The Best Coming Of Age Movies On Netflix

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Updated June 23, 2023 7.7K votes 2.3K voters 140.6K views
Over 2.3K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Coming Of Age Movies On Netflix

Ready to take a stroll down memory lane? Get nostalgic with the best coming of age movies on Netflix, as ranked by movie fans of every age. This list of Netflix coming of age movies features films that tap into universal feelings of uncertainty to create unforgettable cinematic moments. Netflix has a collection of some of the best coming of age movies of all time ranging in ages from pre-teen to young adult, with some coming of age romance movies mixed in.

Which coming of age movie is your favorite? Vote up the best coming of age films Netflix has to offer. 

Most divisive: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List
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  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower
    1

    The Perks of Being a Wallflower

    Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller
    221 votes
    • Released: 2012
    • Directed by: Stephen Chbosky
    In The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Charlie (Logan Lerman), an introverted high-school freshman, navigates through the trials and tribulations of adolescence. His world opens up when he befriends two seniors, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller). As they introduce him to the real world beyond textbooks and tests, Charlie grapples with first love and deep-seated secrets. A coming-of-age drama, this movie shines a spotlight on the joys and heartbreaks of growing up. Garnering critical acclaim, it won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature.

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  • The Fundamentals of Caring
    2

    The Fundamentals of Caring

    Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez
    329 votes
    • Released: 2016
    • Directed by: Rob Burnett
    The Fundamentals of Caring is a 2016 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Rob Burnett, based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Jonathan Evison and stars Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts and Selena Gomez.
  • Lady Bird
    3

    Lady Bird

    Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Timothée Chalamet
    84 votes
    • Released: 2017
    • Directed by: Greta Gerwig
    In the indie dramedy film Lady Bird, Saoirse Ronan portrays Christine Lady Bird McPherson, a high school senior from Sacramento. She navigates her way through the trials and tribulations of adolescence, clashing with her mother Marion (Laurie Metcalf), who works tirelessly to keep their family afloat after Lady Bird's father (Tracy Letts) loses his job. The movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, is punctuated by Lady Bird's interactions with her best friend Julie (Beanie Feldstein) and her romantic interests (Lucas Hedges and Timothée Chalamet). With five Academy Award nominations, it remains a compelling exploration of coming-of-age in early 2000s America.

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  • To the Bone
    4

    To the Bone

    Keanu Reeves, Lily Collins, Alanna Ubach
    109 votes
    • Released: 2017
    • Directed by: Marti Noxon
    Ellen is an unruly 20-year-old anorexic girl who spent the better part of her teenage years being shepherded through various recovery programs, only to find herself several pounds lighter every time. Determined to find a solution, her dysfunctional family agrees to send her to a group home for youths, which is led by a non-traditional doctor. Surprised by the unusual rules, Ellen must discover for herself how to confront her addiction and attempt self-acceptance.

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  • Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
    5

    Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

    Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld
    86 votes
    • Released: 2018
    • Directed by: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
    Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an animated superhero film that redefines the traditional concept of Spider-Man. Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), a teenager from Brooklyn, grapples with his new powers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. The plot thickens when he encounters Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), an older and jaded version of Spider-Man from a different universe. Together, they navigate a multiverse teeming with various iterations of Spider-Man, each distinct yet bound by the same heroic mantle. This visually stunning film was awarded the Best Animated Feature at the 91st Academy Awards for its innovative storytelling and dynamic animation style.

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  • Moonlight
    6

    Moonlight

    Mahershala Ali, Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders
    89 votes
    • Released: 2016
    • Directed by: Barry Jenkins
    Moonlight is a profound, genre-defying drama that unfolds in three acts. The film follows the life of Chiron, portrayed at different stages by Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes. In the heart of Miami's rough neighborhood, young Chiron navigates his tumultuous home life and grapples with his emerging sexuality. Naomi Harris plays his drug-addicted mother, while Mahershala Ali shines as the caring drug dealer who becomes a father figure to him. This Oscar-winning masterpiece explores themes of identity, masculinity, and love with nuanced sensitivity and compelling storytelling.

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