10 Movies & Shows Like Palo Alto (2013)

Description: A thoughtful examination of mental health through the eyes of a teenager who checks himself into a psychiatric ward, finding unexpected friendships and self-awareness.

Fact: The film was shot in an actual abandoned hospital in New York. Author Ned Vizzini, who wrote the novel, has a cameo as a pizza delivery man in the film.

Description: A groundbreaking cinematic experiment that follows a boy's life from childhood to college, capturing the subtle but profound moments of growing up.

Fact: The film was shot over 12 years with the same cast to show real aging. Director Richard Linklater would write each year's script based on how the actors had naturally changed.

Description: A coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of adolescence, mental health, and self-discovery through the eyes of an introverted protagonist navigating high school life.

Fact: The film is based on the novel of the same name by Stephen Chbosky, who also directed the movie. It was shot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the novel is set.

Description: A nuanced exploration of teenage romance and personal growth, focusing on a charismatic but troubled high school senior who begins to question his carefree lifestyle.

Fact: The screenplay was written by the same team behind (500) Days of Summer. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley performed most of their scenes without rehearsals to capture raw authenticity.

Description: A sharp and witty take on adolescent angst, following a socially awkward girl as she navigates family drama, friendship betrayals, and the pains of growing up.

Fact: Hailee Steinfeld received critical acclaim for her performance, with many comparing it to classic 1980s teen films. The script was on Hollywood's Black List of best unproduced screenplays for years.

Description: A tale of teenage rebellion and the desire for independence, following three boys who decide to build their own house in the woods and live off the land.

Fact: The film was shot in just 23 days in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Many of the humorous moments were improvised by the young cast during filming.

Description: A unique blend of humor and heartbreak in a story about an awkward teen's unlikely friendship with a classmate who has cancer, exploring themes of mortality and connection.

Fact: The film won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Many of the quirky short films within the movie were actually made by the director during his youth.

Description: A poignant story of young love and mortality, following two teenagers with cancer who form a deep connection while grappling with life's fragility.

Fact: The film's Amsterdam scenes were actually shot in Pittsburgh, with the Rijksmuseum recreated using green screens. The book's author John Green made a cameo as a man eating in the background at the airport.

Description: A heartfelt portrayal of a teenage girl's turbulent relationship with her mother and her quest for identity, set against the backdrop of her final year in high school.

Fact: Greta Gerwig's solo directorial debut was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film's title comes from the protagonist's self-given nickname.

Description: An authentic and cringe-inducingly real portrayal of middle school anxiety and the struggle to fit in during the awkward transition to adolescence.

Fact: Comedian Bo Burnham made his directorial debut with this film. The lead actress Elsie Fisher actually was in eighth grade during pre-production but started high school by filming.