Best Coming-of-Age Movies You’ve Never Seen

Coming-of-age stories pop up in every corner of the world, and some of the best ones slip under the radar. This list gathers films that follow teenagers as they navigate school, family, identity, and first love in fresh and specific ways. You will find punk bands in Stockholm, summer nights in Detroit, and quiet moments in Tokyo. Each title sticks close to real places and real pressures that shape the jump from youth to adulthood.

‘The Fits’ (2015)

Set on Cincinnati’s West End, ‘The Fits’ follows an 11 year old girl who leaves the boxing gym to join a community center dance team. The group is shaken by a wave of fainting spells that no one can explain, and the mystery spreads from girl to girl. Director Anna Rose Holmer uses real students from the Q-Kidz dance team and shoots in the actual recreation complex. Royalty Hightower leads the cast, and the production was backed by the Venice Biennale College Cinema program.

‘We Are the Best!’ (2013)

‘We Are the Best!’ takes place in early 1980s Stockholm and centers on three middle school girls who start a punk band with no instruments and no lessons. The film is adapted from a graphic novel by Coco Moodysson and directed by Lukas Moodysson. It was shot in and around Stockholm with a young cast drawn from open auditions. The soundtrack features period Swedish punk tracks that the girls learn to play as they go.

‘Girlhood’ (2014)

Set in the Paris banlieues, ‘Girlhood’ follows a teenager who finds a sense of belonging with a tight knit crew of girls. Céline Sciamma directs and works with non professional actors discovered through street casting in the suburbs. The film studies school tracking, family responsibility, and youth unemployment in contemporary France. It premiered in the Directors Fortnight at Cannes and later screened at festivals worldwide.

‘The Way He Looks’ (2014)

‘The Way He Looks’ is a Brazilian feature about a blind high school student in São Paulo who seeks independence while new friendship shifts his daily routine. Daniel Ribeiro expands his own short film and keeps the same lead actors, Ghilherme Lobo and Fábio Audi. The production uses city neighborhoods and real schools for location work. It won the FIPRESCI Prize and the Teddy Award in Berlin.

‘Son of Rambow’ (2007)

Set in 1980s England, ‘Son of Rambow’ tracks two boys who make a homemade action movie after seeing ‘First Blood’. Writer director Garth Jennings filmed in Buckinghamshire and cast Bill Milner and Will Poulter in early roles. The story draws on how British school life and strict religious upbringing shape the kids’ collaboration. The movie premiered at Sundance and was later released by Paramount Vantage.

‘The Myth of the American Sleepover’ (2010)

‘The Myth of the American Sleepover’ unfolds over one last summer weekend in suburban Detroit. Writer director David Robert Mitchell uses local neighborhoods and a largely first time cast to create overlapping stories about teens searching for parties and crushes. The film was shot on a small budget and premiered at South by Southwest. IFC Films acquired distribution after its festival run.

‘Pariah’ (2011)

Set in Brooklyn, ‘Pariah’ follows a 17 year old who explores her identity while navigating a conservative household and a changing friendship. Dee Rees expands her graduate thesis short into this feature and casts Adepero Oduye in the lead. The film was shot in New York with support from the Sundance Institute. Spike Lee served as an executive producer, and Focus Features handled its release.

‘Tomboy’ (2011)

‘Tomboy’ is set in the Paris suburbs and follows a 10 year old who introduces as a boy to neighborhood kids after a family move. Céline Sciamma wrote and directed and cast Zoé Héran in the lead role. Production took place in real apartment blocks and green spaces around Paris. The film screened at the Berlin Film Festival and won the Teddy Jury Award.

‘The Wackness’ (2008)

‘The Wackness’ takes place in New York City during the summer of 1994 as a teen drug dealer barters weed for therapy sessions. Jonathan Levine directs and sets the timeline to the months before the city elections and the rise of new policing policies. The cast includes Josh Peck, Olivia Thirlby, and Ben Kingsley, with location shooting across Manhattan and Brooklyn. The soundtrack features mid 1990s hip hop from artists like The Notorious B I G and A Tribe Called Quest.

‘North Sea Texas’ (2011)

Set in a Belgian coastal town, ‘North Sea Texas’ follows a quiet boy who dreams of running away while he develops feelings for a neighbor. Bavo Defurne directs and adapts the novel by André Sollie. The film was shot in West Flanders with dialogue in Dutch. It won the Best Film award in the Alice Nella Città section at the Rome Film Festival.

‘Sweet Bean’ (2015)

‘Sweet Bean’ centers on a teenage boy working at a small dorayaki stand in Tokyo who meets an elderly woman with a special recipe for red bean paste. Naomi Kawase directs and focuses on seasonal changes and everyday street life around the shop. The story addresses school withdrawal and part time labor among youth in Japan. The film opened the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes.

‘Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.’ (1992)

Set in Brooklyn, ‘Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.’ follows a high achieving teenager who hides a pregnancy while pursuing college plans. Leslie Harris wrote and directed and became one of the first Black women to win a prize at Sundance with this feature. The film was shot on location in New York and financed through grants and independent backing. It was released by Miramax and later aired on premium cable.

‘The Selfish Giant’ (2013)

‘The Selfish Giant’ is set in Bradford in Northern England and focuses on two boys who start collecting scrap metal after a school expulsion. Clio Barnard directs and bases the story on local news accounts and social issues around informal work. The production used non professional actors from the area and shot among actual scrapyards. The film premiered at Cannes in the Directors Fortnight and took the Europa Cinemas Label prize.

‘The Diary of a Teenage Girl’ (2015)

Set in 1970s San Francisco, ‘The Diary of a Teenage Girl’ adapts Phoebe Gloeckner’s graphic novel about a teen who records her life on tape. Marielle Heller directs and casts Bel Powley, Kristen Wiig, and Alexander Skarsgård. The production recreates period apartments and North Beach locations with era appropriate design and music. It premiered at Sundance and received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for its screenplay.

‘Closet Monster’ (2015)

‘Closet Monster’ follows a creative teenager in Newfoundland who processes trauma through makeup effects and fantasy imagery. Stephen Dunn writes and directs and uses St John’s locations, including Signal Hill and local neighborhoods. The film features voice work by Isabella Rossellini and a soundtrack of Canadian indie music. It won the Best Canadian First Feature Film award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

‘Mustang’ (2015)

Set in a village on the Black Sea, ‘Mustang’ follows five sisters whose guardians restrict their lives after a harmless day at the beach. Deniz Gamze Ergüven directs and shoots on location in Turkey with a cast led by Güneş Şensoy. The story tracks arranged marriage pressures, school obstacles, and how the sisters find small ways to regain freedom. The film was France’s submission for the Academy Awards and won multiple César Awards.

‘Beach Rats’ (2017)

‘Beach Rats’ is set in Brooklyn and Staten Island where a teenager balances family responsibilities with secret nights out. Eliza Hittman directs and uses handheld camerawork across boardwalks, basements, and beaches. Harris Dickinson stars alongside non professional actors found through local casting. The film won a directing prize at Sundance and was later distributed by Neon.

‘Girl Asleep’ (2015)

Set in suburban Australia, ‘Girl Asleep’ follows a shy teenager whose birthday party spins into a dreamlike adventure. Director Rosemary Myers adapts a stage play from Adelaide’s Windmill Theatre and keeps the production rooted in real neighborhoods. The film uses practical sets and costumes to build a heightened version of 1970s school life. It premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Prize at Seattle.

‘The World of Us’ (2016)

‘The World of Us’ is set in Incheon and traces a new friendship between two elementary school girls through a summer and the next term. Director Yoon Ga eun works with child actors who trained together before shooting. The production uses actual classrooms and apartment blocks to ground the story. It premiered at Berlin in the Generation section and earned awards on the international festival circuit.

‘Blue Gate Crossing’ (2002)

Set in Taipei, ‘Blue Gate Crossing’ follows two classmates as a mistaken crush changes their friendship. Yee Chih yen directs and frames school life through swimming practices, after class hangouts, and scooter rides. The film highlights city locations like riverside paths and neighborhood markets. It premiered at the Directors Fortnight in Cannes and brought early attention to actor Chen Bo lin.

‘The Rocket’ (2013)

‘The Rocket’ is set in rural Laos and follows a boy who enters a rocket building contest to help his displaced family. Australian director Kim Mordaunt filmed in Lao language with local performers. The production worked with communities affected by dam projects and unexploded ordnance to shape the details. It won awards at Tribeca and Berlin, including an audience prize.

‘And Then We Danced’ (2019)

Set in Tbilisi, ‘And Then We Danced’ follows a dance student in a national ensemble as a new rival shifts his focus. Levan Akin directs and trains the cast in traditional Georgian choreography. The production shot in real studios and city streets under tight security due to public controversy. It premiered at Cannes in the Directors Fortnight and was Sweden’s Oscar submission.

‘It Felt Like Love’ (2013)

‘It Felt Like Love’ takes place in South Brooklyn where a teenager spends a restless summer pushing into adult spaces. Eliza Hittman writes and directs and shoots in neighborhood apartments, parks, and beaches. The cast includes newcomers found through local auditions and workshops. The film premiered at Sundance and screened in the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s Bright Future section.

‘Fish Tank’ (2009)

Set in Essex, ‘Fish Tank’ follows a teenager who dreams of dancing while life at home grows complicated. Andrea Arnold directs with a mix of professional and non professional actors and uses natural light in council estates. Michael Fassbender appears in an early role opposite newcomer Katie Jarvis. The film won the Jury Prize at Cannes and later took the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film.

‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’ (2018)

‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’ is set at a remote conversion camp where teens live under strict rules after being sent by family or guardians. Director Desiree Akhavan films in New York state with a cast led by Chloë Grace Moretz and Forrest Goodluck. The production uses cabins, chapels, and group sessions to map the daily routine. It won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and was released by FilmRise.

‘The Quiet Girl’ (2022)

Set in rural Ireland, ‘The Quiet Girl’ follows a shy child who is sent to live with relatives and slowly settles into a new household. Colm Bairéad directs in Irish and English and adapts a Claire Keegan novella. The film uses real farms and country lanes in County Meath and County Dublin. It became the first Irish language feature nominated for an Academy Award.

‘Wadjda’ (2012)

‘Wadjda’ is set in Riyadh and follows a schoolgirl who saves to buy a bicycle despite local disapproval. Haifaa al Mansour directs the first feature shot entirely in Saudi Arabia. The production staged street scenes from a van due to on site restrictions and filmed classroom life with a young ensemble. It premiered at Venice and collected awards at festivals across Europe and North America.

‘Somers Town’ (2008)

Set around London’s St Pancras, ‘Somers Town’ follows two teens who strike up a friendship while drifting around the neighborhood. Shane Meadows directs and keeps the story focused on cafés, estate courtyards, and small jobs. The film was shot in black and white on a tight schedule between larger projects. It won the Michael Powell Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

‘I Killed My Mother’ (2009)

‘I Killed My Mother’ centers on a Montreal teenager whose conflicts with his mother spill from school into home life. Xavier Dolan writes, directs, and stars while shooting in Quebec with a young crew. The film was made on a modest budget and expanded from autobiographical material. It premiered at Cannes in the Directors Fortnight and received three awards there.

‘Dear Lemon Lima’ (2009)

Set in Alaska, ‘Dear Lemon Lima’ follows a 13 year old who navigates a private school’s Snowstorm Survivor competition and its social hierarchies. Suzi Yoonessi directs and incorporates Yup’ik cultural elements through the event’s activities. The film was shot in Fairbanks and features regional locations and performers. It won audience awards at festivals including Milwaukee and San Francisco.

‘Princess Cyd’ (2017)

Set in Chicago, ‘Princess Cyd’ follows a teen who spends a summer with her novelist aunt and builds a new connection with a local barista. Stephen Cone directs and uses neighborhood homes, parks, and block parties to map the city’s quieter rhythms. The production leans on natural light and conversational scenes that play out in long takes. It premiered at Maryland Film Festival and found wider attention through specialty streaming releases.

‘Gook’ (2017)

‘Gook’ takes place during the Los Angeles unrest and centers on two Korean American brothers who befriend a Black preteen from the neighborhood. Justin Chon directs and shoots in black and white around retail strips in Paramount, California. The story tracks school absence, family business pressures, and fragile alliances on a single volatile day. It won the Audience Award in the NEXT section at Sundance.

‘The Tribe’ (2014)

Set at a boarding school in Kyiv, ‘The Tribe’ follows a new student who enters a violent hierarchy among deaf classmates. Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi directs and tells the entire story in Ukrainian Sign Language without subtitles. The film uses long tracking shots and non professional actors to keep the world closed and immediate. It won prizes at Cannes Critics’ Week and drew critical attention for its formal approach.

‘The Last Tree’ (2019)

‘The Last Tree’ moves between rural Lincolnshire and inner city London as a British Nigerian boy is uprooted from a foster home to live with his mother. Shola Amoo writes and directs and draws on autobiographical experiences for the move between places. The production frames school corridors, estates, and countryside edges with warm color and handheld work. It premiered at Sundance London and won acting and writing awards at the British Independent Film Awards.

‘Little Forest’ (2018)

Set in a small Korean town, ‘Little Forest’ follows a young woman who leaves the city and reconnects with seasonal cooking and old friends. Yim Soon rye directs and adapts a Japanese manga with a focus on farm work and recipes. The production shot across rural locations to capture crop cycles and kitchen detail. The film became a word of mouth success in Korea and inspired culinary blogs and tours.

‘As You Are’ (2016)

‘As You Are’ is set in upstate New York and traces a friendship that forms around music, skate spots, and after school hangouts. Miles Joris Peyrafitte directs and uses a police interview frame to piece together the summer’s events. The cast includes young leads alongside veteran character actors who play their parents. It won the U S Dramatic Special Jury Award at Sundance.

‘My Life as a Zucchini’ (2016)

This stop motion feature follows a boy who moves into a small group home after a family loss and slowly forms bonds with other kids. Claude Barras directs and works from a script by Céline Sciamma, adapting a French novel. The production used miniature sets built in Switzerland with detailed facial animation. It earned an Academy Award nomination and became a staple at children’s festivals.

‘Shithouse’ (2020)

Set at an American college, ‘Shithouse’ follows a homesick freshman through one long night that shifts how he sees campus life. Cooper Raiff writes, directs, and stars while keeping the scale small and grounded in dorm rooms and house parties. The film grew from a microbudget project that was expanded for festival submission. It won the Grand Jury Prize in the narrative competition at SXSW.

‘Sweetheart’ (2021)

‘Sweetheart’ is set at a British holiday park where a teen on vacation with her family discovers a first romance. Marley Morrison directs and uses seaside chalets, arcades, and swimming sessions to track the week. The production filmed along the Dorset coast with a mix of newcomers and seasoned actors. It won the Audience Award at the Glasgow Film Festival and was released by Peccadillo Pictures.

‘The Kings of Summer’ (2013)

Set in Ohio, ‘The Kings of Summer’ follows three friends who build a house in the woods and live off the land for a spell. Jordan Vogt Roberts directs and shoots on trails, creeks, and cul de sacs around Cleveland. The cast mixes young leads with comic veterans in supporting roles. It premiered at Sundance and was later picked up by CBS Films for theatrical release.

‘Banana Split’ (2018)

‘Banana Split’ centers on two teenagers who form an unexpected friendship the summer after a breakup changes their friend group. Hannah Marks and Joey Power co direct from a script by Marks and Ben York Jones. The production shot around Los Angeles with a focus on house parties, diners, and drives. It premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and moved to streaming soon after.

‘Giants Being Lonely’ (2019)

Set in North Carolina, ‘Giants Being Lonely’ follows high school baseball players through practices, games, and home lives that do not match the town’s expectations. Grear Patterson directs and brings a painter’s eye to fields and locker rooms. The cast features non professional actors and real athletes for team scenes. It premiered in Venice’s Orizzonti section and toured art house festivals.

‘Goodbye First Love’ (2011)

‘Goodbye, First Love’ follows a French teenager whose early relationship shapes her choices into young adulthood. Mia Hansen Løve writes and directs with an emphasis on architecture studies and travel that mark each chapter. The production uses natural locations along the Loire and in Paris. It premiered at Locarno and received praise for its precise timeline and performances.

‘Better Days’ (2019)

Set in Chongqing, ‘Better Days’ follows a student preparing for the national entrance exam while bullying and a street friendship change her routine. Derek Tsang directs and works with leads Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee. The film sparked discussion about school pressure and was released after edits to meet local guidelines. It received Academy Award recognition for international feature.

‘The Transfiguration’ (2016)

Set in Queens, ‘The Transfiguration’ follows a quiet teen who is fixated on vampire lore while navigating grief and a new friendship. Michael O’Shea writes and directs and uses housing projects, buses, and beaches to map his route through the city. The low budget production filmed on location with natural sound and light. It premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes and later screened at genre festivals.

Tell us the next underseen coming of age picks you want readers to discover in the comments.