The Best Movies Made About Childhood Ranked

Not many genres in Hollywood have earned appreciation of childhood. Since the 1960’s, stories of children have made for engaging movies. Whether it’s children battling burglars, extra-terrestrial creatures or teenagers, the genre has created strong characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about children that deserve to be appreciated.

1. Boyhood

Childhood is a crucial time in life that shaped my identity. I fondly recall with nostalgia joyful memories of adolescence that shaped my persona. I remember that I was an aimless child that often daydreamed totally unconcerned about the future. I was always a curious child fascinated with things in life that I didn’t understand which were dangerous. Lacking a clear life purpose, I enjoyed pursuing hobbies that I found entertaining. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured emotions faced by kids during childhood as powerfully as “Boyhood”. Ever since its release in 2014, Richard Linklater’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about childhood. With the greatest film of his career, Linklater used innovative cinematic techniques capturing children growing up over 12 years facing despair. Linklater has always had aptitude for making movies about childhood, and “Boyhood” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Linklater’s decision to shoot the movie over 12 years is risky but it paid off tremendously. The technique of shooting the film over 12 years lends authenticity to the movie missing from most films about childhood. For instance, the scene in which Mason bids emotional farewell to his mother as he leaves for college causing a dilemma in America is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ellar Coltrane, who portrayed a child growing up over 12 years into an adult. Ultimately, what makes “Boyhood” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about childhood, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about childhood which would resonate with everyone. A captivating portrait of a boy growing up over 12 years of childhood, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made movies which are treasured in Hollywood.

2. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” is a classic film about aliens my mother always considered special. I remember a great mother which appreciated a film about cute aliens causing disaster. She would always praise a classic film that depicted cute aliens in a friendly manner. Nearly 50 years after its release changed Hollywood, Steven Spielberg’s movie remains one of the best films ever made about childhood. Spielberg has always had an aptitude for making great movies about children in grave danger, and “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the iconic scene in which E.T. bids tearful farewell to Elliot as he leaves Earth causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Henry Thomas, who portrayed a bold child forming a lasting friendship with aliens. Ultimately, what makes “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood which would resonate with everyone. An extraordinary portrait of extra-terrestrial aliens forming friendships with children that are powerful, it’s a remarkable reminder of a genre that has made great movies which audiences consider special.

3. Forrest Gump

Intellectual disability shaped my identity. At an early age, my life forever changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing emotional damage. I remember feeling terror when I was diagnosed with a disability that put my life in danger. Autism became a barrier that affected by abilities to succeed in the education system. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured intellectual disabilities that cause a bump in lives of children as powerfully as “Forrest Gump”. Released in 1994, Robert Zemeckis’ movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about childhood that readers adore. Zemeckis uses flashbacks to capture an entrepreneur recounting memories of childhood that shaped his identity. For instance, the scene in which Forrest recounts with nostalgia memories of growing up as a disabled child in America is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Tom Hanks, who portrayed an intellectually disabled man reflecting on his childhood. Ultimately, what makes “Forrest Gump” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about disability which would resonate with everyone. As precious as Forrest Gump’s memories of growing up in Alabama, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.

4. Moonlight

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Years ago, I witnessed the hardships faced by a gay cousin that sought acceptance in Toronto. Fond of wearing women’s feminine attire, he was a person that my entire family would admire. He would be bullied in school due towards his sexual identity. As someone treasuring a gay cousin that kept his sexuality hidden in plain sight, I adored “Moonlight”. Released in 2016, Barry Jenkins’ movie depicted bullying experienced by LGBTQ communities. Jenkins uses captivating montages to capture a black teenager that is bullied for his identity. For instance, the scene in which Chiron has a breakdown throwing a chair over a bully’s head causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Ashton Sanders,  who embodies a poor queer black boy struggling to find acceptance in society. Ultimately, what makes “Moonlight” a masterpiece is its appeal. It delivers a bold message about importance of finding identity which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of barriers that queer teenagers fight, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made memorable movies which deserve the spotlight.

5. To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is a legendary book that my teacher always found inspiring. I remember my teacher adored a classic book he considered timeless literature. Fond of Atticus, he loved to discuss an inspirational book he considered precious. Childhood has always been a central theme in the book that captures a child growing up during an era of segregation. In 1962, Robert Mulligan honoured the iconic book about children seeking to be heard in his movie “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Mulligan did an extraordinary job of adapting a classic book to the big-screen through dramatic monologues. For instance, the scene in which Atticus spends time with Scout on the porch teaching her lessons about life during the segregation era is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Mary Badham, who embodied a girl seeking to discover her identity in the segregation era. Ultimately, what makes “To Kill a Mockingbird” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most movies made in the 1960’s which are outdated, it tackled themes everyone can relate to today. It delivers a meaningful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Atticus’ bond with Scout, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre manufacturing movies which deserve to be talked about without a doubt.

6. Room

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about children stuck in a room, it’s worth discussing Room. Since its publication in 2010, Emma Donoghue’s book has become a literary classic. In 2015, Lenny Abrahamson honoured the book about a room in his movie “Room”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Room” stand out is its depiction of childhood trauma. Abrahamson effectively uses confined locations to capture the tension faced by children that grow up in an environment of isolation. Assisted by Jacob Tremblay who is amazing in the lead role, Abrahamson honoured a beloved book about childhood today. A beautiful adaptation of a book about children that are isolated, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences have appreciated.

7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Anxiety is a powerful emotion that shaped my personality. At an early age, I developed a tendency for feeling anxiety causing emotional damage. As a shy wallflower teenager, I remember being under pressure. Few films I’ve seen have managed to capture my anxiety as a child as powerfully as “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”. Released in 2012, Stephen Chbosky’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about anxious children. Chbosky effectively uses flashbacks to capture an anxious teenager reflecting on childhood trauma that’s frightening. Assisted by Logan Lerman who is amazing in the lead role, Chbosky created a portrait of childhood that’s compelling. As strong as Charlie’s desire to become a wallflower teenager, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made movies which audiences treasure.

8. Home Alone

House burglaries are terrifying events that have always scared my mother. I remember my mother being afraid of home invasions causing disaster. She would be afraid leaving me home alone. As someone treasuring a mother that never left me home alone in childhood, I adored “Home Alone”. Released in 1990, Chris Columbus’ movie depicted children facing home burglaries.  Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Home Alone” stand out is its humour. Columbus uses humour to capture children facing burglars causing danger. Assisted by Macauley Culkin who is amazing in the lead role, Columbus created a strong comedy about children facing burglaries. A hilarious depiction of hardships faced by kids left home alone, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated genre producing well-known films that are in a league of their own.

9. Eighth Grade

Eighth Grade is a stressful time in life that shaped my identity. I remember being a socially awkward child that struggled to fit in with peers. It was a tense time marked by complicated emotions. As someone treasuring fond memories of my time in Eighth Grade, I adored “Eighth Grade”. Released in 2018, Bo Burnham’s movie captured socially awkward children in eighth grade.  Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Eighth Grade” stand out is its depiction of anxiety. Burnham uses montages capturing hardships an anxious girl in eighth grade is facing. Assisted by Elsie Fischer who is amazing in the lead role, Burnham creates a powerful portrait of child anxiety. An extraordinary portrait of teenage girls in eighth grade, it’s an excellent reminder of a commemorated genre in which interest has rarely begun to fade.

10. The Breakfast Club

Few movies ever made about teens joining a club in childhood are as beloved as “The Breakfast Club”. Since its release in 1985, John Hughes’ movie has become a childhood classic. Hughes used captivating montages captured a group of teenagers bonding together in detention. Assisted by Judd Nelson who is spectacular in the lead role, Hughes created a captivating classic about childhood. Although I’ve always admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s depiction of teachers as evil figures that abuse their authority has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As powerful as relationships among teens in detention, it’s a spectacular reminder of a genre that has made great movies about tension kids face in childhood which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.