What To Watch If You Love 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'
- Photo: The Edge of Seventeen / STX Entertainment
For fans of: teen dramedy movies
Navigating the choppy waters of adolescence, The Edge of Seventeen is a coming-of-age dramedy that centers on high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld). She struggles with typical teenage angst compounded by the death of her father and an increasingly distant relationship with her popular older brother, Darian (Blake Jenner). When Darian starts dating Nadine's best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson), her world spirals into chaos. The movie, directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, beautifully encapsulates the trials of growing up, bolstered by a strong performance from Steinfeld. A candid portrayal of youth and resilience, it offers an authentic glimpse into the tumultuous teen years.- #52 of 63 onThe Greatest Directorial Debuts Of All Time
- #51 of 72 onThe 70+ Best Mother-Daughter Movies Ever Made
- #179 of 240 onThe Best Movies For Women
- Photo: The End of the F***ing World / Netflix
For fans of: absurd dark comedy TV shows
The End of the Fing World, a dark comedy-drama series, invites viewers on an unexpected journey alongside two misfit teenagers, James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), as they embark on a chaotic road trip. The critically acclaimed show, based on Charles Forsman's graphic novel, explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery while balancing both humor and heartbreak. With its talented ensemble cast and captivating storytelling, the series has garnered numerous accolades, including a British Academy Television Award nomination for Best Drama Series. The End of the Fing World masterfully navigates the complexities of adolescence and human connection, leaving audiences eager for more.- #222 of 298 on285+ Smart TV Shows That Only Intellectuals Appreciate
- #3 of 69 onThe 65+ Best Gen Z Shows, Ranked
- #114 of 161 onThe 140+ Best High School Shows, Ranked
- Photo: A24
For fans of: female led teen coming of age movies
In the indie dramedy film Lady Bird, Saoirse Ronan portrays Christine Lady Bird McPherson, a high school senior from Sacramento. She navigates her way through the trials and tribulations of adolescence, clashing with her mother Marion (Laurie Metcalf), who works tirelessly to keep their family afloat after Lady Bird's father (Tracy Letts) loses his job. The movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, is punctuated by Lady Bird's interactions with her best friend Julie (Beanie Feldstein) and her romantic interests (Lucas Hedges and Timothée Chalamet). With five Academy Award nominations, it remains a compelling exploration of coming-of-age in early 2000s America.More Lady Bird- #26 of 63 onThe Greatest Directorial Debuts Of All Time
- #297 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- #33 of 72 onThe 70+ Best Mother-Daughter Movies Ever Made
- Photo: It's Kind of a Funny Story
For fans of: movies about teens bonding through depression
Stressed by adolescence, 16-year-old Craig Gilner (Keir Gilchrist) checks himself into a mental-health clinic. Unfortunately, the youth wing is closed, so he must spend his mandated five-day stay with adults. One of them, Bobby (Zach Galifianakis), quickly becomes his mentor -- and protege, while Craig finds himself drawn to a fellow teen, Noelle (Emma Roberts), who just may be the cure he needs to forget an unrequited crush.- #128 of 169 onThe 150+ Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked
- #435 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- #22 of 32 on30+ Great Movies About Depression in Women
- Photo: A24
For fans of: teen coming of age comedy movies
In The Spectacular Now, Sutter Keely (Miles Teller), a charismatic high-school senior with a fondness for libations, embarks on a whirlwind journey of self-discovery after his breakup with his girlfriend. A chance encounter with the introverted Aimee Finicky (Shailene Woodley) leads to an unlikely friendship that blossoms into something deeper. This coming-of-age drama, sprinkled with elements of romance and comedy, explores themes of adolescence, love, and the harsh realities of growing up. It won a Special Jury Award for Acting at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, affirming its compelling narrative and strong performances.More The Spectacular Now- #42 of 55 onThe Saddest Romance Movies That Will Make You Cry
- #75 of 169 onThe 150+ Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked
- #119 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- Photo: Paper Towns / 20th Century Fox6
Paper Towns
For fans of: quirky teen dramedy movies
Young and shy Quentin (Nat Wolff) is in for the night of his life when Margo (Cara Delevingne), the most popular student in high school, recruits him to help her play mischievous pranks on the friends who betrayed her. The next day, however, the mysterious Margo is nowhere to be found. With help from a few buddies and some cryptic clues that she left behind, Quentin embarks on an obsessive mission to find the girl who stole his heart and made him feel truly alive. - Photo: The Way, Way Back / Fox Searchlight Pictures
For fans of: teen coming of age drama movies
Duncan (Liam James) is an awkward teen who must spend the summer at a beach house with his mother (Toni Collette), her boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Trent's obnoxious daughter. Trent can't resist badgering Duncan, so the youth steals away to a water park and gets a job that will help him stay off Trent's radar. As Duncan tends to the slides and pools of the aging park, he finds a father figure in wisecracking park manager Owen (Sam Rockwell) at a time when he desperately needs one.More The Way, Way Back- #22 of 70 onGreat Quirky Movies for Grown-Ups
- #41 of 61 onThe Best Coming of Age Movies About Boys
- #4 of 32 onGreat Movies Set Along the Coast
- Photo: The Fault in Our Stars
For fans of: teen romantic drama movies
The Fault in Our Stars is a poignant tale of love and loss, crafted within the genre of romantic drama. The narrative revolves around Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), an intelligent teenager battling cancer, and Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), a charismatic boy she meets at a support group. Their shared experiences and resilience weave an extraordinary love story that transcends the ordinary. This critically acclaimed movie, based on John Green's best-selling novel, won the 2014 MTV Movie Award for Movie of the Year. It explores themes of mortality, love, and sacrifice with raw authenticity, delivering a compelling cinematic experience.- #243 of 375 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #104 of 125 onThe 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
- #28 of 133 onThe Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made
- Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures
For fans of: moody teen dramedy movies
In Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann), an awkward high school senior, spends his time making parody films with his co-worker Earl (RJ Cyler). His life takes a dramatic turn when his mother forces him to befriend Rachel Kushner (Olivia Cooke), a classmate who has been diagnosed with leukemia. As their bond deepens, Greg's outlook on life shifts drastically. This movie blends drama, comedy, and tragedy in a poignant tale of friendship, growth, and the stark realities of life. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.- #113 of 123 onThe Biggest Tearjerker Movies Of All Time
- #21 of 58 onThe Best Movies About Millennials (So Far)
- #59 of 111 onThe Funniest Movies About High School
- Photo: Stuck in Love / Millennium Entertainment
For fans of: romantic teen drama movies
A successful writer (Greg Kinnear) tries to reconnect with his two children (Lily Collins, Nat Wolff) after his divorce.More Stuck in Love- #90 of 169 onThe 150+ Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked
- #112 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
- #38 of 85 onThe Best Christmas Rom-Coms
- Photo: Rocket Science / HBO Films
For fans of: quirky indie drama movies
High-school student Hal Hefner's (Reece Daniel Thompson) life is falling down around him. His parents have split, his brother picks on him incessantly, and he has a terrible stutter. Hal cannot believe it when Ginny Ryerson (Anna Kendrick), a pretty classmate, asks him to join their school's debate team. Falling head over heels in love with Ginny, he agrees to her request, with unexpected results.More Rocket Science- #98 of 111 onThe Funniest Movies About High School
- #8 of 14 onUnderrated Coming-Of-Age Movies That Perfectly Captured Adolescence
- #74 of 99 onThe 95+ Most Inspiring Movies
- Photo: The Bling Ring / A24
For fans of: satirical teen drama movies
A teenager (Israel Broussard) and his gang of fame-obsessed youths (Katie Chang, Taissa Farmiga) use the Internet to track the whereabouts of celebrities, then rob their homes.More The Bling Ring- #44 of 54 onThe Best Movies 'Loosely' Based On True Stories
- #92 of 111 onThe Funniest Movies About High School
- #67 of 67 onThe Best Movies That Pass the Bechdel Test
- Photo: The Kings of Summer
For fans of: teen coming of age movies
Three teenagers (Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias) carry out a plan to leave their dysfunctional parents, build a house in the woods and live off the land.More The Kings of Summer- #11 of 61 onThe Best Coming of Age Movies About Boys
- #19 of 58 onThe Best Movies About Millennials (So Far)
- #6 of 14 onThe 14 Best Movies About Running Away
- Photo: Liberal Arts / IFC Films
For fans of: indie intellectual drama movies
A New York college adviser (Josh Radnor) becomes involved with a student (Elizabeth Olsen) when he returns to his alma mater in Ohio for a favorite professor's (Richard Jenkins) retirement party. - Photo: The Preppie Connection / IFC Films
For fans of: dark teen drama movies
The Preppie Connection is a 2015 American-French crime drama film directed by Joseph Castelo. Based on the true story of the infamous 1984 incident at Choate Rosemary Hall student Derek Oatis (played by Thomas Mann), along with a handful of friends, ran a cocaine smuggling operation on the school's campus. - 16
For fans of: indie teen dramedy movies
In 1990s Los Angeles, a 13-year-old spends his summer navigating between a troubled home life and a crew of new friends he meets at a skate shop.More Mid90s- #17 of 61 onThe Best Coming of Age Movies About Boys
- #15 of 36 on30+ Great Movies About Juvenile Delinquents
- #7 of 15 onThe Most Underrated Teen Movies Of The Decade
For fans of: teen romantic comedy movies
Welcome to 10 Things I Hate About You, a modern-day Shakespearean twist that dances on the line of teen romance and biting comedy. Set in an American high school, this late-90s gem revolves around two Stratford sisters: the rebellious Kat (Julia Stiles) and her popular younger sister, Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). When Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a new student smitten by Bianca, learns of their father's strict dating rule, he hatches a plan involving bad boy Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to woo Kat. Amidst clever banter and unexpected romances, the characters navigate the labyrinth of teenage angst, love, and self-discovery. Noted for its memorable performances and sharp wit, this film is a charming exploration of young love and personal transformation.- #146 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #143 of 704 onThe All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
- #2 of 136 onThe 100+ Best Movies For Date Night
- Photo: Thirteen / Fox Searchlight Pictures18
For fans of: teen drama movies
In the gritty drama Thirteen, Tracy Freeland (Evan Rachel Wood) is a promising student whose life spirals out of control after befriending the rebellious Evie Zamora (Nikki Reed). As Tracy plunges headfirst into a world of petty crime and substance abuse, her mother, Melanie (Holly Hunter), struggles to save her from self-destruction. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, this stark portrayal of adolescence earned Holly Hunter an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Thirteen is a riveting exploration of teenage turmoil, peer pressure, and parental desperation.More Thirteen- Dig Deeper...13 Things You Didn't Know About The Movie 'Thirteen'
- #67 of 133 onThe Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made
- #17 of 72 onThe 70+ Best Mother-Daughter Movies Ever Made
- Photo: The Breakfast Club / Universal Pictures
For fans of: classic teen coming of age movies
In the film The Breakfast Club, five high school students, each representing a different stereotype, meet in detention. There's the brainy Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall), the athletic Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez), the rebel John Bender (Judd Nelson), the princess Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald), and the outcast Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy). As they spend a Saturday together under supervision of the strict assistant principal Richard Vernon (Paul Gleason), they gradually open up to one another, revealing their deeper selves beneath their public personas. This 1985 coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by John Hughes explores themes of identity, peer pressure, and adolescence within its 97-minute runtime. To this day, it remains a classic in teen cinema.More The Breakfast Club- Dig Deeper...Who Would Star In 'The Breakfast Club' If It Were Made Today?
- #9 of 399 onThe Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
- #21 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- Photo: Submarine / The Weinstein Company
For fans of: heartfelt coming of age comedy-drama movies
Oliver (Craig Roberts) is a Welsh teen who has some things on his mind. First is losing his virginity before his 16th birthday. He sets out to woo his feisty classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige). Then Oliver focuses on holding his family together. His father (Noah Taylor), a depressed marine biologist, seems unequal to the task of preventing Oliver's mother (Sally Hawkins) from succumbing to the dubious charms of a spiritual guru (Paddy Considine) from down the road.More Submarine- #37 of 46 on50+ Quirky Romance Movies With Unique Love Stories
- #80 of 102 onThe Best British Comedy Movies
- #10 of 14 onUnderrated Coming-Of-Age Movies That Perfectly Captured Adolescence
- Photo: Afterschool / IFC Films
For fans of: dark teen drama movies
Afterschool is a 2008 drama film directed by Antonio Campos. A computer-obssesed prep-school student (Ezra Miller) accidentally films the drug-related deaths of twin-sister classmates, then is asked to put together a memorial video. For fans of: teen drama TV shows
Set amidst the backdrop of a picturesque boarding school, the show delves into the intricate lives of its students as they navigate through the complexities of adolescence. Adapted from John Green's award-winning novel, the series beautifully portrays the journey of self-discovery and the weight of unrequited love. The protagonist, Miles "Pudge" Halter (Charlie Plummer), forms a deep connection with the enigmatic Alaska Young (Kristine Froseth), whose untamed spirit both enthralls and challenges him. As the narrative unfolds, viewers are treated to a poignant exploration of friendship, loss, and the eternal quest for meaning.More Looking For Alaska- #9 of 42 onThe Best New Limited Series of 2019
- #1 of 13 onThe Best Hulu Originals of 2019
- #34 of 50 onWhat to Watch If You Love 13 Reasons Why
- Photo: Oscilloscope Laboratories
For fans of: Ezra Miller movies
In the chilling drama, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Tilda Swinton delivers a gripping performance as Eva Khatchadourian, a mother grappling with her increasingly disturbed son Kevin (Ezra Miller). The unsettling narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks and present-day sequences, revealing the fraught relationship between Eva and Kevin. John C. Reilly co-stars as Franklin, Eva's clueless husband. Directed by Lynne Ramsay, this film offers a bone-chilling exploration of nature versus nurture and parental responsibility. It was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. - Photo: The Diary of a Teenage Girl
For fans of: female led coming of age teen drama movies
In 1970s San Francisco, a precocious 15-year-old (Bel Powley) embarks on an enthusiastic sexual odyssey, beginning with her mother's current lover (Alexander Skarsgård).- #56 of 56 onThe Funniest Movies Starring SNL Cast Members
- #227 of 240 onThe Best Movies For Women
- #89 of 111 onThe Funniest Movies About High School
For fans of: romantic teen drama movies
A high school senior falls in love with a new transfer student who hides a heartbreaking secret.- Photo: Love, Victor / Hulu
For fans of: romantic teen drama TV shows
Exploring the complexities of self-discovery, Love, Victor is a heartwarming coming-of-age series that delves into the life of Victor Salazar (Michael Cimino), a high school student navigating the challenges of adolescence. Set in the same universe as the acclaimed film Love, Simon, this Hulu original has earned praise for its authentic portrayal of identity struggles and LGBTQ+ themes. With an ensemble cast featuring talented actors such as Ana Ortiz and James Martinez, the show skillfully balances humor and emotion, resulting in relatable storylines for audiences of all ages. Its engaging narrative and meaningful character development have garnered Love, Victor a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim.More Love, Victor- #7 of 38 onThe Best Guilty Pleasure TV Shows of the Last Few Years
- #69 of 161 onThe 140+ Best High School Shows, Ranked
- #116 of 166 onThe Best Shows On Disney Plus
- Photo: Wonder / Lionsgate27
For fans of: teen family dramedy movies
Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie Pullman becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to discover their compassion and acceptance, Auggie's extraordinary journey will unite them and prove you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.More Wonder- #56 of 75 onThe Best Movies For Boys To Watch
- #22 of 30 onMovies Based On Books You Should Have Read In 4th Grade
- #46 of 65 onThe 60+ Funniest Kid Movies For Adults, Ranked
- Photo: Youth in Revolt / Dimension Films
For fans of: subtle teen romantic comedy movies
Youth in Revolt is a 2009 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Miguel Arteta. Based on C.D. Payne's epistolary novel of the same name and written by Gustin Nash, the film stars Michael Cera and Portia Doubleday, with Justin Long, Ray Liotta, and Steve Buscemi in supporting roles. The film follows a girl and a teenage boy desperate to lose his virginity. While on a trailer park holiday with his mother and her boyfriend, he meets an attractive girl and is immediately smitten. Unfortunately, she claims to already have a boyfriend.More Youth in Revolt- #13 of 14 onUnderrated Coming-Of-Age Movies That Perfectly Captured Adolescence
- #57 of 122 onThe 100+ Best Indie Comedies, Ranked
- #41 of 66 onThe Best Dimension Films Movies
- Photo: Dear Evan Hansen / Universal Pictures
For fans of: modern coming of age movies
Evan Hansen is an anxious, isolated high-school student who's aching for understanding and belonging amid the chaos and cruelty of the social media age. He soon embarks on a journey of self-discovery when a letter he wrote for a writing exercise falls into the hands of a grieving couple whose son took his own life.More Dear Evan Hansen- #56 of 68 onThe Most Rewatchable Movie Musicals
- #31 of 54 onThe Best Social Media Movies
- #25 of 62 onThe Best Recent Musical Shows & Movies
- Photo: All the Bright Places30
All the Bright Places
For fans of: teen romantic drama movies
After meeting each other, two people struggle with the emotional and physical scars of their past. They discover that even the smallest moments can mean something.