Coming-of-Age Adventure backdrop

Coming-of-Age Adventure movies

A growth journey where trials on the road mirror identity, independence, and stepping into adulthood.

Ferdinand

1. Ferdinand

Animation Family Adventure Comedy Family Animation
6.7
20171h 48min

Overview

Ferdinand, a little bull, prefers sitting quietly under a cork tree just smelling the flowers versus jumping around, snorting, and butting heads with other bulls. As Ferdinand grows big and strong, his temperament remains mellow, but one day five men come to choose the "biggest, fastest, roughest bull" for the bullfights in Madrid and Ferdinand is mistakenly chosen. Based on the classic 1936 children's book by Munro Leaf.

Themes

Rebellion against tradition, Compassion over spectacle, Friendship across species, Pacifism under pressure, Resilience through bonds, Responsibility toward animals, Collective action and escape

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Coco

2. Coco

Family Animation Music Adventure Family Animation
8.4
20171h 45min

Overview

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

Themes

Intergenerational tension, Deception and exposure, Tradition vs creativity, Music ban and control, Memory vs legacy, Art as rebellion

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Lego Ninjago Movie

3. The Lego Ninjago Movie

Family Comedy Adventure Animation Action
6.1
20171h 41min

Overview

Six young ninjas are tasked with defending their island home of Ninjago. By night, they’re gifted warriors using their skill and awesome fleet of vehicles to fight villains and monsters. By day, they’re ordinary teens struggling against their greatest enemy....high school.

Themes

Teamwork under pressure, Teen life disruption, Six young ninjas identity clash, Identity pressure, Elemental powers tension, Duty vs adolescence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

4. Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

Family Animation Adventure Fantasy Anime
6.3
20171h 38min

Overview

Ash Ketchum wakes up late one morning after having broken his alarm clock in his sleep. He eventually makes it to Professor Oak's lab, but is told that the three starter List of Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander) have already been taken by Trainers who were on time. However, Oak reveals that he has one more Pokémon, an Electric-type named Pikachu. Despite its volatile and feisty personality, as well as its refusal to get inside a Poké Ball, Ash happily takes Pikachu for his journey.

Themes

Teamwork under pressure, Rivals spark development, Alternate universe exploration, Adventure and discovery, Travel as growth, Artifact quest and destiny

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

5. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Action Adventure Science Fiction Superhero Action Coming-of-Age Adventure
7.4
20172h 13min

Overview

Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker, with the help of his mentor Tony Stark, tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture, emerges.

Themes

Power and responsibility, Secrecy and disclosure, New york city pressure, High school dynamics, Youth under pressure, Institutional oversight, Mentoring vs independence, Improvisation under constraint

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Cars 3

6. Cars 3

Animation Adventure Comedy Family Family Animation
6.7
20171h 42min

Overview

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician with her own plan to win, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn't through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!

Themes

Mentorship under pressure, Technology-driven performance, Generational rivalry, Ownership and control in teams, Identity in competition, Training and apprenticeship

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Overview

Five ordinary teens must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove — and the world — is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers.

Themes

Mentorship under pressure, Identity and belonging, Diversity as strength, Bullying to resilience, Duty under destiny, Found family through teamwork

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Ballerina

8. Ballerina

Animation Adventure Comedy Family Family Animation
6.8
20161h 29min

Overview

In 1879 Paris, a young orphan dreams of becoming a ballerina and flees her rural Brittany for Paris, where she passes for someone else and accedes to the position of pupil at the Grand Opera house.

Themes

Class tension, Mentorship and talent, Deception for entry, Rivalry and legitimacy, Ambition and sacrifice, Performative pressure

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

A Monster Calls

9. A Monster Calls

Fantasy Adventure Family Supernatural Fantasy Parent-Child Family
7.4
20161h 48min

Overview

12-year-old Conor encounters an ancient tree monster who proceeds to help him cope with his mother's terminal illness and being bullied in school.

Themes

Intergenerational bonds, Caregiving burden, Fantasy as coping, Illness and coping, Truth and vulnerability, Bullying and isolation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

10. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Fantasy Adventure Drama Family Dark Fantasy
6.7
20162h 7min

Overview

A teenager finds himself transported to an island where he must help protect a group of orphans with special powers from creatures intent on destroying them.

Themes

Duty vs desire, Power and control, Time manipulation ethics, Belonging and otherness, Protecting the vulnerable, Isolation vs community

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.