Coming of Age Movies with Female Leads written by the Unicorn on March 6th, 2022. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
7 Coming of Age Movies with Female Leads
In honor of International Women’s Day, we wanted to feature some coming of age movies with female leads. Here are some of our favorites, with movies for everyone 10 and up, that focus on girls learning to be confident in themselves and learning to deal with the struggles of the world, each in their own way.
1) My Girl
Know Before You Watch
Movie: My Girl
Rating: PG
Age Suggestion: 10+
Running Time: 1 hour and 42 minutes
Release Date: November 27, 1991
Where to Stream: Netflix
Warnings: Depictions of death, mild language, references to sex
Quick My Girl Summary: Vada is an eleven-year-old girl being raised by her single father in a funeral home. Being surrounded by death has made Vada very morbid, and it weirds her classmates out. Luckily for her, her friend Thomas doesn’t mind her weirdness and is happy to hang out with her. The film follows her as she goes from childhood to being a teenager.
Main Lesson from My Girl
Having an open mind and positive attitude can get you through and to a lot.
My Girl Discussion Questions (Spoilers beyond)
- Thomas and Vada are best friends. Do you have any best friends? What do you like to do with your friends?
- Vada’s mom’s death really affected her, even though she never knew her mom. Have you ever known anyone who has passed away? How did that affect you?
My Girl Parent Review
This movie is very death centric, so if that is something that will overwhelm your child, then this is not the right movie to check out.
Anna Chlumsky is amazing as Vada. Her morbid personality is so endearing, even with her eccentrics. Macaulay Culkin is absolutely adorable, and his adoration of Vada is cute. Both Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis are fantastic. All the characters have good development. Watching Vada process the death of both her mother and Thomas was heartbreaking. Just growing up on its own is incredibly hard, so watching her grieve made the film even more heartbreaking. It can be a really impactful film.
2) Little Women
Know Before You Watch Little Women
Movie: Little Women (2019)
Rating: PG
Age Suggestion: 8+
Running Time: 2 hr. 15 min.
Release Date: December 20th, 2019
Where to Stream:
Warnings: This movie deals with loss and has long dramatic scenes that might bore viewers under the age of ten.
Quick Little Women Summary: The beloved classic book, Little Women, brought to life again. This time told mainly from Jo’s memory and flashbacks. Follow the four March sisters as they struggle to leave childhood behind and move into a harsh patriarchal society with passion, determination and each other. A must see for moms and their daughters.
Main Lesson from Little Women:
Regardless of fame, or perceived importance, your actions and words really matter.
Find more lessons from Little Women
and a full parents discussion guide here!
Little Women Discussion Questions:
1) This story significantly impacted me. Did it impact you? How so? If not, what’s a recent story that has significantly impacted you?
2) The sisters are passionate about different dreams- what dream are you the most passionate about right now?
Little Women Parent Review:
Greta Gerwig’s adaption is a slightly different perspective than any other version I’ve seen. Very well done. It’s difficult to flip-flop between points in the main character’s life so consistently without loosing the audience! Lessons in little women were so well woven in- none of it felt forced, it all just felt very human and relatable. They stayed very true to the original, while adding in a little material from Louisa May Alcott’s life.
3) Bend It Like Beckham
Know Before You Watch Bend it Like Beckham
Movie: Bend It Like Beckham
Rating: PG-13
Age Suggestion: 10+
Running Time: 1 hour and 52 minutes
Release Date: January 18, 2003
Where to Stream: HBO Max
Warnings: Sexual innuendos, mild language, some smoking and legal drinking.
Quick Bend It Like Beckham Summary: Jess Bhamra is a teen British football (American soccer) player, but her parents disapprove of her playing sports because they consider it too masculine. Despite this, a semi-professional player named Jules recruits Jess to play for her team. Between keeping up with her family life, and playing on the team, Jess is stretched thin. Can she do both?
Main Lesson from Bend it Like Beckham:
Bend It Like Beckham Discussion Questions:
1) How did Jess’s relationship with her family affect her playing football? How could her family be more supportive? Could Jess compromise?
Bend It Like Beckham Parent Review
There is a bit of profanity, primarily offensive British slang. Some of the scenes include the main characters drinking, however they are all over 18 (legal age in the UK, where the film takes place). And there are more than a handful of references to (or implications of) sex.
All of the characters have very strong opinions about how their lives, and about how Jess’s life should play out. Each actor does a great job portraying the arches that their characters go through. Parminder Nagra as Jess and Keira Knightley as Jules especially stand out. They have different struggles, but they can connect through their individual trials. The story draws some excellent comparisons between Jules and Jess’s home lives. As the story follows the two girls, you feel bad for both of them, and can see the flaws in both of their family dynamics. Their characters feel believable, and they make you want to root for them.
Keep reading from more lessons from coming on age movies with female leads
4) CODA
Know Before You Watch CODA
Movie: CODA
Rating: PG-13
Age Suggestion: 13+
Running Time: 1 hour and 51 minutes
Release Date: August 21, 2021
Where to Stream: Apple TV+
Warnings: There is a sex scene, strong language in both English and ASL, and ableist remarks against deaf people.
Quick CODA Summary: Ruby Rossi is a high school girl growing up in a completely deaf family. Both of her parents and her older brother are deaf. As a result, her family relies on her to help them communicate to the rest of their small fishing town. The only problem is, Ruby loves singing, and she wants to go to school for music. Can Ruby leave her family behind? Can her family learn to support her?
Main Lesson from CODA
Communicating with those closest with you is difficult and important. Your dreams matter as much as theirs do.
CODA Discussion Questions
1) Ruby is scared to sing in front of people. When was a time that you felt scared sharing something you like to do?
2) Ruby has a huge weight on her shoulders, between interpreting for her family business, school, and trying to prepare for her audition. Do you think her music teacher Mr. V should have been more compassionate? Why or why not?
CODA Parent Review
Is Coda appropriate for younger kids? From our perspective definitely not. There are 2 sex scenes in this film. One is implied, and the other involves a married couple. Nothing is shown, but the scene with the married is decently graphic. However, the visual only lasts for about 5 seconds, but there is a larger conversation around this scene with their daughter and her friend. There is a lot of foul language. Plus a whole lot of negative remarks about deafness.
All the acting in this movie is top notch. This is Emilia Jones’ first movie, and she is stellar. Despite not knowing how to sing or sign ASL prior to the movie, she fits into the role naturally. It would have been neat for them to have more deaf representation, but with that said the three actors who are deaf were fantastic. Marlee Matlin is amazing in this movie as Ruby’s mother Jackie. Troy Kotsur was just nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actor for this movie, and it is well deserved. A couple of his scenes with Emilia Jones made me sob. Ruby’s brother played by Daniel Durant has a great arch surrounding him learning to stand up for himself in their family dynamic as well.
This movie was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, and understandably so. The story is simple, but every character and story beat have a lot of nuances to them. Ruby’s struggle feels relatable, and her passion for singing is clear. It is a very character-driven movie, but at the end of the movie, you still feel like there was a complete plot with a satisfying resolution.
5) The Fallout
Know Before You Watch
Movie: The Fallout
Rating: R
Age Suggestion: 16+
Running Time: 1 hour and 32 minutes
Release Date: January 27, 2022
Where to Stream: HBO Max
Warnings: Lots of strong language, depiction of a school shooting, minors using weed and alcohol, implied sex scene.
Quick The Fallout Summary Vada is a 17-year-old girl with a pretty nice life, with an annoying little sister, caring but overbearing mom, loving dad. That all changed when a school shooter messed it all up. We follow Vada as she processes her experience and trauma, making new friends and plenty of bad decisions in the process.
Main Lesson from The Fallout
Trauma is difficult to process and it is normal to feel all the feels. It’s hard to reach out for the help that we need. And as a parent I want to add that our kids should not be experiencing this trauma in school.
The Fallout Discussion Questions
1) Vada feels numb after the shooting. She tries a lot of things, both good and bad to make her feel ok again. What is something that helps you cope when you are feeling a lot of big emotions?
2) Mia’s parents are out of town for most of the movie, even though their daughter has gone through a traumatic event. How do you think this impacted Mia?
3) School shootings are terrifying reality. How are you impacted by school shootings? How can you deal with the emotions that you have around them?
The Fallout Parent Review
This movie covers some heavy topics and the fallout is not at all appropriate for younger viewers. It should only be watched by mature high schoolers and above (and only then if you think the topic will not increase anxiety). This movie is about a school shooting; however, you never see any guns, and you never see the face of the shooter. The entire scene takes place in a bathroom, with the most graphic element being blood on a character’s shirt. Though there is some substance abuse, Vada ultimately realizes that they are not helpful to coping. The sex scene is between two high school girls and fades to black while they make out.
The story follows Vada as she learns to deal with her emotions about the shooting. You see her go to therapy, smoke weed, get drunk, hang out with friends, and cope by watching reality tv. Even though the story follows her and her journey, you do get to see how her friends cope, and compare that to how Vada is dealing with the grief and fear that she feels. The script is strong, and the acting really sells it. If I had one critique, I wish we had gotten to see more of Vada’s parents learning to parent a traumatized teen like Vada.
Keep reading from more lessons from coming on age movies with female leads
6) The Hate U Give
What to Know Before You Watch The Hate U Give
Movie: The Hate U Give
Rating: PG-13
Age Suggestion: 13+
Running Time: 2 hr. 15 min.
Release Date: October 2018
Where to Stream: Currently on Prime Video and Apple TV
Warnings: There are lots of discussion of violence, police brutality, sexual actions, drugs, and alcohol. Also, there is a lot of cussing. Altogether, this is present to dive into the real world in which Angie Thomas is painting. I do encourage everyone to read or watch this with their kids to help them process and discuss it.
Quick The Hate U Give Summary: Starr Carter is a high schooler who has had to go through what no one should have to. By the age of 16, she has seen two of her friends murdered in front of her eyes. The second one thrusts her into an emotional world of grief, injustice, brutality, and racism. The Hate U Give navigates through the complexities of so many social issues, but leaves the reader with the knowledge that it is much more than that.
Main Lesson from The Hate U Give:
Every life has innumerable value and your voice really does matter.
Find a full parent discussion guide for The Hate U Give
book and movie right here!
The Hate U Give Discussion Questions:
1) Using your voice for a force for change is discussed a lot, especially in regards to standing up for Khalil. Discuss a time when you were able to use your voice for good. What passions do you have that you often (or want to) speak out against or for?
2) What are ways to use social media for positivity or important topics?
The Hate U Give Parent Review:
Starr is a representative of so many families that have been victims or friends of victims of police brutality and gang violence. How can we come together to change this systematic oppression? The Hate U Give presents a very realistic and balanced view of the issues. There are multiple perspectives that help you relate to and understand the seriousness and severity of the tragedies portrayed. Despite this heavy task, there is also a fair amount of levity throughout the story, as there would be in real life.
7) Inside Out
Know Before You Watch Inside Out
Movie: Inside Out
Rating: PG-13
Age Suggestion: 8+
Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.
Release Date: June 19th, 2015
Where to Stream: Currently on Disney Plus
Warnings: There are some slightly scary moments. Specifically one with a clown and some where things are crumbling, scary and sad.
Quick Inside Out Summary: Riley is moving to a new state and school. And that is a lot to handle in Middle School.
Main Lesson from Inside Out:
It’s important to feel all of our emotions. We need to acknowledge and feel sadness, it is as important as joy!
Inside Out Discussion Questions:
1) How often do you acknowledge all of your emotions?
2) Why was it important for Riley to feel sadness?
Inside Out Parent Review:
This movie is popular because it’s so well done, but also because of how incredibly relatable and accurate it is. Psychologists were consulted and it is obvious in the story. That being said, this movie is very family friendly with the exception of some darker scenes. (Spoiler warning) Especially the loss of her imaginary friend as Riley moves past that part of childhood and when she feels like her world is crumbling. It can also be a little abstract and slower in places, so younger kids might get bored and need some explanation. Inside Out is such a beautiful movie and it’s lovely to see emotions personified.
Meet the Author- Kate
Kate is a young disabled writer based in Iowa. She’s obsessed with anything Marvel, Disney, or theatre. She can normally be found performing and singing dramatically in the car.
Instagram: @kit_kat_kate_cat TikTok: @kathrynthecat
Thanks for reading our List of Coming of Age Movies with Female Lead. Here’s what to check out next:
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What’s your favorite movie on the list?
What movie would you add to the list?!
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