Coming-of-Age Drama backdrop

Coming-of-Age Drama movies

Growing-up drama about identity, belonging, first independence, and life choices that can’t be undone.

Innocent Voices

321. Innocent Voices

Drama War Coming-of-Age Drama Modern Conflicts
7.8

20052h

United States, Mexico

Director: Luis Mandoki

A young boy, attempting to have a normal childhood in 1980s El Salvador, is caught up in a dramatic fight for his life when he desperately tries to avoid the war that is raging all around him.

Themes

Moral ambiguity in justice, El salvador context, Child soldier dynamics, Guerrilla warfare backdrop, Catholic priest influence, 1980s era social strain

Available on

The Roku Channel
VIX
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Lila Says

322. Lila Says

Crime Drama Romance Coming-of-Age Drama Dark Romance
6.9

20051h 29min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Ziad Doueiri

Chimo develops a crush on the pretty, blond Lila, a girl who recently moved into his Arab ghetto with her aunt. When the leader of a rival gang also falls for Lila, the ensuing love triangle initiates a journey of sexual discovery -- and sets off a chain of devastating events.

Themes

Urban violence, Economic disparity, Sexual exploitation, Power and coercion, Education as escape, Romantic obsession

Available on

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

Look at Me

323. Look at Me

Comedy Drama Coming-of-Age Drama Awkward Comedy
6.8

20041h 50min

France, Italy

Director: Agnès Jaoui

Talented 20-year-old Lolita dreams of a singing career. But her self-esteem is low due to her weight problem and her narcissistic father, Étienne, a literary star with scant interest in his daughter's life. Lolita finds little comfort in the attentions of her vocal coach, suspecting the woman is using her to meet her influential father. Étienne's second wife proves to be Lolita's only trustworthy ally in her private battle to find a sense of worth.

Themes

Author arrogance, Overweight woman self-esteem, Woman director visibility, Falling in love dynamics, Complex relationship dynamics

Available on

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

Undertow

324. Undertow

Drama Thriller Coming-of-Age Drama Survival Thriller
6.5

20041h 48min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: David Gordon Green

The Munns, father John and sons Chris and Tim, recede to the woods of rural Georgia. Their life together is forever changed with the arrival of Uncle Deel, though the tragedy that follows forces troubled Chris to become a man.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Dysfunctional family dynamics, Isolation and survival, Greed and violence, Inheritance as motive, Unseen danger in rural spaces

Available on

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

Inside I'm Dancing

325. Inside I'm Dancing

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.7

20041h 44min

France, Ireland

Director: Damien O'Donnell

Michael is a 24-year-old who has cerebral palsy and long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, run by the formidable Eileen. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea moves in.

Themes

Agency within care, Caregiver search and loyalty, Disability and autonomy, Rebellion as catalyst, Independence within constraints, Economic and housing pressures

Available on

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

Summer Storm

326. Summer Storm

Comedy Drama Coming-of-Age Drama Buddy Comedy
7.2

20041h 38min

Germany

Director: Marco Kreuzpaintner

Tobi and Achim, the pride of the local crew club, have been the best of friends for years and are convinced that nothing will ever stand in the way of their friendship. They look forward to the upcoming summer camp and the crew competition. Then the gay team from Berlin arrives and Tobi is totally confused. The evening before the races begin, the storm that breaks out is more than meteorological.

Themes

Competition vs pride, Identity and acceptance, Peer group dynamics, Lgbt representation under pressure, Unspoken loyalty vs honesty, Camp community tensions

Available on

Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Mean Creek

327. Mean Creek

Crime Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.1

20041h 30min

United States

Director: Jacob Aaron Estes

Teenagers living in small-town Oregon take a boat trip for a birthday celebration. When they get an idea to play a mean trick on the town bully, it suddenly goes too far. Soon they're forced to deal with the unexpected consequences of their actions.

Themes

Birthday pressure toward belonging, Prank as group deception, Lake setting instability, Video diary accountability, Bully presence shaping group dynamics, Loneliness and social danger

Available on

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

Nobody Knows

328. Nobody Knows

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
8.0

20042h 21min

Japan

Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda

In a small Tokyo apartment, twelve-year-old Akira must care for his younger siblings after their mother leaves them and shows no sign of returning.

Themes

Economic precarity, Urban isolation, Sibling caregiving, Parental abandonment, Reliance on strangers, Resilience under hardship

Available on

Apple TV
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
AMC+ Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Garden State

329. Garden State

Comedy Drama Romance Bittersweet Romance Coming-of-Age Drama
7.4

20041h 42min

United States

Director: Zach Braff

Andrew returns to his hometown for the funeral of his mother, a journey that reconnects him with past friends. The trip coincides with his decision to stop taking his powerful antidepressants. A chance meeting with Sam - a girl also suffering from various maladies - opens up the possibility of rekindling emotional attachments, confronting his psychologist father, and perhaps beginning a new life.

Themes

Loneliness and connection, Deception and trust, Loss and memory, Medication autonomy conflict, Self-discovery through relationships, Family and therapy

Available on

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

Somersault

330. Somersault

Drama Romance Coming-of-Age Drama Passionate Romance
6.7

20041h 45min

Australia, Netherlands

Director: Cate Shortland

Australian teenager Heidi is left with little choice but to leave home after she's caught red-handed with her mother's boyfriend. With few options, Heidi ends up in Jindabyne, a tourist community. Upon meeting Joe at a bar, she pursues a relationship with him and tries to find something resembling a normal home life. Heidi makes small strides by getting a job and finding a place to stay, but her relationship with Joe must overcome more than its share of hurdles.

Themes

Economic precarity, Trust under pressure, Runaway teen, Woman director, Housing instability, Romantic vulnerability

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Joyn Plus
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.