I really enjoyed Liberty Heights. I thought it was sweet, funny, and touching. Not words I use liberally with movies.
October Sky had a lot going for it.
Sixth on Stand By Me.
Bless The Beasts and Children is a classic.
Although frequently dismissed as a basic stoner movie, Fast Times At Ridgemont High has the distinction of having been directed by a woman. Amy Heckerling really nailed some of the minute details of teenage life- and captured a sex scene from the girl’s point of view for the first time in mainstream teen films.
Little Miss Sunshine. Paul Dano’s performace as the older brother was painful to watch. An amazing turn.
I came in to post this one. A wonderful film. “Everybody cheats. I just didn’t know.”
Wow, great choices. Half of them I’ve seen–“Breakin’ Away” is from “my generation,” as is “Fast Times.” and “The Great Santini.” “Stand By Me” is Good. I had no idea Wikipedia would have such an entry, and thus never looked there. Thanks, Wendell.
Help me identify this one. Maybe it is set in the late-50s. Two young boys are infatuated with a young woman (maybe 19 or 20) next door and determine to see her naked. It sounds silly, but was played very straight. One of the kids may have been Hispanic, or perhaps the young actor just looked Hispanic. It was shot in a sepia-tone satuarated style.
Any idea what I’m talking about?
Sir Rhosis
Lucas (1986) is one of the best high school movies ever made. The film totally breaks through the normal stereotypes of nerds, jocks, etc. Dazed and Confused is similar in this regard.
Second Best (1994) is one of my all-time favorites, it stars William Hurt as a lonely single man who wants to adopt a troubled 10-year-old boy. It’s not available on DVD (and should not be confused with the recent Joe Pantoliano comedy) but sometimes Showtime plays it. Also concerning adoption is The Martian Child, which was released this weekend (but I haven’t seen it yet.)
Concerning sexual identity, L.I.E. is one I’d highly recommend, if you don’t mind seeing a pedophile character portrayed in a sympathetic light. 12 and Holding was made by the same director (except there are no pedophiles in it) – it’s a much darker film, since the story’s centered on a young boy dealing with the sudden death of his twin brother.
The Man Without a Face is another I’d recommend, if you don’t mind seeing Mel Gibson portrayed in a sympathetic light. 
For out-and-out weirdness, there’s Leolo, The Cement Garden, Wild Tigers I Have Known, Toto le Heros, The Child I Never Was, and Bad Education – just off the top of my head.
And along those lines, Edge of Seventeen and Beautiful Thing, which isn’t strictly about “coming of age” but is a wonderful film.
And depending on how far you want to stretch the concept, there’s Gregg Araki’s “Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy,” Totally Fucked Up, The Doom Generation and Nowhere.
Summer of '42. I’ve never seen the movie, but the book is wonderful.
Call it Sleep.
My Girl, of course.
KGS beat me to Lucas - it sounds like a stereotyping movie but it really is not.
Welcome to the Dollhouse is not at all ‘coming-of-age’ as uplifting, but it’s rightly praised for portraying how painful even ‘normal’ adolescence can be.
Thirteen is something along those lines as well, but more moralistic.
Angus is pretty decent, too, if a little overdone and somewhat romanticized.
Nobody Knows(Dare mo shiranai) is a movie about some kids a little younger being forced into adult roles. Absolutely brilliant performances from the children.
You didn’t say TV series, but Freaks and Geeks is some high-quality stuff in this genre.
Telling lies in America was an interesting movie. A little more complex that most coming of age movies.
Absolutely. One of his best performances. The man from Concrete, NJ. Such a realistic character (sadly).
Here’s a ‘coming-of-age’ film set in Mussolini’s Italy. Amarcord. Despite being by Fellini, it’s very accessible, not surreal, and both comical and tragic. A terrific flick!
Garden State
And how could I have forgotten Murmur of the Heart, perhaps Louis Malle’s best film (and that’s saying a LOT).
I agree with those who posted Beautiful Thing, Cinema Paradiso, A Bronx Tale and This Boy’s Life.
I’d like to nominate Huckleberry Finn, although the film was not a good one. I just this could have been a good vehicle for a coming of age story if it had been approached that way. The story of slavery stood on its own and the screenwriters could have brought a heart to the screen story (and not make the ridiculous film they did make). The Burning Issue of the Age as filtered through and by a young man finding out who he truly is could have been one for the age – just like the book.
Fame is a good candidate for this, I think, simply because it looks at what a group of young students go through on their way through their artistic development and into early adulthood, discovering truths about themselves, their weaknesses and strengths and, ultimately, what they’re capable of. And it had a young Gene Anthony Ray to boot.
Just came in to mention The Year My Voice Broke. By far my favorite film in this category.
Also, The Name of the Rose has a coming-of-age subplot.
A third vote for “Lucas” but if you decide to watch “Murmur of the Heart” (especially with a young person) you might want to read a synopsis first.
Garden State
Donnie Darko (D.D is many other things too, watch it anyway, just brilliant)
Ghost World
Although traditionally these may not be categorized under “coming of age”.
I’ve seen the movie, a few times. I’ve never read the book though. Still, if it’s anything like the movie, it’s a gentle, touching, and moving story. I’d recommend the movie. Besides, the theme music is superb; very haunting and unforgettable.
And I’ll seventh or eighth (whatever we’re up to now) Stand By Me and Breaking Away.
Real Women Have Curves is a sweet film.