The 20 greatest coming-of-age films everyone should see at least once

Emma Stone won her Oscars for  La La Land and Poor Things, but real fans know that some of her best work was in Easy A. This coming-of-age movie is hilarious, well-written, and stacked with a talented cast. 

You can’t talk coming-of-age movies without mentioning The Breakfast Club. This John Hughes masterpiece set the standard for the genre, and it was one of the defining films for the members of The Brat Pack. 

17 Again couldn’t have come out at a better time. Zac Efron was in his prime, and the world needed a good coming-of-age movie. Funny and charming, 17 Again was a good reminder of why movies of this kind are so important. 

The screen adaptation of a cult classic book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower was one of the rare films that did its book justice. The heavy subject matter was handled with care thanks to authentic performances from talented young actors and seasoned vets.

Clueless is an excellent coming-of-age movie. It’s fun and clever, and it’s got a genuinely good message: People can surprise you. It’s a great watch whether you’re 17 or 45. 

No one involved in the making of Napoleon Dynamite ever thought it would become what it is today, as evidenced by its obvious low budget. But that low budget didn’t matter. Napoleon is a hero for geeks across the world. And real ones know Jon Gries from Napoleon Dynamite, not The White Lotus. 

Not many coming-of-age movies are nominated for Oscars, let alone win them. But that’s just one of the reasons Juno is a step ahead of other films of its ilk. Great writing, great directing, and great performances, notably by Elliot Page, made Juno a cultural touchstone. 

To many, Dazed and Confused is the ultimate coming-of-age movie. Everyone who watched that movie growing up wanted to be like those characters. Plus, it birthed Matthew McConaughey’s iconic “alright, alright, alright” catchphrase. That alone is worth celebrating.

When William Shakespeare wrote The Taming of the Shrew, he probably didn’t imagine that one day he’d receive a writing credit for a coming-of-age comedy called 10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. But he probably would’ve liked the movie. 

Some coming-of-age movies will punch you right in the gut, and Stand By Me is one of them. Don’t watch this movie unless you’re prepared to be emotionally wrecked. 

Moonrise Kingdom is one of Wes Anderson’s best films, and that’s saying something. The writing is fantastic, and the characters are lovable and quirky. The supporting cast is epic, but none of the celebrities distract from the adorable pre-teen stars. 

Don’t let any critic tell you that The Princess Diaries isn’t a good movie. Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway are spectacular, and while almost no one in the world can relate to finding out as a teenager that they’re in line for the throne in a small European country, everyone can relate to an awkward phase and the difficulties of navigating high school. 

Hollywood has been churning out good coming-of-age movies for decades. Dustin Hoffman fully established himself as a great actor with this film, and he’s been starring in hit films ever since. 

Some of the best coming-of-age movies in film history are adaptations of books. Mean Girls is such a good coming-of-age story that it continues to be adapted to new formats, like musicals and movie musicals. 

Who doesn’t love a good coming-of-age movie centered around sports? Those young men all gave great performances, and while only a few of them are still involved in the entertainment industry, they’re part of an enduring legacy that’s still impacting kids today. 

If the quality of coming-of-age movies were measured solely on casts, Superbad would be at the very top of the list. Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen, Emma Stone, Dave Franco, and more rounded out this great cast. 

Another coming-of-age movie with a great cast, Almost Famous has stood the test of time. Although elements of the plot itself aren’t as common as they once were, the themes will always be relevant. 

If you watch What’s Eating Gilbert Grape today, you’ll leave with a lot to ponder. Your most pressing thought, however, will likely be that Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio need to star in another movie together. 

Another John Hughes film starring Molly Ringwald, Sixteen Candles has some questionable moments in retrospect, but overall, it remains an endearing coming-of-age film that can comfort anyone going through something tough.  

Seriously, no one did coming-of-age movies like John Hughes. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is just as funny today as it was when it was released. Matthew Broderick and Alan Ruck were perfectly cast.