If you’re a fan of the offbeat comedy-drama Juno, you know there’s something special about its unique blend of wit, heart, and unvarnished teenage emotion. The 2007 indie sleeper hit struck a chord with its honest, irreverent take on unplanned pregnancy and unconventional family. But Juno is far from the only movie to tackle the bittersweet experience of growing up with humor and insight.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 22 of the best movies like Juno that capture the same spirit of quirky, heartfelt coming-of-age storytelling. From awkward first loves to unlikely friendships, dysfunctional family road trips to finding your tribe, these films offer a diverse range of perspectives on the joys and pains of adolescence. Whether you’re in the mood to laugh, cry, or both, these movies are perfect companions to Juno’s distinctive charm.
Get ready for more sharp dialogue, bittersweet emotion, and memorable characters who feel all too real. These are the best movies like Juno that every fan of the genre should know.
1. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
This quirky indie comedy follows the dysfunctional Hoover family as they embark on a chaotic road trip to get 7-year-old Olive to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. Along the way, the eccentric clan – including a motivational speaker dad, harried mom, rebellious teen, suicidal uncle, and heroin-snorting grandpa – confront their dreams and disappointments. Like Juno, it’s an offbeat, heartfelt look at an unconventional family weathering life’s ups and downs together. Stellar performances from Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, and Alan Arkin make the characters feel authentic. Both hilarious and poignant, Little Miss Sunshine is a sweet, funny meditation on not letting your flaws stop you from shining.
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Based on the beloved coming-of-age novel, this touching drama follows shy freshman Charlie as he navigates the joys and pains of high school. Taken under the wings of two charismatic seniors, free-spirited Sam and her gay stepbrother Patrick, Charlie blossoms but also grapples with past trauma and present heartbreak. Like Juno, Perks compassionately explores the bittersweet transition from adolescence to adulthood. With soulful performances from Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller, it’s a moving portrait of that pivotal time when you’re no longer a child but not quite grown up either. A stirring celebration of friendship, first love, and feeling infinite.
3. The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Hailee Steinfeld shines as awkward 11th grader Nadine, who’s always felt overshadowed by her popular older brother – and things only get worse when her best friend starts dating him. Nadine’s prickly bond with her exasperated but caring teacher, played by Woody Harrelson, calls to mind Juno’s dynamic with her parents. Writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig nails the heightened emotions and everyday humiliations of being a teenage girl. Like Juno, Edge of Seventeen is a smart, quippy teen movie that’s honest about how messy and painful growing up can be, while still being really funny. Nadine is a prickly heroine you can’t help but root for.
4. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
High school senior Greg spends his time making parody films with his “co-worker” Earl. But his life changes when his mom forces him to befriend Rachel, a classmate with leukemia. Like Juno, this Sundance hit puts a wry, self-aware spin on a premise that could be unbearably maudlin in less skilled hands. It’s a testament to the film’s tonal balancing act that it earns both its laughs and tears. While Greg initially keeps Rachel at arm’s length, determined not to care too much, their relationship deepens in unexpected ways. A unique take on the teen weepie that’s more about connection than romance.
5. Easy A (2010)
After a little white lie about losing her virginity gets out, clean-cut high schooler Olive sees her newfound bad-girl reputation as an opportunity. She begins selling sex “services” (that are actually just pretend) to help out bullied guys while pocketing the profits for college. Like Juno, Easy A features a smart, snarky teen girl who takes control of her narrative, even as it spins out of control. Emma Stone’s star-making turn as the whip-smart, wise-cracking Olive powers this clever riff on The Scarlet Letter. With snappy dialogue and a playful take on slut-shaming, Easy A proves that a teen comedy can be both scathing and sweet.
6. Booksmart (2019)
On the eve of graduation, straight-A students and longtime BFFs Amy and Molly realize they should’ve had more fun in high school. Determined to make up for lost time, they set out to cram four years of missed parties and hook-ups into one epic night. Like Juno, Booksmart puts a fresh spin on familiar teen movie tropes, serving up a raunchy comedy that’s also a sweet, insightful look at female friendship. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein have crackling chemistry as the foul-mouthed, fiercely loyal duo at the heart of the film. A hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age story about two ride-or-die pals on the cusp of the rest of their lives.
7. Saved! (2004)
When devout teen Mary becomes pregnant, she starts to question her faith and place in her Christian community. Like Juno, Saved! tackles teen pregnancy with irreverent wit and surprising empathy. The satire of evangelical culture is pointed but never mean-spirited, and the characters are more than just caricatures. Jena Malone brings nuance to Mary’s crisis of faith, and Mandy Moore is deliciously prim as the self-righteous queen bee. But it’s Macaulay Culkin as Mary’s wisecracking, wheelchair-using friend who gets the biggest laughs. A subversive take on the teen morality tale that celebrates being true to yourself, even if it means breaking the rules.
8. Whip It (2009)
Bliss Cavendar feels trapped in her small Texas town, where her former beauty queen mom is pushing her to follow in her footsteps. But when Bliss discovers the world of roller derby, she finally finds a place where her quirks and quick-thinking are assets. Like Juno, Whip It is about a misfit teen girl carving out her own path. Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut has an offbeat charm, and Ellen Page brings her signature mix of smarts and vulnerability as Bliss. The rough-and-tumble derby scenes are a blast to watch, but the film is just as interested in the complicated bonds between women, on and off the track. An underrated gem about finding your tribe.
9. The Half of It (2020)
Shy, straight-A student Ellie Chu makes money by writing papers for her classmates. But she gets an unusual request when inarticulate jock Paul asks her to write love letters to his crush Aster. The snag? Ellie has feelings for Aster too. Like Juno, The Half of It takes a well-worn premise in unexpected directions. Part Cyrano retelling, part queer coming-of-age story, Alice Wu’s charming indie defies easy categorization. Leah Lewis brings quiet depth to Ellie’s internal struggles, and her unlikely friendship with Paul is the heart of the film. A generous, open-hearted look at the messiness of young love.
10. The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)
After getting caught hooking up with a girl, teenager Cameron Post is sent to a gay conversion therapy center. There she forms tenuous bonds with her fellow “disciples” as they try to survive the program’s draconian methods. Like Juno, Miseducation takes a potentially bleak subject and finds dark humor in it, without minimizing the characters’ pain. Chloë Grace Moretz brings understated grit to the role of Cameron, a resilient survivor determined to stay true to herself. The film takes aim at the very real trauma of conversion therapy while celebrating queer identity and solidarity. A moving, enraging, and ultimately hopeful coming-of-age story.
11. The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015)
Minnie (Bel Powley), a 15-year-old aspiring cartoonist in 1970s San Francisco, begins an affair with her mother’s boyfriend, Monroe (Alexander Skarsgård). Like Juno, Diary frankly depicts female teenage sexuality in a way rarely seen on screen. Adapted from Phoebe Gloeckner’s graphic novel, it’s an unflinching look at a young woman’s sexual awakening, warts and all. Powley is magnetic as the precocious, vulnerable Minnie, and Kristen Wiig brings nuance to the role of her bohemian, neglectful mother. Raw, honest, and strikingly original, the film is a refreshing antidote to the usual teen movie clichés.
12. The Way, Way Back (2013)
Awkward 14-year-old Duncan (Liam James) dreads spending the summer at a beach house with his mom (Toni Collette) and her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell). But things look up when he finds an unexpected friend and father figure in Owen (Sam Rockwell), the wisecracking manager of the local water park. Like Juno, Way, Way Back is a funny, poignant coming-of-age tale anchored by a memorable protagonist. Rockwell steals the show as the irreverent mentor, but the whole cast shines, including Allison Janney as the kooky neighbor. A sweet, nostalgic ode to the growing pains of adolescence.
13. The Spectacular Now (2013)
Sutter (Miles Teller), a hard-partying high school senior, unexpectedly falls for “nice girl” Aimee (Shailene Woodley) after a breakup. As their relationship deepens, Sutter is forced to confront his own fears and doubts about the future. Like Juno, Spectacular Now has an ear for authentic teen dialogue and features a charming odd-couple dynamic between its leads. But it’s also not afraid to go to darker, more bittersweet places. Teller and Woodley have soulful chemistry, and Kyle Chandler makes an impression as Sutter’s flawed, absent father. A tender, clear-eyed look at young love and learning to embrace the unknown.
14. The To Do List (2013)
Valedictorian and all-around good girl Brandy (Aubrey Plaza) feels pressured to gain more sexual experience before college. With her trusty notebook in hand, she makes a “to do list” of erotic activities to check off over the summer. Like Juno, To Do List puts a sex-positive, female-driven spin on the raunchy teen comedy. Writer-director Maggie Carey mines big laughs from the premise without ever mocking Brandy’s inexperience or desires. Plaza’s deadpan delivery is perfect for the Type-A heroine, and there’s strong support from Bill Hader, Alia Shawkat, and other comic ringers. A rare teen flick that’s as smart and empowering as it is funny.
15. The Duff (2015)
Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a content high school senior until she finds out her classmates secretly know her as the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her more popular pals. She enlists jock neighbor Wesley (Robbie Amell) to help reinvent herself and overthrow the school’s ruthless label maker (Bella Thorne). Like Juno, The Duff takes an old-school teen movie setup and updates it with modern wit and edge. Whitman makes a winningly offbeat heroine, and her rapport with Amell powers the film. Underneath the makeover hijinks, it’s got a sweet message about staying true to yourself and your real friends.
16. The Kings of Summer (2013)
Fed up with their well-meaning but overbearing parents, teens Joe (Nick Robinson), Patrick (Gabriel Basso), and Biaggio (Moises Arias) flee to the woods to spend their summer building a house and living off the land. Like Juno, Kings revels in the angsty restlessness of adolescence and the desire for independence. The sharp, quotable dialogue feels true to how teens really talk, and the young cast nails the goofy camaraderie. Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally also get laughs as Joe’s snarky dad and Patrick’s overprotective mom. A shaggy, sunlit paean to boyhood and the bittersweet pains of growing up.
17. The Bling Ring (2013)
Based on a true story, Sofia Coppola’s film follows a group of image-obsessed LA teens who track celebrities’ whereabouts to rob their homes. Like Juno, Bling Ring captures a specific cultural moment and youth milieu with anthropological detail and dark humor. The young cast commits to their characters’ shallowness, particularly a scene-stealing Emma Watson. Through a mix of flashy style and stark realism, Coppola examines the corrosive allure of wealth, fame, and material excess. A slick, discomfiting portrait of adolescent aimlessness and amorality in the social media age.
18. Adventureland (2009)
Set in the summer of 1987, this wistful comedy follows recent college grad James (Jesse Eisenberg) who takes a job at a local amusement park when his plans to tour Europe fall through. There he falls for co-worker Em (Kristen Stewart), who’s dealing with her own problems. Like Juno, Adventureland captures the bittersweet feeling of being on the cusp of adulthood. It nails the period details and has a killer soundtrack. The strong supporting cast includes Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, and Ryan Reynolds. A funny, touching portrait of that post-college moment when you’re not quite sure what comes next.
19. The Squid and the Whale (2005)
Noah Baumbach’s semi-autobiographical drama follows two brothers, Walt (Jesse Eisenberg) and Frank (Owen Kline), dealing with the divorce of their writer parents (Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney). Like Juno, it has a sharp ear for dialogue and an eye for telling details. The characters are prickly and flawed but never less than human. Baumbach captures the anger, confusion, and occasional moments of grace in family breakdown. Daniels is brilliant as the arrogant, self-absorbed father. A painfully honest, surprisingly funny look at divorce from the perspective of the kids caught in the middle.
20. Ghost World (2001)
After graduating high school, best friends Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) find themselves drifting apart as they figure out what to do next. Enid becomes fascinated with Seymour (Steve Buscemi), an older record collector. Based on Daniel Clowes’ graphic novel, Ghost World is a deadpan funny portrait of teenage alienation. Like Juno, Enid is a memorably snarky, vulnerable protagonist. The film is a poignant look at that moment between high school and the rest of your life, when you’re desperate to move on but also terrified to leave adolescence behind. A cult classic for a reason.
21. Rushmore (1998)
Wes Anderson’s breakout comedy stars Jason Schwartzman as Max Fischer, a precocious 15-year-old scholarship student at the elite Rushmore Academy. He befriends depressed industrialist Herman Blume (Bill Murray), but the two end up falling for the same teacher (Olivia Williams). Like Juno, Rushmore has an offbeat sensibility and stylized aesthetic all its own. Schwartzman’s Max is one of cinema’s great precocious teens, by turns endearing and infuriating. Murray gives one of his best performances as the melancholy Blume. A unique, hilarious portrait of adolescent ambition and angst.
22. Say Anything… (1989)
Cameron Crowe’s directorial debut follows the unlikely romance between average student Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye) the summer after their high school graduation. Like Juno, Say Anything has an authentic feel for the intensity of teen emotions. Cusack’s Lloyd is the quintessential lovable underachiever, with an iconic boombox serenade scene. The film also features one of John Mahoney’s best roles as Diane’s overprotective father. A smart, heartfelt teen movie that’s aged remarkably well. It understands that when you’re young, everything feels like life or death.
If you loved Juno’s mix of wit, heart, and unvarnished adolescent emotion, these 22 movies offer more smart, bittersweet coming-of-age stories. From oddball family road trips to roller derby rebels, queer love stories to unlikely friendships, they all capture the messy, exhilarating experience of growing up with humor and insight. Whether you’re looking to laugh, cry, or both, these films are perfect companions to the offbeat charm of Juno.
