The final film in the trilogy features a prom that's actually secondary to Lara Jean's bigger decisions about college and her future with Peter. But the prom scenes are sweet, romantic, and refreshingly drama-free.

What's good: Shows prom as one moment in a bigger journey, not the defining event of high school. The relationship is healthy and communicative.

What to know: Some mild sexual references and kissing, but nothing graphic. This is about as wholesome as teen romance gets.

Ages 15+ | PG-13

Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" set in a Seattle high school, with one of the best prom scenes in movie history. Heath Ledger serenading Julia Stiles on the bleachers? Iconic. The actual prom is less central than the buildup, but it's where several key relationship moments happen.

What's good: Smart, funny, and surprisingly feminist for a 90s teen movie. Kat is allowed to be prickly and intellectual without being "fixed" by romance.

What to know: Some sexual references, underage drinking at parties, and one scene involving a character being drunk. The manipulation plot (Patrick being paid to date Kat) is problematic if you don't discuss it.

Ages 15+ | PG-13

The ultimate makeover movie. Popular guy makes a bet that he can turn the "nerdy" girl into prom queen. Spoiler: she was beautiful all along, just needed to take off her glasses and let down her hair. (Yes, it's as dated as it sounds.)

What's good: The prom scene is genuinely fun, and there's something satisfying about watching the underdog win.

What to know: The entire premise is a bet/manipulation, which is gross. Laney deserved better than being someone's social experiment. Great opportunity to talk about what healthy relationships actually look like.

Ages 15+ | PG-13

While Spring Fling (their version of prom) is just the finale, it's where Cady has her big redemption moment. The crown-breaking speech is rightfully famous.

What's good: Brilliant satire of high school social dynamics. The message about female friendship and competition is genuinely important.

What to know: Some sexual references, the "Jingle Bell Rock" performance is pretty suggestive, and there's casual cruelty throughout (which is kind of the point). But the language around weight and bodies hasn't aged well.

Ages 17+ | R

The original prom horror movie. Carrie, an outcast with telekinetic powers and an abusive religious mother, finally gets her Cinderella moment when a cute guy asks her to prom. Then her classmates dump pig's blood on her during the crowning ceremony, and she murders basically everyone.

What's good: It's a horror classic for a reason. The bullying and abuse Carrie endures is genuinely disturbing, and the film doesn't shy away from showing how cruelty escalates.

What to know: This is INTENSE. Graphic violence, religious abuse, disturbing imagery, and a mother-daughter relationship that's nightmare fuel. The prom scene is genuinely traumatic. Not a fun pre-prom watch unless your kid loves horror and understands this is extreme.

Ages 17+ | R

A masked killer stalks prom attendees to avenge a childhood tragedy. It's slasher film 101, with prom as the setting for a murder spree.

What's good: If your teen loves 80s slasher films, this is a genre staple.

What to know: Violence, some sexual content, and the usual slasher tropes. Not scary by modern standards, but definitely not appropriate for younger teens. The 2008 remake is even more violent.

Ages 15+ | PG-13

Drew Barrymore goes undercover as a high school student for a newspaper story and gets a second chance at prom (having been humiliated at her own). The prom scene is sweet and redemptive.

What's good: It's about second chances and being true to yourself. The romance is actually healthy (once you get past the weird student-teacher dynamic that's resolved appropriately).

What to know: Some sexual references and the student-teacher attraction is handled awkwardly, even though nothing inappropriate happens.

Ages 15+ | PG-13

Bianca discovers she's the "Designated Ugly Fat Friend" and enlists her hot neighbor to help her reinvent herself before homecoming (close enough to prom for this list). It's smarter than the premise suggests.

What's good: Actually subverts the makeover trope. Bianca learns to be confident as herself, not by changing who she is.

What to know: Sexual references, some crude humor, and cyberbullying is a major plot point. Good conversation starter about social media and self-image.

You might notice older prom movies don't feature the elaborate "prom-posal" culture that's everywhere now. That's a relatively recent phenomenon, fueled by social media and the pressure to create Instagram-worthy moments.

Movies like To All the Boys and even High School Musical 3 show more elaborate asks, reflecting this cultural shift. Worth discussing with your teen: prom is supposed to be fun, not a performance for social media validation.

For middle schoolers (11-13): Stick with High School Musical 3 and other Disney fare. They can dream about prom without the heavier themes.

For young teens (14-15): 10 Things I Hate About You, Mean Girls, and She's All That are appropriate with some context. Watch together if possible and talk about the problematic elements.

For older teens (16+): They can handle most of these, but gauge their comfort with horror before showing them Carrie. That pig's blood scene is genuinely disturbing.

These movies shape expectations: Your teen is absorbing messages about what prom "should" be. The perfect dress, the romantic moment, the dramatic entrance—it's a lot of pressure. Real prom is usually more awkward photos, mediocre DJ, and overpriced tickets.

The makeover trope is everywhere: So many prom movies feature the "she was beautiful all along" transformation. Talk about how these narratives affect self-image.

Consent matters: Several classic prom movies feature manipulation, bets, and guys "winning" girls. Use these as teaching moments about what healthy relationships look like.

The horror ones are really horror: If your kid wants to watch Carrie before prom, maybe suggest a rewatch of High School Musical instead. Or at least make sure they understand it's extreme horror, not reality.

Prom movies are fun, but they're also selling a fantasy. The best ones balance romance and humor with realistic stakes. The worst ones either set impossible expectations or traumatize you with telekinetic murder sprees.

Before your teen's actual prom, consider watching one of these together. It's a good excuse to talk about their expectations, any anxieties they have, and what they're actually looking forward to. And maybe remind them that real prom doesn't require a choreographed dance number or a public declaration of love—sometimes it's just about having fun with friends and taking some decent photos.

Pro tip: If your teen is stressed about prom, watching Mean Girls and laughing at how ridiculous the social pressure is can actually be therapeutic. Just skip Carrie. Nobody needs that energy before the big night.

Prom is just one night. These movies make it look like everything, but it's really just a dance with fancy clothes and questionable DJ choices. Help your teen keep perspective while still letting them enjoy the excitement.