Best Coming-of-Age Films of the 70s and 80s

Starting off our list of the best coming-of-age films of the 70s and 80s is American Graffiti. This semi-autobiographical George Lucas film followed a group of teenagers on their last night before going off to college.

With a cast of youngsters who later became Hollywood stars – Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford, just to name a few – American Graffiti was like youth in a time capsule. The characters got up to all of the teen shenanigans- from hanging out at the local diner to figuring out their futures while cruising around in hopped-up cars. Of course, it was all set to a killer soundtrack of early rock and roll hits.

Ultimately, American Graffiti captured that moment when the comfort of childhood shifted to uncertainty of the future, earning it a spot on our list.

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Another one of the best coming-of-age films of the 70s and 80s was Sixteen Candles. This film captured the genuine awkwardness of high school life. It even further launched Molly Ringwald’s career while also establishing Hughes as the voice of a generation.

In this romantic comedy, Ringwald starred as Samantha Baker, a teenager grappling with family problems and love on her sixteenth birthday. The movie balanced humor with heartfelt moments, creating a really relatable idea of teenage insecurities and desires. Sixteen Candles depicted high school social dynamics and the universal experience of feeling overlooked as a teenager.

Notably, as is a common theme within his work, Hughes’ script treated its teenage characters with understanding. Instead of resorting to only stereotypes, he showed young people figuring out how to manage their emotions and social pressures. Across any age group, this authenticity resonated deeply with audiences. The film is still a classic that continues to charm viewers decades later. Even today, any teenage girl still knows Sixteen Candles.

Badlands, a 1973 film, took us on a wild ride with Kit and Holly, two young lovers turned outlaws in the Midwest. Based loosely on true events, it’s a coming-of-age story that took on some dark themes as well.

Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek shined as the young antiheroes. Sheen’s Kit gave off cool rebellious vibes, while Spacek’s Holly narrated their crime spree with an eerily calm voice.

Badlands combined dreamy visuals and haunting music to a unique vibe that was both beautiful, yet unsettling. The film serves as a reminder that coming of age isn’t always pretty like in the movies. Instead, sometimes it’s messy, confusing, and even dangerous.

Next, Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of The Outsiders set a new standard for coming-of-age films of the 70s and 80s. This drama brought S.E. Hinton‘s beloved novel to life, showcasing a new generation of young talent that ended up dominating Hollywood for decades.

In the film itself, C. Thomas Howell led the cast as Ponyboy Curtis, a greaser navigating class divide and gangs. The film did a particularly good job showing teenage angst and brotherhood.

Perhaps most importantly, The Outsiders respected its young characters and audience. It didn’t talk down to teens or paint them as caricatures. Instead, it presented complex, flawed characters and heroes that felt real and relatable to the audience. It’s no wonder the movie earned a cult following among teenagers!

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Come on! Of course, we had to include The Breakfast Club – the coming-of-age film that made detention cool! The plot featured five high school stereotypes – a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal – trapped in the library together in detention for a day.

Despite what you may think from such a bizarre group of kids, it’s one of the most honest, raw, and relatable teen films ever made. The Breakfast Club was the dream team of young talent. Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy brought these characters to life so authentically that you’d swear these are kids you went to high school with.

The Breakfast Club validated the teenage experience. It told an entire generation that they weren’t alone in feeling misunderstood. That message resonated so strongly that the film has become a rite of passage for each new crop of teens. Even I remember watching this movie with my mom as a young teen, proving that this coming-of-age film of the 70s and 80s is, without a doubt, timeless.

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Set in an elite all-boys prep school, Dead Poets Society touched on themes of individuality, rebellion, and the power of literature. The New England setting of the film set the scene of the movie, mirroring the literary works the characters study.

The well-known and beloved Robin Williams delivered an unforgettable performance as John Keating, an unconventional English teacher who inspired his students to “seize the day” and think for themselves. The coming-of-age movie followed a group of teenage boys as they dealt with the pressures of school, family expectations, and their dreams. As an audience, we watched the students grow, discovering their unique voices and standing up for their beliefs.

Although a teen movie, Dead Poets Society tackled heavy subjects like conformity, suicide, and the clash between tradition and progress. Because of this, the movie resonated deeply with teens and adults alike.

It also encouraged viewers to look at poetry and literature in a new light, sparking a renewed interest in classic works. More importantly, it reminded audience members of the importance of teachers in shaping young minds.

Have you ever played hooky? Well, the master of hooky days had to be Ferris Bueller. Of course, the final coming-of-age movie on our list is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Ferris, played by Matthew Broderick, wasn’t your average high school slacker – he was a smooth-talking king of mischief who could talk his way out of anything. With his best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) and girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), Ferris took on an epic day off, turning Chicago into his playground.

John Hughes’ direction broke the fourth wall and let Ferris speak directly to the audience. It’s like we’re in on the joke, along with him on his grand adventure. Even decades later, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off remains popular. It’s quoted, referenced, and beloved by generations who weren’t even born when it first hit theaters, earning it a place on our list of coming-of-age films of the 70s and 80s.

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I had to include my mom’s favorite movie of all time, Stand By Me. This 1986 adaptation of Stephen King‘s novella The Body captured the essence of boyhood adventure. It wasn’t just your typical coming-of-age flick. Instead, Stand By Me proved that stories about kids don’t have to be kid stuff.

The story began with four small-town boys—Gordie, Chris, Teddy, and Vern— searching for a dead body. Young River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell brought these characters to life with a raw authenticity that jumped off the screen.

Stand By Me didn’t sugarcoat the harsh realities these boys faced. They struggled with abusive parents, uncertain futures, and the weight of expectations. But it balanced that darkness with moments of joy—singing “Lollipop,” outrunning trains, and late-night conversations—earning it the final place on our list of the best coming-of-age films.

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