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The Graduate
This iconic film is about a recent college graduate who is seduced by an older woman, Mrs Robinson, and then proceeds to fall in love with her daughter. With its comic/dramatic genre and its romantic sub-plot, this film has managed to stand the tests of time and has been incredibly popular with teenage audiences. Furthermore, the combination of the cinematography and soundtrack helped to create a typical 60s British style that allowed for this film to become so popular. -
Grease
Grease is a film about teens inn love in the 50s. With its musical rom-com genre, the film manages to teach young adults the best way to cope with troubling situations and when released, the film was found to be extremely popular with teens of all ages. The character 'Rizzo' also demonstrates the growing movement of female gender roles that was occurring during that time, teaching young girls that it is perfectly normal for them to chase guys instead of getting chased by them. -
The Breakfast Club
With its comic genre, this film is about 5 students from different social groups who, at detention, get to know each other and learn that they aren't that different. The film inspires teens to be themselves and stop worrying about what others think. Also, unlike most 'coming of age' films made around this time, this film gives the characters more emotional depth and in contrast to Grease, the film sends a message to girls that they shouldn't have to change who they are in order to impress boys -
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Directed by John Hughes, the film follows Ferris Bueller as he skips school and spends the day in Downtown Chicago with his girlfriend, Sloane, and his best friend Cameron. With its comic characters and feel-good nature, the film found itself to be popular with teenagers aged 13-19 families. The film has a mass cultural impact as it showed teenagers in a new light. Hughes managed to honor their hopes and dreams and portray them as human beings with an element of dignity. -
Dirty Dancing
Set in the 60s, this film is about a girl called Baby who, whilst spending the summer at a country club with her family, falls in love with the camp dance instructor. Not only does the film tell a story about a heart-warming romance, it reveals the shocking differences between the different classes and genders during that time. Dirty Dancing is very popular with females around the ages of 13-19 but is often favored by young adults as well. -
Say Anything
Starring John Cusack, Say Anything tells the story of a noble underachiever and a beautiful valedictorian who fall in the love the summer before she goes to college. With its iconic boom box scene and its heart-warming love story, this film has found itself to be popular with the teenage demographic. I really liked this film as it knows its target audience well and tells them that life isn't perfect but that doesn't but you should learn to appreciate the things around you that make you smile. -
Dead Poet's Society
Dead Poet's Society tells the story of an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. The film sends a message to teenagers, who are currently having to make life-changing decisions, that they should do their own thing and try to follow a path that makes them happy. I really liked how the film tells parents that they shouldn't try to control their children and that they should allow them to make their own decisions, otherwise it could have disastrous consequences. -
Good Will Hunting
Starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams, Good Will Hunting is about a janitor at M.I.T who has a gift for mathematics but requires help from a psychologist to find his way in life. This heart-wrenching story is aimed at a slightly older demographic (consisting of 16-21 year olds) than most coming of age films. I really liked this film as it showed how growing up isn't easy, which most films often forget. -
Almost Famous
Almost Famous, a classic rom-com, tells the story of a teenage journalist writing for 'The Rolling Stones' magazine in the early 1970s. With a target audience aged 15-19, this emotional and touching film teaches its viewers the impact of trying to change your personality in order to suit others. I really enjoyed this film as I find it funny and charming and I found that the excellent characterisation allowed for you to feel more empathy towards to the characters. -
Mean Girls
Starring Lindsay Lohan and Tina Fey, this film tells the story of new girl Cady Heron who becomes a hit with 'The Plastics', the A-list clique at her school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha plastic Regina George. This comedy is aimed at a young teenage demographic consisting of teens aged 13-16 year olds. Throughout the story, this film sends a message that popularity does not mean everything and that you should always try to be yourself. -
Juno
Unlike some of the coming age film featured on this timeline, Juno deals with serious topics in a light-hearted way. Directed by Jason Reitman, this film tells the story of an independent teenager dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and the consequences that force the pressures of adult life onto her. With a target audience that consists of 14 to 18 year olds, this film manages portray teenage girls in a positive light and stay completely devoid of stereotypes. -
Submarine
Directed by Richard Ayoade, this film tells the story of 15-year-old Oliver Tate who wants to lose his virginity before his next birthday, and to extinguish the flame between his mother and an ex-lover. This rom-com provides a slightly darker twist on the coming of age genre and manages to avoid certain stereotypes that would most likely anger its teenage audience. Submarine deals with topics that nearly all teens go through, making it perfect for a demographic consisting of 14-17 year olds. -
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Directed by Stephen Chbosky, this films introduces us to socially awkward teen Charlie and we follow him as he experiences his first year at High School. I found this film interesting as it steered away from typical stereotypes and realistically portrayed the struggles teenagers go through. When combined, the cinematography and the soundtrack create a perfect 90s American feel that makes the film seem more realistic. The plot of the film is also beautifully detailed and completely heart-breaking -
The Spectacular Now
The Spectacular Now is about hard-partying high school senior whose philosophy on life is changed when he meets the not-so-typical nice girl. This modern day rom-com is favored by a slightly younger, teenage demographic. With a plot that reminds audiences of the 1980s classic, 'Say Anything', the film is some-what clichéd however it keeps its target audience in mind throughout. I felt that this film tended to lose focus of the plot at times but it still manged to come across as heart-warming.
