It’s the ever-dreaded back-to-school season. You know, the time when you get a pit in the bottom of your stomach even though you’ve done this fifteen times already? Maybe you’re about to start high school and feel nervous for a little taste of responsibility. Maybe it’s your first year of college and you realize that adulthood is right around the corner. Maybe it’s your last year of high school or college and your whole life is ahead of you, in both the most stressful and exciting way possible. Everybody’s felt those nerves, but what do you do with them?
Well, the night before school starts (or the week of orientation or every night your first week of school) is the perfect opportunity to tune out your butterflies and watch some good movies. Perhaps 50 years down the road when you’re feeling nostalgic, these movies will be just as good to watch as they are now. But, there is nothing like watching a feel-good coming-of-age movie to calm your nerves when your nerves are about your actual coming-of-age.
As you start school, here’s a list of movies to watch to remind you that everything will work out in the end. And maybe it’s a good reminder that you don’t want to grow up too quickly.
So pop the popcorn, set aside your new pens and folders and notebooks (right next to your nerves about fitting in, liking your classes, and succeeding), and turn on one of these movies.
Lady Bird (2017)
Where to watch: Max
Lady Bird follow Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) through her senior year of high school and the last steps before she gets to college. The movie explores a turbulent relationship between Lady Bird and her mother (played by Laurie Metcalf), who both have “strong personalities” according to her father (Tracy Letts). Though her family lives on the West Coast, Lady Bird longs for the “culture” of the East Coast but has to contend with her family’s inability to afford something so far away.
Booksmart (2019)
Where to watch: YouTube TV
Following the last day of senior year, student body president Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and her best friend Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) realize they have some regrets about high school. So, they decide to go to their first party and cram four years of fun into one night. In classic coming-of-age movie fashion, the friends spend their last moments as high schoolers sharing heartfelt moments and adventures.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Where to watch: Paramount+
Teenage Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) fakes being sick to get a day off from school, because, as he says, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.” He spends the movie on an adventure with his friends, reminding us to take some time for adventures once in a while.
17 Again (2009)
Where to watch: Max
In this movie, Mike (Matthew Perry/Zac Efron) is disappointed with his lot in life and wishes he could do it all again. In a sudden turn of events he finds himself … 17 again. So he enrolls in the local high school, taking on an alternate persona to try to get to know his kids better and relive his basketball glory days. Through it all, he learns that being young is just the beginning.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Where to watch: Disney +
In the third movie of the Toy Story series, Andy (John Morris) is getting ready to go to college. But his toys are facing the impending doom of not being played with anymore and ending up in the attic. The toys are accidentally thrown away and spend the movie trying to find a new home — even after winding up in a day care.
Unicorn Store (2017)
Where to watch: Netflix
Eccentric Kit (Brie Larson) fails out of art school and finds herself working a temp job in a marketing office. When the Salesman (Samuel L. Jackson) presents her with the exciting and magical opportunity to buy a unicorn, she does everything in her power to make it happen. She learns more about herself as she prepares to buy her unicorn.
The Holdovers (2023)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
A Classics teacher (Paul Giamatti) finds himself taking care of boarding school kids who have nowhere to go for the Winter Break holiday. But he forms an unlikely bond with the school’s cook (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and the one student left (Dominic Sessa). Not only is the movie beautiful, it won five Oscar awards.
Monsters University (2013)
Where to watch: Disney+
Monsters University explores when Mike Wasowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan (John Goodman), of Monsters, Inc. fame, met in college. The movie explores learning to fit in and be yourself — and is a funny exploration of monster college.
The Intern (2015)
Where to watch: Max
Seventy-year-old Ben (Robert De Niro) decides to start over in a new job and is hired as a “senior” intern for Jules (Anne Hathaway), the boss and founder of a fashion website. As they form a friendship through work, they learn new things from each other. The movie is heartwarming and heartfelt and although it is not necessarily about high school and college, it’s a beautiful movie to watch before you start school (and while you’re thinking about getting internships).
Turning Red (2022)
Where to watch: Disney+
Middle schooler Mei Mei (Rosalie Chiang), excited to be on top of the world of the 90s, wakes up as a giant red panda one morning. In this movie, Mei Mei must learn how to control her panda while strengthening her relationships with her friends and her family.
13 Going On 30 (2004)
Where to watch: FuboTV
In this movie, Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen/Jennifer Garner), frustrated with being 13, wishes to be 30. And she wakes up the next morning at the age of 30 and a big-shot magazine editor in New York City. She has to learn for herself who she is and what she wants in life.
One Day (2024)
Where to watch: Netflix
Technically, One Day is a limited series, not a movie — but it’s too good not to include on this list. Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall) meet on the last night of college and become friends overnight. The series follows the next few decades of their relationship and what it means to grow up.
To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021)
Where to watch: Netflix
In the third movie of the To All the Boys series, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) faces the end of high school and the transition to college. When her plans don’t pan out, she has to figure out what she needs and wants for herself, exploring that the world keeps changing, even when she wants it to stop.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Where to watch: The Roku Channel
The Perks of Being a Wallflower movie, based on a book by Stephen Chbosky, explores what happens when your friends let you be yourself, especially when you finally find them, and then when you need to learn without them.
The Spectacular Now (2013)
Where to watch: Netflix
Amy (Shailene Woodley) and Sutter (Miles Teller) meet by chance and accidentally force a close relationship. Through their relationship, they learn to live in the moment and live for the future. This movie is really beautiful.
Legally Blonde (2001)
Where to watch: Max
Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is heartbroken when her long-time boyfriend breaks up with her instead of proposing. In order to get him back, she applies and gets into Harvard Law School. Soon, she realizes that the best revenge is becoming the best at who she is — including being a successful lawyer. Legally Blonde is a movie that everyone should watch, even if you’re not feeling anxious about the upcoming year.
What's Your Reaction?
