Top 10 Coming of Age Comedies
Number 10: The Breakfast Club (1985)
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Kicking off our list is the comedic, yet serious, coming-of-age story of five radically different high school students. The Princess, the Athlete, the Criminal, the Brain and the Basketcase spend their Saturday together in detention pouring their hearts out, and discover they share similarities. This movie is the quintessential entry in this genre, and is packed with the hottest ‘80s stars.
Number 9: Weird Science (1985)
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High school can be a cruel place, especially for geeks. You may have to deal with bullies like Robert Downey Jr., and spend your time fantasizing about girls and what it might be like to be popular. In this movie, the geeky super-geniuses use science to fulfill their every desire, and they mature in the process. But only after a lot of strange and hilarious things happen.
Number 8: Superbad (2007)
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Anxious to fit in, and get with the ladies, a group of high school seniors decides that their goals can only be achieved by getting booze for an upcoming party. The youths in question include the geeky Evan; his hormone-driven troublemaking friend Seth, who harbors a strange fascination with male genitalia; and Fogell – otherwise known as McLovin. Fake IDs, crazy cops and one wild ride set the stage for self-discovery and hard laughs.
Number 7: Risky Business (1983)
When the folks are away, the teen will play. Tom Cruise portrays a 19-year-old who enjoys freedom a tad too much. He dances in his underwear, gets involved with a troublesome hooker, drives his dad’s Porsche into the river and nearly misses his college interview. Don’t get us wrong: the movie’s funny, but it also explores darker themes and the loss of innocence.
Number 6: American Graffiti (1973)
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Before “Star Wars” or even “Indiana Jones,” George Lucas brought us this well-crafted love letter to the age of hot rods and rock n’ roll. The film takes place on the last night of summer 1962, and follows a group of teens on their last adventure before they inevitably grow up. Its wacky scenarios, stellar cast and nostalgic soundtrack shouldn’t be missed.
Number 5: Sixteen Candles
This rare and exceptionally mature teen dramedy is centered on Samantha’s struggle as her sixteenth birthday is forgotten in the excitement over her sister’s wedding. As she suffers in silence, pining for the school hunk Jake, a sophomore dork pursues her. This bittersweet tale charts her hopes and disappointments, as well as those of a Japanese exchange student, a prom queen and a bunch of nerds.
Number 4: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
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With graduation just around the corner, school legend Ferris Bueller plans one final and glorious class-cutting escapade. This involves “borrowing” a Ferrari, seeing the sights with his friends and dodging the principal. The film is full of slapstick, but also makes heavy social commentary about status-seeking and the importance of parents. However, its greatest lesson is that driving a car backwards does not reset the odometer!
Number 3: Dazed and Confused (1993)
It’s the last day of school in 1976, and the students are celebrating. Graduates are hazing newbies, and even the nerds are going to keg parties. A freshman named Mitch escapes the ritual paddling by going on a journey filled with pot smoke and older girls. In this realistic and playful take on the coming-of-age tale, the school’s senior quarterback, Randall “Pink” Floyd, shows him mercy, and introduces him to one of cinema’s most memorable stoners.
Number 2: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
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No one can forget this flick about a group of California high schoolers that loves malls, sex and rock n’ roll. Interestingly, the film is based on a book whose author who once posed as an undercover student to research the subject. Sean Penn’s stoned surfer is one of his most legendary screen performances, in this unique and funny take on youth angst and growing pains.
Number 1: American Pie (1999)
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Taking the top spot on our list is the film that brought the teen genre back from the brink in the late ‘90s. It stars Jim, who is a seriously hard-up youth who enjoys scrambled porn, gym socks and pie. He and his group of friends enter a pact to lose their virginities before prom night. This film is different from the rest because it shows how little young men known about sex, how it changes them and the role a father plays in his son’s life. With so many great coming-of-age comedies, we’re sure we missed a few. Which is your favorite?
