I'd recommend Back to the Future. I've never seen Ferris Bueller, so can't/won't comment on it. My (chronically depressed) partner had never seen any of the BTTFs till we got together, now at least one is on her winter-depression-movie list.

I think I was trying to say something about how there is a societally norming effect of people consuming and valuing similar media

I have a pal who refuses to listen to or watch anything that someone suggests to him. The last time I tried, it was the tv show Arcane. I knew he'd like it. It's solid storytelling in a lore-rich world, with amazing animation that absolutely nailed the sense of weight. I sent him a message saying we had just finished it, loved it, and that I think he'd really like it.

He replied "Nah I don't do mainstream shit." So I left it. He does this with most things.

About 6 months later he messaged me "Bro, you seen Arcane? It's nuts. Flying under everyone's radar."

The fact that it was suggested to him, completely put him off. He saw it as something everyone was enjoying, and thus to be avoided. However I'm not saying you two are similar, I know he wants/needs to be the person to find the "cool" thing. His desire to be on the edge and beating everyone to the new thing is what fuels him. And sure, sometimes everyone enjoying a thing, raises an eyebrow - makes you wonder how milquetoast is it going to be, to be able to appeal to so many different folks?

Sometimes though, it's well loved because it's really fucking good.