One of the most comforting and painful genres in movies is the classic coming of age story. Whether it be by classics, such as any movie by John Hughes or Greta Gerwig's debut of Lady Bird, these coming-of-age films shape the way young adults romanticize their lives and ultimately view themselves. So, why is it that the staples of this genre are always John Bender with his fist in the air or any character Molly Ringwald has played (usually wearing some sort of pink dress), and what other characters can we fall in love with?

Update August 27, 2023: This list has been updated with even more great coming-of-age films that do not get the recognition they deserve.

From the rise in A24 movies to some movies released a while ago, this list is filled with a combination of heart-wrenching stories of real people and the classic nerd archetype just trying to find their way in the world. From the early films from names like Brie Larson and America Ferrera to break-out stars that you cannot get enough of, here are some of the most underrated coming-of-age films that will comfort you, make you laugh, and most definitely make you shed a few tears.

15 The Way Way Back

The Way Way Back
Sycamore Pictures

Nat Faxton's The Way Way Back is a wonderfully heartfelt film. Staring Steve Carell and Toni Collette as the mother and step-father to Liam James' shy and socially awkward character, Duncan, this coming-of-age movies nails the dysfunctional family aspect, with Duncan at the center of it all trying to deal with a rude and inconsiderate stepfather and an emotionally unavailable mother.

Related: Best Coming-of-Age Movies of the 2000s

While on a summer trip, Duncan finds an unlikely friendship with Owen (Sam Rockwell), the owner of a water park, and spends his summer with Owen's collection of social rejects that run the park. This film conquers the found family trope with ease and makes you root for Duncan as he grows into his own, trying to navigate early teenage years, poor parenting, and what really matters in life.

14 Big Time Adolescence

Big Time Adolescence
Hulu

In Hulu original comedy, Big Time Adolescence, Pete Davidson plays college dropout and slacker, Zeke, who befriends a high school kid named Mo (Griffin Gluck) and takes on the role of his mentor. However, it becomes clear to everyone else around them that the marijuana-smoking, binge-drinking Zeke may not be the best person to guide Mo through young adulthood.

With a supporting cast that includes John Cryer, Sydney Sweeney, and Machine Gun Kelly, Big Time Adolescence is simultaneously hilariously wild and touchingly sweet. The central idea of the film - a coming-of-age story where the mentor figure has to learn how to grow up just as much (if not more) than the teenage protagonist - is genius and leads to a surprisingly great performance from Davidson. It's also incredibly relatable; after all, we all find it difficult to act our age at certain points in our life.

13 We the Animals

we-the-animals
Cinereach / Public Record

The 2018 Sundance winner, as outlined by Deadline, We the Animals follows the story of three boys, Jonah, Joel, and Manny, as they navigate their childhood years living with their aggressive idol of a father and their fierce but unstable mother. This raw film follows the kids as they grow up with and without their father, and tackles the topic of nature vs nurture, exploring who the boys will become. Paired with stunning cinematography and authentic performances from all involved, this film is heart-wrenching and beautiful, all told through the innocence of a child.

12 Me and Earl and The Dying Girl

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Fox Searchlight

Based of the novel by Jesse Andrews, Me and Earl and The Dying Girl follows Greg (Thomas Mann) and Earl (RJ Cyler), two "friends," and their acquaintance Rachel (Olivia Cooke) who, as the title suggest, is dying of cancer. Greg is so obsessed with not caring about what others think that he becomes obsessed with what they do think of him. He is terrified to get close to anyone, and Rachel breaks that. As she gets sicker, the two boys set out to make a film about her, and Greg is tested in everything he thought to be true.

A wonderful coming of age story that discusses what really matters in the grand scheme of life, and the importance of letting people in and cherishing what you have in life. But be warned, bring a box of tissues — you might need it.

11 Days of the Bagnold Summer

Monica Dolan in Days of the Bagnold Summer

Low-budget British film Days of the Bagnold Summer is the very definition of an underrated movie. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Joff Winterhart, it revolves around heavy metal-loving teenager Daniel (Earl Cave), who finds himself spending his entire summer holiday with his mousy librarian mother, Sue (Monica Dolan) after his dad cancels on him. The film explores the relationship between a son who is awkward and distant, and embarrassed by everything his mother does, and a mother who is completely clueless as to how to engage with her son.

Related: The Best Coming-Of-Age Animated Movies, Ranked

Brilliantly written and performed, Days of the Bagnold Summer is a sweet film that perfectly captures the complicated and brittle nature of the parent/child relationship during young adulthood. With laugh-out-loud moments and great observations, it's a coming-of-age film that more people need to see.

10 Skate Kitchen

skate-kitchen
Bow and Arrow Entertainment

Crystal Moselle does a spectacular job at meshing both fiction and reality. Finding her talent for this film on the internet, per Rookie Mag, she molded this coming of age drama around who they are in real life, and their experiences. Skate Kitchen follows an all-girl skate group and their newest member, Camille (Rachelle Vinberg), and how they navigate a male-dominated sport. Camille longs for belonging and tries desperately to make friends who love what she loves, which starts off as skateboarding but wavers throughout the film. Tackling the issues teenagers face, like young love, belonging, and the temptation of substance abuse, Skate Kitchen is a gritty, beautifully shot piece that feels like a portrait of real life as well as a love letter to skating.

9 Real Women Have Curves

america-ferrera-real-women-have-curves
HBO

When Ana Garcia (America Ferrera) has dreams for college and gets the opportunity to go with a full-ride scholarship, she has to go against her mother's (Lupe Ontiveros) desires for her to provide for the family and get married. Real Women Have Curves is a wonderful love letter to young adulthood, becoming a woman, and how that means something different for every person.

8 Submarine

Craig Roberts and Yasmin Page in Submarine

Comedy actor Richard Ayoade's feature film debut, Submarine, is a coming-of-age masterpiece. Based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Joe Dunthorne, it stars Crag Roberts as Oliver Tate, a Welsh 15-year-old with two main goals; to lose his virginity, and to save his parent's marriage from the threat of his mother's ex-lover. In order to complete his first objective, he begins dating his emotionally distant classmate Jordana (Yasmin Page), only to discover that being a boyfriend isn't as easy as it looks.

With a supporting cast made up of Sally Hawkins, Paddy Considine, Noah Taylor, and Gemma Chan, and a sublime soundtrack courtesy of Arctic Monkeys frontman, Alex Turner, Submarine is a quirky and offbeat comedy-drama with lots of heart.

7 Unpregnant

Hayley Lu Richardson and Barbie Ferreria in Unpregnant.
HBO Max

HBO Max original, Unpregnant, tells the story of 17-year-old Veronica (played by Haley Lu Richardson), whose dreams of attending an Ivy League college are put at risk when she discovers that she is pregnant. Unable to get an abortion without her parent's permission in her home state of Missouri, she embarks on a road trip to Albuquerque, bringing her friend Bailey (Barbie Ferreira) along for the ride.

Related: Best Women Coming-of-Age Movies, Ranked

Based on the novel of the same name by Ted Caplan and Jenni Hendriks, and directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg, Unpregnant is a funny and relatable film that has only become more relevant since its release in 2020. With sharp writing, excellent performances, and phenomenal chemistry between the two leads, Unpregnant is everything a Gen Z coming-of-age film should be.

6 Waves

waves-2019
A24

The A24 film Waves follows two storylines: the first of Tyler (Kevin Harrison Jr.) and Alexis (Alexa Demie), and then Tyler's younger sister, Emily (Taylor Russell). Tyler has to navigate young love, pressure from his father, and the future when it all comes crashing down in an instant. Where Tyler's story ends, Emily's begins, trying to deal with a crisis, coming into her own, and finding those around her that matter the most. A brutal portrayal of a fractured family trying to pick up the pieces after a tragedy, paired with beautiful imagery and wonderful performances, this film makes it into the list.

5 Persepolis

Persepolis
Sony Pictures Classics

The animated true story of a young Iranian girl, Marjane, in the midst of the Islamic Revolution, Persepolis is so beautifully stylized in its animation and uses color as a theme in unique ways. Told over the course of her life with a non-linear timeline, this piece is heart-wrenching and moving, with chunks of humor and a wonderful sense of rebellion and hope.

4 Short Term 12

Gallagher_Larson_Short_Term_12_2013_Cinedigm
Cinedigm

Brie Larson plays Grace, a supervising staff at a youth residential facility for the foster care system, in Short Term 12. She and her boyfriend Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) try to balance their strained relationship, while trying to help out a group of high-risk teens who want nothing to do with them. With a cast of young legends of today, like LaKeith Stanfield, Rami Malek, Stephanie Beatriz, and Kaitlyn Denver, this film tackles the hard topic of the American foster care system and overexerting yourself while trying to help others who may not want to be helped.

3 The Farewell

The farewell
A24

Following Awkwafina's character Billi, and her struggle between her American upbringing and her Chinese heritage, The Farewell centers around a family and their lie to their matriarch about her being sick. This film deals with the struggle of feeling like an outsider in your own family, the pain of a lie, and how far you would go to protect those you love. While most people associate coming of age with adolescence, there is still plenty of it we have to do in adulthood, which The Farewell tackles beautifully. A wonderfully crafted coming-of-age piece that will have you laughing, crying, and wanting to hug your grandmother.

2 20th Century Women

20th-century-women
Annapurna Pictures

A beautifully shot and acted piece centered around aging Dorothea Fields (Annette Bening) and her young son Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann), and the group of misfits that she rents out the rooms in her house to, 20th Century Women takes our top spot of underrated coming of age movies. Touching on the topic of manhood, feminism, and what makes a woman, this pieces together an anthology of five mostly lovable characters.

Each character goes through their journey to try to discover who they are and who they want to be. Paired with archival footage of the world and how the characters fit into it, this coming-of-age piece has at least one character you will be rooting for.

1 Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Are You There God It's Me Margaret(1)2
Lionsgate

The most recent entry on this list sadly flew under the radar for most people but it is well worth a watch. Based on the classic novel of the same name by Judy Blume, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret tells the story of a young girl getting ready to enter adolescence and the pressures of being a young girl on the cusp of womanhood. The film received rave reviews from critics, particularly regarding lead star Abby Ryder Fortson.

The film is the second great coming-of-age film from director Kelly Fremon Craig following her breakout hit, The Edge of Seventeen. If you missed this in theaters, you certainly will want to check out Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is not only one of the most underrated coming-of-age films but also one of the best films of 2023.