Although they may be very entertaining, many teen dramas are far too cheesy for them to truly resonate with us. As much as we love rewatching Clueless and Mean Girls, sometimes we just want something a bit more realistic.

Here is a ranking of seven excellent coming-of-age from the last 25 years that genuinely encapsulate the teenage experience while still being fun:

7. Booksmart (2019)

Directed by the award-winning Olivia Wilde, Booksmart follows high-school seniors Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) on the night before their graduation. Having spent their teenage years studying, the pair decide to have one final night of fun and partying.

Laugh-out-loud funny at times, but tender and sweet at others, Booksmart perfectly encapsulates the anxiety, excitement, and sadness many teens feel about moving on from high school. The core of this movie, however, is Molly and Amy's friendship. Due to the actors' incredible chemistry, the audience can't help but root for the pair!

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6. The Spectacular Now (2013)

This book-to-movie adaptation follows high-school senior Sutter (Miles Teller), an egotistical alcoholic with no sense of responsibility. Upon meeting Aimee (Shailene Woodley), he discovers what true love is and begins to see his flaws.

Although it may seem like the stereotypical bad boy x good girl trope at first, The Spectacular Now offers a fresh take on romance, family, and growing up. Without spoiling too much, its purposefully ambiguous ending is a certified tear-jerker.

5. The First Time (2012)

Another trope-subverting teen romance is The First Time. This film follows teenagers Aubrey (Britt Robertson) and Dave (Dylan O'Brien), both of whom are stuck pursuing unhealthy loves. The pair are able to confide in each other, but can they really find true love?

While it may seem slightly cringey at times, this movie has healthy depictions of friendships, first loves, and romantic relationships that teenagers can find relatable. Not to mention, the main characters' tender relationship will have audiences swooning!

4. Bend it Like Beckham (2002)

Bend it Like Beckham is a classic coming-of-age movie that follows two girls, Jess (Parminder Nagra) and Jules (Keira Knightley) who, despite their parents wishes, dream of playing professional football.

A key reason why this movie has stood the test of time its themes about living up to familial expectations, whether that is due to cultural or socioeconomic factors. Combined with impeccable comedic timing and a classic underdog story, this movie should be on every teen's watchlist.

3. Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Adapted from André Aciman's best-selling novel of the same name, acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino's masterpiece Call Me By Your Name is a must-watch for older teens. Taking place in 1983, this movie chronicles the story of 17-year-old Elio (Timothée Chalamet) falling in love with his father's temporary assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer).

As a movie itself, Call Me By Your Name is breath-taking due to its beautiful soundtrack, gut-wrenchingly realistic acting, and its gorgeous Northern Italian setting. Elio's journey as he comes to terms with his sexual orientation and forms new bonds echoes timeless themes of love, family, and fitting in — just be sure to have a box of tissues handy!

2. Lady Bird (2017)

Now famous filmmaker Greta Gerwig's directorial debut was Lady Bird, a thought-provoking movie that showed a year in the life of high school senior Christine "Lady Bird" MacPherson (Saoirse Ronan). The audience follows her through the ups and downs of family, friendship, and first loves while she tries to work out her place in the world.

There is a reason why Lady Bird is so critically acclaimed — its characters are just everyday people trying to get through the day in painfully realistic ways. Despite her flaws, audience have no choice but to root for her in the end. However, the true standout from this movie is the central mother-daughter relationship that leaves much food for thought at the end.

1. Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Based on Stephen Chbosky's moving novel, this movie follows an introverted teen name Charlie (Logan Lerman) who struggles with mental health and is anxious about starting high school. He learns to open up as he meets new friends, namely high school seniors Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller).

In my opinion, Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of the best, most poignant coming-of-age movies ever made. It tackles issues pertaining to mental health, grief, and relationships in a meaningful, genuine manner that is sure to resonate with viewers. If you only watch one coming-of-age movie: let this be the one.

Conclusion

In summary, there is no shortage of entertaining coming-of-age films for teens. However, it can be hard to find meaningful ones that truly resonate with the audience. If you have any more recommendations, feel free to add them in the comments!