You know those films where the protagonists stumble through childhood and adolescence, navigating the joys and pains of growing up?
They can feel like seeing glimpses of your life playing out on a screen, because regardless of who you are or where you’re from, growing up is universal.
Here are five movies that capture the beauty and messiness of growing up.
Lady Bird
Lady Bird, by actor turned filmmaker Greta Gerwig about 17 year old Christine “Ladybird” McPherson, a headstrong high school senior longing to escape the confines of Sacramento.
Set in the 2000s, it follows Lady Bird as she navigates her final year of high school, falls in love, fights with her mother, and struggles to figure out who she is and what she wants.
Licorice Pizza
Have you ever met a kid who seems mature beyond their years but, at the same time, still very much a kid? That’s Gary Valentine, the 15-year-old protagonist of Licorice Pizza.
Set in the 1970s, the film follows Gary and 25-year-old Alana Kane as they strike up an unlikely friendship, dive into several business ventures, and inevitably land in trouble.
But it’s also Alana’s story. Because even though she’s a decade older, she too has some growing up to do.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Here’s a coming-of-age film that’ll have you reaching for tissues. Based on Stephen Chbosky’s bestselling novel and set in the early 90s, it story follows Charlie, a shy freshmen and quiet observer of the world around him.
When he befriends seniors Sam and Patrick, Charlie begins to emerge from his shell, discovering the highs and heartbreaks of young adulthood.
Boyhood
Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Boyhood is a one of a kind coming-of-age film. It follows Mason from age six to eighteen, capturing his life in snippets— relationships, heartbreaks, conversations, and everything in between.
What makes Boyhood unique is that it’s the only film where you literally watch the actors grow and change on screen, making the passage of time feel authentic and the story all the more poignant.
The Edge of Seventeen
High schooler Nadine is 17, awkward, insecure, and convinced life couldn’t get any rougher. Her family relationships are rocky, her best friend Krista is dating her older brother, and on top of that, she’s stuck in an unrequited crush.
Between messy friendships, family drama, and the everyday chaos of being a teenager, Nadine is going through a lot. The Edge of Seventeen captures that stage of life when nothing seems to go right, and does it with both humor and depth.
Eighth Grade
Thirteen-year-old Kayla is counting down the days until high school. It’s the last week of middle school, and she’s spent most of eighth grade struggling to fit in.
Eighth grade feels like a minefield, and she’s just trying to make it through alive. Anxious and desperate for social acceptance, Kayla makes some questionable decisions along the way.
Eighth Grade nails the cringe and chaos of early adolescence: the longing to be seen, to belong, and to present what you believe is a version of yourself you hope others will love.
