Article: Top 10 Underrated Coming of Age Films

10. Cemetery Junction (IMDB – 6.8/10)

It’s 1973 in Cemetery Junction, a Reading suburb. Three working class lads, best friends, are coming of age. It is one of those film that is well casted and they all got great chemistry together. This is a well-made film with a great story and there is some nice moment in this film, it also a likeable film with great characters and the main lead is likeable, if you like a romantic coming of age film this is ideal for you, it might not be groundbreaking but this is a heartfelt film.

9.The Adam Project (IMDB – 6.7/10)

After accidentally crash landing in 2022, time traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed teams up with his 12-year-old self for a mission to save the future. Personally, this isn’t the best film but this has got the fun aspect, I also admire this film that try to be something different and that does work perfectly, it is well casted and it has got some nice moment in this film, it is action packed but it never loses the story itself, this is like a time traveling coming of age film and that is refreshing.

8.Narnia 2005 – 2010 (IMDB – 6.9/10)

Four kids travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia and learn of their destiny to free it with the guidance of a mystical lion, the kids encounter eccentric people and battle to save the land of Narnia. Gorgeous looking film with amazing CGI/SFX that is eye catching from start to finish. It also balances the war element with the fantasy aspect and for me personally it works, it like a fantasy coming of age film that is full of magic, this is pure escapism and it is colourful.

7.City Of Ember (IMDB 6.4/10)

For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember’s once powerful generator is failing and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Might not be the most obvious coming of age film but it mixed the adventure aspect, with all those elements that comes together it certainly works, the main two leads have got great chemistry together and the story is brilliant, this is superb and eye catching.

6.The Water Man (IMDB 5.5/10)

A boy sets out on a quest to save his ill mother by searching for a mythic figure said to have magical healing powers. Quietly powerful and it will move you from start to finish and the acting is amazing, this is another film which the story is spot on and this is a beautiful film, this is relatable for some people and this is a wonderful coming of age film, it never feels forced or too sentimental and for me personally it is so underrated.

5.Drifting Home (IMDB – 6.3/10)

Kosuke and Natsume have been friends since childhood who drift into a mysterious sea with an entire housing complex. With stunning scenery and this film will draw you in from the start. The fantasy elements might not work but the animation itself look spectacular, it about growing up and it is a beautiful coming of age tale that will touch your heart, this is a memorable film and it will move you as well, overall, this is intriguing and this is silently a powerful film, this is a superb film.

4.Black Beauty 2020 (IMDB 6.4/10)

A wild horse and a teenage girl forge an unbreakable bond which keeps them connected for a lifetime. Teenage coming of age type of film and this is beautiful plus it got an likeable lead, not really suitable for cynical type of person as this can be rather predictable, it never feels forced or too sentimental as it got an emotional core to this film, I’m sure people will connect with this film and it has got an superb ending, this is one of those film that is suitable for a rainy day.

3.Earth To Echo (IMDB 5.7/10)

After receiving a bizarre series of encrypted messages, a group of kids embark on an adventure with an alien who needs their help. Found footage science fiction coming of age film as this got a mixture of genres, it got nonprofessional cast and all of them totally believable in their roles. The ending will leave you a lasting impression on you, it might not draw you in from the start and if you are patience this will surprise you, you should give this film a chance as this is enjoyable.

2.The Half Of It (IMDB – 6.9/ 10)

A shy, introverted, Chinese – American, straight – A student finds herself helping the school jock woo the girl they both secretly love. In the process, each teaches the other about the nature of love as they find connection in the most unlikely of places. Honest, real, and relatable film that will touch your heart, it will leave you a lasting impression on you as this is silently powerful, it like a LGBTQ coming of age film with a complex love story, this will surprise people with this film.

1.The Polar Express (IMDB 6.6/10)

On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. Adventure coming of age film and the animation itself look outstanding, you care about with these characters and this can be exciting with wonderful scenery, this is a perfect Christmas film but you can watch this anytime you like, this is pure escapism and this is entertaining from start to finish as this is superb.