This post is written by me, Arij Arslaan Ikram
INTRODUCTION
Coming-of-age movies are all about growth, the final result of watching characters grow from confused teens who figure out their place in the world, much like how we have been navigating through this project. It’s all those awkward, raw moments that everyone can relate to, with plenty of room for humor (which, let’s face it, we need). It’s different from other genres because it’s not an action or fantasy but a really true, emotional growth that happens through the journey. We chose this because it gives us the perfect mix: heartfelt stories that feel real, and enough room for a few laughs. Plus, as we learned during our legendary Zoom meetings—especially that one where we were basically lip-syncing with Anaya’s broken mic—it felt like we were living our own coming-of-age moment. Take Anmol, for instance, who was cleaning her room while trying to get in on the discussion, which is so perfectly “coming-of-age”—like trying to put your life together but everything’s still in disarray. It just fits. And let’s not forget how tiny moments of growing up, such as awkward silences and mishaps with the microphone, can suddenly feel massive when you’re actually living them. This is why the genre speaks to us. It lets us dive into the messy beauty of personal growth and how every tiny step feels like the world is shifting. Coming-of-age is life, just a little brighter and more meaningful, and we’re excited to bring that energy into our project.
Various Types:
Teen Drama
Science Fiction
Comedy
Social Realism
TEEN DRAMA
Teen drama is the heart of coming-of-age movies, capturing the awkward, messy, and emotional moments of growing up in a dramatic way. From classic high school struggles—fighting with friends, worrying about the future, and thinking every little mistake is the end of the world—it’s a relatable highlight reel of teenage life. Though exaggerated for entertainment, that’s what makes it fun. Teen dramas tap into the whirlwind of figuring out who you are, with just the right balance of humor and panic—like trying to act like you’ve got it together while stressing over a bad haircut.
Examples
The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Directed by Stephen Chbosky, published by Summit Entertainment, and released on September 21, 2012.
Wake Up Sid: Directed by Ayan Mukerji, published by Dharma Productions, and released on October 2, 2009.
A Walk to Remember: Directed by Adam Shankman, published by Warner Bros. Pictures, and released on January 25, 2002.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Wake Up Sid, and A Walk to Remember are the most representative teen drama films as they represent emotional turmoil and awkwardness associated with the teen stage. The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows the story of Charlie in a quest to find himself in a life where he finds struggles with friendship, first love, and personal trauma. Sid's journey from an irresponsible adolescent to a responsible adult is a rough one in Wake Up Sid. In A Walk to Remember, Landon's journey from a disobedient teenager to someone who realizes the greater purpose of life is a tale of both first love and personal development. Teen drama is characterized by relevant, dramatic moments that are created by each film's exaggeration of the highs and lows of growing up.
SCIENCE FICTION
Oddly enough, Sci-Fi doesn't seem to fit at first within the coming-of-age genre, but it actually works pretty well. It's about entering the unknown, which is exactly what teenagers do, and navigating through their new experiences and challenges. The future is frequently used in science fiction to parallel the process of self-discovery since it is full of surprises and uncertainty, much like the teenage years, in which characters experience new worlds, learn new skills, or adopt new identities. As a result, coming-of-age themes are explored in a fresh way, blending futuristic discovery with personal growth. It's about maturing, but with unexpected twists that keep you on your toes!
Examples
The Maze Runner: Directed by Wes Bal published by Delacorte Press, and released on September 19, 2014
The Hunger Games: Directed by Gary Ross, published by Lionsgate, and released on March 23, 2012.
Super 8: Directed by J.J. Abrams, published by Paramount Pictures, and released on June 10, 2011.
In The Maze Runner (2014), The Hunger Games (2012), and Super 8 (2011), a thriller and coming-of-age, science fiction and placing teenagers in unique circumstances that reflect the uncertainties of puberty make up the plot. The labyrinthian maze, for example, in The Maze Runner symbolizes the confusing unexplored world of maturing where themes such as self-discovery, trust, and leadership are dominant. Similarly, in the Hunger Games series, survival is paired with a rebellion of an individual with some kind of lost identity, very similar to societal demands placed upon them. Similarly, in Super 8, during the alien invasion time, friendship goes through an evolutionary phase in regard to losing innocence and realization for their growing. All three films explore themes of personal growth and progress, resilience, and identity but use sci-fi settings.
SOCIAL REALISM
Social realism in the coming-of-age genre brings into focus the rough, unfiltered side of growing up. It means storytelling that bites into everyday struggles, like having to contend with poverty, family problems, or social pressure. Such films don't sugar coat anything-they portray the harsh realities of life for teenagers while still encompassing the unfolding discovery of self. Mostly, social realism is located within the real world, which makes it even more real and potent. It's not all glamour and glory; it's about the real people trying to navigate real problems. This genre gives voice to the experiences of mostly ignored youth, showing that growing up can be both beautiful and brutally hard.
Examples
The Way, Way Back: Directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, published by Fox Searchlight Pictures, and released on July 5, 2013.
The Florida Project: Directed by Sean Baker, published by A24, and released on October 6, 2017.
Billy Elliot: Directed by Stephen Daldry, published by Universal Pictures and StudioCanal, and released on September 29, 2000.
In a coming-of-age genre, the raw everyday struggles that young characters face amidst the backdrop of their coming-of-age, The Way, Way Back (2013), The Florida Project (2017), and Billy Elliot (2000) is a display of social realism. The Way, Way Back establishes Duncan's journey toward self-confidence as a dysfunctional family background is portrayed in social pressure and teenage emotional isolation. The Florida Project brings out the side of poverty from the perspective of a child growing up in a motel close to Disney World. Moonee narrates childhood about the sharp realities that children go through. The same goes with Billy Elliot, a movie where a lad expresses his passion for ballet in the midst of a miners' strike in a working-class community, where social thinking and financial hardships should affect growth. These movies bring much realism and toughness to the journey of coming-of-age, depicting characters who, amidst societal odds, find out about themselves.
COMEDY
Coming-of-age comedy is a great way to laugh through the chaos of growing up. It requires finding humor in embarrassing moments, such as embarrassing oneself before friends or trying too hard to be cool. Comedy lightens the load of all the messy struggles teens face while still showing the true emotions behind them. It's about much more than just the laughs because humor helps to see characters through life's great highs and lows. Comedy makes growing up a little less stressful and loads of fun. It's a perfect way to find the humorous side of life's toughest lessons!
Examples
The Edge of Seventeen: Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, published by STX Entertainment, and released on November 18, 2016.
3 Idiots: Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, published by Vinod Chopra Films, and released on December 25, 2009.
Mean Girls: Directed by Mark Waters, published by Paramount Pictures, and released on April 30, 2004.
Mean Girls (2004), 3 Idiots (2009), and The Edge of Seventeen (2016) all skillfully use comedy to depict puberty-related awkwardness, confusion, and growth while also bringing humor and nuance to the coming-of-age process. In The Edge of Seventeen, Nadine's difficulties relating to her family and friends also contribute to the humor of the growing pains while addressing the more profound challenges of loneliness and self-identity. In 3 Idiots, comedy and satirical humor are applied to the struggles of academic life in India. Three friends try to find a way through the expectation, rebellion, and self-discovery with great wit and humor. Mean Girls takes the sharp, satirical edge of high school cliques and teenage drama as the starting point for an exploration of how humor can work to examine social pressures, identity formation, and the trials of fitting in. All three movies manage to capture a rather good mix of funny moments and scenes, while staying genuinely attached, like developing from youth into adulthood.
WHY WE CHOSE COMEDY?
We selected coming-of-age comedy as it seemed like will allow us to portray the ups and downs in growing up when looked at the lighter side of things. Even before going with coming of age, we already know that we have fun, engaging, and more importantly, non-offensive content that people wouldn’t mind watching. Comedy provided us with that margin such that we could appreciate emphasises on the emotional growth that just comes with the chaos that teens are. Adolescents can relate quite well to the awkward phases, embarrassing instances, and the challenges of being a teen so long as it is depicted in a funny manner. It is in a way an artistic approach to even make difficult teachings appear less daunting. The comedy choice also managed to get the group’s design vision aligned after all genre arguments and zoom calls would focus on needing content with substance and fun. Therefore, let’s proceed step by step or as Anmol would phrase it ‘abhi ek kaam toh karo!’.
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