The Greatest Movies That Deal With Growing Up

Growing up is not easy. When people think about growing up, they think about a child becoming an adult.

While this is one form of growing up, we go through other transformations in our lives: an adult to a senior, for example. A transitional period is one in which things are changing from one state to another. They are so impactful that it’s no wonder why many filmmakers explore them in their movies.

Read on to learn about the greatest movies that deal with growing up.

The Father

Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Imogen Poots (Actors)

In this post:

The Father

The Father stars Anthony Hopkins as an octogenarian man living with dementia, and it shines a light on the dark side of aging. Few explore this topic on the big screen.

It's an incredibly scary and sad topic. This is not a film you'll likely want to watch again, but you should experience it at least once to see the unique way the filmmaker brings dementia and old age to life using various cinematic techniques.

Stand by Me

Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman (Actors)

Stand by Me

This film is on the top of a lot of people’s favorites lists, and that’s because it does a terrific job of exploring what it’s like to lose your childhood innocence. It also shows the grim reality that many childhood friendships can shape your life, but they’re hard to maintain into adulthood.

It’s a must-watch for anyone, young and old, as it is unflinching in its portrayal of adolescence.

Harold and Maude

Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles (Actors)

Harold and Maude

While this film was not commercially or critically successful upon its initial release, it has since gained a cult following. The story is quirky and heartfelt in how it explores purpose and aging.

It shows the significant role relationships can have in your older age. There are many ways you can keep the elderly happy and healthy, and simply being there and having a quality relationship with them will keep them in high spirits and make living worthwhile.

The Squid And The Whale

Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
Owen Kline, Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney (Actors)

The Squid and the Whale

Noah Baumbach's 2005 film explores what it's like to be a child when your family goes through a divorce. Both children in the family respond to the divorce differently, attaching to a different parent.

But as the film continues, their perceptions of their parents shift. It's sad to see a family break apart, but it becomes clear that they were never close in the first place, with both children learning to find purpose in themselves, not in their parents.

The greatest movies that deal with growing up don't shy away from the difficult aspects of aging. Everything you know changes, including your own identity.

It's a frightening time, but it's also a great time to explore and reinvent yourself, as the world now holds you to different expectations. These films are great for anyone who feels as if they are nearing these precipices in their life.

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