Coming-of-Age films are a testament to the never-ending negotiations of adulthood. In the plethora of teenage clickbait films and high school romances, a great coming-of-age film defines the zeitgeist of its time and the anxieties surrounding youth culture. At its essence, most characters fight internal battles as they come to terms with an exhaustive childhood and the inescapable ordeals of adulting.
These films catch their protagonists at their most vulnerable moments of falling in and out of love, exploring their identities and at times their relationship with technology. The characters have yet to leave their nests and are in oblivion to the future. Perhaps, this is the key factor why coming-of-age films act as an effective time capsule of life choices, which makes them relevant across ages. A latent echo of ‘the calm before the storm of adulthood’ looms in these films and here are the 20 most lovable films that redefined the understanding of growing up.
20 Harold and Maude
Harold and Maude is the quirkiest of all. The film directed by Hal Ashby revolves around a 19-year-old Harold who is on a suicidal spree but finds hope in life and living through Maude, a 79-year-old lady with whom he falls in love. While some movies are ahead of their time, Harold and Maude questioned age disparity and its implications on romance. Harold understands the value of life while tending to an ailing Maude. Surprisingly, Harold and Maude aged exceptionally well as it garnered the status of cult classic much later to the initial mixed response after its release. The credit can be given to the sensitivity of writing well-rounded characters without sensationalizing the unconventional relationship.
19 The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club explores a few hours in the lives of five high school students in detention. The film fictionalizes a social experiment on group behavior where the teenagers eccentric to each other are compelled to confront their weaknesses. The film has several iconic scenes, one of them being Judd Nelson’s fist-pumping as the climax of the film. The film holds a cult status and grows in significance with time as the issues of identity and groupthink remain relevant to teenagers across cultures.
18 Reality Bites
Reality Bites is an exemplary ode to Gen X and its fleeting ambitions and relationships. The directorial debut of Ben Stiller remains fresh for its portrayal of confused adults navigating through their lives and the people they meet along the way. The film, starring Ethan Hawke, Winona Ryder and Ben Stiller, rightfully captures the zeitgeist of its time with its witty dialogues and a soundtrack that complimented the essence of postmodern youth culture in Houston. It included songs by U2, Crowded House and Lisa Loeb among others, making it a great playlist capturing the urban soundscapes of the 90s.
17 Dazed and Confused
Directed by Richard Linklater, Dazed and Confused is iconic for its funny but real characters and its history of casting actors who later became successful. Actors such as Ben Affleck, Mathew McConaughey and Milla Jovovich got their breaks from this classic. The film remains a favorite for its depiction of a dynamic universe of high schoolers in the 1970s. There is a little bit of everyone in the characters: the pothead, the cheerleader and the one who never left high school. The reckless spirit and the excitement of an inviting summer unleash all inhibitions, as the teenagers know nothing of what holds in the future. The characters feel as if they were born to remain young forever, which remains the best part of the film.
16 The Karate Kid
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The Karate Kid revolves around Daniel, who finds a mentor in Mr. Miyagi as he fights his bullies in high school and grows up in a fatherless environment. Mr. Miyagi played by Noriyuki Morita cemented his role as the quintessential disciplinarian every young man needs. Daniel, played by Ralph Machhio, inculcates several life lessons as he learns martial arts from his mentor. Karate becomes the metaphor for discipline and self-defense in his life. The film became a global hit and has sustained its cultural impact which has extended to a franchise, three sequels, a reboot and Cobra Kai which is streaming on Netflix.
15 Say Anything
Say Anything is a cult romantic classic directed by Cameron Crowe marked by his signature wit and awkward intimate scenes. Lloyd, an underachiever in high school, falls in love with Diane Court who is a valedictorian. Grades cannot keep the couple apart as they question their compatibility and maturity in handling their goals. The film hits the right spot for the performance of John Cusack and his portrayal of Lloyd who is comfortable in his skin and is not insecure about his unpopularity. The film is popular for its iconic scene of Llyod holding a boombox playing In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel as he waits for Diane’s approval.
14 Before Sunrise
Before Sunrise dissents the conventional understanding of a plot-driven structure with a conversational narrative between two adults meeting in Vienna. Directed by Richard Linklater, the film follows a day in the life of Jesse and Celine as they meet on a train and open up about their childhood, dreams and anxieties of connecting with people. The pair explore an eternity within their short span of time and promise to meet each other again as they say their final goodbyes. The rest is explored in the sequel Before Sunset which is equally engaging as Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy give the performance of their lifetime. The Before trilogy is unique for its realism and can be applauded for showing that being with the person one loves is not always a bed of roses.
13 The Man in The Moon
The heartbreaking story of The Man in The Moon revolves around two sisters who fall in love with the same neighbor. A tragedy moves their life as they learn to bond and forgive within their family. A young Reese Witherspoon sours high in this tragic romance as the film explores the end of innocence in the face of untimely circumstances in youngsters. This was the film debut of Reese Witherspoon, for which she received critical acclaim for her performance.
12 Clueless
Clueless remains a cult classic for mocking the fragility of Cher, a popular high school girl in Beverly Hills, which paved the way for similar films such as Mean Girls. The teen comedy elevated itself by showing the impact of pop culture and fashion on high school students and how being popular defines one’s school life and the friends one makes. Cher’s popularity is still reflected in Halloween costumes as a tribute to her performance as a popular dunce.
11 Mean Girls
Mean Girls claims its popular and critical status for its accurate representation of identity struggles in high school. The film satirizes teen politics of cliques through Cady, a new student in her high school seeking validation from the most popular group, The Plastics. The film does not shy away from the brutality of being bullied and the peer pressure of fitting into conventional groups among teenagers, which makes it one of the most discussed coming-of-age film in the 21st century.
10 Bend it Like Beckham
Bend it Like Beckham sheds light on the Indian diaspora living in Britain as Jess balances her Indian tradition and passion for playing football, which is not approved by her parents. The film remains special for its depiction of the hybridization of east and west and the predicaments of an Indian teenager growing up in British culture. In a globalizing world, Jess’s struggle to stay true to her roots while questioning where she wants to belong remains relevant as identities get more fluid and inclusive. The film is credited for popularising woman’s football in the United Kingdom.
9 Harry Potter Series
The Harry Potter Series is a landmark in itself for its imaginative take on an orphan’s life who gets to become the hero of his story in the magical world of Hogwarts. It is difficult to ignore Harry Potter’s cultural impact as a coming-of-age series since one can witness the characters face their internal dilemmas of belongingness, friendship and identity as the actors grow into adults. Harry finds a new family in his school of wizardry despite being an orphan, which resonates strongly with adults with a difficult childhood. The series has had several reincarnations in fandoms, adaptations, theater, games and spin-offs, making it a cultural giant that impacts children across generations.
8 Y Tu Mamá También
Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna play two best friends who are accompanied by an attractive woman in this road movie filled with laugh-out-loud moments and tears of gloom. The three explore their sexual promiscuity and test their boundaries of trust as they learn a little more about themselves in unexpected ways. The film is testosterone-charged and is poetic in its cinematography, which juxtaposes the sensuous landscapes of Mexico with the blossoming sexuality of the protagonists. The film also contextualizes Mexican society and culture along the characters’ road trip. The film directed by Alfonso Cuarón was nominated for Best Original Screenplay in the Academy Awards.
7 Moonrise Kingdom
This stylistic romantic comedy of two eloping twelve-year-olds is an out-of-the-box experience in the genre of teen romance. Directed by Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom is led by characters that are unbothered by their actions, intentions, or their peer groups. Sam and Suzy are unlike children their age and prefer to take matters into their hands while creating havoc for the rest. The film was successful in handling the sensitive themes of pre-teen sexuality, as Anderson kept his protagonists quirky and innocent in questioning their worldview.
6 Juno
Juno takes us into the lively world of Juno played by Elliot Page, who is pregnant by her schoolmate Paulie Bleeker played by an awkward Michael Cera. She is supported by her family as she looks for parents willing to adopt her baby. The film shines in this bitter-sweet journey for its stellar cast which includes Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney and J.K. Simmons. Juno is hard-hitting in its theme of teenage pregnancy but is light-footed in its tone and funny characters, which makes Juno immensely rewatchable. The film has received several nominations, including Elliot Page for Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and Diablo Cody won for Best Original Screenplay.
5 (500) Days of Summer
(500) Days of Summer is inventive in its narrative, as the film recalls a blurry relationship spanning over 500 days between a romantic and a cynic. Tom looks for the ideal lover in an emotionally detached Summer as they gradually change into completely different human beings. The film challenges the notions of romanticism and chances as it ends with an abrupt anti-climax, concluding the mystery of love to coincidence. Inspired by true events, (500) Days of Summer is skeptical of the love that media sells and turns it over by revealing the imperfections in romanticism and finding beauty in its pain. The film is also known for its musical renditions. Summer sings her own rendition of Sugar Town by Nancy Sinatra and Tom dances to Hall and Oates You Make my Dreams in the middle of the street after his sexual rendezvous with Summer. The film was nominated for Best Picture and Joseph Gordon Levitt was nominated for Best Actor in the Golden Globe Awards.
4 Lady Bird
Lady Bird is an emotional joyride of self-acceptance of Christine played by Saoirse Ronan. Christine names herself Lady Bird, symbolic of expressing herself freely. However, she does not feel liberated from the complicated relationship with her mother and her insecurities. She finds her support system in her friend Julie and her mother Marion, who accept her with her imperfections. Lady Bird is commendable for its portrayal of teenage ambitions and how it is over-emphasized over family. The film was applauded for its performance and direction by Greta Gerwig. Saoirse Ronan was nominated for Best Actress and Greta Gerwig was nominated for Best Screenplay at the Academy Awards.
3 Boyhood
Boyhood is the poster boy of the coming-of-age genre, as it is timeless and authentic in depicting the transition of a boy to an adult. Shot over a span of 12 years, the film follows the life of Mason who grows up with separated parents. The film takes realism to a new height using the same actors for the entire project, making it a rare approach to demonstrate the duality of time and age in its characters. Boyhood is equivalent to the experience of flipping through an old photo book of one’s childhood in motion. Richard Linklater proves time and again that a moving premise and emotional depth rank higher than scale and glamour in his filmography. Boyhood was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Patricia Arquette won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2 Moonlight
Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins, is a hard-hitting drama of a young black boy named Chiron as he deals with his family trauma, sexuality and masculinity in various phases of his life. The film is exemplary for its dramatic cinematography and powerful performances that channels the anxieties of growing up homosexual in a disturbed black neighborhood and accepting vulnerabilities in front of the people one loves. Moonlight became the first film with an all-black cast to win an Academy Award for Best Film, along with several other awards.
1 Eighth Grade
No better film depicts the effect of social media on Gen Z better than Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade. The film bends towards dystopia and doom as Kayla struggles as an eighth grader to connect to the world around her. She finds her solace in expressing herself on social media, but her virtual identity is far from who she is in real life. The film is the first of its kind to intimately portray the impact of social media on vulnerable minds and how it impacts children’s self-perception. Technology in Eight Grade is not just an accessory but the antagonist to the story. Kayla struggles to fit in a world that is not inclusive of her body image and personality, making her feel lonely and inadequate, hitting the right chord with the virtual worries affecting self-image in young girls. Eight Grade was the directorial debut of Bo Burnham who is a renowned comedian and was the acting debut for Elsie Fisher who was nominated for her performance as Kayla in the Golden Globe Awards.
Coming-of Age films are special as they let one pause and reflect on the time gone by and how human beings are the product of their environment and choices. The universal experience of entering adulthood is challenging and the above films are exemplary for exploring the nuances of different issues faced by young adults. One also notices, the cultural landscape changing with each passing decade. Masculinity in Dazed and Confused, Reality Bites, Boyhood and Moonlight differ as we see men being more comfortable with their vulnerabilities. The dependence on technology seems to be nil in the earlier movies as socialization was way more confrontational, whereas social media takes the spotlight Eighth Grade as it is an essential item for Gen Y and Gen Z. The above films are discussed extensively because of their timeless appeal and for never looking at the young cohort in a condescending manner. The films also age well for being true to their time and rightfully contextualizing the emotional dilemmas of the era. Thus, film lovers can revisit these films several times and relive the time gone by.