The awkward, messy, unforgettable moments of growing up — captured on screen ♡ These movies hit differently when you’re watching them for the first time, & even deeper when you revisit them as an adult • HANDPICKED & WATCHED: Not thrown toget...
A CLASSIC!! A timeless journey of friendship, loss, & adventure — four boys chasing a rumor in the woods discover what it really means to grow up ♡
Stand by Me (1986)
Tender, funny, & painfully relatable — this portrait of a Taiwanese American teen fumbling through identity & adolescence will feel both specific & universal
Dìdi (2024)
OBSESSED WITH THIS ONE!! No movie captures the awkwardness of middle school this honestly — equal parts cringe, heartbreak, & hope
Eighth Grade (2018)
A beautiful letter to anyone who’s ever felt invisible — this one whispers right to your younger self about friendship, love, & survival ♡
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Another favorite: Coming of age in South Central Los Angeles — raw, powerful about choices, community, & survival
Boyz n the Hood (1991)
Sharp, hilarious, & brutally honest about the teen years!!
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
PURE NOSTALGIA!! Childhood crushes, teenage memories, & adult friendships collide in this heartwarming look at growing up black in Inglewood
The Wood (1999)
A film about listening, caretaking, & the unspoken wisdom kids give adults ♡
C'mon C'mon (2021)
Fast, funny, & rebellious ◡̈ Two best friends on a wild road trip to fix one mistake, discovering a whole lot more along the way
Plan B (2021)
A love letter to Atlanta ♡ skating rinks, first loves, & figuring out who you want to be
ATL (2006)
A bittersweet & beautiful classic!! Childhood innocence, first crushes, & the moment you realize life isn’t always fair
My Girl (1991)
A deeply personal story of dreams, loss, & fate set against Naples in the 1980s ◡̈
The Hand of God (2021)
Skateboards, found family, & the messy freedom of youth — an unpolished & unfiltered snapshot of growing up in LA
Mid90s (2018)
A math prodigy struggles to connect — this tender drama shows that growing up is more about heart than numbers!!
x+y (A Brilliant Young Mind, 2014)
A raw & intimate look at grief, resilience, & the fragile bonds that help you keep going when the world feels unsafe
The Fallout (2021)
Raw, devastating, & ultimately about clawing your way toward light when the world has only shown you darkness ♡
Precious (2009)
Wes Anderson at his dreamiest ◡̈ Two kids escape into the wild, inventing a strange & charming love story
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
High school in a single room — five teens, zero filters, & every stereotype cracking open before your eyes
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Not just a stoner classic!! Chaotic, hilarious, & oddly beautiful blur of the last day of school in the ’70s ◡̈
Dazed and Confused (1993)
A fiery daughter, a sharp-tongued mother, & the impossible tug-of-war between wanting to leave home & never wanting to let go
Lady Bird (2017)
Catholic guilt, dial-up internet, & a teen girl’s messy first brush with desire — this one’s as awkward as it is liberating!!
Yes, God, Yes (2019)
A tender reminder that kindness counts ♡ told through the eyes of a boy who teaches the world to look beyond appearances
Wonder (2017)
Smart-mouthed, sharp-witted, & unexpectedly moving — this teen pregnancy comedy sneaks up!!
