The 55 Best Coming of Age Movies, from ‘Boyhood’ to ‘House of Hummingbird’

Whether it’s a teenager who’s struggling to make it through their awkward high school phase or a college grad who feels blindsided by the harsh realities of adulthood, there's nothing quite as inspiring as watching characters evolve through these challenges and find themselves along the way. I’ve enjoyed some of the best coming-of-age movies that made me reflect on my own transitional period, but what makes this genre especially compelling is that it can resonate with all age groups, from nostalgic adults to younger generations who are practically living what we see on screen. Keep reading on for a full roundup of great coming-of-age films, including Lady Bird, Boyhood and more.

• Director: Hannah Marks
• Cast: Isabela Merced, Cree, Felix Mallard, Maliq Johnson
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 111 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 86% | IMDb 6.6/10

Partially inspired by John Green's own life, the romantic drama (which is based on his book) tells the story of 16-year-old Aza, who struggles with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. When she reunites with her childhood crush, sparks fly. But her intrusive thoughts make it difficult for her to pursue a healthy relationship.

I wrote in my review, "If you, like me, really enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars, then you'll appreciate the parallels in this emotional film. You'll get the smart, philosophical protagonist who's dealing with trauma, a sweet romance and plenty of opportunities to reflect on the purpose of life."

• Director: Laura Chinn
• Cast: Laura Linney, Nico Parker, Woody Harrelson, Matt Walsh
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 77% | IMDb 6.7/10

Laura Chinn's semi-autobiographical film follows the life of Doris, a teenager who tries to navigate high school and support her brother, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer. When he's moved to a specialized facility, she bonds with a young activist who's protesting a famous medical case. Not only does the film pose interesting questions about religion, but it also explores mortality and the loss of innocence.

• Director: Kelsey Mann
• Cast: Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 90% | IMDb 7.6/10

In this incredible sequel to Inside Out, we're reunited with Riley as a teenager. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust are sure they can keep things running smoothly at this stage. But then Anxiety shows up and everything changes.

PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint wrote, "Though perhaps not as fresh as the 2015 original, the new film has so many of the same selling points: an all-star cast, a fun-yet-existential romp through the subconscious and a kids-growing-up plot that hits home for children and causes even the most calloused parent to emerge from the theater teary-eyed."

• Director: Sammi Cohen
• Cast: Idina Menzel, Jackie Sandler, Adam Sandler, Sadie Sandler
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91% | IMDb 6/10

This feel-good comedy revolves around 12-year-old Stacy, who's crushed when she discovers that her best friend has betrayed her while trying to plan the perfect bat mitzvah. Editor Rachel Gulmi raved, "It made me feel like I was that age again with all the drama and friendship circles and party invites. It was so cute and hit on all the right notes."

• Director: Kelly Fremon Craig
• Cast: Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 106 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 99% | IMDb 7.3/10

Based on Judy Blume's iconic book of the same title, this coming-of-age tale revolves around Margaret, a sixth grader who deals with the ups and downs of adolescence after moving with her family to a new town.

In my 5-star review, I wrote, "Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret feels like a love letter to longtime fans of the book, but this charming coming-of-age tale will also resonate with newer fans. Not only does it feature a host of great performances, but it also smartly tackles subjects like puberty, religion, friendship and identity with humor and grace."

• Director: Bora Kim
• Cast: Park Ji-hoo, Kim Sae-byuk, Jung In-gi, Lee Seung-yeon
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 138 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 98% | IMDb 7.4/10

House of Hummingbird tells the moving story of Eunhee, a lonely eighth grader who's trying to find herself and true love while navigating the highs and lows of girlhood. The movie earned dozens of awards, including Best International Narrative Feature Award at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival.

• Director: Bora Kim
• Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Kimberly Elise, Lakeith Stanfield, Zoë Kravitz
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 138 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 98% | IMDb 7.4/10

High school student Malcolm (Moore) and his buddies are caught in the wrong place at the wrong time when a drug dealer secretly hides drugs in Malcolm's backpack during a nightclub party that turns violent. The film was executive-produced by Pharrell Williams, and it was met with positive reviews from several critics.

• Director: Spike Lee
• Cast: Zelda Harris, Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindom, Spike Lee
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 115 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 79% | IMDb 7/10

Inspired by Spike Lee’s childhood experiences, Crooklyn centers on nine-year-old Troy Carmichael (Harris), who lives with her working-class family in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. After reluctantly paying a visit to her aunt in the South for the summer, Troy returns home to some devastating news, forcing her to confront a harsh reality.

• Director: Peter Sollett
• Cast: Victor Rasuk, Judy Marte, Melonie Diaz, Silvestre Rasuk
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 96% | IMDb 7.2/10

Victor, a girl-crazy Dominican teenager, decides to shoot his shot with a beautiful girl in his neighborhood named Judy, but he quickly learns that he'll have to work harder to win her over. This heartwarming tale tackles quite a few themes that will make you think back to your younger days.

• Director: Lee Byeong-heon
• Cast: Kim Woo-bin, Lee Junho, Kang Ha-neul, Jung So-min
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 115 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 68% | IMDb 6.8/10

We can all agree that transitioning into adulthood can be just as jarring as growing into your teens. Join three 20-year-old BFFs as they confront all the challenges life throws their way. Kang Ha-neul's brilliant portrayal of Kyung-jae earned him a Korean Film Actors' Guild Award for Best New Actor.

• Director: Michael Schultz
• Cast: Glynn Turman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Garrett Morris
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 108 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 89% | IMDb 7.1/10

Set in Chicago during the '60s, this compelling drama tells the story of two ambitious high school BFFs whose lives take a dark turn towards the end of the school year. The film will resonate with anyone who grew up with big dreams, regardless of their circumstances.

• Director: Patricia Cardoso
• Cast: America Ferrera, Lupe Ontiveros, George Lopez, Ingrid Oliu, Brian Sites
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 85% | IMDb 6.9/10

Based on Josefina López's play of the same title, the movie follows Mexican-American teenager Ana García (Ferrera), who feels torn between following her dream of going to college and following her family’s cultural traditions. Ferrera is phenomenal in her feature film debut, and it tackles issues like discrimination and body acceptance.

• Director: Matty Rich
• Cast: Larenz Tate, Joe Morton, Suzzanne Douglas, Glynn Turman, Morris Chestnut, Jada Pinkett Smith
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 112 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 22% | IMDb 6.3/10

While vacationing with his family on Martha's Vineyard, 16-year-old Drew Tate comes across an upper-class, party-loving Black community who call themselves The Inkwell. Before he knows it, Drew is caught up in a love triangle between two attractive women.

• Director: Numa Perrier
• Cast: Tiffany Tenille, Numa Perrier, Brett Gelman, Stephen Barrington
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 5.8/10

Following in the footsteps of her sister, 19-year-old Tiffany decides to work in the sex industry as a cam girl to support herself financially. Things get messy, however, when Tiffany becomes a top earner and develops a bond with one of her customers. The movie earned two American Black Film Festival Awards for Best Director and Best Feature Film.

• Director: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
• Cast: Emily Rios, Jesse Garcia, Chalo González
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 86% | IMDb 6.9/10

With Magdalena’s (Rios) 15th birthday fast approaching, she and her family prepare for the big event to celebrate her transition into womanhood. But the festivities come to a halt when Magdalena learns that she’s pregnant by her friend. Her conservative family’s reaction drives her to leave and move in with her exiled relatives, but unfortunately, things only get more complicated.

• Director: Jeremiah Zagar
• Cast: Evan Rosado, Raúl Castillo, Sheila Vand, Isaiah Kristian
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 92% | IMDb 6.9/10

Inspired by Justin Torres's autobiographical novel, the film chronicles the troubled childhood of Jonah, who comes to terms with his sexuality while dealing with a dysfunctional family. Zagar told Slate magazine, "There’s no right way to watch the movie. The work that Justin and I do is very dense and rich with subtext and metaphor. It’s full. Those are the kind of movies I love: You watch it one way one time, and you watch it again the next time and see new things. That’s exciting, I think, for me at least."

• Director: Farhan Akhtar
• Cast: Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 185 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 100% | IMDb 8.1/10

Akash, Sameer and Siddharth are three close friends who each fall in love, which puts a strain on the trio's tight-knit relationship. The comedy was met with critical acclaim, thanks to stellar performances and its honest portayal of Indian youth. Also, this marked Akhtar's directoral debut.

• Director: Marielle Heller
• Cast: Bel Powley, Alexander Skarsgård, Christopher Meloni, Kristen Wiig
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 6.8/10

Based on Phoebe Gloeckner's novel of the same title, it follows 15-year-old artist, Minnie (Powley), who struggles with feeling unattractive. But things take a turn for the worse when she has a sexual awakening involving her mother's much older boyfriend. The movie explores themes like identity, growing up and finding purpose.

• Director: Rajkumar Hirani
• Cast: Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 100% | IMDb 8.4/10

3 Idiots centers on the bond between three college students who attend a prestigious engineering school in India. From its thought-provoking commentary on India's education system to its hopeful overall message, it's easy to see why this movie became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the 2000s.

• Director: Rick Famuyiwa
• Cast: Taye Diggs, Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones, Sean Nelson
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 106 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 61% | IMDb 7/10

Follow the misadventures of groom-to-be Roland Blackmon (Diggs), and his close friends during their teenage years in The Wood, from awkward school dances to first hookups. Fair warning: You'll be tempted to call up your childhood BFFs and reminisce about the good old days.

Famuyiwa told Spliced Wire, "Hopefully, anyone can look at these guys and relate to them. You can say, 'I was just as nervous at the dance as this guy was.' Then you can kind of break down some of those misconceptions and realize our experiences are universal no matter where you grow up."

• Director: Kelly Fremon Craig
• Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 104 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 94% | IMDb 7.3/10

As if dealing with high school isn't awkward enough, Nadine discovers that her best friend is dating her older brother. This leaves her feeling desperately alone, but things start to look up when she builds an unexpected friendship with a classmate. BTW, this was Craig's directorial debut.

• Director: Channing Godfrey Peoples
• Cast: Nicole Beharie, Kendrick Sampson, Alexis Chikaez
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 99 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 99% | IMDb 6.5/10

Turquoise Jones (Beharie), a single mom and former beauty queen, decides to enter her 15-year-old daughter, Kai (Chikaeze), into the local Miss Juneteenth pageant. The film offers some insightful commentary about the dangers of obsessing over other people’s expectations and standards.

• Director: Domee Shi
• Cast: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 7/10

This Oscar-nominated gem follows 13-year-old Mei Lee, who struggles to deal with her overbearing mom and morphs into a giant red panda when she gets excited.

Director Domee Shi told Deadline, "This film is one of the first, if not the first film, at least from Pixar, that really shines a light on and highlights the Chinese Canadian community. The protagonist is this Chinese girl struggling with this very specific yet universal issue of her mom being super protective. It’s so important and amazing to see that this film...has been embraced globally."

• Director: Robert Mulligan
• Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sam Waterston, Tess Harper, Jason London, Emily Warfield
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91% | IMDb 7.3/10

Pre-Legally Blonde Witherspoon is nothing short of spectacular in her feature debut, where she portrays a 14-year-old girl named Dani. The close bond between Dani and her big sister, Maureen (Warfield), is broken when both girls fall for a cute local boy, but they’re eventually brought back together after a tragic accident.

• Director: Greg Berlanti
• Cast: Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner, Katherine Langford
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 92% | IMDb 7.5/10

In this charming comedy, Simon Spier, a closeted gay teenager, has yet to tell his family and friends that he’s gay—but that’s the least of his worries. Not only has he fallen in love with a mysterious classmate online, but also, someone who knows his secret is threatening to out him to all of his classmates. Talk about stressful.

• Director: John Hughes
• Cast: Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 89% | IMDb 7.8/10

Who knew that one Saturday in detention could be so life-changing? In this coming of age classic, six teens from different cliques are forced to spend a day in detention under the supervision of their vice principal. But what starts off as a boring punishment turns into a day of bonding and mischief. The movie tackles timeless themes like rebellion, fitting in and family dysfunction.

• Director: Crystal Moselle
• Cast: Rachelle Vinberg, Dede Lovelace, Nina Moran, Kabrina Adams, Ajani Russell
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 106 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 89% | IMDb 6.8/10

Camille, an 18-year-old who lives with her single mom, decides to join an all-girl skateboard crew in New York. She forms new friendships within the group, but her loyalty is tested when she develops feelings for one of their ex-boyfriends.

• Director: Richard Linklater
• Cast: Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, Ethan Hawke
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 165 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 97% | IMDb /7.910

Often considered one of the greatest films ever made, Boyhood chronicles the early years of Mason Evans Jr. (Coltrane), from ages six to eighteen. In that 12-year period, we see the highs and lows of growing up with divorced parents. The movie was nominated for six Academy Awards (including Best Picture), and Arquette earned a well-deserved trophy for Best Supporting Actress.

• Director: Greta Gerwig
• Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 99% | IMDb 7.4/10

The movie centers on high school senior Christine McPherson (Ronan), who dreams of going off to college as she navigates her troubled relationship with her mom. This poignant, Oscar-nominated drama will have you sobbing one moment and cackling the next. This marked Gerwig’s directorial debut, which became Rotten Tomatoes’ most popular film in 2017.

• Director: Jason Reitman
• Cast: Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J. K. Simmons
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 93% | IMDb /10

Page plays sixteen-year-old Juno MacGuff, who learns that they're pregnant by their close friend, Paulie Bleeker (Cera). Feeling wholly unprepared for the responsibilities that come with parenthood, Juno decides to give the child to adoptive parents, but this only presents even more challenges.

• Director: Tchaiko Omawale
• Cast: Hope Olaidé Wilson, Chelsea Tavares, Lynn Whitfield, Luke Rampersad
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 87 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes (N/A) | IMDb 5/10

When her father passes away, 17-year-old Sole is sent to live with her estranged grandmother in Los Angeles. But getting used to her brand-new surroundings proves to be difficult, especially since her grandmother is overbearing and she’s secretly battling an eating disorder.

• Director: Tim McCanlies
• Cast: Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Haley Joel Osment, Nicky Katt
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 111 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 61% | IMDb 7.5/10

Fourteen-year-old introvert Walter (Osment) is sent by his mom to live in Texas with his two great-uncles, who are rumored to be hiding a fortune. Though they’re initially turned off by Walter, they grow to appreciate his presence and develop a special bond, teaching him important life lessons along the way.

• Director: Francis Ford Coppola
• Cast: C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 70% | IMDb 7/10

What’s it about: This star-studded feature tells the story of a bitter rivalry between two teen gangs: the working class Greasers and the wealthy Socials. When one Greaser kills a Social member in the middle of a fight, the tension only escalates, setting off an interesting chain of events.

• Director: Rashaad Ernesto Green
• Cast: Zora Howard, Joshua Boone, Michelle Wilson, Alexis Marie Wint
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 93% | IMDb 6.5/10

Transitioning into the adult world is no easy task, and this film does a stellar job of addressing those challenges. During her final months at home, 17-year-old Ayanna (Howard) finds herself on the cusp of adulthood as she begins an intimate relationship with a charismatic music producer. But this whirlwind romance turns out to be much more complicated than she anticipated.

• Director: George Tillman Jr.
• Cast: Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, KJ Apa, Sabrina Carpenter, Common, Anthony Mackie
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 97% | IMDb 7.5/10

In this adaptation of Angie Thomas's best-selling novel, Stenberg is Starr Carter, a 16-year-old girl whose life is turned upside down after she witnesses a police shooting. While discussing the making of the film, Tillman told Deadline, “One of the challenges was really just trying to make you feel as authentic as possible. Down to even some of the riots that we have in the film… a lot of research that I was able to do from Ferguson from Charlotte, from Mike Brown’s funeral, all that was just taken in.”

• Director: Wanuri Kahiu
• Cast: Samantha Mugatsia, Sheila Munyiva, Neville Misati, Nini Wacera
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 78 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 94% | IMDb 6.8/10

The Kenyan drama film follows two young women, Kena (Mugatsia) and Ziki (Munyiva), as they fall in love and navigate their new relationship despite political pressures surrounding LGBT rights in Kenya.

• Director: Rob Reiner
• Cast: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 92% | IMDb 8.1/10

Gordie (Wheaton), Chris (Phoenix), Teddy (Feldman) and Vern (O'Connell) embark on a journey to find a missing boy in 1959 Castle Rock, Oregon. The classic film offers an honest look at adolescent male friendships and it’s filled with insightful one-liners.

• Director: Catherine Hardwicke
• Cast: Holly Hunter, Evan Rachel Wood, Nikki Reed, Vanessa Hudgens, Brady Corbet
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 81% | IMDb 6.8/10

Inspired by Nikki Reed’s adolescent experiences, Thirteen chronicles the life of Tracy (Wood), a junior high school student who befriends a popular girl named Evie (Reed). When Evie introduces her to a world of drugs, sex and crime, Tracy’s lifestyle takes a dramatic turn, much to the horror of her mother.

• Director: Luca Guadagnino
• Cast: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar, Esther Garrel
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 126 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes % | IMDb 7.8/10

If you’re a sucker for gripping tales about the intensity of first loves, then this is for you. Set during the 1980s in Italy, the movie follows Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old who falls for his father's 24-year-old graduate-student assistant, Oliver. The critically acclaimed film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won for Best Adapted Screenplay.

• Director: David Mickey Evans
• Cast: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, Karen Allen, Denis Leary, James Earl Jones
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 65% | IMDb 7.8/10

The timeless film follows fifth grader Scott Smalls as he bonds with a tight-knit group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. It's full of heart and guaranteed to make you chuckle.

• Director: Jason Orley
• Cast: Pete Davidson, Griffin Gluck, Emily Arlook, Colson Baker, Sydney Sweeney
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 86% | IMDb 6.9/10

Davidson shines as Zeke, a college drop-out and drug dealer who decides to take Griffin, a high schooler who idolizes him, under his wing. While it has some chuckle-worthy moments, it teaches a valuable lesson about the impact of those we look up to. It also includes several poignant and relatable scenes that capture what it’s like to grow up and endure change in high school.

42. Girlhood (2014)

• Director: Celine Sciamma
• Cast: Karidja Touré, Assa Sylla, Lindsay Karamoh
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 113 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 96% | IMDb 6.9/10

Dealing with family drama and peer pressure as a teen is seriously challenging, but it won’t stop 16-year-old Marieme from reinventing herself and getting a fresh start. After meeting a group of carefree girls, she decides to change her name and join their gang, hoping to find joy and develop a stronger sense of self in the process. But before long, she realizes that this path isn’t meant for her.

43. Breath (2017)

• Director: Simon Baker
• Cast: Samson Coulter, Ben Spence, Simon Baker
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 115 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 80% | IMDb 6.7/10

Set in the 1970s, the sports drama revolves around two teenage surfers named Pikelet and Loonie. They cross paths with an older surfer named Sando, who decides to teach them about taking more risks on the water. After getting to bond with him and his wife, both boys learn about the true meaning of manhood and how to navigate life’s challenges.

44. Ashby (2015)

• Director: Tony McNamara
• Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff, Emma Roberts, Sarah Silverman
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 52% | IMDb 6.4/10

Wolff plays a quirky high schooler named Ed Wallis, who hasn’t found his purpose or place in the world. When he’s given an assignment to interview an older person, he approaches his neighbor, Ashby, who also happens to be a terminally ill former CIA assassin. As they team up, Ashby teaches him a thing or two about life and mortality.

45. Igby Goes Down (2002)

• Director: Burr Steers
• Cast: Kieran Culkin, Claire Danes, Jeff Goldblum, Susan Sarandon
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 75% | IMDb 6.8/10

Tired of dealing with his privileged and dysfunctional family, Igby, a 17-year-old misanthrope, rebels against them and sets out to find a better life—although it makes for one complicated journey. The film will resonate with anyone who has struggled to break free from strict or toxic families on their path to self-discovery.

46. House Of D (2004)

• Director: David Duchovny
• Cast: Duchovny, Anton Yelchin, Téa Leoni, Erykah Badu, Frank Langella, Robin Williams
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 10% | IMDb 6.8/10

Adult Tom Warshaw recalls his adolescent years, when he grew up in New York during the ’70s and befriended a mentally ill janitor named Pappass. When Tom starts to pursue his crush, however, it puts a strain on their friendship. The film expertly tackles friendship and the inevitability of change.

47. The Wackness (2008)

• Director: Jonathan Levine
• Cast: Ben Kingsley, Josh Peck, Famke Janssen, Olivia Thirlby, Mary-Kate Olsen, Method Man
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 99 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 70% | IMDb 6.9/10

Luke is spending his final summer before college dealing drugs so he can afford his therapy sessions. The movie tackles themes like first loves, sexuality and identity. Plus, ’90s babies will definitely appreciate the nostalgic cultural references.

48. Lymelife (2008)

• Director: Derick Martini
• Cast: Alec Baldwin, Kieran Culkin, Rory Culkin, Jill Hennessy
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes % | IMDb 6.8/10

The coming-of-age experience can be a heartbreaking one, as we see with this emotional dramedy. Set in the late ’70s during an outbreak of Lyme disease, 15-year-old Scott slowly discovers that his family is falling apart. Aside from exploring illness, infidelity and divorce, the film also touches on first love.

49. Driving Lessons (2006)

• Director: Jeremy Brock
• Cast: Julie Walters, Rupert Grint, Laura Linney
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes % | IMDb /10

It’s fitting that Ron and Molly Weasley (erm, excuse us, Rupert Grint and Julie Walters) would co-star in this film as strangers-turned-BFFs. Grunt is Ben, a painfully shy 17-year-old who’s eager to escape the tight grip of his controlling mother. But when he lands a job as an assistant for Evie, a retired actress, both of their lives take a turn for the better. Ben’s incredible story arc is a testament to how meeting the right people can help you grow and become the best version of yourself.

50. Little Manhattan (2005)

• Director: Mark Levin
• Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Charlotte Ray Rosenberg, Bradley Whitford, Cynthia Nixon
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 77% | IMDb 7.4/10

Ten-year-old Gabe is smitten when he encounters Rosemary, an old classmate in his karate class. His newfound feelings provoke a lot of uncertainty and confusion, especially since his own parents are in the middle of a divorce. The movie boasts endearing main characters and a charming, wholesome storyline. But most importantly, it brilliantly captures how first loves can be just as awkward as they are magical.

• Director: Annette Haywood-Carter
• Cast: Hedy Burress, Angelina Jolie, Jenny Lewis, Jenny Shimizu
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 44% | IMDb 6.1/10

Four teen girls develop an unlikely friendship and form a gang after confronting the teacher who sexually harassed them. As they continue to bond, they all congregate in an abandoned home, but their friendship is put to the test when one of them gets sent to a juvenile prison. This empowering film explores drug addiction and sexuality, while also speaking to the power of solidarity.

52. The Graduate (1967)

• Director: Mike Nichols
• Cast: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 87% | IMDb 8/10

Benjamin, a recent college graduate, begins an affair with a much older woman, but complications arise when he meets and falls for her daughter, Elaine. It’s incredible to see his growth throughout the film, as he goes from an insecure and clueless young adult to a man who can confidently make his own decisions.

• Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
• Cast: Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffmann
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 33% | IMDb 6.8/10

The movie follows four childhood friends in their thirties as they relive their adolescent years during a reunion. The film specifically focuses on their journey as 12-year-olds learning to deal with body image and their sexuality.

54. Submarine (2011)

• Director: Richard Ayoade
• Cast: Paddy Considine, Craig Roberts, Sally Hawkins
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 69 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 88% | IMDb 7.3/10

Fifteen-year-old Oliver Tate is thrilled when he finally wins the attention of Jordana, the girl of his dreams. While his own love life appears to be looking up, he suspects that his parents' tenuous relationship is about to end because of his mom's ex-boyfriend, who moves in next door. Can he stop his mom from rekindling this old romance and ultimately save the family?