Navigating the transition from childhood to adulthood can be awkward, confusing, and sometimes messy. But knowing you’re not alone in the process helps. That’s where coming-of-age movies come in handy!
Not only can they demystify some of the more bewildering aspects of growing up, but watching them with our tweens and teens can help us remember what it was like to be their age and relate to them a little more.
Here are 20 of our favorite coming-of-age movies your tweens and teens will be sure to enjoy. We’ve included some for every stage from younger tweens to older teens and everything bumbling in between.
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20 Coming-of-Age Movies to Watch with Your Tweens and Teens
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
In the 1970s, 11-year-old Margaret navigates new friendships, family life, questions of faith — and the agony of waiting for puberty to finally arrive. A star-studded cast brings this beloved Judy Blume book to life.
The Sandlot
Set in the summer of 1962, the film follows Scotty Smalls, a shy kid who moves to a new neighborhood and learns to play baseball with the help of local legend Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez and his tight-knit crew.
The Way Way Back
A stifled teen finds his voice with help from the manager of a local water park, where he takes a summer job to escape his unbearable home life.
Eighth Grade
Thirteen-year-old Kayla endures the tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school—the end of her thus far disastrous eighth grade year before she begins high school. (This comes with an R rating for language and mild sexual references.)
Inside Out 2
Riley’s story continues as she turns 13 and hits puberty, which is depicted in her brain’s headquarters as a sudden “alarm going off” and a construction crew remodeling the control console to handle more complex, teenage feelings.
You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
BFFs Stacy and Lydia are both planning epic bat mitzvahs. But it all unravels when a popular boy—and middle school drama—threaten to ruin everything.
The Perks of Being A Wallflower
Shy freshman Charlie is befriended by two outgoing senior students, who teach him about first love and friendship. However, as his friends prepare for college, Charlie must confront his troubled past.
Stand by Me
A writer recounts a life-changing childhood journey with his friends to view the body of a boy who went missing in the woods.
Mean Girls
A previously homeschooled teen, Cady, navigates the ruthless social hierarchy of high school. When she infiltrates the popular clique under the guise of friendship, she sparks a fierce and hilarious school-wide social war.
Lady Bird
An intrepid high schooler in Sacramento undergoes the trials of love, family, and self-discovery as she dreams of escaping to college on the East Coast. (We recommend this one for older teens.)
The Breakfast Club
The athlete, the brain, the bully, the princess, and the loner break through the social barriers of high school during a Saturday in detention. This classic is a must-watch for teens.
ATL
Four working-class teenagers live in an Atlanta neighborhood where hip-hop music rules and the coolest place to hang out is the local rollerskating rink.
The Edge of Seventeen
A troubled teenager finds high school life even less bearable after she learns her childhood best friend is dating her popular older brother. (We recommend this for older teens.)
The Kings of Summer
Frustrated by his widowed father’s control, Joe Toy invites a friend and an offbeat new kid to help him build his own house in the nearby woods.
Tall Girl
After years of slouching through life, 6-foot-1 teen Jodi resolves to conquer her insecurities and gets caught up in a high school love triangle.
Juno
Juno MacGuff, a witty, precocious teen faces an unplanned pregnancy and navigates the complexities of choosing a couple to adopt her unborn baby.
The Outsiders
Based on S. E. Hinton’s novel, The Outsiders chronicles the escalating violence between two teen gangs in rural Oklahoma: the poor Greasers and the rich Socials in this coming-of-age classic.
Little Women
The March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—on the threshold of womanhood, go through many ups and downs in life in 19th century Massachusetts.
Dead Poets Society
A new teacher at a prestigious New England boys’ boarding school uses poetry to embolden his pupils to new heights of self-expression.
The Princess Diaries
When news of her long-absent father’s death surfaces, a socially awkward but very bright 15-year-old girl learns that he was the prince of Genovia, making her a princess.
Looking for some other suggestions of what to watch with your teens? These popular posts might be worth checking out as well.
The Best Netflix Shows for Tweens and Teens Families Can Enjoy Together
The Best 80’s Teen Movies Every Parent Should Watch With Their Teens
