Lady Bird is a critically acclaimed coming-of-age film directed by Greta Gerwig, released in 2017. The film follows the life of Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, a high school senior who longs to escape her hometown of Sacramento and attend college on the East Coast.
The primary themes of Lady Bird revolve around identity, family, friendship, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. Lady Bird is a relatable character for many people who have experienced the challenges of adolescence and the desire for a better future. The film’s portrayal of the complex and often tumultuous relationship between mother and daughter has resonated with many viewers.
The film’s popularity can be attributed to its heartfelt and honest portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of growing up. Lady Bird’s character is quirky and relatable, and the film’s witty dialogue and poignant moments strike a chord with audiences. The film’s ensemble cast, including Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Timothée Chalamet, also contributed to its success.
Lady Bird was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $78 million worldwide against a $10 million budget. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Gerwig’s screenplay won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
The film’s success also sparked discussions about the lack of female representation in Hollywood, with Gerwig becoming only the fifth woman to be nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards. The film’s success has also led to a resurgence of interest in Sacramento, with many tourists visiting the city to see the landmarks featured in the film.
In conclusion, Lady Bird is a beloved film that has resonated with audiences and critics alike due to its relatable characters, poignant themes, and engaging storyline. Its success has not only launched Gerwig’s career as a director but also sparked discussions about representation in Hollywood and put Sacramento on the map as a tourist destination.
- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012) – This coming-of-age film explores similar themes of identity, friendship, and family as Lady Bird. The story follows a shy and introverted teenager named Charlie as he navigates his first year of high school.
- “Juno” (2007) – This comedy-drama film follows the story of a teenage girl named Juno, who becomes pregnant and decides to give the baby up for adoption. The film explores themes of family, friendship, and growing up in a unique and heartfelt way.
- “Eighth Grade” (2018) – This indie film explores the life of a 13-year-old girl named Kayla as she navigates the final days of middle school. The film examines themes of self-discovery, social anxiety, and the struggles of growing up in the digital age.
- “Moonlight” (2016) – This Academy Award-winning film explores the life of a young black man named Chiron as he grows up in Miami. The film examines themes of identity, masculinity, and family in a powerful and moving way.
- “Boyhood” (2014) – This groundbreaking film was shot over a period of 12 years, following the life of a young boy named Mason as he grows up. The film explores themes of family, identity, and the passage of time in a unique and compelling way.
- “The Edge of Seventeen” (2016) – This coming-of-age film follows the story of a high school student named Nadine as she navigates the ups and downs of adolescence. The film explores themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery in a relatable and heartfelt way.
- “Call Me By Your Name” (2017) – This romantic drama follows the story of a young man named Elio as he falls in love with an older man named Oliver. The film explores themes of sexuality, identity, and first love in a beautiful and emotional way.
- “Little Women” (2019) – This adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott explores the lives of four sisters growing up in the aftermath of the Civil War. The film examines themes of family, friendship, and ambition in a timeless and moving way.
- “Lady Macbeth” (2016) – This period drama explores the life of a young woman named Katherine as she navigates a loveless marriage and an affair with a stablehand. The film examines themes of power, desire, and societal expectations in a dark and haunting way.
1. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012)
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a coming-of-age drama film based on the novel of the same name by Stephen Chbosky. The story follows a high school freshman named Charlie, who is struggling to navigate the complexities of adolescence. As he struggles with mental health issues and traumatic memories from his past, Charlie finds solace in two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who introduce him to a world of friendship, music, and literature. As Charlie begins to open up and explore his own identity, he must also confront the demons that have haunted him for so long.
Similar to Lady Bird, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” explores themes of identity, family, and the struggles of growing up. The film portrays the intense emotional experiences of adolescence with sensitivity and honesty. The characters, particularly Charlie, are relatable and flawed, making the audience root for them as they navigate their way through life. The film is also known for its impressive soundtrack, featuring songs from The Smiths, David Bowie, and many other iconic artists.
2. “Juno” (2007)
“Juno” is a comedy-drama film directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody. The film follows the story of a 16-year-old girl named Juno, who becomes pregnant and decides to give the baby up for adoption. As she navigates the challenges of teenage pregnancy, Juno forms a bond with the couple who will adopt her baby, as well as with her best friend, Leah, and a classmate named Bleeker, who may be the father of her child.
Similar to Lady Bird, “Juno” explores themes of family, friendship, and the complexities of growing up. The film is known for its witty and irreverent dialogue, which makes even the most serious moments feel lighthearted and relatable. The characters are quirky and endearing, particularly Juno, who is portrayed with sensitivity and depth by Ellen Page. The film’s soundtrack, which features songs by The Moldy Peaches and Kimya Dawson, adds to its indie charm.
3. “Eighth Grade” (2018)
“Eighth Grade” is a coming-of-age film written and directed by Bo Burnham. The film follows the story of a shy and introverted 13-year-old girl named Kayla, who is navigating the final days of middle school. As she struggles with social anxiety and the pressure to fit in, Kayla records advice videos on YouTube in an attempt to help others and find her own voice.
Similar to Lady Bird, “Eighth Grade” explores themes of identity, friendship, and the challenges of adolescence. The film is known for its authentic portrayal of the anxieties and struggles that many young people face. The characters, particularly Kayla, are relatable and endearing, making the audience root for them as they navigate their way through the ups and downs of growing up. The film’s soundtrack, which features songs by Enya and Anna Meredith, adds to its emotional impact.
4. “Moonlight” (2016)
“Moonlight” is a coming-of-age drama film directed by Barry Jenkins. The film tells the story of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami, and his journey to discover his identity and place in the world. The film is divided into three chapters, each depicting a different stage in Chiron’s life, from childhood to adulthood. As he struggles with his sexuality, poverty, and the absence of a stable family, Chiron finds guidance and support from various figures in his life.
Similar to Lady Bird, “Moonlight” explores themes of identity, family, and the struggles of growing up. The film portrays the intense emotional experiences of adolescence with sensitivity and honesty. The characters, particularly Chiron, are complex and layered, making the audience empathize with them as they navigate their way through life. The film’s soundtrack, which features a mix of classical music and hip-hop, adds to its emotional impact.
5. “Boyhood” (2014)
“Boyhood” is a coming-of-age drama film directed by Richard Linklater. The film tells the story of Mason, a young boy growing up in Texas, and his journey through childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. Filmed over the course of 12 years, the film follows Mason as he navigates the complexities of family, friendships, and love.
Similar to Lady Bird, “Boyhood” explores themes of family, identity, and the struggles of growing up. The film portrays the intense emotional experiences of adolescence with sensitivity and honesty. The characters, particularly Mason, are relatable and flawed, making the audience root for them as they navigate their way through life. The film’s unique production style, filming over the course of 12 years with the same cast, adds to its authenticity.
6. “The Edge of Seventeen” (2016)
“The Edge of Seventeen” is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Kelly Fremon Craig. The film tells the story of Nadine, a high school junior struggling to navigate the challenges of adolescence. After her best friend starts dating her older brother, Nadine feels more alone than ever, and begins to push away the people who care about her. As she learns to open up and accept help, Nadine begins to find her place in the world.
Similar to Lady Bird, “The Edge of Seventeen” explores themes of identity, friendship, and the challenges of growing up. The film is known for its witty and relatable dialogue, which captures the complexities and anxieties of adolescence. The characters, particularly Nadine, are flawed and endearing, making the audience root for them as they navigate their way through the ups and downs of growing up. The film’s soundtrack, which features songs by The 1975 and Aimee Mann, adds to its emotional impact.
7. “Call Me By Your Name” (2017)
“Call Me By Your Name” is a romantic drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino. The film is set in 1980s Italy and tells the story of Elio, a 17-year-old boy who falls in love with his father’s 24-year-old graduate student, Oliver. As their relationship develops over the summer, Elio and Oliver navigate the complexities of their feelings for each other and the societal pressures that come with it.
Similar to Lady Bird, “Call Me By Your Name” explores themes of identity, family, and love. The film portrays the intense emotional experiences of adolescence with sensitivity and honesty. The characters, particularly Elio, are complex and layered, making the audience empathize with them as they navigate their way through their feelings. The film’s stunning cinematography, which captures the beauty of the Italian countryside, adds to its emotional impact.
8. “Little Women” (2019)
“Little Women” is a period drama film directed by Greta Gerwig, based on the classic novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott. The film tells the story of the March sisters, four young women growing up in 19th century New England, and their journey to find their place in the world. The film is a coming-of-age story that explores themes of family, love, and the challenges of pursuing one’s dreams.
Similar to Lady Bird, “Little Women” explores themes of family, identity, and the struggles of growing up. The film portrays the intense emotional experiences of adolescence with sensitivity and honesty. The characters, particularly Jo March, are relatable and flawed, making the audience root for them as they navigate their way through life. The film’s beautiful cinematography, which captures the changing seasons and landscapes of New England, adds to its emotional impact.
9. “Lady Macbeth” (2016)
“Lady Macbeth” is a period drama film directed by William Oldroyd. The film tells the story of Katherine, a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage to a wealthy man in 19th century England. As Katherine begins an affair with a stablehand, she takes control of her life and begins to assert her independence, with violent consequences.
Similar to Lady Bird, “Lady Macbeth” explores themes of identity, oppression, and the struggle for autonomy. The film portrays the intense emotional experiences of adolescence with sensitivity and honesty. The characters, particularly Katherine, are complex and layered, making the audience empathize with them as they navigate their way through their desires and ambitions. The film’s stunning cinematography, which captures the bleak and oppressive atmosphere of 19th century England, adds to its emotional impact.
Here are the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for the following movies in a table format:
| Movie Title | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| Lady Bird | 7.4 | 99% |
| The Perks of Being a Wallflower | 8.0 | 85% |
| Juno | 7.4 | 94% |
| Eighth Grade | 7.4 | 99% |
| Moonlight | 7.4 | 98% |
| Boyhood | 7.9 | 97% |
| The Edge of Seventeen | 7.3 | 89% |
| Call Me By Your Name | 7.9 | 95% |
| Little Women | 7.8 | 95% |
| Lady Macbeth | 6.8 | 88% |