[+] Top10nerScore81.596 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Greg Mottola
WRITERS: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Russ T. Alsobrook
STARRING: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen, Emma Stone, Martha MacIsaac
GENRE: Sex Comedy
THEME: Buddy, Teen Movie, Coming-of-Age
A couple of socially inept friends are facing separation anxiety as they prepare to go off to college. In one panic-driven night they make several misguided attempts to reverse a lifelong losing streak with the ladies. However the evening takes a turn into chaotic territory.
Superbad hilariously captures the chaotic beauty of adolescence, blending razor-sharp humor with heartfelt insight. A coming-of-age tale that explores friendship, identity, and the awkward journey to maturity, it’s as heartfelt as it is outrageously funny.
[+] Top10nerScore81.621 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Taika Waititi
WRITERS: Taika Waititi
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Lachlan Milne
STARRING: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House
GENRE: Comedy, Adventure, Family Drama
THEME: Buddy, Coming-of-Age
Ricky is a defiant young city kid who finds himself on the run with his cantankerous foster uncle in the wild New Zealand bush. A national manhunt ensues, and the two are forced to put aside their differences and work together to survive.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a heartfelt tale of personal growth, as a defiant boy and his gruff foster uncle stumble through the wilds of New Zealand. Taika Waititi blends humor, heart, and life lessons into an adventure that’s as funny as it is deeply resonant.
[+] Top10nerScore81.659 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Bo Burnham
WRITERS: Bo Burnham
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Andrew Wehde
STARRING: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily Robinson, Jake Ryan
GENRE: Drama, Cringe Comedy
THEME: Coming-of-Age, Teen Movie
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.
In Eighth Grade, Bo Burnham deftly channels the anxiety, humor, and hope of middle school life, anchored by Elsie Fisher’s luminous portrayal. A poignant and refreshingly honest exploration of identity, it speaks to anyone who’s ever braved the chaos of growing up.
[+] Top10nerScore81.722 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Todd Solondz
WRITERS: Todd Solondz
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Randy Drummond
STARRING: Heather Matarazzo, Brendan Sexton III, Matthew Faber, Victoria Davis, Eric Mabius
GENRE: Black Comedy, Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
An unattractive 7th grader struggles to cope with suburban life as the middle child with inattentive parents and bullies at school.
Welcome to the Dollhouse presents a raw, biting coming-of-age story, capturing the awkwardness and isolation of adolescence. Matarazzo’s standout performance anchors this darkly comic exploration of youth, identity, and the painful quest for acceptance.
[+] Top10nerScore81.744 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Taika Waititi
WRITERS: Taika Waititi
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Adam Clark
STARRING: James Rolleston, Taika Waititi, Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu, Moerangi Tihore
GENRE: Comedy, Family Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
Boy, an 11-year-old child and devout Michael Jackson fan who lives on the east coast of New Zealand in 1984, gets a chance to know his absentee criminal father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago.
Boy effortlessly captures the bittersweet essence of growing up, mixing sharp humor with touching insights into family and identity. The film’s vibrant storytelling and authentic characters create a journey that is both hilarious and profoundly relatable.
[+] Top10nerScore81.745 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Peter Weir
WRITERS: Cliff Green
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Russell Boyd
STARRING: Rachel Roberts, Helen Morse, Vivean Gray, Anne-Louise Lambert, Dominic Guard, Margaret Nelson, Jacki Weaver
GENRE: Mystery, Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
MOVEMENT: Australian New Wave
In the early 1900s, Miranda attends a girls boarding school in Australia. One Valentine’s Day, the school’s typically strict headmistress treats the girls to a picnic field trip to an unusual but scenic volcanic formation called Hanging Rock. Despite rules against it, Miranda and several other girls venture off. It’s not until the end of the day that the faculty realizes the girls and one of the teachers have disappeared mysteriously.
A haunting exploration of innocence lost, Picnic at Hanging Rock blends mystery and beauty in a way that defines the coming-of-age genre. It captures a pivotal moment in youth, where the line between reality and myth blurs, leaving an unforgettable emotional impact.
[+] Top10nerScore81.781 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Rajkumar Hirani
WRITERS: Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Abhijat Joshi
CINEMATOGRAPHY: C.K. Muraleedharan
STARRING: Aamir Khan, Boman Irani, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor, Omi Vaidya
GENRE: Comedy, Drama
THEME: Buddy, Coming-of-Age
Two friends are searching for their long lost companion. They revisit their college days and recall the memories of their friend who inspired them to think differently, even as the rest of the world called them “idiots”.
3 Idiots is a brilliant, emotionally resonant journey through the pressures of education and life. With its perfect blend of humor and heart, it captures the spirit of youthful rebellion, highlighting the importance of friendship, dreams, and self-discovery.
[+] Top10nerScore81.868 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Robert Bresson
WRITERS: Robert Bresson, Georges Bernanos
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ghislain Cloquet
STARRING: Nadine Nortier, Jean-Claude Guilbert
GENRE: Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
A young girl living in the French countryside suffers constant indignities at the hand of alcoholism and her fellow man.
Mouchette delicately explores the painful moments of a young girl’s life, painting an intimate portrait of resilience and inner conflict. Its raw portrayal of adolescence makes it a striking and unforgettable coming-of-age story that captures the fragility of youth.
[+] Top10nerScore81.879 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Terrence Malick
WRITERS: Terrence Malick
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Emmanuel Lubezki
STARRING: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Sean Penn
GENRE: Family Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
The impressionistic story of a Texas family in the 1950s. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father. Jack finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith.
A visual and emotional odyssey, The Tree of Life portrays the delicate transition from childhood to adulthood. Malick crafts a cinematic experience that contemplates existence, memory, and the human experience, offering a profound look at the wonders and struggles of life.
[+] Top10nerScore82.003 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Lukas Moodysson
WRITERS: Lukas Moodysson
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ulf Brantås
STARRING: Alexandra Dahlström, Rebecka Liljeberg, Erica Carlson
GENRE: Drama, Romance
THEME: Teen Movie, Coming-of-Age, LGBTQ+, Slice of Life
Two teenage girls in small-town Sweden. Elin is beautiful, popular, and bored with life. Agnes is friendless, sad, and secretly in love with Elin.
Show Me Love beautifully explores the journey of self-discovery through its tender depiction of first loves and the messy, exhilarating moments that shape us. With a focus on small-town life, it delivers an authentic experience of finding who you are, no matter the odds.
[+] Top10nerScore82.040 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Shunji Iwai
WRITERS: Shunji Iwai
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Noboru Shinoda
STARRING: Hayato Ichihara, Shugo Oshinari, Ayumi Ito, Yu Aoi
GENRE: Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age, Slice of Life
Charts the troubled teenage years of students Yūichi Hasumi and Shūsuke Hoshino, exploring the shifting and complex power dynamics of their relationship against the backdrop of Yūichi’s love for the dreamy and abstract music of fictional pop star Lily Chou-Chou.
All About Lily Chou-Chou immerses viewers in the emotional chaos of youth, balancing alienation and fleeting moments of connection. Its haunting soundtrack and delicate storytelling invite introspection, making it a deeply affecting exploration of growing pains.
[+] Top10nerScore82.080 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Lasse Hallström
WRITERS: Brasse Brännström, Reidar Jönsson, Lasse Hallström, Per Berglund
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jörgen Persson
STARRING: Anton Glanzelius, Tomas von Brömssen, Anki Lidén, Melinda Kinnaman, Kicki Rundgren
GENRE: Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
A boy, obsessed with comparing himself with those less fortunate, experiences a different life at the home of his aunt and uncle in 1959 Sweden.
Coming-of-age at its finest, My Life as a Dog captures the bittersweet innocence of youth through a young boy’s heartwarming journey. With humor, vulnerability, and unforgettable moments, it paints an honest portrait of personal growth and the bonds that shape us.
[+] Top10nerScore82.138 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Víctor Erice
WRITERS: Víctor Erice
CINEMATOGRAPHY: José Luis Alcaine
STARRING: Omero Antonutti, Sonsoles Aranguren, Icíar Bollaín
GENRE: Family Drama, Period Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
A woman reflects on her childhood relationship with her father, attempting to understand the depths of his despair and the truth of his myths.
A poignant coming-of-age tale that explores the tension between childhood innocence and the weight of family secrets. El Sur beautifully captures the essence of growing up, as it delicately portrays the complex relationship between a daughter and her enigmatic father.
[+] Top10nerScore82.184 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jean-Marc Vallée
WRITERS: Jean-Marc Vallée, François Boulay
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Pierre Mignot
STARRING: Marc-André Grondin, Danielle Proulx, Michel Côté, Pierre-Luc Brillant, Alex Gravel, Maxime Tremblay
GENRE: Family Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age, LGBTQ+
A young French Canadian, one of five boys in a conservative family in the 1960s and 1970s, struggles to reconcile his emerging identity with his father’s values.
C.R.A.Z.Y. weaves a deeply emotional and humorous narrative about growing up, navigating family bonds, and embracing one’s true self. Its nostalgic soundtrack and heartfelt moments create a unique, resonant story that stays with you long after the credits roll.
[+] Top10nerScore82.204 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Peter Yates
WRITERS: Steve Tesich
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Matthew F. Leonetti
STARRING: Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Jackie Earle Haley
GENRE: Comedy, Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age, Sports, Buddy
MOVEMENT: New Hollywood
Best friends Dave, Mike, Cyril and Moocher have just graduated from high school. Living in the college town of Bloomington, Indiana, they are considered “cutters”: the working class of the town so named since most of the parents worked at the local limestone quarry.
A heartwarming and spirited coming-of-age story, Breaking Away captures the trials and triumphs of youth. It blends humor and heartfelt moments as it follows a group of friends finding their paths in life, overcoming challenges with resilience and friendship.
[+] Top10nerScore82.246 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Terry Zwigoff
WRITERS: Terry Zwigoff, Daniel Clowes
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Affonso Beato
STARRING: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Bob Balaban, Stacey Travis
GENRE: Drama, Comedy
THEME: Coming-of-Age
Two quirky, cynical teenaged girls try to figure out what to do with their lives after high school graduation. After they play a prank on an eccentric, middle aged record collector, one of them befriends him, which causes a rift in the girls’ friendship.
Ghost World expertly captures the tension of growing up, blending wit with melancholy. Its quirky characters reflect the struggle between youthful rebellion and the weight of the future. A smart, refreshing take on self-discovery amidst life’s offbeat rhythms.
[+] Top10nerScore82.280 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Stephen Daldry
WRITERS: Lee Hall
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Brian Tufano
STARRING: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven, Stuart Wells
GENRE: Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age, Dance Film
11-year-old Billy Elliot lives in a British coal mining town with his macho father and brother. When he swaps boxing gloves for ballet shoes he struggles to find acceptance among his family for his newfound love of dance.
Billy Elliot is a heartwarming, vibrant coming-of-age tale, blending dance with personal defiance. Its exploration of passion, family, and identity strikes a perfect balance, making it a deeply engaging story about finding one’s voice, defying expectations, and embracing change.
[+] Top10nerScore82.330 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Mamoru Hosoda
WRITERS: Mamoru Hosoda, Satoko Okudera
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ryo Horibe
STARRING: Aoi Miyazaki, Takao Osawa, Haru Kuroki, Yukito Nishii
STARRING (ENGLISH): Colleen Clinkenbeard, David Matranga, Jad Saxton, Micah Solusod
GENRE: Anime, Low Fantasy, Family Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age, Werewolf
After her werewolf lover unexpectedly dies in an accident, a woman must find a way to raise the son and daughter that she had with him. However, their inheritance of their father’s traits prove to be a challenge for her.
Wolf Children is a heartwarming exploration of family bonds, resilience, and self-discovery. Mamoru Hosoda weaves an enchanting narrative, following a mother’s trials and joys in raising children caught between two worlds. It’s as magical as it is profoundly human.
[+] Top10nerScore82.390 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Deniz Gamze Ergüven
WRITERS: Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Alice Winocour
CINEMATOGRAPHY: David Chizallet, Ersin Gök
STARRING: Güneş Nezihe Şensoy, Doğa Zeynep Doğuşlu, Elit İşcan, Tuğba Sunguroğlu, Ilayda Akdoğan
GENRE: Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
In a Turkish village, five orphaned sisters are kept under strict lock and key by their aunt and uncle after an entirely innocent encounter with a group of boys. As marriages start being arranged, the sisters, driven by the same desire for freedom, rebel against the limitations imposed upon them.
Mustang delivers an evocative portrait of sisterhood against oppressive traditions. Ergüven crafts a tender yet defiant narrative, capturing youthful resilience and the quiet power of unity in the face of conformity, all through vibrant, heartfelt storytelling.
[+] Top10nerScore82.442 / 100
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DIRECTOR: John Carney
WRITERS: John Carney
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Yaron Orbach
STARRING: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Aidan Gillen, Ben Carolan, Mark McKenna
GENRE: Drama, Romance
THEME: Coming-of-Age, Music, Teen Movie
A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes.
With infectious tunes and a story steeped in 1980s charm, Sing Street captures the pulse of teenage dreams, creativity, and rebellion. It’s a melodic ode to finding connection, chasing passion, and turning the mundane into something truly extraordinary.
[+] Top10nerScore82.887 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Gregg Araki
WRITERS: Gregg Araki
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Steve Gainer
STARRING: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet, Michelle Trachtenberg, Elisabeth Shue
GENRE: Psychological Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age, LGBTQ+
MOVEMENT: Queer Cinema
A teenage hustler and a young man obsessed with alien abductions cross paths, together discovering a horrible, liberating truth.
A poignant exploration of trauma, Mysterious Skin captures the struggles of young men navigating the aftermath of their pasts. With raw performances and striking direction, it offers a unique, unforgettable look at self-discovery and healing in the midst of darkness.
[+] Top10nerScore83.036 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Carlos Saura
WRITERS: Carlos Saura
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Teo Escamilla
STARRING: Ana Torrent, Geraldine Chaplin, Mónica Randall
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Family Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
In Madrid, the orphan sisters Irene, Ana and Maite are raised by their austere aunt Paulina together with their mute and crippled grandmother after the death of their mother and their military father Anselmo. Ana is a melancholic girl, fascinated by death, after seeing her mother having a painful death and her father dead in bed.
Cría cuervos… stands as a compelling exploration of Franco-era Spain, delicately weaving personal and political narratives. Saura’s poignant direction and Chaplin’s remarkable performance combine to create a remarkable psychological drama that resonates deeply with viewers.
[+] Top10nerScore83.073 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Steven Spielberg
WRITERS: Tony Kushner, Steven Spielberg
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Janusz Kamiński
STARRING: Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord
GENRE: Family Drama, Period Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.
A poignant exploration of youth and creativity, The Fabelmans blends personal history with universal themes of self-discovery. Spielberg’s nostalgic coming-of-age tale unfolds with heart, reminding us of the power of dreams and the bittersweet nature of growing up.
[+] Top10nerScore83.146 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Andrea Arnold
WRITERS: Andrea Arnold
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robbie Ryan
STARRING: Katie Jarvis, Michael Fassbender, Kierston Wareing, Rebecca Griffiths, Harry Treadaway
GENRE: Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age, Hood Film
Fifteen-year-old Mia is in a constant state of war with her family and the world around her. When she meets her party-girl mother’s charming new boyfriend Connor, she is amazed to find he returns her attention, and believes he might help her start to make sense of her life.
Fish Tank delves into the messy, transformative period of adolescence, capturing a young girl’s journey to find her place. Through gritty realism and remarkable performances, it explores self-worth, desire, and the painful path to freedom with unflinching honesty.
[+] Top10nerScore83.326/ 100
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DIRECTOR: Lukas Dhont
WRITERS: Angelo Tijssens, Lukas Dhont
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Frank van den Eeden
STARRING: Eden Dambrine, Gustav De Waele, Émilie Dequenne, Léa Drucker, Kevin Janssens
GENRE: Drama
THEME: Coming-of-Age
Thirteen year olds Leo and Remi have always been incredibly close but they are drift apart after the intimacy of their relationship is questioned by schoolmates. When tragedy strikes, one is forced to confront why he distanced himself from his closest friend.
Close offers a poignant exploration of youth’s complexities, masterfully capturing the tender yet turbulent moments of friendship. Its emotional depth resonates with both heartache and hope, showcasing a rare, evocative coming-of-age narrative that stays with you.
