15 Best Coming-of-Age Movies Set in a Small Town

Lila Sommers

Lila Sommers

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The coming-of-age story is as ancient as time itself. Whether it's a lion cub singing on a rock or a teenager standing on the edge of a cliff while blasting rock music, growing up is an evergreen subject in film. But let's be honest: not every coming-of-age flick is about big cities, flashing lights, and the hustle and bustle that threatens to engulf our protagonists. Sometimes, the quieter, more scenic backdrops of small towns serve as the perfect stages for these transformative journeys.

A small town is like a microcosm of life but without the white noise of a city. Everyone knows everyone; you can't really run away from your problems, but hey, the scenery is picture-postcard perfect. The nostalgia, the intimacy, and the quirks—they all make for wonderful cinematic settings where our heroes can grow up without growing jaded.

So grab your popcorn and a cozy blanket, folks, because today we’re touring the small towns that raised heroes, misfits, and the plain ol' complicated. It's going to be like a high school reunion, except you actually want to be there.

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Rotten tomatoes92%
iMBD75
Metacritic8.1

Starting off our list is a literal journey through the woods and the winding paths of friendship. Set in the fictitious small town of Castle Rock, Oregon, four boys set out to find a dead body, but end up discovering life, friendship, and the value of good storytelling. Adapted from a Stephen King novella, the movie makes you laugh and cry—sometimes in the same minute. You'll be humming "Stand by Me" for days after, while pondering whether you should call up your old pals for a tearful catch-up.

CAST

Wil Wheaton

Wil Wheaton

River Phoenix

River Phoenix

Jerry O'Connell

Jerry O'Connell

Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland

Casey Siemaszko

Casey Siemaszko

Gary Riley

Gary Riley

Bradley Gregg

Bradley Gregg

Jason Oliver

Jason Oliver

Marshall Bell

Marshall Bell

Directed by Rob Reiner
Image
Rotten tomatoes94%
iMBD81
Metacritic7.5

Pregnancy and high school—two things that go together like pickles and ice cream. Wait, Juno actually craves that. Set in a Minnesota suburb, this quirky, witty film revolves around 16-year-old Juno MacGuff, who handles her unplanned pregnancy with a maturity that most adults don't even possess. It's like watching a butterfly emerge from a cocoon, except the cocoon is a burger phone and the butterfly is an indie-rock-loving teen mom.

CAST

Elliot Page

Elliot Page

Michael Cera

Michael Cera

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner

Jason Bateman

Jason Bateman

Allison Janney

Allison Janney

J.K. Simmons

J.K. Simmons

Olivia Thirlby

Olivia Thirlby

Eileen Pedde

Eileen Pedde

Rainn Wilson

Rainn Wilson

Daniel Clark

Daniel Clark

Directed by Jason Reitman
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Rotten tomatoes99%
iMBD93
Metacritic7.4

The small-town angst of wanting to fly away is epitomized in Greta Gerwig's directorial debut, set in the modest city of Sacramento, California. Our protagonist, Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, is like a bird in a gilded cage that's not so gilded. She yearns for the culture of the East Coast while navigating the emotional turbulence of adolescence. It’s like watching a fledgling try to soar—sometimes awkward, often heartwarming, but always memorable.

CAST

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan

Laurie Metcalf

Laurie Metcalf

Tracy Letts

Tracy Letts

Beanie Feldstein

Beanie Feldstein

Lucas Hedges

Lucas Hedges

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet

Stephen McKinley Henderson

Stephen McKinley Henderson

Jordan Rodrigues

Jordan Rodrigues

Marielle Scott

Marielle Scott

Lois Smith

Lois Smith

Directed by Greta Gerwig
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Rotten tomatoes77%
iMBD62
Metacritic7.7

Ah, treasure hunting in a sleepy Oregon coastal town—what could go wrong? This adventure-filled 80s classic offers a rich tale of friendship, bravery, and awkward teenage love. From dodging deadly booby traps to taking on menacing crooks, the Goonies evolve from wide-eyed kids to heroes in the span of two hours. It's the kind of youthful journey that makes you want to dig out your old treasure maps, even if X never really marks the spot.

CAST

Sean Astin

Sean Astin

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin

Jeff Cohen

Jeff Cohen

Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman

Kerri Green

Kerri Green

Martha Plimpton

Martha Plimpton

Ke Huy Quan

Ke Huy Quan

John Matuszak

John Matuszak

Robert Davi

Robert Davi

Joe Pantoliano

Joe Pantoliano

Directed by Richard Donner

2 degrees of seperation (similar to The Goonies)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
The Princess Bride
Back to the Future
Gremlins
The Lost Boys
Stand by Me
The Sandlot
The NeverEnding Story
Adventures in Babysitting
The Monster Squad
The Mighty Ducks
Super 8
Explorers
Flight of the Navigator
The Secret of NIMH
Monster House
Hook
The Outsiders
Time Bandits
The Last Starfighter
The Monster Squad
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
City of Ember
Earth to Echo
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Rotten tomatoes85%
iMBD6.7
Metacritic7.9

Set in a Pittsburgh suburb, this film deals with the challenges of high school and mental health. Our introverted hero, Charlie, is as delicate as a flower that blooms once in a lifetime. Surrounded by friends who are equally flawed but beautiful, this tale of love, loss, and friendship will remind you that even wallflowers deserve their moment in the sun.

CAST

Logan Lerman

Logan Lerman

Emma Watson

Emma Watson

Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller

Mae Whitman

Mae Whitman

Kate Walsh

Kate Walsh

Dylan McDermott

Dylan McDermott

Melanie Lynskey

Melanie Lynskey

Nina Dobrev

Nina Dobrev

Johnny Simmons

Johnny Simmons

Joan Cusack

Joan Cusack

Directed by Stephen Chbosky

2 degrees of seperation (similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower)

Good Will Hunting
The Breakfast Club
(500) Days of Summer
Juno
Silver Linings Playbook
Stand by Me
Lady Bird
Almost Famous
10 Things I Hate About You
The Edge of Seventeen
Rushmore
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Scent of a Woman
The DUFF
The Emperor's Club
Submarine
Short Term 12
The Spectacular Now
Adventureland
An Education
Charlie Bartlett
Sing Street
Thumbsucker
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Rotten tomatoes72%
iMBD64
Metacritic7

With a lead character who’s as spiced-up as a small town can get, Napoleon Dynamite is set in the isolated village of Preston, Idaho. What it lacks in skyscrapers, it makes up for in characters larger than life. Napoleon is as unique as a snowflake in the Sahara and watching him grow from a socially awkward teen to a dance champion is like watching a peacock spread its feathers—enthralling and a little bizarre.

CAST

Jon Heder

Jon Heder

Efren Ramirez

Efren Ramirez

Tina Majorino

Tina Majorino

Aaron Ruell

Aaron Ruell

Jon Gries

Jon Gries

Haylie Duff

Haylie Duff

Emily Kennard Dunn

Emily Kennard Dunn

Shondrella Avery

Shondrella Avery

Sandy Martin

Sandy Martin

Diedrich Bader

Diedrich Bader

Directed by Jared Hess

2 degrees of seperation (similar to Napoleon Dynamite)

Superbad
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
The Royal Tenenbaums
Moonrise Kingdom
Hot Fuzz
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Little Miss Sunshine
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Juno
Rushmore
Ghost World
Hot Rod
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Election
The Lobster
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Nacho Libre
Eagle vs Shark
In Bruges
Safety Not Guaranteed
Brick
Rocket Science
Gentlemen Broncos
The Art of Self-Defense
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Rotten tomatoes50%
iMBD56
Metacritic6.9

Set in a small Pennsylvania town, My Girl captures the innocence of childhood and the harsh lessons that come with it. The film portrays death and love through the eyes of a precocious 11-year-old girl. It's like a rollercoaster—you start off with thrills and giggles, only to end up with tears streaming down your face. Fasten your seat belts for this emotional ride.

CAST

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin

Anna Chlumsky

Anna Chlumsky

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis

Richard Masur

Richard Masur

Griffin Dunne

Griffin Dunne

Ann Nelson

Ann Nelson

Peter Michael Goetz

Peter Michael Goetz

Jane Hallaren

Jane Hallaren

Directed by Howard Zieff
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Rotten tomatoes81%
iMBD65
Metacritic7.4

Okay, hear me out. Yes, it's a horror film, but what's scarier than growing up? Set in Woodsboro, California, Sidney Prescott grapples with high school life and a masked killer. If you can dodge a knife-wielding maniac, navigating adulthood will be a breeze, right?

CAST

David Arquette

David Arquette

Neve Campbell

Neve Campbell

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox

Matthew Lillard

Matthew Lillard

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan

Skeet Ulrich

Skeet Ulrich

Jamie Kennedy

Jamie Kennedy

W. Earl Brown

W. Earl Brown

Liev Schreiber

Liev Schreiber

Joseph Whipp

Joseph Whipp

Directed by Wes Craven
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Rotten tomatoes93%
iMBD88
Metacritic8.3

Set in a racially divided Alabama town during the Great Depression, this classic serves as both a social commentary and a coming-of-age tale. Young Scout Finch witnesses the harsh realities of racism and inequality, learning lessons that last a lifetime. It’s a slow burn, like the Southern sun setting over a cotton field, but leaves an indelible mark.

CAST

Gregory Peck

Gregory Peck

Mary Badham

Mary Badham

Phillip Alford

Phillip Alford

John Megna

John Megna

Frank Overton

Frank Overton

Brock Peters

Brock Peters

Rosemary Murphy

Rosemary Murphy

Ruth White

Ruth White

Estelle Evans

Estelle Evans

Paul Fix

Paul Fix

Directed by Robert Mulligan
Image
Rotten tomatoes89%
iMBD66
Metacritic7.8

Set in Shermer, Illinois, this iconic film teaches us that we're more than just the stereotypes society pins on us. Five students come to life during Saturday detention in their high school library. It's like watching flowers bloom in a concrete garden; unexpected but beautiful.

CAST

Emilio Estevez

Emilio Estevez

Judd Nelson

Judd Nelson

Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald

Anthony Michael Hall

Anthony Michael Hall

Ally Sheedy

Ally Sheedy

Paul Gleason

Paul Gleason

John Kapelos

John Kapelos

Perry Crawford

Mary Christian

Ron Dean

Ron Dean

Directed by John Hughes
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Rotten tomatoes99%
iMBD87
Metacritic7.4

Navigating the treacherous waters of eighth grade in a suburban town, Kayla Day is every teen trying to fit into a world that seems as complicated as a Rubik's Cube. Social media, boys, and social awkwardness—it’s the perfect storm of adolescence.

CAST

Elsie Fisher

Elsie Fisher

Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton

Emily Robinson

Emily Robinson

Jake Ryan

Jake Ryan

Daniel Zolghadri

Daniel Zolghadri

Fred Hechinger

Fred Hechinger

Imani Lewis

Imani Lewis

Luke Prael

Luke Prael

Catherine Oliviere

Catherine Oliviere

Nora Mullins

Directed by Bo Burnham
Image
Rotten tomatoes97%
iMBD97
Metacritic7.4

Set in the sleepy town of Modesto, California, this film captures the last night of summer in 1962. It's an adrenaline-fueled joyride down memory lane, complete with classic cars and rock-n-roll. It's like the last swing on a playground—full of laughter, speed, and a bittersweet goodbye.

CAST

Richard Dreyfuss

Richard Dreyfuss

Paul Le Mat

Paul Le Mat

Charles Martin Smith

Charles Martin Smith

Cindy Williams

Cindy Williams

Candy Clark

Candy Clark

Mackenzie Phillips

Mackenzie Phillips

Wolfman Jack

Wolfman Jack

Bo Hopkins

Bo Hopkins

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford

Directed by George Lucas
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Rotten tomatoes53%
iMBD6.6
Metacritic6.6

Can you imagine a town where dancing is illegal? In the small, religious community of Bomont, Ren McCormack injects life and, yes, dance into a repressed society. It's like watching a caged bird finally getting to flap its wings.

CAST

Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon

Lori Singer

Lori Singer

John Lithgow

John Lithgow

Dianne Wiest

Dianne Wiest

Chris Penn

Chris Penn

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker

Jim Youngs

Jim Youngs

John Laughlin

John Laughlin

Elizabeth Gorcey

Elizabeth Gorcey

Frances Lee McCain

Frances Lee McCain

Directed by Herbert Ross
Image
Rotten tomatoes78%
iMBD64
Metacritic7.1

Set in a snowy Massachusetts town, the film is a slice-of-life look at men on the cusp of their 30s. Their high school reunion serves as a reality check, forcing them to reflect on their lives. It's like looking in a mirror and finally seeing the wrinkles—but in a good way.

CAST

Timothy Hutton

Timothy Hutton

Matt Dillon

Matt Dillon

Noah Emmerich

Noah Emmerich

Annabeth Gish

Annabeth Gish

Lauren Holly

Lauren Holly

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman

Mira Sorvino

Mira Sorvino

Michael Rapaport

Michael Rapaport

Rosie O'Donnell

Rosie O'Donnell

Pruitt Taylor Vince

Pruitt Taylor Vince

Directed by Ted Demme
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Rotten tomatoes75%
iMBD58
Metacritic8

Set in a charming Alabama town, this whimsical film chronicles the life of Edward Bloom, a man whose tall tales are as big as the town is small. It’s like fishing in a pond and pulling out a mermaid—you just can't believe it, but you can’t look away.

CAST

Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor

Albert Finney

Albert Finney

Billy Crudup

Billy Crudup

Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter

Alison Lohman

Alison Lohman

Robert Guillaume

Robert Guillaume

Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard

Steve Buscemi

Steve Buscemi

Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito

Directed by Tim Burton

These small-town stories prove you don't need big city skylines to find high-stakes drama, heartwarming moments, or life-changing adventures. With enough heart and soul to light up a marquee, these films invite us to relive the emotional rollercoasters of youth. Why not take an evening to reconnect with these classics? After watching, you might just find yourself digging up old yearbooks or reaching for the phone to catch up with long-lost friends. Enjoy the trip down memory lane!

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Lila Sommers

About Lila Sommers

Lila is your media maven with a passion for the extraordinary! Spot her at the local bookstore or crafting her own stories on lazy Sunday afternoons. From indie flicks to hidden gem tracks, Lila's knack for weaving words and tunes is unmatched, making her your ultimate companion in the exciting world of media and entertainment.

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