#TBT: 5 Movies (and Books) That Capture Growing Up With the Help of Your Friends

Growing up is hard, and when you’re done (if you’re ever really done growing up), you’re a newer, wiser person. If you’re lucky, you have great friends to go through all the ups and downs with you. If you’re even luckier, they’re friends of yours as adults, too. So, on this #TBT, here is a round-up of some of my favorite movies/books about friends who grew up together.

Now & Then was released the year I entered middle school. Needless to say, it spoke to my friends and I. The story of four friends during one summer in 1970, this movie had a lot to relate to. Roberta (Christina Ricci), trying to hide her growth spurt, is still mourning the loss of her mother. Teeny (Thora Birch) is desperate for a growth spurt  (which made us all wonder if we should try putting pudding in balloons and using them as bra-padding…), and she dreams of becoming a movie star as her parents leave her own most of the time. Chrissy (Ashley Aston Moore) is the wholesome, chubby, sheltered friend who learns about the birds and the bees (the man waters the woman’s garden, of course). Samantha (Gaby Hoffmann) is hiding the fact that her parents are going through a divorce. In trying to uncover the mystery behind their small-town’s elusive Crazy Pete, they learn how to confide in each other, confront emotions in themselves they had been pushing aside, and start on their paths to adulthood. Now & Then even had the flash forward scenes of seeing each of the girls as adults (I still do not believe that Christina Ricci would grow into Rosie O’Donnell.). Also, Devon Sawa is adorable in the movie. Oh, and, there’s a catchy soundtrack to the film!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKcIG8D8FOY

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was a movie adaptation that lived up to the book it was based on. Four best friends decide to share the same pair of jeans in order to stay connected as they spend their first summer apart from one another. The pair of jean magically fits all of them perfectly (we all have to suspend our disbelief on that one!). Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel), Carmen (America Ferrera), and Bridget (Blake Lively) all have experiences there were super relatable–and sometimes heart-wrenching–first loves (so many cute boys!), divorced parents, new friends, and more. By the end of the summer, they’ve all grown up, and they’ve supported each other. A bonus: the four actress are very good friends in real life.

There is a lot to say about the entire Harry Potter series, but I’ll just say this: Harry, Ron, and Hermoine really showed real friendship. The three of them went from being tiny, gawky kids to well-rounded, solid adults. They helped each other through situations large (life-threatening and facing down super bad guys) and small (getting asked to school dances). Harry would never have made it through anything–and made it to adulthood–without the support and help of his friends.

Based on a novella, Stand by Me is a classic coming-of-age movie. Four young boys embark on a journey to find the body of a missing boy. Gordie (Wil Wheaton), Chris (River Phoenix), Teddy (Corey Feldman), and Vern (Jerry O’Connell) have several adventures along the way (that leech scene had haunted me to this day). The great thing about this movie is how different each of the boys are yet they are steadfast friends and share a life-changing experience.

Arguably one of my all-time favorite books AND movies is Anne of Green Gables. There are so many things I love about this series, but one of the steady greats is Diana and Anne’s friendship. Their friendship (they refer to each other as “bosom friends” and “kindred spirits”) gets them both through many life changes. They act together (“Lady of Shalott”), they study together, they help each other (Anne nurses Diana’s sick sister), they look after one another (the cordial!), and tell each other the truth (Diana points out Anne’s feelings for Gilbert/Gilbert’s feelings for Anne). They are sisters in spirit!

Photo Credit: Sullivan Entertainment