10 Powerful Coming Of Age Documentaries

Coming of age stories are emotionally powerful, rich with character arcs, and can teach us valuable life lessons. They remind us of the things we all experienced when we were younger: the awkward teenage years, the challenges of finding our identity, and the harsh realities of growing up.

Documentaries that explore this theme provide a unique glimpse into the lives of young people and allow us to relate to their lives. In this blog post, we will be discussing some of the best coming of age documentaries that you need to watch.

1. Boys State (2020)

One of the most remarkable coming of age documentaries of recent times, Boys State follows a thousand teenage boys from Texas as they participate in a week-long program aimed at educating them about politics and democracy.

The program challenges them to create their own government system and elect their own leaders. The film is an in-depth exploration of how teenage boys navigate power, influence, and ideology. It reveals the complicated political structures of our nation and questions the morality of American politics.

Boys State on Factual America

2. The Year My Voice Broke (1987)

An Australian classic, The Year My Voice Broke is a beautiful story of two childhood friends, Danny and Freya, who experience the difficulties of growing up in a small country town in the 1960s.

The film explores themes of first love, loss, and the struggles of coming to terms with oneself. It also provides a glimpse into the harsh realities of rural life, particularly for teenagers. The film's evocative soundtrack and cinematography enhance the emotional depth of the story.

👉 Watch The Year My Voice Broke on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The Year My Voice Broke as DVD on Amazon

3. All This Panic (2017)

All This Panic is a coming of age documentary that follows a group of teenage girls living in Brooklyn, New York. The film documents their growth and transformation as they navigate the challenges of adolescence, including friendship, self-expression, and sexuality.

The film provides an honest and intimate look at the lives of teenage girls, making it a significant story for young girls to watch. It's a beautiful work of art that speaks about the struggles of adolescence and encourages us all to be more empathetic.

👉 Watch All This Panic on Amazon Prime

4. Minding the Gap (2018)

Minding the Gap follows three young men who bond over their love of skateboarding and the difficulties they face growing up in the United States. The film explores themes of family, friendship, and the struggles of finding one's identity.

The film delves into the harsh realities of domestic violence and how it affects young people growing up. Minding the Gap ultimately shows us how skateboarding helps these young men to grow and overcome systemic issues in their community.

👉 Watch Minding the Gap on Amazon Prime UK

👉 Buy Minding the Gap as DVD on Amazon

5. Coming of Age (2015)

Coming of Age is a beautiful documentary that follows four teenage boys as they navigate the difficult transition to adulthood in a small town in the Netherlands.

The film explores how friendships change as they grow up, and how their individual aspirations and ideals begin to take shape. The film shows us the importance of community and how it can affect young people’s lives. It also ultimately encourages young people to pursue their dreams, no matter how impossible they seem.

Coming of Age on IMDb

6. Homeroom (2021)

Homeroom is a documentary that follows Oakland High School's class of 2020 as they tackle the challenges of senior year, including college applications, police presence, and political activism.

Filmmaker Peter Nicks brings together powerful footage of conversations and protests surrounding police violence, giving viewers an up-close look at the activism of young people. Homeroom is considered a must-watch coming-of-age film that not only showcases the seniors' maturity and strength but also serves as a commentary on the sociopolitical landscape of the USA today.

Homeroom on IMDb

7. My Survival as an Aboriginal (1978)

This Australian documentary directed by Essie Coffey documents the director's journey as an Aboriginal woman as she navigates the complexities of being a person of color in a white-dominated society.

The film reveals how Coffey's upbringing in a white family has left her struggling to come to terms with her identity. It is a powerful exploration of both the challenges and the beauty of growing up within a marginalized community.

My Survival as an Aboriginal on IMDb

8. Rocking the Foundations (1985)

This Australian documentary details the rise of the Builders Laborers Federation (BLF) in the 1970s, a time when the union was fighting for better working conditions for its members.

The documentary follows the journey of a group of young union leaders and activists who are trying to transform the BLF from a corrupt organization to one that is focused on fighting for workers' rights. Rocking the Foundations is a portrayal of a generation desperately trying to fight against the status quo.

Rocking the Foundations on IMDb

9. Cusp (2021)

Cusp is a documentary that explores the lives of three teenage girls in a small Texas town. The documentary is raw and unfiltered, following the girls as they navigate through their adolescent years, dealing with relationships, parties, and drugs. The film portrays both the thrill and the dangerous consequences that are part and parcel of being a teenager.

The documentary provides an insight into the lives of modern adolescence and their emotional struggles as they try to find their place in society.

👉 Watch Cusp on Amazon Prime

10. American Teen (2008)

American Teen is a documentary film that follows the lives of four teenagers in a high school in Indiana. The film highlights the struggles of these teenagers as they navigate through the challenges of school, romance, and friendships.

The film explores the complexities of adolescence and the stereotypical cliques that dominate high school culture. The film has a unique way of connecting with the audience, and it is an exciting insight into the teenage years.

👉 Watch American Teen on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy American Teen as DVD on Amazon

Conclusion

Coming of age documentaries teach us empathy, resiliency and inspire us to follow our aspirations no matter how impossible it seems. They offer an intimate and emotional exploration of young people’s lives and have the power to teach us valuable life lessons.

Boys State, The Year My Voice Broke, All This Panic, Minding the Gap, and Coming of Age are all remarkable coming of age documentaries that you should add to your watch list. These documentaries remind us of our youth, our dreams, and the realities of growing up.