Some coming-of-age movies perfectly capture the troubles of being a teenager, and here are 13 that truly capture growing up as a millennial. Coming-of-age movies cover a broad spectrum as they can fit into any genre as long as the core themes are still the same. It is one of the most popular genres as coming-of-age movies generally become people’s comfort movies, the movies they watched when they were younger that they could relate to. Coming-of-age is a theme that has been done so many times and is still being done now, but there are some classics that newer movies just cannot rival.
Coming-of-age movies are relatable, whether the circumstances of the film are or not. The focus on a teenager or young adult going through the trials and tribulations of growing up, discovering new relationships, and moving on from being a child is something everybody goes through. This causes the movies to stick with people into adulthood and look back fondly on the ones that really related, and it has meant that plenty of the 90s and 00s coming-of-age movies have become iconic. These are the movies that really captured life as a millennial teenager, and here are 13 that still define that era.
13 Superbad
Superbad casts Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as the three not-so-cool seniors as they deal with impressing their crushes, fitting in, and getting ready to move on to college. Hill and Cera’s Seth and Evan have a hilarious co-dependent dynamic that deals with Evan outgrowing Seth and the frustration that it causes. Superbad captures the major troubles of a high schooler needing to go to wild parties and finally get a girlfriend. The booze-fueled adventure has delivered some iconic quotes. Who could ever forget “McLovin,’” while truly capturing the priorities and anxieties of a teenager?
12 Mean Girls
Mean Girls is the high-school movie of all future high-school movies, capturing the opposing cliques and constant peer pressure that high school provides. Everyone has felt like Mean Girls' main character Cady (Lindsay Lohan), at some point, out of place and wanting to fit in, especially when they are a teenager. Mean Girls focuses on the pressure of girls growing up and the supposed importance of image and reputation. It uses the mean girl type, which everyone has come across, and gives them an extremely fulfilling bout of revenge. Mean Girls has a heart-warming story, without denying the movie some classic quotes and iconic characters.
11 Juno
Juno is a coming-of-age movie that focuses on much more serious but not uncommon issues of a teenager. With a cast millennials associate with their growing up, such as Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, and Jason Bateman, Elliot Page leads as Juno MacGuff, a teenager who falls pregnant and has major life decisions to make. Juno balances the seriousness of Juno’s pregnancy with the teenage aspect of wanting a normal life and a high school relationship. Juno is funny and sad but provides the heart-warming and tough outcome often associated with coming-of-age movies and makes it a stand-out among millennials’ favorites.
10 Now And Then
Now and Then really hits the millennial nostalgia, as growing up is the entire premise of the 1995 movie. The lead girls of Now and Then, Samantha, Teeny, Roberta, and Chrissy, all experience different aspects of growing up. From dealing with a parent’s divorce to feeling the insecurities of a developing body, Now and Then covered the spectrum of teenage worries. The grown-up girls look back on this with fondness, and Now and Then was really able to capture the feeling of fearing the unknown future as a pre-teen. Now Millennials will relate more to the adult versions in Now and Then, making it just as relatable.
9 The Perks Of Being A Wallflower
Based on The Perks of Being a Wallflower came much later in millennials' lives but is still as memorable, especially as it is set in the 90s. The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows shy Charlie as his confidence grows once he meets Sam, an older student. The classic coming-of-age story highlights some deeper issues that are touched on in a new way, such as being rejected and isolated by society, and shows how people can blossom when they are accepted for who they are. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is undeniably heart-warming, with many relatable aspects for teenagers finding themselves.
8 Can't Hardly Wait
The 90s were filled with great coming-of-age movies, and Can’t Hardly Wait is one of the best. It uses the classic trope of leaving high school mixed with the stereotypes of geeks, footballers, and pretty girls to create a chaotic coming-of-story. A huge house party gathers the entire school year and makes audiences root for the boy trying to confess his undying love and the dork ready to get some payback for years of bullying. Can’t Hardly Wait captures millennial life at high school and shows the clash between different types of people in a very fulfilling way.
7 Easy A
Emma Stone leads Easy A in the 2010 coming-of-age story, which focuses on how sex and relationships influence a high-schoolers life. When Olive (Stone) tells a small lie about losing her virginity, the rumor viscously spreads, and she receives a barrage of slut-shaming alongside a ruined reputation. Easy A plays on the importance of reputation and sticking to the norm in high school, as well as the pain of how quickly information spreads. But Easy A has a very fulfilling outcome which sees Olive owning her lies and putting the rest of the school in its place.
6 Bring It On
Bring It On is the 2000 comedy starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union. Bring It On focuses on two cheerleading teams and the intense world of competitive cheerleading. If high school isn’t hard enough, Bring It On deals with one cheerleading captain realizing all their stellar routines have been stolen by another team. The rivalries are intense as the opportunity for glory in the cheerleading world becomes out of reach. The rivalries, characters, and killer cheer routines make Bring It On a staple millennial coming-of-age movie.
5 American Pie
American Pie is the classic coming-of-age movie focusing on a group of friends desperate to lose their virginity before prom and college, and it is still classed as one of the best '90s teen movies. As a millennial coming-of-age, of course, it is not that easy, and American Pie has some hilarious obstacles the boys have to face before prom night, truly capturing the awkwardness of a teenager. American Pie has garnered a cult following, making it one of the defining coming-of-age movies for millennials, as well as for younger generations.
4 John Tucker Must Die
John Tucker Must Die takes the classic high-school comedy and gives it a feminist twist, as the girls being played by the school heartthrob come together to play him at his own game. The girls get lost in their own game and take it too far, hurting the ones around them, and they realize getting back at John Tucker is not healthy for them. John Tucker Must Die has an iconic premise that uses the troubles of relationships in high schools to show the benefits of friendships, too, as well as having some hilarious pranks.
