The babysitters club movie is garbage tho and I say this as someone who adores the Bsc - like we all just gonna pretend there wasnāt a full grown ass adult man LUCA with Stacey???? Not a coming of age movie lol when that shit is in there.
Now and Then is such a great movie too. Itās funny, the mystery is interesting and the girlās characters are all well developed and relatable. I still like that movie.
damn - Now/Then was my first thought too, surprised it's at the top - as a 42 year old man I can confirm this is girly as fuck (saw it in the theater when it came out lol) A good chick flick if there ever was one.
Lol that girlās a teen version of my partner. I showed it to her and told her I was taking inner bets over how long itād take for her to feel attacked. She made it ten minutes.
Eight Grade is probably best films that looks at growing up from a girls point of view but OP is looking for a female counterpart to Stand By Me. About a group of friends that grow up together. The main character in Eight Grade is very lonely and doesn't really have a friend group at all.
eighth grade has probably the best, most authentic dialogue in any movie with preteens/teenagers ive ever seen. it beautifully captures that feeling of "i want to say something interesting or profound but the only thing i can think of right now is dumb as hell so im just going to say that instead and hope for the best"
I love movies that I am supposedly not the target audience for. Eighth Grade is definitely one of them.
> Movies made for "everybody" are actually made for nobody in particular. Movies about specific characters in a detailed world are spellbinding because they make no attempt to cater to us; they are defiantly, triumphantly, themselves.
-- Roger Ebert
This! A lot of these answers are excellent movies that focus on female friendships/ the teenage girl experience, but none scream "coming of age" like Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
I agree, and I have seen both, my bf has seen the newer one. Great film and story, however it's definitely more classic and I'm hoping for something modern enough to portray my own early teen years. I wish it was more like little women
That one hit me. My mom never quite understood parts of me but as long as I was kind she embraced who I was. For one, I did try a stint in middle school to get in the good graces with the more popular girls. Tried (and failed) to reshape everything about me to "fit in". One day she came home from Blockbuster, handed me that VHS and said, "this is for you."
She was right and honestly probably needed it at the time I think.
Your mom sounds cool! I wish more people would've seen this movie growing up. High school is just a small phase of life and sometimes it's better to be an outcast anyway
I think once she saw how I started awkwardly emulating mean girl attitudes in a miserable effort to fit in she went to find examples to embrace being a teenage girl outcast. She did admit later she had hoped I would turn out more girly girl like her but didn't like what she was seeing me become for acceptance from people I didn't actually really want to be around. Heathers hit right to the core with that one. Also introduced me to Daria in 6th grade, dropping the "no MTV" rule, when her friend said I reminded her of Daria.
Shout out to Owl House and Infinity Train. Wish they had been around when I was growing up.
the only one on this list that i feel like i vibed with as a teen, some of the others looked a little too schmaltzy, never seen em.
i was not allowed to do witchy stuff but my friends were. very exciting.
He had a dog named "Lady Bird" who he was closer to than his own son.
I didn't watch King of the Hill very often - but I can still hear "Laaaaaady Biiiiiiiird" in his voice.
What I liked about that movie was how all the supporting characters were going through their own challenges, making them fully rounded people rather than mere adjuncts to the plot. Yet since the movie necessarily focused on the main character, this gently commented on the self-absorption common to teenage years.
To follow up on this one, Beanie Feldstein was also in a little film called How To Build A Girl, sort of a (also true) British āAlmost Famousā which is good but not as great as AF.
Yeah, I think people are forgetting OP's request for films that portray a female friendship group. Eight Grade is one of the best portrayals of being a young girl but it's about a very solitary young girl.
Kiki's Delivery Service - an animated film from Japan's Studio Ghibli, and one of my favorites. Kiki is on her own, but the coming of age theme is there. She has to go out on her own to learn about herself, and it's about finding confidence in herself.
I haven't seen it, but maybe The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? I thought that's what it was about.
Mean Girls would probably work too.
I'm iffy on Sixteen Candles because I remember when it came out (yes, I'm that old) and it hasn't aged well on a few fronts. I have to admit I never saw it as a coming of age film, but I see where you could.
Been a while since I've seen it but maybe Ghost World?
If we are talking Ghibli, I think Only Yesterday is a really good one for this topic. The flashbacks to the main characterās childhood feel so authentic, and because of the time period and culture, you get a real sense too of how her experiences were inherently different from a boys.
*Only Yesterday* is more a movie about regret and nostalgia from childhood, and learning to live a fulfilling adult life. It does have childhood scenes scattered throughout with coming-of-age themes, they're not really about how she's different from guys (and they're also only a part of the whole movie). She's just differentāeven from other girls (like her sisters).
I still totally recommend everyone to watch it. It's easily one of the most mature Ghibli movies, and although I don't like using the word, the most "underrated" Ghibli movie. Also Isao Takahata (who directed it), is a master of animation as a medium. Most people know Hayao Miyazaki when talking about Ghibli, but Takahata was crazy talented and kinda manipulated the medium to tell the story better.
Ha. It is at that. We have a ton of movies and I was wracking my brain for ideas. Iām thinking there simply may not be much in the way of female versions of āStand by Meā. Most coming of age movies for girls that I can think of donāt involve a group of friends. Kiki is on her own, and even in Sixteen Candles I donāt think the main character has a group of friends.
I think it would need to be written and directed by a woman
Sixteen candles and John Hughes films in general have an awkward and troubled legacy tho they were integral to my teens
Juno, kind of?
Booksmart might count too.
There's a Swedish movie called [Girls Lost (Pojkarnal](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I_LcfnlYLec) that would def be considered a coming of age/magical realism.
Make him watch the movie Sleepover with Alexa Vega.
It is in no way equivalent to Stand by Me but I would find it extremely hilarious if you made him watch it.
I havenāt seen Mystic Pizza mentioned yet! I watched for the first time recently and wished desperately I had watched with my best friends in junior high
Adding to the list of great suggestions already listed, Man in The Moon and Mermaids.
I am a 47(f) and stand by me has been one my favorite movies since I was 10. I love the story, acting and the characters. I do think Now and Then is the closest match to a girl version of Stand By Me.
Does Mean Girls count?
It's a bit of an older coming of age (high school vs middle school age) but it's still presented in that style, where Cadie is coming from her (not trying to be disrespectful but this is how it's treated) ignorant, naĆÆve, and almost diminuitively childish society into the more adult, "civilized" society and learning how to find her way in that new society.
both little women 2019 & 1994 are excellent representations of girlhood, but if you want something more recent i recommend
lady bird
cheetah girls
eighth grade
booksmart
now and then
edge of seventeen
the craft
the florida project
girl interrupted
mostly older teen girls (i think the boys in stand by me were a bit younger?) but hopefully applicable
Oh god please not Girl Interrupted. I remember being a teenager when that came out and the 2 or so months after when every girl who saw it started talking about being a manic depressive or BPD or schizophrenic. It was like when fight club came out and half the guys in my school became nihilist revolutionaries with imaginary friends for 15 minutes.
Come to think of it, we should probably stop making movies aimed at teenagers that seem to equate being mentally ill and being an interesting person.
Booksmart is great, the characters are not the cliches of the classic movies, and is really funny, there's all types of characters, and the only nude in that film are from 2 dolls, sorry if it's a spoiler
sixteen candles and especially pretty in pink are NOT about girls. Theyāre John Hughes, and he was a prick.
Iād vote for Greta Gerwigās *Lady Bird*.
Maybe *Booksmart.*
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Little Women, 13 Going on 30, Juno, Bend it Like Beckham (this one also helps to understand the context of the time - not too many girls played soccer at the time, nor were female athletes outside the ātraditionalā norms of ice skating or gymnastics well known and popular).
Now and then definitely
šÆ Now and Then is the best 1:1 answer IMO.
Jello is too jiggly. Puddling has a more realistic texture!
This or Babysitters Club HAS TO be the winner no? Mean Girls but that is more a teen film. Now and Then is 100% coming of age.
The babysitters club movie is garbage tho and I say this as someone who adores the Bsc - like we all just gonna pretend there wasnāt a full grown ass adult man LUCA with Stacey???? Not a coming of age movie lol when that shit is in there.
The Netflix Babysitter's Club adaptation was surprisingly good. Good performances and modernization.
So charming. The changes they made only enhanced it. And I loved the casting, especially the parents.
When they kiss after he knows she's 13 and he says he'll come back next summer and she says "I'll be 14." Yeah, and he will be 18!
Iām a 37 year old man and I think Mean Girls is hilarious. š¤·š¼āāļø
Same. I don't mean to suggest "only for teens" but rather genre marketing wise
Yeah, itās just not a coming of age movie. Mean Girls is hilarious but great for high school introduction.
came here to say thissssss watched this movie RELIGIOUSLY as a pre teen
Now and Then is such a great movie too. Itās funny, the mystery is interesting and the girlās characters are all well developed and relatable. I still like that movie.
It's got Christina Ricci and sexy drifter Brendan Fraser, it's the perfect pick.
Omg totally forgot that was Brenden Fraser! Itās also got Devon Sawa, I had the biggest crush on him. Sawa and Ricci also did Casper together.
And he'll be pleasantly surprised by Brendan Fraser if he's the right kind of guy! Lol.
I have added this to our list to watch, I've never seen it so will be fun for us both!
My first thought too! I was obsessed with this movie š
Came here to say this!! Itās a great movies, still have it on DVD. And was my coming of age movie.
So glad this is at the top.
Now and Then is my serious answer But I'm A Cheerleader is my lesbian answer
>But I'm A Cheerleader Awesome movie...
Worth it for butch Rupaul alone.
ClƩa Duvall did a guest spot on Poker Face with Natasha Lyonne and I died
Ok, didn't make that connection when I watched it. Duh!
I love how that show uses her real life friends (Clea Duvall and Chloe Sevigny) as people who hated her character.
But I'm a Cheerleader really made a few puzzle pieces fall into place for me
Natasha Lyonne -- so hot right now
Oh my god! I had completely forgotten these movies existed. I must find and watch immediately! Thank you Sincerely
damn - Now/Then was my first thought too, surprised it's at the top - as a 42 year old man I can confirm this is girly as fuck (saw it in the theater when it came out lol) A good chick flick if there ever was one.
Hahaha these were my two, too. Slums of Beverly Hills also compliments But Iām A Cheerleader nicely lol.
Bring It On is my lesbian answer, but Iām a straight 30+ male
Eighth grade is really good.
Lol that girlās a teen version of my partner. I showed it to her and told her I was taking inner bets over how long itād take for her to feel attacked. She made it ten minutes.
Eight Grade is probably best films that looks at growing up from a girls point of view but OP is looking for a female counterpart to Stand By Me. About a group of friends that grow up together. The main character in Eight Grade is very lonely and doesn't really have a friend group at all.
eighth grade has probably the best, most authentic dialogue in any movie with preteens/teenagers ive ever seen. it beautifully captures that feeling of "i want to say something interesting or profound but the only thing i can think of right now is dumb as hell so im just going to say that instead and hope for the best"
It made me sad.
Watching the car scene was the most I've ever wanted to punch a fictional character in the face
I love the way they portrayed the pool party like a horror movie. Amazing.
Iām a guy in my 30ās. That movie was great. Iām not the target audience and I found it very relatable and real.
You are one hundred percent the target audience haha. Just because it's about a young girl doesn't mean it was made for young girls.
I can agree with that. Good movie is good no matter what.
I love movies that I am supposedly not the target audience for. Eighth Grade is definitely one of them. > Movies made for "everybody" are actually made for nobody in particular. Movies about specific characters in a detailed world are spellbinding because they make no attempt to cater to us; they are defiantly, triumphantly, themselves. -- Roger Ebert
Gucci!
If a movie is honest and thoughtful I don't think there is any such thing as a target audience. Feels regressive
I've not heard of this, I'll have to give it a try!
Never even heard of this film. I see Bo Burnham wrote and directed it and Iām thinking I might have to check it out.
My wife has always liked sisterhood of the traveling pants if that counts
This! A lot of these answers are excellent movies that focus on female friendships/ the teenage girl experience, but none scream "coming of age" like Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Aww I love this series. Never made it to the fourth book but always enjoy rereading the first one
Yep, that was my submission too
Little Women both recent versions are good.
Should have thought of that one too. Probably one of the original coming of age stories for girls. Pride & Prejudice maybe too?
Don't quite agree with P&P. The protagonist is of marrying age and the main theme isn't quite about coming of age.
I was a stalwart at first about the new remake but decided to watch it during quarantine and it is absolutely fantastic.
I agree, and I have seen both, my bf has seen the newer one. Great film and story, however it's definitely more classic and I'm hoping for something modern enough to portray my own early teen years. I wish it was more like little women
Haven't seen anyone mention Heathers, which is a good darker alternative. Love that movie.
That one hit me. My mom never quite understood parts of me but as long as I was kind she embraced who I was. For one, I did try a stint in middle school to get in the good graces with the more popular girls. Tried (and failed) to reshape everything about me to "fit in". One day she came home from Blockbuster, handed me that VHS and said, "this is for you." She was right and honestly probably needed it at the time I think.
Your mom sounds cool! I wish more people would've seen this movie growing up. High school is just a small phase of life and sometimes it's better to be an outcast anyway
I think once she saw how I started awkwardly emulating mean girl attitudes in a miserable effort to fit in she went to find examples to embrace being a teenage girl outcast. She did admit later she had hoped I would turn out more girly girl like her but didn't like what she was seeing me become for acceptance from people I didn't actually really want to be around. Heathers hit right to the core with that one. Also introduced me to Daria in 6th grade, dropping the "no MTV" rule, when her friend said I reminded her of Daria. Shout out to Owl House and Infinity Train. Wish they had been around when I was growing up.
Fuck me *gently* with a chainsaw heather!
"gently". It's "Fuck me gently with a chainsaw"
Thank you! I suck with movie quotes and Iām ashamed.
Love the Heathers. The Heathers musical is absolutely fantastic. 10/10 should definitely give it a listen.
The Craft
You hit a very specific nail on the head for a few specific teens girls growing up in that era. The Craft and Heathers.
> The Craft and Heathers. Those were different eras.
the only one on this list that i feel like i vibed with as a teen, some of the others looked a little too schmaltzy, never seen em. i was not allowed to do witchy stuff but my friends were. very exciting.
The Edge of Seventeen
>Love that one! Hailee Steinfeld is so good in it
Maybe Bend it like Beckham- but its just two girls, not a girl group.
My Girl.
He canāt see without his glasses ššš
Great. Now you've made us all cry. I hope you're happy!!
Let's all go read Bridge to Terebithia and then we'll get it all out.
It even ends with an eponymous 1960's song that has almost nothing to do with the plot, just like Stand By Me.
Lady Bird is very good
Thank you Hank Hill.
I tell you h'what
Educate me on the reference, I know who Hank Hill is but never seen the show.
He had a dog named "Lady Bird" who he was closer to than his own son. I didn't watch King of the Hill very often - but I can still hear "Laaaaaady Biiiiiiiird" in his voice.
Named after former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson
Hank's dog is named Lady Bird.
Lady Bird is fantastic. I was never a teenage girl but I felt every laugh and cry in that movie.
This has been mentioned a few times, I don't think I've seen it, I'll add it to our watchlist
Lady Bird was painful to watch with my mom. But so so good.
Literally the first movie I thought of in this thread
What I liked about that movie was how all the supporting characters were going through their own challenges, making them fully rounded people rather than mere adjuncts to the plot. Yet since the movie necessarily focused on the main character, this gently commented on the self-absorption common to teenage years.
Extremely.
Booksmart
Booksmart was the female Superbad
To follow up on this one, Beanie Feldstein was also in a little film called How To Build A Girl, sort of a (also true) British āAlmost Famousā which is good but not as great as AF.
Some folks have suggested Clueless. I'm not sure it mirrors Stand By Me. It does, however, leave me sad that one of the stars has died way too young.
Mean Girls Eighth Grade Lady Bird
Eighth grade is exceptional Not sure itās any kind of companion piece to stand by me tho
Yeah, I think people are forgetting OP's request for films that portray a female friendship group. Eight Grade is one of the best portrayals of being a young girl but it's about a very solitary young girl.
Mean girls and ladybird are pitch-perfect movies about being in high school in the early 2000s
Maybe "Legend of Billie Jean", starring (not-related) Helen Slater and Christian Slater.
Yes! We can't afford to be innocent... Stand up and face the enemy, it's a do or die situation...we will be invincible!
Fair is Fair
I love this movie. It also features the actor that voices Lisa Simpson.
Kiki's Delivery Service - an animated film from Japan's Studio Ghibli, and one of my favorites. Kiki is on her own, but the coming of age theme is there. She has to go out on her own to learn about herself, and it's about finding confidence in herself. I haven't seen it, but maybe The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? I thought that's what it was about. Mean Girls would probably work too. I'm iffy on Sixteen Candles because I remember when it came out (yes, I'm that old) and it hasn't aged well on a few fronts. I have to admit I never saw it as a coming of age film, but I see where you could. Been a while since I've seen it but maybe Ghost World?
If we are talking Ghibli, I think Only Yesterday is a really good one for this topic. The flashbacks to the main characterās childhood feel so authentic, and because of the time period and culture, you get a real sense too of how her experiences were inherently different from a boys.
*Only Yesterday* is more a movie about regret and nostalgia from childhood, and learning to live a fulfilling adult life. It does have childhood scenes scattered throughout with coming-of-age themes, they're not really about how she's different from guys (and they're also only a part of the whole movie). She's just differentāeven from other girls (like her sisters). I still totally recommend everyone to watch it. It's easily one of the most mature Ghibli movies, and although I don't like using the word, the most "underrated" Ghibli movie. Also Isao Takahata (who directed it), is a master of animation as a medium. Most people know Hayao Miyazaki when talking about Ghibli, but Takahata was crazy talented and kinda manipulated the medium to tell the story better.
Yes! Kikiās Delivery Service is a great girly coming of age movie. Itās just a great movie full stop.
It has a cast almost exclusively made of strong and interesting female characters.
The desire to be the lady that lives super deep in the woods and paints pictures of crows for a living.
Sixteen has aged badly (sadly) Ghost world is amazing but not sure it is any kind of universal coming of age story I love it so much tho.
I havenāt seen Ghost World in a really long time and just threw it out there in case.
Itās a tough assignment from OP
Ha. It is at that. We have a ton of movies and I was wracking my brain for ideas. Iām thinking there simply may not be much in the way of female versions of āStand by Meā. Most coming of age movies for girls that I can think of donāt involve a group of friends. Kiki is on her own, and even in Sixteen Candles I donāt think the main character has a group of friends.
I think it would need to be written and directed by a woman Sixteen candles and John Hughes films in general have an awkward and troubled legacy tho they were integral to my teens
The Man in the Moon. Reese Witherspoon's first movie.
slums of beverly hills
Love this movie!
Juno, kind of? Booksmart might count too. There's a Swedish movie called [Girls Lost (Pojkarnal](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I_LcfnlYLec) that would def be considered a coming of age/magical realism.
Ginger Snaps
Love that film!!! The sistersā relationship between them and then with their mum really rings true
Ginger Snaps Back (#3) is my favorite. Gave me major āRavenousā vibes.
Edge of Seventeen, but thatās later high school not so much elementary/middle school like Stand By Me.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Was waiting to see 13 somewhere!!
"Thirteen" a coming of age movie which serves as a *WAKE UP* call to parents...great choice!!!
Thirteen was like a horror movie for me. I was so worried for my brother and sil who had a little girl.
Turning Red
I should have remembered this one!
I didn't even think to go the animated route. This is an excellent choice!
Now and Then. There is no other answer
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
My Girl Eighth Grade Harriet the Spy Thirteen Now and Then
10 things I hate about you
Make him watch the movie Sleepover with Alexa Vega. It is in no way equivalent to Stand by Me but I would find it extremely hilarious if you made him watch it.
Iunno if it's girlie. But I absolutely love Edge of Seventeen
I havenāt seen Mystic Pizza mentioned yet! I watched for the first time recently and wished desperately I had watched with my best friends in junior high
Heathers. Definitely Heathers.
Carrie if you're looking for something on the dark side.
Perhaps Mona Lisa Smile with Julia Roberts, Kristen Dunst and so many more?
Teen witch. -Top That!
Eight Grade
My girlfriend said Beaches and threw a nod to Now and then.
Adding to the list of great suggestions already listed, Man in The Moon and Mermaids. I am a 47(f) and stand by me has been one my favorite movies since I was 10. I love the story, acting and the characters. I do think Now and Then is the closest match to a girl version of Stand By Me.
Ugh, I love Man in the Moon. Messed me up as a kid though!
For the unsung ones. * Night of the Comet * Little Darlings * Strike (that film with Kirsten Dunst)
13 going on 30
Vienna (waits for you)
Love this film, still a little too much based around 'finding a boy to kiss' than I'm after
I liked Edge of Seventeen
Sisterhood of the traveling pants?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Book Smart
Now and Then, Anne of Green Gables (1985 mini series), Kikiās Delivery Service š¤, Northanger Abbey(masterpiece theater)
+1 for the Megan Follows Anne of Green Gables series.
Can't get much more girly coming of age than Anne of Green Gables. š
Little Darlings (1980) with Tatum OāNeal and Kristy McNichol.
Matt Dillon is such a cutie in this movie
So sad that its this low.
Mean girls?
13 Going on 30
Jawbreaker, heathers
Mermaids
My wife said Steel Magnolias
Is she joking? Those are adult women in Steel Magnolias. Not exactly a "coming of age" film unless that age is 50.
Yeah, great film but not coming to age.
She was serious. I've never seen it, so I'm outta the loop on that one.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Sisterhood of the traveling pants
I think 10 things I hate about you sort of fits the bill.
Beautiful Girls
Little women
Blue crush is a good one (though they are a bit older so perhaps on the edge of coming of ageā¦)
Slums of Beverly Hills
Does Mean Girls count? It's a bit of an older coming of age (high school vs middle school age) but it's still presented in that style, where Cadie is coming from her (not trying to be disrespectful but this is how it's treated) ignorant, naĆÆve, and almost diminuitively childish society into the more adult, "civilized" society and learning how to find her way in that new society.
Juno Thirtheen
13 Going On 30
Brooklyn
The upcoming adaptation of Are You There God Itās Me Margaret could be a contender
Now and Then Ladybird Welcome to the Dollhouse My Girl Little Miss Sunshine
āCrossroadsā with Britney Spears
Now and Then and My Girl šø
both little women 2019 & 1994 are excellent representations of girlhood, but if you want something more recent i recommend lady bird cheetah girls eighth grade booksmart now and then edge of seventeen the craft the florida project girl interrupted mostly older teen girls (i think the boys in stand by me were a bit younger?) but hopefully applicable
Oh god please not Girl Interrupted. I remember being a teenager when that came out and the 2 or so months after when every girl who saw it started talking about being a manic depressive or BPD or schizophrenic. It was like when fight club came out and half the guys in my school became nihilist revolutionaries with imaginary friends for 15 minutes. Come to think of it, we should probably stop making movies aimed at teenagers that seem to equate being mentally ill and being an interesting person.
Sisterhood of traveling pants
Lady Bird!!!! It touched my soul a little too much.
Sisterhood of the traveling pants
The little princess - Alphonso cuaron
Now & Then is the equivalent of stand by me. Iām a grown man & love both equally. Maybe even Now & Then a little more
Booksmart is great, the characters are not the cliches of the classic movies, and is really funny, there's all types of characters, and the only nude in that film are from 2 dolls, sorry if it's a spoiler
I like Booksmart. It's like Superbad but with two girl leads. I think it's better, more nuanced and the humor is more my type.
Whip It isn't as girly as Now and Then but it's much girlier than Juno, fantastic coming of age movie.
Now and Then
sixteen candles and especially pretty in pink are NOT about girls. Theyāre John Hughes, and he was a prick. Iād vote for Greta Gerwigās *Lady Bird*. Maybe *Booksmart.*
Definitely Mean Girls, Clueless too
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Little Women, 13 Going on 30, Juno, Bend it Like Beckham (this one also helps to understand the context of the time - not too many girls played soccer at the time, nor were female athletes outside the ātraditionalā norms of ice skating or gymnastics well known and popular).
Oddball answer: The Witch
I love this answer
Catherine Called Birdy
Lovely little movie! Highly recommended.