The coming-of-age film genre is one that is ever-expanding and one that remains popular. Transitioning from childhood to adulthood is an experience that viewers of almost any age can relate to. Nothing quite matches up with the tumultuousness of coming-of-age, which is why so many stories about this unique yet universal experience are constantly being told and listened to.
Though the genre has birthed some of the world's most popular and most critically acclaimed films, like Stand By Me (1986) and The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012), many coming-of-age films remain undiscovered. Here are 10 that you may not have seen before.
As You Are (2016)
This mystery film stars Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), and Owen Campbell (White Lightnin'). In a small American town in the early 1990s, three teens form a unique and tangled relationship when the sons of two single parents form a friendship that becomes sexually tense.
None of the teens quite fit into their surroundings, which leads them down a path of passion, betrayal, and love. The film opens in an interrogation room, with a blood-soaked Jack (Owen Campbell) answering questions asked by the police. Throughout the film, various other characters offer their own, slightly different accounts of events.
Super Dark Times (2017)
This is another film starring Owen Campbell, this time alongside Charlie Tahan (Ozark) and Elizabeth Cappuccino (NEXT). Super Dark Times is an honest depiction of high school friendship with a dark twist.
Zach and Josh have been best friends since childhood, but a gruesome accident creates a rift between them that leads them to drift apart and become increasingly paranoid. The acclaimed film was directed by Kevin Phillips but earned just over $33,000 USD at the box office. The film has since gained a cult following after its release on Netflix.
Anne Of Green Gables (1985)
Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic Anne Of Green Gables books have been adapted for the screen many times, most recently in the form of Netflix's popular but recently canceled series, Anne With An E. For fans who enjoyed the series, the Kevin Sullivan adaptations of the books are an excellent way to continue the story.
The 1985 film is light and dreamy, almost utopic, in its depiction of Anne Shirley's life as she's adopted by the elderly Cuthbert siblings in Avonlea of Prince Edward Island, Canada. This lightness and innocence are much closer to the style in the books.
Booksmart (2019)
Olivia Wilde's directorial debut hit theatres in 2019 with a bold, funny, and clever story centered around a strong female friendship. Kaitlyn Dever stars alongside Beanie Feldstein, whose brother is Jonah Hill of Superbad, the film to which Booksmart has been most often compared.
For whatever reason, the critically acclaimed film didn't reach a wide audience. If it had, audiences would have fallen in love with Amy and Molly's witty banter and pedantic determination to succeed academically, until they decide to attend a party and have some fun before graduation.
Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016)
Taika Waititi directs (and has a cameo in) this slightly heartbreaking comedy about a young boy (Julian Dennison) who embarks on an adventure with his foster father (Sam Neill) through the New Zealand wilderness.
The pair become the subjects of a manhunt, but as a city kid, Ricky Baker definitely doesn't have the discipline or mental toughness to survive in the wild. This is another example of a critically acclaimed film that wasn't seen by a large audience.
To The Bone (2017)
Ellen (Lily Collins) is a rebellious 20-year-old young woman with an eating disorder she can't overcome. Her family decides to try a more unconventional recovery program, led by a doctor, played by Keanu Reeves.
The film is available on Netflix but didn't seem to become the hit that its concept might have promised. Alex Sharp (The Hustle), Liana Liberato (The Best Of Me), Carrie Preston (True Blood), and Kathryn Prescott (Skins) also star.
Boy (2010)
Boy is another Taika Waititi-directed film in which he stars as the titular character's father, Alamein. A young New Zealand boy - who goes by the name of Boy and idolizes his father.
However, he soon realizes that Alamein isn't the heroic, brave figure he believed he was. The film earned just under 9 million USD at the box office, but those who have seen it are fond of the humorous coming-of-age drama.
Miss Stevens (2016)
A high school English teacher named Miss Stevens (Lily Rabe) chaperones a group of high school students as they go away for a weekend to participate in a drama competition.
In addition to her complicated and lonely romantic life, Miss Stevens forms some interesting relationships with the three students, especially Billy (Timothée Chalamet). Lili Reinhart and Anthony Quintel also star.
Boy Erased (2018)
Boy Erased features an all-star cast but remains a relatively unknown film, despite its accolades. Lucas Hedges portrays Jared, a boy who discovers his homosexuality in high school when he doesn't feel the attraction he's expected to towards his girlfriend (Madelyn Cline).
His religious parents (Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe) send him to a conversion therapy case run by Victor Sykes (Joel Edgerton, who directs the film) where he meets Gary (Troye Sivan). The film is based on real events and real people.
Sing Street (2016)
Finally, the Irish musical romance Sing Street is a charming, heartwarming and uplifting film that offers one of the most authentic portrayals of coming-of-age of all the films on this list.
Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) tries to impress an aspiring model named Raphina (Lucy Boynton) on his first day at a private school by boasting about his band - which does not actually exist until he decides to start one after talking to her. Over time, the band members bond and commit to pursuing their dreams even though they're terrible. Raphina stars in their music videos and sees something special in Conor.