Reviews
A curated collection of coming-of-age film reviews focusing on the transitional period of youth. Discover thoughtful critiques that prioritize emotional impact, empathy, and the fragile beauty of growing up on screen. We celebrate young artistic talent and the timeless stories that bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood.
Just Like Dad (1995)
An easy going family-friendly flick that turns into a perfect choice for a laid back Sunday afternoon.
Gamechanger (2016)
An impactful short film well worthy of anyone’s time, a thirty-year-old man encounters (and feels compelled to join) two young boys playing war with their self-made toy guns.
I am William (2017)
An uplifting Coming-of-Age flick from Denmark, I am William is a nice family friendly film with a pleasant aesthetic and a lovable central character.
The Year I Became a Liar (2009)
A heartwarming and original flick well-worth anyone's time and guaranteed to please viewers of all ages.
And Then I Go (2017)
A story of teenage anguish, confusion, aspirations, failures, and ultimately loss of innocence, resulting in a contemporary and compelling Coming-of-Age drama.
De Boskampi’s/Little Gangster (2015)
A twelve year old boy, fed up with being bullied all the time, uses his family's move to a new city to reinvent himself: into the son of a Mafia chieftan.
Markus and Diana (1996)
An entertaining comedy with strong Coming-of-Age motifs.
Who Are The Superheroes? (2012)
A simple yet sweet and heartwarming story about first love.
Torn (2003)/Zerwany
Film protagonist Krzysztof Ciupa's acting performance and the movie's score are the strong points of the Polish film "Torn".
Just Charlie (2017)
With a delicate storytelling, wonderful acting, and a first-class cinematic execution – a Coming-of-Age film guaranteed to enrich its viewers
Star Boys (2017)
Rebellion, friendship, confusion and the inevitable loss of one's innocence – all motifs one expects to see in a rite-of-passage film -- are present in Star Boys.
The Strange Ones (2017)
Unlike the short feature film on which this film is based, this full length feature version is an engaging movie with the right dose of controversy and ambiguity. Highly recommended!
Explore more titles
Léolo(1992)
Léolo is an exemplary Coming-of-Age film, but it requires a specific interest in the genre to fully appreciate it.
Jestem (I Am) – A Profound Coming-of-Age Masterpiece
Jestem is a rare film: a story of survival, of longing, and of the complex architecture of a child’s mind—rendered with precision, empathy, and a profound emotional honesty that lingers long after the credits roll.
Peppermint(1999)
Peppermint (1999) is a Greek Coming-of-Age film starring Giorgos Gerontidakis as young Stefanos Karouzos. Through imaginative childhood adventures, first love, and nostalgic reflections, the film captures the charm and emotional depth of growing up, highlighting the observational style and subtle humor of late ’90s Greek cinema.
The Reflecting Skin (1990) — Growing Into the Darkness
Georgi returns to The Reflecting Skin nearly two decades after his first review — uncovering new layers of fear, beauty, and loss in Philip Ridley’s haunting coming-of-age masterpiece.
Griffin in Summer (2024)
Griffin in Summer is an American independent film in which Griffin’s story delivers a thoughtful, well-acted, and unique Coming-of-Age journey, with enough charm and subtlety to linger in your mind long after the credits roll.
A Father for Charlie (1995)
A Father for Charlie may be a made-for-TV film, but its emotional honesty speaks louder than any big production. With heartfelt performances and a story that touches on themes of morality and compassion, it’s a quietly powerful film.
Secret Delivery (2025)
Set in the final months of World War II, Secret Delivery follows a Czech boy who sneaks across the border into the German Reich to spend time with a German friend. Whenthey come across a wounded French pilot, an adventure begins.
Marshmallow (2025)
Marshmallow (2025) begins with atmospheric horror and psychological intrigue but loses momentum in its slow middle act. While the film is saved somewhat by a clever and imaginative ending, it struggles to justify its feature-length runtime.
The Good Son (1993)
The Good Son follows Mark Evans (Elijah Wood), a boy sent to live with his cousin Henry (Macaulay Culkin) after a family tragedy, only to uncover Henry’s sinister nature beneath a facade of charm.
Advertisement