Many films from the 2000s and a few films from the 2010s explore female friendships and growing up in a relatable and heartwarming way like "Crossroads."
Britney Spears' coming-of-age film Crossroads depicts three teenagers on a road trip across the United States, and fans can watch 10 movies like it, each with its unique storyline and characters.
Plenty of movies in the 2000s and a few in the 2010s centered around female friendships, the hardships of growing up, and other complex issues that many young women face. Crossroads was only one of many films from that era that inspired numerous pre-teens, teenagers, and young adults, so after watching it, fans can check out similar stories. Thankfully, the list of movies like the 2002 Spears classic is extensive, but ten stand out amongst the rest.
Like Crossroads, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 3 would be great if it ignored the books the movies are adapted from. The 2005 comedy-drama is based on Ann Brashares' 2001 book of the same name and stars America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel as four friends who spend their first summer apart. However, the sequel would need to disregard the books to be successful, as it adapts them from the same source.Now and Then premiered in the 1990s, several years before Crossroads, but it still maintains the same coming-of-age heartfelt comedy feel as Britney Spears' 2002 movie. The 1995 film, directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by I. Marlene King, chronicles four women who were friends when they were younger, reuniting when one of them gets pregnant. In the movie, they reminisce on a pivotal summer that they shared in their youth. Now and Then received negative reviews upon its release, but similar to Crossroads, it became a cult classic.
Almost Famous is a drama and comedy film that came out one year after Crossroads, but it doesn't feature a typical female friendship. The film captures the same themes and balance between comedic and serious issues, despite its focus on a young, free-spirited woman and a high-maintenance girl. The 2000 film stars Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit, Frances McDormand, and Billy Crudup. While their contrasting personalities initially clash, they learn to appreciate and support each other's passions, ultimately finding common ground.
Release Date: September 15, 2000
Director: Cameron Crowe
Cast: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, Patrick Fugit, Zooey Deschanel
Writers: Cameron Crowe
Starring Elliot Page, Juno follows the titular character, a teenage girl who unexpectedly becomes pregnant. She finds and befriends Mark and Vanessa, and childless couple desperate for a baby, who she plans to let adopt her child once she gives birth. Michael Cera also stars as Juno's boyfriend Paulie, with a further cast that includes Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, and J. K. Simmons.
Juno is undoubtedly one of the quintessential coming-of-age movies of the 2000s, as it centers around a teenage girl who unexpectedly gets pregnant after she has sex with a boy at her school. As a result of her unplanned pregnancy, Juno is forced to grow up much faster than she ever wanted to, and the 2007 film, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, received critical acclaim for its clever, comedic, and heartfelt story.
Booksmart is a comedy film about two studious and by-the-book high school seniors who decide on their final day of school to shake up the formula and break some rules. They attempt to cram four years of the "high school experience" into a single night, leading to chaos and unexpected consequences.Although Booksmart premiered 17 years after Crossroads, the comedy, directed by Olivia Wilde and written by Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, and Katie Silberman, featured a return to the classic 2000s coming-of-age teen movies that centered around female friendships — it just so happened to take place in the 2010s instead. Booksmart chronicles two teenage friends facing the harsh reality of their boring high school experience. As a result, the two girls spend the night before graduation breaking the rules and embracing the stereotypical party life of teenagers.
Like Now and Then, Anywhere But Here premiered a couple of years before Crossroads, but it shares many similarities with the Britney Spears movie. The 1999 comedy-drama stars Susan Sarandon and Natalie Portman as a mother and daughter duo with clashing personalities who move from Wisconsin to Beverly Hills before Portman's character's high school graduation. It's a coming-of-age story revolving around the complex relationship between a mother and her daughter, making it a perfect watch for those who enjoy Crossroads.Like Crossroads, Sleepover is a teen comedy that follows the story of female friendships experiencing significant growth and change. With a dash of romance, the film depicts the complexities of growing up and the challenges faced by teenage girls. The 2004 teen comedy centers around a teenage girl, played by Alexa Vega, who throws a sleepover with her three friends before they start their first year of high school. However, their plans get derailed when the popular girls challenge them to a scavenger hunt, leading them on an unforgettable adventure. Sleepover became a cult classic, thanks to its depiction of girlhood and the complexities of growing up.Unpregnant is a heartwarming comedy about teenage friendship and abortion that centers around two former teenage friends embarking on a road trip. Although it premiered several years after Crossroads, it offers a lighthearted and relatable watch after the 2002 Britney Spears movie. The film depicts a 17-year-old girl navigating the complexities of pregnancy and the challenges of accessing abortion services in her state. The movie seamlessly blends the road comedy genre with serious topics, offering a thought-provoking and engaging experience.
Release Date: February 17, 2004
Director: Sara Sugarman
Cast: - Lindsay Lohan - Adam Garcia - Glenne Headly - Alison Pill - Eli Marienthal - Carol Kane
Writers: - Dyan Sheldon - Gail Parent