The Best Coming of Age Movies About Boys
- 1Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman
A captivating tale of friendship and adventure, Stand by Me showcases the lives of four young boys who embark on a journey to find the body of a missing teenager. With unforgettable performances by River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, and Wil Wheaton, this classic film is a quintessential coming-of-age story that has resonated with audiences for generations.
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- 2Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen
A defining adventure film of the '80s, The Goonies follows a group of kids who discover an ancient map that leads them to a hidden treasure. Starring Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, and Josh Brolin, this fantastical journey explores themes of friendship, courage, and perseverance, making it a cherished coming-of-age tale for boys.
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- 3Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Outsiders is a riveting adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel. It tells the story of two rival gangs, the Greasers and the Socs, and their teenage struggles in a socially and economically divided town. Starring C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, and Patrick Swayze, this timeless movie transports viewers into a gripping tale of love, friendship, and rivalry.
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- 4Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna
Combining baseball and childhood friendships, The Sandlot serves as an endearing representation of young boys navigating life's adventures. Set in 1962, the movie follows Scotty Smalls and a group of neighborhood kids as they share summer antics and valuable life lessons. With engaging performances by Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, and Patrick Renna, it is a nostalgic tale that remains a beloved classic.
- 5James Aubrey, Tom Chapin, Hugh Edwards
Based on the novel by William Golding, Lord of the Flies is a thought-provoking story about a group of boys stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. Faced with the challenge of survival, the boys eventually descend into chaos and brutality, shedding light on the darker side of humanity. This daring exploration of societal norms has captivated audiences for generations.
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- 6Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette
A captivating adaptation of the best-selling novel by Louis Sachar, Holes paints an intriguing story of a young boy, Stanley Yelnats, played by Shia LaBeouf, who is wrongly accused of theft and sentenced to a juvenile detention camp. Filled with mysterious characters and unexpected revelations, Holes is a tale that provides lessons of friendship, redemption, and resilience.
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- 7Julie Walters, Jamie Bell, Jamie Draven
Set against the backdrop of the 1984-85 miners' strike in England, Billy Elliot tells the inspiring story of a young boy who discovers his passion for ballet. Facing societal constraints and familial expectations, Billy, played by Jamie Bell, overcomes adversity to pursue his dreams. This heartwarming flick embraces themes of perseverance, self-expression, and acceptance.
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- 8Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest
This cult classic combines horror, humor, and coming-of-age themes in a story about two brothers who discover a group of vampires in their new town. Starring Corey Haim, Jason Patric, and Kiefer Sutherland, The Lost Boys is a thrilling twist on teenage adventures and the challenges of growing up.
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- 9Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller
Based on Stephen Chbosky's novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower stars Logan Lerman as Charlie, an introverted high school freshman who finds solace among a group of eccentric friends. Emma Watson and Ezra Miller also star in this thought-provoking movie that explores themes such as identity, mental health, and the challenges of adolescence.
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- 10Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Empire of the Sun is a poignant and powerful adaptation of J.G. Ballard's novel. Set during World War II, it tells the story of young Jim Graham, played by a young Christian Bale, who is separated from his family and must adapt to survive in a Japanese internment camp. A heart-rending war drama, Empire of the Sun, portrays resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
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- 11Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias
A refreshing and heartfelt take on the coming-of-age genre, The Kings of Summer tells the story of three teenage friends who run away from home to build their own house in the wilderness. With standout performances by Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, and Moises Arias, this comedy-drama perfectly captures the essence of teenage freedom, dreams, and camaraderie.
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- 12Joey Cramer, Veronica Cartwright, Cliff DeYoung
A classic family sci-fi adventure, Flight of the Navigator tells the story of a 12-year-old boy, David, who is transported to the future and befriends an alien spaceship. Combining futuristic technology, time travel, and the challenges of growing up, this beloved film continues to enchant and entertain new generations of viewers.
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- 13Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Aml Ameen
Based on the dystopian novel by James Dashner, The Maze Runner is an action-packed, thrilling film about a group of young boys who find themselves trapped in a deadly maze with no memory of their past. Starring Dylan O'Brien as Thomas, the movie showcases the themes of survival, teamwork, and bravery that eventually lead to self-discovery.
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- 14Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin, Leonardo DiCaprio
Starring a young Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, This Boy's Life is an emotional portrayal of a teenage boy navigating a troubled relationship with his abusive stepfather. Set in the 1950s, the movie adeptly showcases the difficulties of growing up in a dysfunctional family while seeking to discover one's true identity.
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- 15Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke
Richard Linklater's groundbreaking film, Boyhood, was shot over 12 years, capturing the life of a young boy, Mason, played by Ellar Coltrane, as he grows from childhood to adulthood. This unique cinematic exploration of coming-of-age themes, captured in real-time, remains a masterpiece of modern cinema.
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- 16Tim Curry, Seth Green, John Ritter
Based on Stephen King's iconic novel, the 1990 adaptation of It presents a haunting coming-of-age story with a touch of horror. Featuring Tim Curry's unforgettable performance as Pennywise the Clown, the film follows a group of childhood friends who reunite as adults to face their terrifying past and defeat the shape-shifting evil that once tormented them.
More It - 17Sunny Suljic, Lucas Hedges, Na-kel Smith
Written and directed by Jonah Hill, Mid90s is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who experienced youth in the 1990s. The film follows a 13-year-old skateboarder, Stevie, played by Sunny Suljic, as he tries to find his place in the world while navigating friendships, family dynamics, and growing pains. This authentic portrayal of teenage life offers a compelling look into the complexities of adolescence.
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- 18Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, Brady Noon
A hilarious, unapologetic comedy about adolescence, Good Boys follows three tweenage friends who embark on a wild journey to replace a broken drone before their parents find out. Starring Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, and Brady Noon, the film provides a humorous take on friendship, growing up, and the perils of middle school.
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- 19Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Mark Lester
A timeless adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic novel, Oliver! is a musical saga that explores the journey of a young orphan as he navigates life's challenges in 19th-century London. Featuring timeless songs and unforgettable performances, this film remains a cherished classic that continues to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide.
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- 20Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg
Set in 1980s Italy, Call Me by Your Name is a sensuous and evocative tale of first love between two young men, Elio, played by Timothée Chalamet, and Oliver, played by Armie Hammer. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, this visually stunning and emotionally captivating film explores the depths of passion, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
- 21Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Hook provides a fresh perspective on the classic Peter Pan tale by imagining Peter as a grown-up who has forgotten his past adventures in Neverland. Starring Robin Williams as Peter Pan and Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook, this magical adventure showcases the importance of holding onto one's youthful spirit while becoming a responsible adult.
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- 22Ethan Hawke, River Phoenix, Jason Presson
Directed by Joe Dante, Explorers is a classic '80s sci-fi tale of three friends who build their own spaceship and embark on cosmic adventures. The film combines childhood wonder, friendship, and interstellar exploration, making it a beloved part of coming-of-age cinema.
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- 23Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield
Set in the 1930s Paris, Hugo is a mesmerizing tale of a young orphan boy named Hugo, who embarks on a remarkable journey to unlock a secret left behind by his late father. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the movie is a visually stunning exploration of friendship, courage, and the power of dreams.
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- 24Joseph Mazzello, Brad Renfro, Annabella Sciorra
A heartwarming and tear-jerking story, The Cure follows the friendship of two young boys – one of whom is living with AIDS – as they search for a rumored cure. Starring Brad Renfro and Joseph Mazzello, this tender film explores the power of friendship in times of adversity and the resilience of hope during the most difficult of circumstances.
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- 25Linda Henry, Glen Berry, Scott Neal
This British drama follows the lives of two teenage boys who develop an unexpected romance amidst their struggle with family issues, school bullying, and self-identity. A heartfelt and sincere look at the complexity of growing up and discovering sexual orientation, Beautiful Thing remains an important film for gay representation in cinema.
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- 26Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner
A poignant and validating story for LGBTQ+ youth, Love, Simon follows the life of a high school student named Simon, played by Nick Robinson, who is struggling to come out as gay to his friends and family. The film beautifully weaves together themes of love, identity, and acceptance, delivering a heartfelt and empowering message to all viewers.
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- 27Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard
A thrilling adventure for the whole family, Zathura blends elements of science-fiction and coming-of-age themes as two young brothers play a mysterious board game that transports them to outer space. With danger awaiting at every turn, the siblings must rely on their courage and determination to return home safely.
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- 28Eva van der Gucht, Thomas Coumans, Jelle Floorizoone
A tender coming-of-age story, North Sea Texas tells the tale of a young boy named Pim who falls in love with his best friend, Gino. Set in a Belgian coastal town, the film portrays the emotional turmoil and questions of identity that arise during adolescence while dealing with the often-unpredictable feelings of first love.
- 29Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Mary-Louise Parker
An enthralling blend of fantasy and adventure, The Spiderwick Chronicles follows a young boy and his family who move to an old mansion, only to stumble upon a world filled with magical creatures. With riveting action scenes and captivating visuals, the movie is sure to keep audiences young and old fascinated.
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- 30
Little Man Tate
Jodie Foster, Dianne Wiest, Adam Hann-ByrdA heartwarming tale about a child prodigy struggling to fit in, Little Man Tate showcases the challenges faced by young individuals with exceptional intellectual abilities. Directed by Jodie Foster, the film stars Foster as the mother of Fred, played by Adam Hann-Byrd, as they both navigate the delicate balance between nurturing his gifts and providing a normal childhood.
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