'Superbad' Changed Teen Comedy, But the Genre Has Outgrown It

In a recent interview with People Magazine, Seth Rogen joked that "no one's made a good high school movie since [Superbad]," the 2007 high school comedy he co-wrote and starred in. Prompted by his 20-year-old The Fabelmans co-star Gabriel LaBelle, who told Rogen that Superbad is a favorite movie of his and his friends, Rogen's statement provoked some social media backlash, with many citing examples to the contrary. Though said in jest, it's worth looking at what made Superbad such an enduring hit, and how high school comedies have evolved over the years since its release, trending towards the portrayal of female friendships and sexual empowerment, along with the introduction of social media into youth culture.