Your 20s can truly feel like one giant “What the hell am I doing?” moment. It’s a decade packed with big questions and messy emotions, most often than not featuring a lot of wandering around trying to figure out who you really are and what you want to be when you “grow up.” Sometimes, it’s fun to imagine that, if life had a soundtrack during these years, it would probably be a mix of hopeful anthems and awkward silences: just like these movies.
In this list, we dive into the best movies about finding yourself in your 20s, films that don’t pretend to have all the answers but understand the chaos of growing up and present it with remarkable empathy. These soul-searching trips teach us more about ourselves than anyone else can, holding a mirror to the trials and tribulations of emerging adulthood. From Gen X-defining classics to more recent efforts coated in millennial dread, these movies perfectly capture the unique experience of being twenty-something.
‘Reality Bites’ (1994)
Starring Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Steve Zahn, and Janeane Garofalo, <em>Reality Bites </em>has become a 1990s staple — the ultimate coming-of-age classic that perfectly captures post-college chaos, friendship drama, and the career anxieties a great majority of 20-year-olds face.
Filled with heartfelt moments, dating dilemmas, and identity struggles, this ’90s cult classic is a story about figuring out who you are when the future feels as blurry as your dreams. At its core, it’s a great depiction of the search for authenticity, whether in work, love, or friendship, making it the quintessential Gen X gem that defined the entire generation. Beyond its sharp script and memorable performances, though, Reality Bites boasts an epic 1990s alternative rock soundtrack that perfectly sets the mood of the decade.
‘My Own Private Idaho’ (1991)
An unforgettable indie and queer gem, My Own Private Idaho has established its place among the most iconic coming-of-age movies. The fan-favorite film takes audiences on a raw and poetic journey through the struggles of self-discovery at a defining age. The movie follows two friends — Scott and Mike, played by Keanu Reeves and the late River Phoenix — as they embark on a quest for identity, love, and belonging.
At its core, My Own Private Idaho explores themes of loneliness, trauma, and the thirst for connection that defines early adulthood, especially for those who live on the margins. It’s as much a story about friendship and heartbreak as it is about the path to finding yourself, so it’s no surprise that it’s widely considered one of the best queer movies and a must-watch for anyone wrestling with their place in the world.
‘Shiva Baby’ (2020)
Starring Rachel Sennott in a breakout role, Shiva Baby is a darkly comedic and sharp gem that brilliantly captures the awkward, anxiety-fueled realities of early adulthood and identity crisis. At a single-family shiva, Danielle faces a whirlwind of uncomfortable questions, complicated relationships, and, of course, the relentless pressure to define who she is.
If you love movies that are equally anxiety-inducing as they are hilarious, Shiva Baby is your perfect pick. The sharp indie film sets itself apart in the list of self-discovery through its keen observation of millennial anxieties, all wrapped up in an intimate setting that feels universal and oddly specific. Add that to its fresh and honest voice that offers a laugh-out-loud look into the life of a 20-something, and you’ve got a film that perfectly captures the messy, awkward, and utterly relatable journey of finding yourself amid uncertainty.
‘The Souvenir’ (2019)
