Top 10 Coming of Age Animated Movies
#10: “The Little Prince” (2015)
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While this family film is largely about growing up, it’s also a love letter to childhood. The story centers on a precocious little girl who learns the value of imagination through a youthful old man and the fable of “The Little Prince.” The filmmakers cleverly utilize different animation styles with the CGI framing narrative being draped in mostly dreary colors and the stop-motion storybook segments leaping off the screen with vibrant imagery. This contrast helps to personify our protagonist’s inner struggle as she finds herself in an uncertain stage of development. Additionally touching upon themes of single parenthood, parental pressure, and neglect, it’s a much deeper film than one might expect.
#9: “Persepolis” (2007)
“Persepolis” is another coming-of-age animated feature that brilliantly uses colors to convey the protagonist’s emotions and growth. As a young girl living in Iran, Marji is constantly exposed to political and family issues that she doesn’t entirely understand. Thus, her world is decorated in black and white. Through life experience, however, Mariji evolves into a wiser, more mature person who can comprehend just how complicated her colorful world is. Much like the ancient capital of Persepolis, Marji’s childhood may be in the past, but it’s certainly not forgotten with nostalgia continually impacting the present. “Persepolis” is only made more personal when you consider that co-director Marjane Satrapi based the film on her own autobiographical graphic novel.
#8: “When Marnie Was There” (2014)
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We’ve all encountered someone like Anna Sasaki, a withdrawn preteen whose quiet demeanor masks incredible pain. Hoping she’ll come out of her shell, Anna’s foster parents send her to stay with relatives over the summer. While there, Anna stumbles upon an abandoned manor where she encounters a mysterious girl named Marnie. While Marnie’s outgoing nature parallels Anna’s shyness, both are overcome with feelings of insecurity and abandonment, leading to a friendship that seemingly defies space and time. In addition to being a profound coming-of-age tale, “When Marnie Was There” is a meaningful film about family. Blood may forever link people together, but love and nourishment can also be found in unexpected places.
#7: “The Sword in the Stone” (1963)
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“The Sword in the Stone” is one of the most unique takes on the Arthurian legend, as it solely focuses on Arthur’s youth. Unaware that he’s destined to one day be crowned the King of England, Arthur is a scrawny orphan who earns the nickname of Wart from his foster family. Upon meeting a wizard named Merlin and his highly educated owl, however, Arthur begins a series of philosophical lessons that’ll shape him into a knowledgeable, noble leader worthy of pulling the sword from the stone. It actually would have been fun to see a sequel that further explored Arthur’s growth, but what we ultimately got is nonetheless a coming-of-age tale fit for a king.
#6: “Moana” (2016)
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Where a lot of coming-of-age tales focus on young characters who are insecure, Moana is already a strong-willed leader when her adventure begins. That doesn’t make her journey any less compelling, however. Moana still has enormous obstacles to overcome. Not just physical obstacles like a giant crab and a volcanic demon, but emotional hurdles as well. Despite her can-do attitude, Moana occasionally feels in over her head and powerless to save her people. Through brain, brawn, and determination, though, our heroine demonstrates just how far she’s willing to go for her island. The film gives us a coming-of-age protagonist who’s not only identifiable, but also a role model we can all look up to.
#5: “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1989)
Set in a world where flying broomsticks and talking black cats are fairly commonplace, this anime centers on a little witch who sets out to make it on her own. Although Kiki possesses magical abilities, she emerges as a surprisingly genuine individual who any young person can identify with. Even if you took the fantasy elements out of the equation, this would still be a gripping coming-of-age story about a girl’s desire to find success, acceptance, and confidence within herself. Every moment spent with Kiki is a charming slice of life, whether she’s making deliveries, forming new friendships, or dealing with the everyday hardships of being 13.
#4: “How to Train Your Dragon 2” (2014)
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“How to Train Your Dragon” is a rare animated franchise where we actually get to see the protagonist mature with every passing entry. In the first film, the dorky Hiccup evolves into a passionate leader who provides a bridge between two worlds. The second film picks up five years later where a 20-year-old Hiccup continues to learn the secrets of the dragon world and what it means to be a chieftain. While Hiccup has come a long way since first befriending Toothless, new challenges await him on the road to manhood. Dealing with death, defeat, and the realization that not every problem can be resolved peacefully, it’s a more adult sequel for an older audience.
#3: “Bambi” (1942)
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“Bambi” and “The Lion King” are often grouped together, as both beautifully portray nature, depict the traumatic death of a parent, and center on an animal protagonist who grows up right before our eyes. While both are wonderful coming-of-age stories, “Bambi” arguably has a slight advantage since it’s driven less by plot or more by atmosphere. There’s not much dialog, but we feel every emotion Bambi experiences, from his wide-eyed early days in the forest and the innocence that dies with his mother, to his developing romance with Faline and the survival skills he demonstrates when a treacherous fire breaks out. What’s more, the animators managed to cover his entire upbringing in just 70 minutes.
#2: “Spirited Away” (2001)
“Spirited Away” is a revelation of creativity and it all stemmed from director Hayao Miyazaki’s encounter with a friend’s 10-year-old daughter. This girl provided the inspiration for Chihiro, an easily intimidated protagonist who’s separated from her mom and dad upon entering a mysterious spirit world. In order to save her parents, Chihiro must summon the courage and wisdom within herself to escape this strange realm. While every scene is a visual delight, it’s Chihiro’s relatable nature that enforces the film’s themes of growing up, coping with change, and finding your identity. After surviving such a bizarre wonderland, our heroine discovers that she’s more capable than even she realized, giving Chihiro the confidence to start anew. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “Whispers of the Heart” (1995) “The Land Before Time” (1988) “The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
#1: “Inside Out” (2015)
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All the films on this list tell inspiring coming-of-age stories, but few delve into the young adult psyche quite like “Inside Out.” The movie doesn’t just revolve around 11-year-old Riley, but the five personified emotions that occupy her mind as well. Force to move across the country with her parents, Riley is constantly at war with herself as she tries to stay positive under such challenging circumstances. As the other emotions come to understand the importance of Sadness, Riley is finally able to confront her problems and let the healing begin. It’s not only an inventive coming-of-age story, but also an important one every young person should see, especially those who have trouble expressing their emotions.
