Top 50 Best Coming Of Age Movies To Watch In 2024

 

Coming of age is an interesting topic don’t you think? It is important too, and let me tell you why.

 

Coming of age is simply the change in ideologies and patterns through time. When we were kids, we would have asked a lot of questions to our parents and they would have felt awkward answering those questions.

 

When we pass through a particular age, we get answers to those questions. It may also be put as our reactions to our real environment and how we accept it.

 

The movies are all about people discovering their places and roles in this world. These movies usually fall under a pattern.

 

The main character of the story is very carefree and naive at the beginning of the movie, they tend to face a challenge and are hit by reality pretty soon.

 

Later, they understand that what they have been perceiving as a child is totally different from the adult phase of life.

 

They become mature through this time period. So, let’s call this a journey from immaturity to maturity.

 

These movies teach us to welcome change and embrace it. They impose how important moral growth and mental peace are.

 

These movies are also for parents who want to grab an insight into what kind of attention their children would need as they grow up.

 

 

 

1. Dead Poets Society

 

 

 

John Keating is a newly joined English professor in a boys’ school. Knowing that his students are stressed in one or another way, he decides to be less tough on them and teaches them lessons in a way that they start feeling more comfortable with him.

 

Keating himself is an alumnus of the school and during his time as a student, he was involved in an unsanctioned club called “Dead Poets Society”. His students who are now more confident to express their thoughts and opinion try to revive the old dead club.

 

The change happening in the school thanks to Keating catches the attention of a strict teacher Nolan who doesn’t like the new ways. 

 

Some of the parents also don’t like their children to pursue their own dream as happens in the case of a student named Neil who later commits suicide. This movie has shown a beautiful relationship between a mentor and his relationship with students.

 

The movie has done a marvellous job of pointing real challenges a student faces when society doesn’t let them do what they want.

 

 

 

2. Moonlight

 

 

 

Winning three Oscars and being nominated for many other awards, this movie also won hearts.

 

Chiron, the Black American doesn’t have a proper family background. He lives with his toxic mother Paula.

 

Paula doesn’t care about Chiron even a bit, she is always busy thinking about her life and dealing with it.

 

Chiron is ignored and that affects him firstly. Furthermore, he’s bullied and he doesn’t get why he is bullied.

 

As he grows, he finds a friend, who’s a drug dealer, Juan, and stays most of the time with him and his girlfriend Teresa.

 

Their place is his escape from the bullies. Slowly, Juan helps Chiron take care of himself by giving some advice.

 

Chiron takes his advice and at a point starts making his own decisions. This beautiful movie is featured in three parts.

 

One is where Chiron is a kid, the other is where he is a bit grown up from being a kid, and the next is where he’s an adult.

 

Every phase has something to take home and I think that is the beauty of this film.

 

 

 

3. Perks of Being a Wallflower

 

 

 

This is yet another beautiful movie based on a book written by Stephen Chbosky. Charlie a fifteen-year-old troubled teen joins a new school and is very nervous about it. He is going through a really rough time as his friend’s suicide has taken a toll on him.

 

In the new school, Charlie finds his English teacher, Mr. Anderson, to be someone with whom he feels connected. 

 

He also befriends his seniors Sam played by Emma Watson and Patrick who help him to make new friends and live life in a carefree way.

 

This film is so personal and intimate. It is really one of the best coming-of-age movies that you could ever watch.

 

It is proven that the director has been so observant about the teens to bring out such perfect emotions.

 

 

 

4. We the animals

 

 

 

Manny, Joel, and Jonah are three siblings born into a mixed-race family. They live with their parents but their parents do not have a good relationship with themselves.

 

This affects every kid in a different way. Seeing their father and mother always in a love-hate relationship, the elder siblings Manny and Joel pick the traits of their father and start behaving like him.

 

Not understanding what is going on in his family, Jonah, the youngest, becomes different from the other two.

 

Being in an urge to find an escape from the chaotic family situation he has been trapped in, Jonah survives.

 

He has an imaginary world for himself and embraces it. The most difficult art and the subject of parenting and its role in a child’s life are neatly explained in this film.

 

This movie is really a great pick to watch with your kids and in some cases, it is helpful to understand them.

 

 

5. Boyhood

 

 

 

The family of four consists of Olivia (Mother), Mason (Father), Samantha (Elder kid), and Mason Jr. also known as MJ (Younger Kid) lives in Texas.

 

Being the happily married couple earlier, Mason and Olivia are divorced at the moment. Olivia has the whole access to the children and Mason can visit them during the weekends.

 

But recently, Mason hasn’t come to see the kids yet. He is busy building up his career.

 

Fed up with each other, the couple kickstarts their sexual life not thinking about the kids even a bit.

 

Samantha is a grown-up and she knows what is going on. But her brother MJ is too young for this.

 

He is frustrated by his family and all these incidents. This movie beautifully speaks about how a situation, and happening in the family affects the children, their growth, and their perspective.

 

Another slapping of realizations into people fills this movie. It tops the list of coming-of-age movies even after ages of release.

 

 

6. Ladybird

 

 

 

This movie takes place in California in the year 2002. Going by the name of the movie, the main character Christine is trapped for years in a Catholic school.

 

She finds it to be boring and super strict. She yearns to have a sophisticated life with love, adventure, and more.

 

But she is upset that she cannot live a life like that until her schooling is done.

 

She dreams of college and wants to go away from her family to study further.

 

But her family is poor and they think it would be less costly if she is going to take her college nearby where they live.

 

And also, they are one of the families that are scared about safety after the 9/11 attacks.

 

But she is not ready to be with her family. Her last year of schooling teaches her what life is.

 

It is also going to be the first place where she encounters romance and more.

 

Will she be able to make proper decisions after this? This movie is a perfect watch for young teens as it shows everything about the bridge between childhood and adulthood.

 

 

7. Booksmart

 

 

 

This movie is about two best friends Amy and Molly. They are the A-grade scorers and nerds of the class.

 

They have been teased and bullied for being nerds but never ever they’ve given up.

 

They continue to be the same. One day, they haven’t realized that they should have concentrated on having fun rather than studying all the time.

 

When reality hits them, they have almost finished high school. But they decide to have all the fun they missed all these years in a single day.

 

Amy likes Ryan, a girl from her school, and wants to hook up with her.

 

Molly helps her to figure out if this would work. With that being on one side, the two of them are desperate to attend a party.

 

And that leads to fun, adventure, and a lot more realizations. This movie is funny, commercial, and fast-moving too.

 

If you are a fan of fast-moving movies, then you should definitely give this a try.

 

 

8. The Graduate

 

 

 

The Graduate is all about the graduate from California, Benjamin Braddock. Benjamin comes after studying in California.

 

He is welcomed with so much celebration and people are proud of him. But Benjamin is not happy.

 

There’s a question that people keep asking him. And all of us would have faced this question, “What’s next?”.

 

So he is haunted by that question because he is clueless about what he is going to become.

 

In the meanwhile, he is seduced by his father’s partner’s wife and is in a relationship with her.

 

But as time passes by, he falls for her daughter and tries to get out of that relationship while her husband finds all this out.

 

Now, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are against him being in love with their daughter. They decide to marry her off to somebody else without Benjamin knowing about it.

 

But he finds out and tries to prove that he loves her more than anything.

 

This movie plays with time and people never grow tired of it. It is just the perfect dialogues and timings that complete this movie.

 

 

9. Juno

 

 

 

Teen pregnancy is one tough thing that both teens and parents deal with. This movie is all about how Juno, the main character of the movie pulls it off.

 

Juno is just sixteen and finds that she is pregnant because of her best friend, Bleeker.

 

She talks with him and they decide to abort the baby considering their situation. While they are waiting at the clinic for the abortion procedures, Juno’s mind changes and she decides to give birth to the baby.

 

She comes up with a plan she’ll let a couple adopt her baby so that she can continue her life.

 

She informs her parents about this and searches for a donor. When she finds a couple, she tries to find out if they are perfect for her kid.

 

Juno actually makes you feel good and better. And the kind of decisions that Juno makes is so brave, independent, and quick.

 

Also, you’ll surely love the movie.

 

 

10. The Edge of Seventeen

 

 

 

Seventeen is the age when everybody enjoys life but seventeen need not be the most perfect for everybody.

 

At least, it is not that good for Nadine. Nadine is a seventeen-year-old girl and the main character of our story.

 

She has a brother who is a show-stealer. He dates Nadine’s best friend and everybody in their family and friends circle loves him.

 

Nadine is silent and not very popular among people. Precisely, she’s the opposite of her brother.

 

Things have never been okay for her since her dad, the closest member of her family, passed away.

 

And things got worse after her brother started dating her best friend. With no good company, Nadine’s life goes on, until that one person enters her life.

 

This movie meets every agenda of a coming-of-age movie. It is great and a must-watch.

 

It shows you how to treat people in your family and how not to.

 

 

11. Call me by your name

 

 

 

Call Me By Your Name is also a movie about a gay couple who weren’t meant to be.

 

It is based on a novel that was written by Andre Aciman. This movie is about Elio, born in an Italian family, who lives in Italy, and Oliver who is a research assistant of Elio’s professor father.

 

Elio is rich and sophisticated. He is so close to his parents and has everything he wants.

 

Also, there’s a girl who is interested in Elio. But, Elio likes Oliver so much.

 

They spend a good time and togetherness when Oliver visits Elio’s in Italy. They both discover that they are attracted to each other.

 

The day comes when Oliver has to go away. Elio sends him off after a good trip.

 

But he breaks down. There are Elio’s parents who talk him out of it and console him.

 

Three years later, there’s a call from Oliver with shocking news. This film, in my perspective, is more about parenting than about coming out.

 

The relationship Elio has with his parents, especially his bond with his father is so beautiful.

 

It is a great movie except for the explicit sexual content and is a must-watch in the list of coming-of-age movies.

 

 

12. The Way Way Back

 

 

 

Duncan doesn’t feel good about himself much. He’s not popular and does not mingle much with anybody.

 

This summer, he goes on vacation with his mother, his boyfriend, and his daughter.

 

Duncan finds it very tough to fit in with them but at the same time, he never fails to try to fit in.

 

But it looks like his step-sister doesn’t want to vibe with him or do any cool stuff with him because she thinks he is not so cool.

 

This is exactly when Duncan finds a new company. His life has changed from then, little by little.

 

He befriends a person from the local water park, who lets him work in the park slowly helping him with his insecurities.

 

The director of this movie has agreed that the opening scene in this movie was an inspiration from his own life, a conversation he had with his stepfather when he was in his early teens.

 

This movie is a great coming-of-age movie, it is also a great watch for adults and a great opportunity for them to understand their shy kids.

 

 

13. Love, Simon

 

 

 

In everybody’s life, there’s a great and beautiful love story. But this one wins everybody’s hearts.

 

Simon, the main character of our movie has perfect parents, great friends, and the usual school life.

 

But also, he has a big secret that he’s hiding from his people. One day, Simon’s girlfriend calls him and tells him that there’s somebody at school who has come out to be gay.

 

Simon feels connected and wants to talk to the other person, Blue. Simon and Blue mail each other and start having conversations.

 

One day, the emails are leaked and the whole school finds out that Simon is a gay person and looks at him weirdly.

 

The rest of the film goes about how Simon overcomes all the teasing, and bullying and makes people accept that he’s gay and there’s no problem with it.

 

This refreshing, feel-good movie is definitely a good pick for you to watch. It perfectly puts a thought about gender into you in a way that you do not feel weird about it.

 

 

14. Stand By Me (1986)

 

 

Set in 1959, “Stand By Me” recounts the journey of four friends living in a small town. Gordie, the narrator, embarks with his friends on a quest to find the body of a missing teenager.

 

While each of the four friends faces their own struggles at home, they are all connected by their curiosity to find the missing youth.

 

The journey becomes a catalyst for self-discovery as they navigate challenging situations, grapple with personal struggles, and confront the harsh realities of life and death.

 

Beyond the adventure, the film explores themes of friendship, loss, and the bittersweet transition from childhood innocence to the complexities of adulthood.

 

“Stand By Me” resonated with audiences for its relatable characters, timeless themes, and bittersweet nostalgia for childhood experiences. Its critical acclaim and enduring popularity solidified its place as a coming-of-age classic.

 

 

15. Eighth Grade

 

 

 

Kayla is the main character of this story, she is an eighth-grader who has just a week more left in eighth grade.

 

Kayla is known to everyone as a silent and introverted girl. But Kayla feels that she can be fun and cool if people interact with her too.

 

Even though she tries to interact with other people and express herself, she doesn’t get a proper response.

 

There’s one person who interacts with her and she doesn’t respond properly. And that person is her single father.

 

Kayla, as a step to express herself, starts YouTube. She expresses herself as the girl who she wants to be rather than the girl she actually is.

 

It is really tough to let people know the actual you, right? At least for some of us, it is.

 

After being all stressed, Kayla finally finds her way. And that is going to be the last and adventurous week of her eighth grade.

 

Will she overcome her fear? This movie perfectly draws an outline of what could possibly be the backstory of an introverted teen.

 

It is so perfect and also is one of the best coming-of-age movies.

 

 

16. Almost Famous

 

 

 

William, a fifteen-year-old is the main character of this movie. He loves listening to music and has a huge obsession with it.

 

One day, he is hired by Rolling Stone Magazine. To his shock and surprise, he’s given the assignment of working with a band.

 

His role is to interview and be with the band named Stillwater and write about his experience.

 

With all his love for music, he takes up the assignment and starts working on it.

 

Through his journey, he goes through how the band works and stuff. Later, he starts growing an attachment to the band as he is there with them all the time, he gets to know them through their ups and downs.

 

William encounters what life is and never regrets that he took the assignment. This movie also gives an insight into the 70s music tastes and bands.

 

It is very real and heart-wrenching. Also, it is always on the top list of coming-of-age movies.

 

 

17. Mid90s

 

 

 

Mid90s because it happens in the mid-90s. The movie revolves around Stevie, a thirteen-year-old.

 

Stevie has a brother who is a fitness freak and a single mother. And Stevie is not so close with them.

 

Stevie is all lonely until one day he sees a group of skateboarders while cycling through the streets.

 

He instantly finds them to be cool and starts liking them and wants to be one among them.

 

He takes the skateboard from his brother to find the cool gang. He befriends Ruben who is the youngest in the group.

 

As time goes by the gang starts liking the presence of Stevie. While this is going on, Stevie’s brother notices that Stevie has this kinda company and advises him not to.

 

Also, Ruben starts hating Stevie because he thinks that Stevie is taking his place. Will all this settle down?

 

This movie represented the 90s so accurately that many people mistook that this movie was released in the 90s.

 

If you are choosing a movie for the movie night, I think this one would perfectly do the role because it keeps you awake.

 

 

18. The Half of It (2020)

 

 

 

 

19. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023)

 

 

“Are you there, God? It’s Me, Margaret.” is a beloved coming-of-age story based on Judy Blume’s iconic novel of the same name.

 

It follows sixth-grader Margaret Simon as she navigates puberty, friendship, and her search for a spiritual identity amidst her parents’ interfaith marriage.

 

She is at an age where she has questions about everything and turns to the closest available adult for answers. Margaret’s candid questions about her changing body, her search for belonging, and her prayers to God resonate deeply with young readers.

 

The book’s success lies in its frank and relatable portrayal of adolescence, especially for girls. Its exploration of universal preteen experiences like periods, bras, and social dynamics has made it a comforting and enduring classic for generations.

 

 

20. The Florida Project

 

 

 

This movie is humane and realistic. It is about kids who are homeless and live in motels.

 

People get stuck with this movie and they take time to move on. Moonee, the six-year-old’s mother Halley survives on welfare and lives in a motel at the watch of Bobby, the motel manager.

 

With Moonee, there are her friends also who accompany her playing pranks with people in and around the Walt Disney Motel.

 

Bobby finds that there are parenting issues and especially with Moonee. Also, he has a soft corner for her.

 

Halley is in charge of her best friend Ashley’s son Scooty but she does not take care of her daughter or Scooty.

 

She is so lethargic and careless. She smokes in her room and watches television all the time while Ashley works away to feed them.

 

Will she ever turn responsible? This movie is highly suggested to be watched for the acting and for the wonderful story.

 

Parenting is one of the huge things that impact people’s lives and this movie deliberately hit that into your head.

 

 

21. King of Staten Island

 

 

 

Coming of age need not always be about teens and pre-teens. This time it is about a twenty-four-year-old.

 

Scott Carlin lost his father when he was young and he is not able to move on from that incident.

 

His dad was a firefighter and he died on duty. Scott is so depressed and has a lot of traumatic memories from that incident choking him every day.

 

He is so lazy, he smokes weed and is always high. His goal is to become a tattoo artist.

 

But on the other side, his sister studies well and goes to college. There’s no progress in our hero’s life until the day comes when his mother starts dating a guy unexpectedly after seventeen years.

 

This person is a single parent, just like Scott’s mom. Also, he’s a firefighter just like Scott’s dad.

 

That’s the first time that there’s progress in Scott’s life. This movie leaves you in surprise.

 

It makes you feel good and motivated in the end. If you want to refresh your mind, then this movie is the right pick.

 

 

22. Sing Street

 

 

 

This movie happens in Dublin in the mid-1980s. Our main character Conor is just fifteen and is put into a new school.

 

With all the ruckus his life is, he finds it tough to cope with his new school and new life.

 

His family is insane and also he has just been bullied all his life. He meets a girl in his new school and falls for her at the first sight.

 

Her name is Raphia. He daringly goes and asks if she would be the model for his band and she says yes.

 

The problem is, he doesn’t have a band yet. Now, he gathers people, forms a band, and makes hit songs with super cool lyrics.

 

But is that all that easy? There’s a lot more coming up for Conor. They are true incidents that teach him what life is.

 

This movie proves to be so powerful and great. The feel-good essence of the movie makes it a must-watch on the list.

 

 

23. American Honey

 

 

 

Star is the main character of this movie. She is eighteen and hates her life.

 

She has an alcoholic father and she has to take care of two kids which are not hers.

 

Being bored and irritated with her life, she feels that she has to get out of it.

 

That is exactly when she sees a crew selling magazines. Jake from the crew offers her a job in their team when she returns Jake’s phone that has fallen out of his pocket.

 

She initially declines but somehow she is convinced to join the team. So she leaves the house the next day.

 

She tries to sell magazines, but initially, she is not good at it.

 

But later, she does anything to perform well as her performance affects Jake’s job too.

 

While all this is going on, she starts dating Jake. Also, she gets into trouble trying to sell magazines.

 

Star now slowly starts to know what the outside world is. She tries and gets out of every problem she has put herself into.

 

This movie is gritty and bold. It just reveals what it is, however it is.

 

 

24. The Kings of Summer

 

 

 

Sometimes, you might be tired of the usual boring routine life or you might be sick of the person you are with and you might want a break from everything.

 

If you were given the opportunity to have a break, what would you do? Joe is just fifteen, ever since he lost his mom, he has been putting up with his father Frank and his life issues.

 

Nothing’s that perfect in Joe’s life. He likes a girl, Kelly. But Kelly’s dating some other guy.

 

Joe is tired of everything and wants a break. One day, he fights with his dad and goes away from his house.

 

He ends up in the woods with Patrick and Biaggio. The three of them try to find where they are and go back home.

 

But they end up finding a comfortable hideout in the woods. They are so comfortable there while the whole city is thinking that these kids are kidnapped.

 

Things take turns between Patrick and Joe involving Kelly. Right now, everything is more than ruined for Joe.

 

This movie is a must-watch for teens and parents too. It has a lot of information on parenting and stuff.

 

 

25. Superbad

 

 

 

Seth and Evan do not have many friends at school except for they having each other always.

 

They are two best friends who are inseparable by any means. Now, they are counting their last days in high school.

 

While they desperately want to drink and have sex with somebody, an opportunity knocks on the door.

 

The girl Seth likes comes to him and asks if he could buy alcohol for their party night.

 

Seth and Evan find this as a perfect opportunity to attend a party as well as fulfil their dreams.

 

They take Fogell with them to buy alcohol. But it’s not that easy, there are hurdles to cross and barricades to dodge.

 

Will the alcohol reach the party any sooner? A fun fact about this movie is that the writers of the movie, Seth and Evan started writing this script when they were in their early teens.

 

They started it for fun and wanted to see if they are able to write for a movie.

 

This movie is super fun and crazy. If you love the comedy genre, then this is surely your pick.

 

 

26.  Boy Erased (2018)

 

 

Boy Erased is a biography-drama which has been helmed for the screen by Joel Edgerton. Toplined by actors such as Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, and Joel Edgerton (main characters), the film was released in 2018 with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 min.

 

Jared is the son of a Baptist preacher. Things get difficult for him when he is sent against his will to attend a church-sponsored gay conversion program, where his life slowly begins to spiral.

 

Boy Erased is the story of a boy trying to make himself a part of the family by choosing to sacrifice his existence for their sake, which eventually costs him dearly.

 

 

27. Crooklyn

 

 

 

Life is definitely a strange thing. It is uncertain and nobody can predict it that easily.

 

We end up realizing certain things very late or too early. This is the life of Troy and her family.

 

Troy Carmichael is the main character of our story. She has a Jazz musician father and a mom who is a teacher.

 

They are poor and don’t have money to raise their kids. They keep worrying about the debt that is piling up.

 

They are much more worried that their actions will have consequences on their children. Just when Troy’s bond with her brothers starts to get strong, she is sent to her aunt’s place forcefully.

 

Troy has no other go too. After she moves away, there are a lot of things happening around in her family.

 

She returns back someday to find things being shattered. That is the point when she gets what life could be.

 

This movie is so touching and heartfelt. It is so gripping and is also said to be the best work of Spike Lee.

 

 

28. Dazed and Confused

 

 

 

The people of Lee High School have been waiting for this big day. It was May 28, 1976, and the last day for the seniors.

 

Nobody is in the mood to attend classes, everybody is doing drugs, drinking, and partying.

 

The seniors are involved in ragging the juniors. The school football coach, knowing all this would happen, makes everybody take a vow that they would not do drugs this summer.

 

He takes this decision for the well-being of the upcoming championship. But one person refuses to sign it.

 

He’s Randall “Pink” Floyd. Mitch Kramer a freshman becomes the center of attraction of the event, not in a good way.

 

He is being bullied by everybody. As the party takes off, things start going unplanned.

 

It might end up right or wrong. This movie might look like one of those usual teenage dramas, but it is not.

 

The amount of depth and the message conveyed is the essence of the movie.

 

 

29. Real Women Have Curves

 

 

 

Marking your identity is a tough task in this competitive world. This movie tells us how to deal with it.

 

If you’re a woman, then this movie is exclusively for you to connect with and relate to.

 

Ana, a girl from a Mexican-American family, is also a fresh graduate of high school.

 

She is ambitious and dreams of living her life in a certain way. She wants to attend college and mark her identity among people.

 

Being an extraordinary student, Ana receives a full scholarship for her college. But Ana’s mother thinks that it is the right time to get Ana married.

 

Now Ana has to decide what she has to step into, a college or an accustomed family life.

 

In a confused state, Ana goes to work with her mother in her sister’s sewing factory.

 

His experience in that factory changes her life and helps her decide. The life of Ana can be anybody’s life.

 

This movie has the right amount of clarity that a teenager should attain, regardless of their gender.

 

Also, it is a perfect watch for family movie time.

 

 

30. Mud

 

 

 

The early teens are always the best part of our lives. That is the time when we are full of energy and enthusiasm to do things and not regret them later.

 

Ellis and Neckbone are two friends living in the same neighbourhood. One day, the two friends prepare themselves and go to an island located on the Mississippi River.

 

They find a boat that is hanging on a tree and think that it must be due to the floods.

 

They find fresh food in the boat, and at the same time, a man named Mud appears. They slowly get to know Mud and his past.

 

Neckbone doesn’t trust Mud but Ellis finds him not dangerous, decides to help him, and convinces Neckbone to join him.

 

The combo of the three sees a lot in life. This movie is a brilliant thrilling experience that everybody from teens to adults would love to watch.

 

It keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

 

 

31. Heathers

 

 

 

There are movies that we saw and learned what high school would be like. Some of them are too smooth and catch our imagination.

 

But this movie, at that time, hit the reality of the struggles that a normal teenager faces during high school.

 

Heathers is a popular group of girls in Westerburg High School. They are very rude to people and consider themselves to be superior to others.

 

The main character of our story, Veronica joins the heathers not to be one of them but to disprove them.

 

She takes the help of Jason Dean, her boyfriend. J. D and Veronica have a perfect plan and they start to go by it.

 

But as the plan moves, there are a lot of unexpected things happening. The story takes off to the next level, there are mistakes made and a murder involved.

 

But in the end, everything has to settle down. But how? That is the question. This movie is a must-watch if you want to know what’s really going on in schools.

 

It just slaps reality into your face in a way that you’d accept.

 

 

32. Leave no trace

 

 

 

There are many movies that express the relationship between a father and his daughter, but this movie is iconic.

 

This movie is about Will and Tom, the father and the daughter. Will is a veteran who suffers from PTSD.

 

He has a teenage daughter and they both have been living in the woods for a long time.

 

One day, a passerby finds these two and calls the people in charge. They are asked to move to the rural area and live in the city.

 

Also, they are provided with a job, basic needs, and a roof to live under.

 

Things start to get settled down. Will tries to focus on his job and on the other hand, Tom goes to school and finds new friends of her age.

 

But there’s something itching. Will finds that people are dominating and oppressing him in some way or the other.

 

He decides to return to where they came from and his daughter stands by him.

 

This movie with power and compassion in every frame will definitely interest you.

 

 

33. My Own Private Idaho

 

 

 

This is also a friendship movie that makes us laugh, cry and feel good. The main character of the movie is Mike Waters.

 

He lives on the streets and is really poor. But he finds a good friend Scott Favor, a rich guy who likes the company of Mike.

 

Waters has a problem, he suffers from Narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a disorder where somebody falls asleep at the extreme of emotion. It might be happiness, sadness, anger, or even anxiety.

 

Favour, knowing all this, takes Waters on trips. They both travel to places and enjoy as much as possible.

 

Suddenly, Waters feels that he has to find his parents. He wants to look for his biological mother and decides to search for her.

 

He takes a break and goes on a trip to Italy in search of his mother.

 

Maybe he finds her or maybe he doesn’t. In the end, he comes back to his home, Favor.

 

This realistic movie is inspiring and makes us feel better, wherever we’re in our lives.

 

 

34. Now and Then

 

 

 

The movie’s name sounds definitely like a Facebook challenge. Am I right? Everybody wishes to keep in touch with their childhood friends for a lifetime.

 

But only some have that blessing. But have you ever wondered what you’d do if you met your childhood friends?

 

I’m sure that you’ve started picturing it already. Roberta, Teeny, Samantha, and Chrissy are childhood friends who lost touch over time.

 

One day, they connect and find themselves in different pathways and different setups. This makes them feel alien to each other and they decide to reunite.

 

They are all set to witness and relive the greatest, sweetest, and most important moments of their lives.

 

They talk about the past, present, and future too. They think of how and where they were.

 

But in the end, here they are, as promised, to be there for each other. If you love feel-good movies, this movie is a great choice for you because it’ll make you happy and have tears at the same time.

 

 

35. Little Women

 

 

 

The relationship one has with his/her siblings is limitless and cannot be drawn inside an outline.

 

This movie exposes that well. Ultimately, family is always there for you, no matter what.

 

They are the ones that do not hate you, whatever happens. This movie is the story of the March sisters and is beautifully narrated by Jo March.

 

Being the family of a civil servant, a mother with four daughters, Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth is left behind to live in the city.

 

Jo is a writer, struggling to shine in the galaxy of male dominance. Meg is married and Amy is an artist in Paris.

 

The sisters parted long ago but now, they are in a situation where they have to meet and live under the same roof.

 

Beth is sick and that’s the news. The movie takes all the twists and revelations from that point.

 

All this has to end and a wedding is the only solution. This simple story with emotions and dramatic twists is a great pick for the movie time.

 

 

36. Boys Don’t Cry

 

 

 

Many would wonder what gender identity is, and really fewer know realize that gender identity is not something that is known by birth but by the mental state of a being.

 

The main character of our story is Brandon Teena. He is one of the popular boys in his town.

 

He has a gang, he spends most of his time doing petty crimes, drinking, talking bad words, and more.

 

On the other side, he’s also a young handsome man and has ladies running behind him.

 

Sooner, he gets a girlfriend and starts dating her, leaving behind all the other women. While all this is running smoothly, his friends get to know that he’s a girl by birth.

 

His actual name is Teena Brandon. That is the start of his shattering life. The story is about his life and how he overcomes these obstacles.

 

Will you help a person who’s facing such issues is the question of the day?

 

This movie is very thoughtful. It shows the importance of gender and how to treat someone who identifies themselves as a different one.

 

 

37. Remember the Titans

 

 

 

Racism is one of the worst social issues that still have no solution. This movie clearly shows everybody’s perspective.

 

The movie happens in the 1970s, it starts with two schools integrating into Virginia. Just as every school does, this school also has a football team and a new coach to train them.

 

The problem is, one, the coach is an African-American. Two, there are people from different races joining the team.

 

The team finds it difficult to cope with one another. They have issues, fights, and eventually solutions too.

 

The two-week training in Pennsylvania becomes the turning point in each and everybody’s life.

 

The tensions are reduced and people actually get to know each other. This movie is a perfect example of why it is important to co-exist.

 

And also it embosses the beauty of coexistence. It is one of those movies based on social issues that you can add to your list of to-be-watching movies.

 

 

38. Skate Kitchen

 

 

 

Sometimes, an introverted person asks for nothing else other than an understanding group of people around them.

 

Skate Kitchen introduces us to the main character, Camille. She is introverted and loves skateboarding so much.

 

One day, she comes across a group of skateboarders and wishes to be friends with them.

 

She enjoys her life with these people and loves them around her. She couldn’t ask more.

 

While all this is going on, she falls in love with one of the boys in the skateboard group.

 

She expresses it and things change. Nobody is able to understand who is thinking what or anything going on within themselves.

 

Through Camille’s experiences, this movie reveals to us what friendship really is in everybody’s life.

 

Having all the dramas, emotions, and stuff, this movie is one of the must-watch in the list of coming of age movies.

 

 

39. Pariah

 

 

 

This movie won a lot of hearts through its storyline. Today, people are starting to embrace the LGBTQ+ community people these days.

 

Children are being taught what gender actually is. But a decade ago, revealing your gender was a big thing.

 

Our main character Alike lives nearby in Brooklyn with her mom, dad, and little sister.

 

She finds out that she is sexually attracted to girls and she is a lesbian.

 

She wants to tell this to her family but she doubts the idea as they are already on a ruckus.

 

When she is not able to predict what their reaction would be, she keeps the matter to herself.

 

Meanwhile, she tries to find herself a perfect pair. She searches for a perfect person everywhere but she does not find one until her mom compels her to meet a colleague’s daughter.

 

The depth of the movie puts this under the must-watch list. It is a lovable and gripping story.

 

 

40. Mean Girls

 

 

 

New and uncertain friendships are always the best and long-lasting. If you agree with that sentence, then you’ll surely like this movie.

 

The main character Cady Heron is shifted to a new city. Going to high school is a big deal because she has never been to one.

 

Cady’s father is a zoologist and his family have spent most of their lives in the jungles and forests.

 

So, it’s high time Cady prepares herself for this new world that she’s going to see.

 

At her new school, she makes good friends for life, Janis and Damian. They are the sweetest and they guide her through her new experiences.

 

They also warn her to keep away from an elite clique known as the “Plastics”, and the most popular, Regina, Gretchen, and Karen.

 

But things don’t always go smoothly right? Cady falls for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, Aaron. Things take twists and turns, Cady, Janis, and Damian plan a play to help Cady get into a relationship with Aaron.

 

This movie keeps you pinned to the screen, it involves every possible emotion of teen life.

 

It is a perfect watch with your girls at home.

 

 

41. The Diary of a Teenage Girl

 

 

 

Our teenage is filled with so many adventures because that is psychologically and physically the age where we lose our ability to think straight and gain the guts to do everything that is on our mind.

 

The main character of our story, Minnie, is a 16-year-old cartoonist. She has just moved to New York City and is practising cartooning.

 

She has this rage to have sex and asks for it from her mother’s boyfriend when he takes her out to a bar.

 

He agrees and they have sex. She shares this with her best friend Kimmie. Following all this, Minnie sleeps with other people and even fools around with guys after she and Kimmie posed as prostitutes.

 

Minnie has a habit of maintaining an audio diary. Charlotte, Minnie’s mom loses her job and relies upon Minnie’s stepfather.

 

In this chaos, soon she finds Minnie’s audio diary. The story continues as there are more problems and ruckus caused.

 

Finally, Minnie finds her passion way more interesting and reaches her path to heights.

 

This movie has strong sexual content, otherwise, it is a must-watch movie.

 

 

42. Clueless

 

 

 

True to the name, the movie is all about being clueless. Through your high schooling, you might have surely come across a rich, popular kid.

 

Have you ever thought about what would go on in her mind? This movie is all about one such kid.

 

Cher is rich, blonde, and popular. She has a best friend Dion. Cher is a great influencer, she can talk and make people do things for her.

 

She even tries to find a match for her teacher who doesn’t offer her the required grades, so that the teacher will be in a good mood and do what she wants.

 

Then, Tai, a new girl, transfers to her school. Cher and her best friend Dion try to find her a boyfriend.

 

That is when Cher realizes that she needs one for herself and starts searching for a perfect boyfriend.

 

This movie is so funny and cute that you might not want to miss watching it.

 

 

43. Bend It Like Beckham

 

 

 

To an extent, our family decides everything for us, be it picking a dress or the right school or sometimes even more big decisions involving turning points in life like marriage.

 

Sometimes they are satisfying decisions and sometimes they are not. Jess is born and brought up in an Indian family.

 

She loves football. Unlike her sister Pinky who is learning cooking lessons and preparing herself for an arranged marriage, Jess wants to play for the Soccer team.

 

Also, she is inspired by her hero, the great player, David Beckham, and dreams to play like him.

 

Her family does not like and support this idea. That is when she meets Jules, a soccer player who is a part of the local women’s league.

 

These two connect to the point where their family is not supporting them. Will they playmaking decisions against their family?

 

This gripping movie is a perfect watch to understand how a parent-child relationship should or should not be.

 

 

44. The Breakfast Club

 

 

 

Every human has a belief that they are something, but what if that is not true and they are a totally different person?

 

Identifying oneself is the most essential part of life and an important event through the coming of age.

 

Except for being classmates, the five of them, Claire Standish (the princess), Andrew Clark (the athlete), John Bender (Criminal), Brian Johnson (big brains), and Allison Reynolds (the basket case) have nothing mutual and they don’t belong together.

 

They are asked to write a thousand-word essay as a part of detention in the library on a Saturday.

 

They are likely to be detained for almost nine hours as a result of their activities.

 

In the beginning, they wrote everything that they believed they were. But as time went by, they discovered their real selves.

 

This movie is one of those which connects to every person somewhere at some scene.

 

 

45. Easy A

 

 

 

We all would have heard rumors during high school and they are mostly about the popular ones in the school.

 

If you are lucky, you would have lived one rumour during your high school. This story is all about rumours and what are the consequences of one.

 

Olive is a high school student. She lies about her dating life on a day out with her friend Rhiannon and her family.

 

She says that she has a date pre-planned. And just as every friend does, Rhiannon follows up about Olive’s date, in the bathroom.

 

Olive, again lies that she lost her virginity on her date. This news somehow reaches the whole school.

 

This rumour initially fetched her unbelievable things like popularity, reputation, and sometimes monetary gifts too.

 

Now she has become the talk of the school. But that is all temporary. She is caught in an incident in which she is not involved.

 

She makes perfect decisions and faces every problem that arrives. This movie works well for teens and adults.

 

 

46. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

 

 

 

Well, nobody knew that a day off could be a big deal. Ferris is a high school student who always plays tricks.

 

This time he wants to take a break from school. For that, he fakes that he’s sick and plans the day.

 

Ferris is not alone, he has his girlfriend, Sloane, and his best friend, Cameron with him.

 

The three of them plan to take Ferris’ dad’s car and go to Chicago. Life does not take you as per your plans.

 

It has its own plans. Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron are on their own and get out as they planned.

 

While this happens, on the other side, there is Ferris’s Principal Ed Rooney who doubts that Ferris is faking his illness and is running behind them to prove it.

 

Will Ferris get caught? This movie is fun. Every scene makes you laugh out loud until your stomach hurts.

 

 

47. School Ties

 

 

 

This movie tells us the happenings and the mindset of people in the 1950s. As said, this movie takes place in the 1950s having our main character, David Green.

 

David is a hardworking student, a great athlete, and a fun footballer. He is admitted into a boarding school for his skills in football.

 

He hopes to get into Harvard with the help of his school. The other students are from a well-off background while David is from a Jewish background.

 

He has a hard time hiding his background and one day one of his classmates finds out the truth.

 

His biggest fear becomes reality, he is being rejected by his friends because he is a Jew.

 

Also, David is trapped in trouble and is wrongly accused. Does he come out of it?

 

This movie gives us the confidence to face problems. After watching, we will know how to and how not to treat people.

 

 

48. Thirteen

 

 

 

Just as teens start at thirteen, Tracy’s life also starts taking twists at thirteen. Tracy is a student who scores A in her subjects.

 

But at home, she is always depressed in the broken family and she hates her mom’s new date.

 

While life is on an indefinite path already, Tracy is accompanied by her new friend and the talk of the whole school, Evie.

 

Evie shows Tracy another world. The world of drugs, sex, and petty crime. Tracy loves this world at the beginning.

 

But everything has a negative side too. As life goes on, it brings out the worst and the best in Tracy.

 

She discovers who she is at the end. Did you know? This movie has a touch of some incidents from co-writer Nikki Reed’s life.

 

This movie is a good pick that you could watch with your teen children.

 

 

49. Moonrise Kingdom

 

 

 

This story starts with Sam, a twelve-year-old, running away from his scout camp.

 

He writes a letter to the Master of the scout, Randy, saying that he has decided to quit the camp and go out.

 

This was the time when he finds out that Sam is an orphan and is under foster care.

 

Randy seeks the help of Captain Sharp. While everybody is in search of Sam, he is not alone.

 

Suzy, the first and only daughter of the lawyers, Walt and Laura, is his company.

 

They both are letter pals and Suzy flees her home for Sam. As the story moves, everybody including the scout troop members starts searching for the two of them.

 

That is when there are a lot of emotional bursts and realizations. There are problems and solutions.

 

This film is packed with surprise, fun, and romance throughout and it’s a great entertainer.

 

 

50. Dope

 

 

 

Nobody’s life goes on smoothly like a straight line, it takes enough twists and turns.

 

These twists and turns make you strong day by day. And that is what has happened in our main character’s life too.

 

Malcolm dreams of attending Harvard every day. He works hard for his dreams and goals.

 

But it becomes tough for him when there are very big distractions. Malcolm lives in The Bottom, Inglewood.

 

His neighbourhood is the most capable place of spoiling a person’s life. There are gangster fights and drug dealing almost all the time.

 

This time, even though Malcolm was very careful not to fall on the wrong path, he ended up making the wrong decisions.

 

But sometimes, wrong decisions help us discover who we are, that is what happens in Malcolm’s life too.

 

This movie is a perfect motivator.