Top 20 Greatest Coming of Age Movies

This one is an ode to the nerds and the geeks. As graduation day approaches, best friends Amy and Molly come to realize that they didn’t make the most out of their high school experience as they could have. So they decide to cram it all in on one night. As they journey through several different parties, they wade through physical intimacy, substances, power imbalances in their friendships, and the prospects of their futures. With stellar performances from the cast, a hilarious script, and a truly heartfelt and profound story, this one has become an instant classic.

Now, this one is a film for the loners. Duncan has a really hard time at home with his mom being totally oblivious to the way her boyfriend verbally mistreats him. But when he starts working at the water park during summer vacation, he finally finds a place where he feels at home. Anyone who’s grown up feeling misunderstood by their family can understand the struggle to find people who truly understand you. It’s the difference between the family you’re given, and the family you choose.

Olive Penderghast becomes the subject of something many teenagers deal with in high school: rumors. To help out a friend who gets picked on for being gay, she pretends to hook up with him in order to enhance his reputation with his classmates. But she simultaneously begins a decline of her own. Naturally, things get blown way out of proportion and the boys in school start hiring Olive to say that they have also shared intimate experiences with her. This film manages to find the humor in such a dark situation while also depicting a faithful representation of the double standard between men and women of the time: while boys get praised for their conquests, girls get judged for giving it up.

What makes this one so great is how relatable it is. Some parts of this movie can definitely be seen as over the top cringey. But let’s be honest: growing up can be just like that. When you’re not one of “the pretty and popular,” but more like Georgia, stumbling your way through life, things can feel seriously awkward. Whether it’s trying to stand out to the person you like, dealing with the “it” girl, or navigating your friendships, this film is like a blueprint for it all. Georgia faces the most embarrassing moments of her life, and comes out on top. She’s a champion for all us awkward kids out there.

This film practically became a cultural phenomenon of its time - and for good reason. An understated but clever script combined with dynamic performances from the entire cast - not to mention a killer soundtrack - make this one of the best coming of age films of all time. Although the subject matter might not be something everyone can relate to, the feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability are universal. As Juno navigates around the choice of putting a baby up for adoption to a couple, Mark and Vanessa, the teen learns that things aren’t always what they seem, and that people can surprise you. And the complicated relationship Juno has with Paulie is really sweet. Somehow through all the unpredictability, they manage to find their way.

Everyone has that one teacher that changed their life. In this movie, John Keating, played by the late, great, Robin Williams, is that teacher. In a boarding school where structure and conformity are the norm, Keating teaches his students to seize the Gday and live the lives they dreamed. Unlike many of the other entries on this list, this one doesn’t necessarily have an “everything gets better” happy ending. But that, in its own way, makes this one just as honest. Not everything works out for the best all the time.

This one is an oldie but a goodie. Jim is just trying to navigate his way through high school. And though the specific things Jim goes through, such as knife fights, games of chicken and running away from home might seem extreme to many, the general emotions are universal. Everyone has dealt with bullies. Everyone has dealt with peer pressure. Everyone has dealt with feeling misunderstood. Some younger viewers may feel it’s harder to relate to an older film, but the themes here are timeless - it’s a classic for a reason.

There are many stories out there about teens overcoming the challenges of coming out to family and friends who reject them. And they are important stories to tell. But this one is a little different. Simon himself admits that he has a supportive circle of family and friends, but he still struggles with revealing his secret. Simon’s story teaches us that just because things may seem easier for you on the surface doesn’t make your journey any less valid. The metaphor of the ferris wheel is so on point for growing up, and just for life in general. One moment you’re on top, and the next you’re so low you can’t see a way back up, but somehow, you find it.

Most coming of age movies are set in the character’s teenage years. But this one transcends age. We see Chiron in three different stages of his life, from childhood to adolescence to adulthood. Part of what makes this one so interesting is that a lot of times in these films we get to see the middle of the story. But here, as Chrion has to overcome his mother’s substance use disorder, and being mocked for his sexuality, we get to see his growth step by step. It’s worth noting that while many coming of age flicks deal with widely relatable stories, “Moonlight” is much more specific - but it still manages to feel empathetic to a wide audience of viewers. It also won best picture at one of the most memorable recent Oscars Ceremonies of all time.

This one didn’t get Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for nothing - not to mention a spot on BBC’s Greatest Films of the 20th Century list in 2016. Camp can be an unforgettable experience. That is certainly true for Sam, Suzie and the Khaki Scouts of Camp Ivanhoe. After meeting, Sam and Suzie want nothing more than to escape their lives and run away together. With all odds against them, they find a place to call their own. And though their story is bittersweet, the theme of young love is timeless. You never forget your first love.

Writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig has gone on record saying that her directorial debut was heavily inspired by the late John Hughes, and watching the film, it’s almost as if you were watching a movie from the man himself. Hailee Steinfeld stars as Nadine, a junior in high school who, after the death of her father at a young age, and a slight backstabbing from her lifelong best friend, sees the world as being entirely against her. With Steinfeld turning in an outstanding performance, and snappy dialogue that hits all the marks of teenage conversation, this is one movie that everyone should see at least once.

Based on director Stephen Chbosky’s own novel, which could easily top any list of the best coming of age novels of all time, the 2012 film adaptation was named an instant classic upon release. Heavy hitters like Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller all turn in performances that speak to the troubles that face teens everyday. While the film does deal with some heavy subject matter, by the end, you’ll be wishing you could spend a little more time with these characters. Of course, you’ll also have David Bowie’s “Heroes” on repeat as well…

Evan and Seth have been inseparable since childhood, and as their high school graduation approaches, they are forced to deal with the possibility of being apart for the first time. In a hilarious, booze-soaked romp written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the film perfectly captures the nuances of friendship, relationships, and partying. Lots of partying. Oh, and it’s one of the most quotable films of the 2000s.

This classic teen film introduced us to a plethora of now supe stars: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sean Penn, Forest Whitaker, and more. Adapted from the 1981 book of the same name, this film follows a group of high school students as they go through the motions of growing up, touching on themes of sexuality, heart break, and drugs. Hilarious and entertaining through and through, this film is full of the teen comedy tropes that we know and love today. And who could ever forget THAT scene.

There aren’t many movies that you can accurately say are wholly unique, but this is surely one of them. Richard Linklater’s magnum opus “Boyhood” was filmed over a span of years between 2002 and 2013, revisiting the lives of his characters every year they aged in real time. Because of the style of filming, the film has a sense of reality to it that a typical movie just can’t hold a candle to. It’s a simple story without shocking plot twists or standout events, but rather a tale that feels similar to most people’s real life childhoods, filled with small highs and lows.

What can be said about “Lady Bird” that hasn’t already been said amid the critical praise it received when it was released? This 2017 film transports viewers to 2002 and follows a high school senior in Sacramento who has named herself Lady Bird. It’s a story that focuses on the mother daughter relationship as well as the female experience of growing up, and all the pains that come along with it. It deals with tropes like applying to college and losing your virginity, but all from an angle that feels fresh and modern despite the setting.

Okay, so the movie itself is middle aged, but hear us out on this one. “The 400 Blows”, released in France in 1959, is credited with completely changing the coming of age genre and making it what it is today. Rather than focusing on an idealized version of youth or childhood, this movie takes a more accurate portrayal of the life of a young Parisian boy. It’s a simple story about a kid who makes bad decisions and has to deal with the consequences, but its realism is what really sets it apart.

This iconic teen comedy follows a group of teenagers on the last day of high school in 1976, and it still holds up today. With a stacked cast, including Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, Mila Jovovich and more, this film is Richard Linklater’s love letter to teen angst, growing pains, and the ‘70s. The film has become a cult classic, and arguably, one of the best comedy films of all time.

For many young people, watching this film is a rite of passage. “Stand By Me” is based on a novella written by Stephen King that – like the film – is set around four boys on a quest to find the body of another missing boy. Each of the characters has his own cross to bear, and throughout the film they manage to touch on many issues like abuse, neglect and mental health issues. This story is more about the journey than the destination itself, and throughout, Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern learn about themselves and each other, coming out the other side completely changed.

Of course, this one had to land here. John Hughes was the king of the classic American coming of age movie, having created beloved classics like “Sixteen Candles” and “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” as well as this much loved film. “The Breakfast Club” is an iconic ‘80s movie that works at breaking down high school stereotypes by bringing together students from different crowds for a Saturday detention together. They realize that they have much more in common than they could have imagined, and they all leave a little older and a little wiser.