Who doesn’t skip the intro when reading such articles? We all do. Here are the top 10 reviewed movies about the lives of boys growing up that you would love to watch. Some are for your inner child, some for a better understanding of the boy child’s mind, and some to reflect on the old days when life was that… young and free.
#1. The Tender Bar (2021)
An adaptation of J.R. Moehringer’s 2005 memoir, The Tender Bar, follows the story of 9-year-old J.R. Maguire, moving with his mother into his grandfather’s house in Long Island in 1973 due to financial difficulties after being abandoned by his father. Directed by George Clooney, the film narrates J.R.’s journey from boyhood—played by Daniel Ranieri—to adulthood, portrayed by Tye Sheridan, under the paternal guidance of his bar-owner Uncle Charlie, played by Ben Affleck. The Tender Bar (2021) doubles as a Father-Son movie.
#2. Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Set in Nazi Germany during the final days of World War II, Jojo Rabbit tells a story of a lonely young boy Johannes Betzler, mockingly nicknamed “Jojo Rabbit” by Peers after a failed training exercise. Raised on fascist propaganda and guided by his imaginary friend, an absurd version of Adolf Hitler played by Taika Waititi, Jojo starts questioning his beliefs when he discovers a Jewish girl hiding in their house. New Zealand film director Taika Waititi blends humour and emotion in this movie as young Roman Griffin Davis leads a cast that includes Scarlett Johansson as Jojo’s mother, Rosie Betzler, and Thomasin McKenzie as Elsa Korr, the hiding Jewish girl. Jojo Rabbit (2019) was adapted from Christine Leunens’ novel Caging Skies.
#3. Boyhood (2014)
Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Boyhood quietly follows Mason Jr., a young boy growing up with his older sister and single mother. The film documents his life from age six to eighteen, showing everyday moments—family struggles and relocations, school, arguments (including those between his divorced parents), and first love. Directed by Richard Linklater, the story unfolds naturally as Ellar Coltrane literally grows on screen as Mason, alongside Patricia Arquette as his mother, Lorelei Linklater as his sister, and Ethan Hawke as Mason Sr.. Boyhood (2014) is less about plot and more about the slow, real pace of becoming. This movie also doubles as a Father-Son film.
#4. October Sky (1999)
Based on Homer Hickam’s memoir Rocket Boys, October Sky is an inspirational family film about teenage Homer Hickman, a coal miner’s son in 1950s West Virginia, who dreams of building rockets after Sputnik’s launch. Directed by Joe Johnston, twelve years before his Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Boyhood charts young Homer Hickam’s journey, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, defying his father’s expectations, with Chris Cooper as his stern dad and Laura Dern as his supportive teacher. October Sky (1999) shows how far kids will go to chase a dream, even if it’s walking eight miles to a launch site or scavenging scrap from railroad tracks.
#5. Mud (2012)
Mud is a 2012 coming-of-age film about two teenage boys, Ellis and Neckbone, who discover a fugitive hiding on a small island. Played by Matthew McConaughey, Mud is charming, mysterious, and hoping to reunite with the love of his life. As the boys help him, they’re pulled into a world of trust, danger, and broken promises. Directed by Jeff Nichols, Mud (2012) tells the story of two kids from troubled homes, Ellis, played by young Tye Sheridan, caught in his parents’ crumbling marriage, and Neckbone, played by Jacob Lofland, living with his uncle, who, out of love and innocence, end up in more than they can handle. The film also features Reese Witherspoon as Mud’s lost love. The line “Can you be my girlfriend?” from a 14-year-old boy felt familiar, lol😂
#6. Donnie Darko (2001)
Written and directed by Richard Kelly, Donnie Darko is a 2001 film set in October 1988 about troubled-genius teen Donnie Darko, a suburban high schooler haunted by visions of a man in a rabbit suit named Frank, who warns that the world will end in 28 days. The cult classic film fuses sci-fi, time travel, and psychological drama with a daunting performance by Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie. The story revolves around Donnie’s relationships with his family, a new girlfriend, Gretchen, played by Jena Malone, two reckless friends, and a mysterious teacher played by Drew Barrymore.
Back to the future… some new stuff.
#7. Good Boys (2019)
Three sixth-grade best friends, Max, Lucas, and Thor, skip school to prepare for their first kissing party, but their plan quickly escalates into total chaos. Directed by Gene Stupnitsky, Good Boys (2019) starts as a plan to learn how to kiss and becomes a wild day that leads them into stolen drugs, police chases, and awkward choices, all while pursuing a drone and trying to avoid two persistent teenage girls. Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, and Brady Noon bring the trio to life with sharp and funny performances. Don’t watch this film with children.
#8. Boy (2010)
Set in 1984 rural New Zealand, Boy (2010) tells the story of 11-year-old Michael Jackson–obsessed Māori kid named Boy, played by James Rolleston, living with his cousins and younger brother Rocky (Te Aho Aho Eketone-Whitu), a weird kid who believes he has superpowers. Boy faces a bitter truth when their estranged father, whom he imagined as a hero, cool, tough and maybe magical, suddenly returns home. Directed by Taika Waititi, who also plays the father, Boy (2010), with its New Zealand/Māori accent, blends humour with quiet sadness, showing how kids fill in the blanks when grown-ups let them down. With a playful style, like father-son beach moments, and heart, like Boy with his pet goat Leaf, the film clearly captures the gap between fantasy and reality through a child’s eyes. Being the dad that a child imagines must be quite something. Another Father-Son film!
#9. 17 Again (2009)
The famous 2009 modern-family drama, 17 Again, centres on Mike O’Donnell, a man stuck in a failing marriage and career, who magically turns back into his 17-year-old self, played by Zac Efron. Living as a teenager again, Mike gets a second chance to fix his life and reconnect with his kids. Directed by Burr Steers, 17 Again (2009) balances laughs with real moments about growing up, mistakes, and family. More like: What would you do if you could go back and change your past?
#10. Mid90s (2018)
An A24 classic written and directed by Jonah Hill, Mid90s follows Stevie, a 13-year-old misfit in the 1990s, who escapes a troubled home, marked by an abusive older brother and a single mom, Dabney, portrayed by Katherine Waterston, by joining a group of older skateboarders in Los Angeles. Through these boys, Stevie, played by Sunny Suljic, experiences friendship, freedom, and risky choices that shape his teenage years. Shot in 4:3 and soaked in ’90s culture, Mid90s (2018) is raw, honest, and quietly powerful in its take on boys growing up.
#11. Nickel Boys (2024)
Finally, a post-COVID film. What better way to end this list than with a movie that shows the harsh realities some boys endure at school?
Nickel Boys (2024) follows Elwood Curtis, a bright young Black teen sent to a brutal reform school in Florida during the 1960s. The school promises discipline but delivers cruelty, exposing the dark side of segregation and injustice. Directed by RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys (2024) explores resilience, faith, friendship, and the fight to keep hope alive amid cruelty. How do you stay true to yourself when the world tries to break you? Shot in a 4:3 ratio, this movie requires patience to fully appreciate its story.
That’s all!
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