50 Best Coming of Age Movies

Five students from different backgrounds convene for Saturday detention in this beloved dramedy from director John Hughes. With the breaking of interpersonal barriers comes a pointed examination of suburban teenage life. The movie’s main stars made up part of the so-called Brat Pack of the 1980s.

This coming-of-age drama based on a novel of the same name takes place in 1983 in the countryside of northern Italy. Against a bucolic backdrop, romance blossoms between a male college graduate (Armie Hammer) and a teenage boy (Timothée Chalamet). Upon winning the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay at 89 years of age, screenwriter James Ivory became the oldest person in history to take home a competitive Oscar.

This computer-animated classic draws from Polynesian origin myths and presents a small island community with a terrible curse. Heeding the ocean’s call, the fearless Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) embarks on a sea-based adventure to set things right. A follow-up TV series is slated to arrive in 2023.

This endearing exploration of small-town life doubles as an inspiring underdog sports movie. It tells the story of Dave Stohler (Dennis Christopher), who dreams of becoming a competitive cyclist. With help from a tight-knit group of friends, his dream just might come true.

Brought to life in stunning animation, this war drama centers on an 11-year-old girl named Parvana (Saara Chaudry). Living in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, Parvana takes the disguise of a boy so as to earn a living and support her family. “This is a day-to-day survival story that stirs the heart and fires the imagination,” wrote critic Philip De Semlyen for Time Out.