Films & Events

Directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe, Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a defining coming-of-age comedy that captures teenage life with uncommon honesty, humor, and empathy. Based on Crowe’s real-life undercover reporting as a high school student, the film follows a group of teens navigating first jobs, friendships, sex, heartbreak, and authority in early-’80s Southern California. Anchored by iconic performances from Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates, and Judge Reinhold, the film balances stoner comedy with grounded, often daring emotional realism.

Initially dismissed by some critics as part of a wave of teen sex comedies, Fast Times has since been widely reappraised as a landmark of the genre. In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, recognizing it as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Today, it’s celebrated for its progressive portrayal of teenage sexuality—particularly its nonjudgmental depiction of abortion—its sharp screenplay, and its lasting influence on generations of teen films. More than four decades later, Fast Times at Ridgemont High endures as a time capsule of youth culture and a cornerstone of American coming-of-age cinema.

1982. 90 min.

Rated R.