Yardbarker
The 25 best coming of age films
Posted: August 7, 2023 | Last updated: August 7, 2023
The 25 best coming of age films
Some of the most endearing films of all time can be labeled as "coming of age," a story of growing up or young people dealing with some potentially life-changing events. While plenty of these movies deliver memorable comedic moments, plenty of drama is involved. In chronological order, here are 25 of the best.
'Rebel Without a Cause' (1955)
James Dean's claim to fame. It was one of the first films to tackle the subject of kids challenging their parents through rebellion that was not associated with the wholesome family dynamic. Its subject matter wasn't depicted widely on screen. Dean's Jim Stark is a bad boy who also exerts a level of coolness for which guys wanted to be him, and girls wanted to be with him.
You may also like: The most memorable killer animals in movies
'The Graduate' (1967)
A true classic by the late legendary director Mike Nichols. Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman), directionless in his early 20s, is seduced by an older woman — the famed Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). He also happens to be in love with her daughter (Katharine Ross). It's 1960s camp at its finest and filled with all sorts of symbolism. Not to mention, the Simon & Garfunkel-fueled soundtrack is quite appropriate.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'American Graffiti' (1973)
Lives intertwine on this California night. Cruising the streets, hanging out, and looking for a thrill before embarking on the next chapter of life. The movie follows Steve (Ron Howard), Laurie (Cindy Williams), and Curt (Richard Dreyfuss). Before exploding with the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, this was George Lucas' most respected work, which might still be his most genuine and personal.
You may also like: The most memorable movies and TV shows set during the 1950s
'Breaking Away' (1979)
This story of four friends looking for direction and finding it during a famed collegiate bicycle race is pure joy. We can't forget the memorable performances from Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, and Paul Dooley. Breaking Away also introduced film lovers to the majesty of Bloomington, Ind., and prompted them to buy their own white "CUTTERS" T-shirts.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'Cotton Candy' (1979)
Quite an underrated made-for-TV film directed by Ron Howard. This movie is about George Smalley (Charles Martin Smith, who also starred in American Graffiti) and a group of his fellow outcast high schoolers looking for a purpose in their lives. They collectively find it by starting an underdog pop rock band poised to take down the super-popular Rapid Fire.
You may also like: To the nines: 21 iconic movie dresses
'Sixteen Candles' (1984)
Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald) hopes for a special sweet 16 birthday. Freshman "Farmer" Ted (Anthony Michael Hall) aims to get lucky at a high school dance, and "big man on campus" Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling) just wants a normal life and a normal girlfriend. Throughout roughly 36 hours, their lives intertwine in this classic John Hughes comedy.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'The Breakfast Club' (1985)
An athlete (Emilio Estevez), princess (Molly Ringwald), brain (Anthony Michael Hall), basket case (Ally Sheedy), and criminal (Judd Nelson) come together for Saturday detention at Shermer High School. At the beginning of the day, they have nothing in common. By the end, their lives have changed. Another memorable and beloved John Hughes that will always remain relevant.
You may also like: The 25 most memorable fictional sports media figures
'Vision Quest' (1985)
Up until his senior year of high school, prep wrestler Louden Swain (Matthew Modine) really hadn't done anything meaningful in his life. Now 18 years old, he's poised to take down the best wrestler in the state of Washington while also trying to deal with falling for an older woman (Linda Fiorentino), who conveniently enters his life. The film boasts one of the best soundtracks of the 1980s.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'Stand By Me' (1986)
Another timeless classic based on a Stephen King novella (The Body). Played by Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Jerry O'Connell, and Corey Feldman, four middle-schoolers' quest during the late summer of 1959 is filled with companionship, adventure, humor, and emotion.
You may also like: Affair deal: 20 essential songs about cheating
'Say Anything...' (1989)
Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) is a recent high school graduate with a good heart but one who hasn't given real thought to what comes next. He knows he wants to spend time with the intelligent and beautiful Diane Corte (Ione Skye). Lloyd has been considered a great non-sports underdog in film history (though he dabbles in kickboxing). His boom-box-over-head scene is one of the most memorable of all time.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'Mermaids' (1990)
Teenager Charlotte (Winona Ryder) is somewhat maladjusted, devotedly Catholic, and certainly embarrassed by her eccentric and free-spirited mother (Cher). Constantly moving, along with her water-obsessed sister Kate (Christina Ricci), some questionable impure thoughts and feelings overcome Charlotte in her new Massachusetts town, especially when she comes across local guy Joe (Michael Schoeffling).
You may also like: TV shows that were surprising hits
'Boyz n the Hood' (1991)
The late John Singleton's celebrated directorial debut is a gripping tale of life in South Central Los Angeles. Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut, and Ice Cube all give notable performances as high schoolers looking to find some normalcy while trying to survive the violent streets of their gang-infested neighborhood.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'Dazed and Confused' (1993)
This won't be the last we hear from director Richard Linklater. It's May 28, 1976, the last day of school. Freshmen like Mitch Kramer (Wiley Wiggins) and his buddies are looking to avoid getting "busted" by seniors such as Randall "Pink" Floyd (Jason London), who are looking for a good time. Over the day and night, numerous characters amid the ensemble cast learn a little about themselves.
You may also like: Father figures: The 25 best TV dads of all time
'Little Women' (1994)
More Winona Ryder. This time, she stars alongside Kirsten Dunst and Claire Danes in this film version of Louisa May Alcott's classic coming-of-age novel. There have been several movie versions and adaptations of the book, but this one stands out. Perhaps because of the star power, or it did the story justice better than any others.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'Reality Bites' (1994)
This might be the quintessential Gen X film of the 1990s. Recent college graduates are ready to strike out in the real world, only to find that freedom comes with a certain level of discipline and responsibility. However, as long as daddy is paying your gas card and those HIV tests keep coming back negative, things seem OK for Lelaina (Winona Ryder) and Co. It's also the movie that showed "My Sharona" is easy to dance along to with friends in a gas station convenience store.
You may also like: 20 films that spawned unexpected franchises
'Rushmore' (1999)
Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) is not your average high school student. He's active in many school clubs, a budding screenwriter, and poised to win the woman of his heart — even while vying against his rich, adult friend Herman (Bill Murray). However, Max needs to mature, and the hilarious growing pains are more severe than he'd like to admit.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'Almost Famous' (2000)
Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical tale about a teenager (Patrick Fugit) writing for Rolling Stone while on tour with popular rock band Stillwater. Young William learns plenty about life and the world of rock and roll. On the flip side, those around him, specifically band groupie Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) and rocker Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup), gain a little something from the lad.
You may also like: The definitive Kiss playlist
'Superbad' (2005)
If there's anything we take away from Evan (Michael Cera) and Seth (Jonah Hill), it's OK for male friends, even high schoolers, to express how much their friendship means to the other. It's even OK to say they love each other, and not in that raunchy way the boys like to talk (well, mostly Seth) throughout an adventurous and revealing evening before graduation.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'Juno' (2007)
Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) is a slick-talking, wise-cracking pistol of an indie high school girl who doesn't fit into the confines of normality. When she becomes pregnant, Juno becomes even more of an outcast. Yet, she soldiers on while navigating a tricky situation. Along with friends and new acquaintances that come into her life, Juno learns about what is best or what they want in life.
You may also like: The 20 best fictional film rock stars
'Boyhood' (2014)
In one of the most ambitious film projects ever conceived and executed, director Richard Linklater chronicles the life of Mason Evans Jr. (Ellar Coltrane), growing up in Texas from age 6 to 18. Also starring Patricia Arquette (who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Mason's mom) and Ethan Hawke, the project took 12 years to complete and was nominated for six Academy Awards.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'The Edge Of Seventeen' (2016)
Hailee Steinfeld does a nice in the lead role as high school outcast Nadine, who seems fine not wanting to fit in or conform to teenage norms. Nadine endures everything from selfishness to naïveté to jealousy, which makes for a genuine and honest picture. Woody Harrelson also shines as her high school teacher and confidant.
You may also like: The best Jane Austen adaptations
'Lady Bird' (2017)
One of the most acclaimed films of the last decade, Lady Bird won the Golden Globe for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy). Star Saoirse Ronan, as Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson, was also awarded a Golden Globe for her starring role as a Catholic school girl trying to deal with young love, a complex relationship with her mother (Laurie Metcalf), and the need to possibly reinvent herself.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'Blinded by the Light' (2019)
Inspired by journalist Sarfraz Manzoor, a Pakistani from England who fell in love with the music of Bruce Springsteen. In the movie, Javed (Viveik Kalra) is looking for a bit of freedom from his strict father and the chains of popular music in the 1980s. Thanks to the music of The Boss, Javed becomes a more confident individual, especially through his writing, which takes him to heights he never imagined possible.
You may also like: The essential '60s country playlist
'Booksmart' (2019)
This is Olivia Wilde's directorial debut, and it's a good one. On the eve of graduation from high school, Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) are looking to blow off some steam like they never have before. Of course, the night goes nowhere near as expected, and their longtime friendship is challenged. Dever, best known for her time on Tim Allen's Last Man Standing, is the true star of this film.
Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
'The Half of It' (2020)
Despite being released during the coronavirus pandemic, the film enjoyed rave reviews via Netflix and could go down as one of the best during this unique 2020 campaign. Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) is a smart, talented, and introverted high school student living with her widowed father. She's also caught amid a sophomoric human box of affection through her series of beautifully written love letters.
Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.
More for You
American sniper in Ukraine says his unit prefers Soviet-era rifles because bullets are easier to find and they can take them from the Russians
Salmonella Outbreak Sparks Recall Expansion Amid Threat-to-Life Warning
5 Things You Need To Stop Doing If Your Car Has An Automatic Transmission
Peanuts by Charles Schulz
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates reportedly sells home in Washington in fast deal
The luxury watch market bubble has burst. What next for Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars?
Everything we know about the potential discovery Amelia Earhart’s long-lost plane
Best Movies Now on Netflix
5 Bad Habits To Avoid For Extending The Life Of Your Car's CVT Transmission
Saudi Arabia Spent $500B to Build a Futuristic City in the Desert, and Now Reality Is Setting In
The Food City Anthony Bourdain Considered One Of His All-Time Favorites
The most covered song in country music history—plus, see the rest of the top 25
I Grew Up In The '80s — Here Are 9 Memories That Are Just So, So, So '80s
From 'Argylle' to 'Rebel Moon Part 2,' here are 15 movies you need to stream right now
A Virginia family took in a child refugee. Then his brothers came.
Why Do Americans Drive On The Right Side Of The Road?
Giuliani bankruptcy creditors fire off subpoenas to try to establish whether Trump owes him money
Unplug These 29 Items That Hike Up Your Electricity Bill
How To Remove Weeds From The Cracks In Your Driveway To Prevent Their Return
The Best All-You-Can-Eat Buffet in Every State