Film

Tall Girl

Name: Tall Girl
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Released: 2019
Cast: Ava Michelle, Sabrina Carpenter, Steve Zahn, Griffin Gluck, Clara Wilsey

Coming-of-age

A cheerful teen comedy about a girl learning to embrace her height after years of self-consciousness. It's charming and earnest, with genuine warmth between characters and a straightforward message about accepting yourself. Squarely for the young-adult crowd and anyone who remembers feeling awkward in high school.

TMDb rating

3.1

If you liked this

Mean Girls2004

Sharp, funny writing about high school social dynamics wrapped around a genuinely winning protagonist journey. The ensemble cast makes every scene pop, and it never feels mean despite the title.

But The plot is fairly familiar teen-comedy beats, and if you've seen it before (most people have), there's not much new underneath.

10 Things I Hate About You1999

A 90s teen classic that actually respects its teenage characters as real people with real problems. Sharp dialogue, surprising emotional depth, and two leads with genuine chemistry.

But The setup—guarded girl slowly softens through romance—mirrors Tall Girl's arc, so it might feel repetitive if you're watching close together.

The Edge of Seventeen2016

A genuinely funny, tender look at teenage awkwardness and self-consciousness. Hailee Steinfeld is fantastic, and the film understands that high school anxiety is real even when it's absurd.

But Darker and more sardonic in tone than Tall Girl, with less of the feel-good sparkle some viewers come for.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Tall Girl

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Heartstopper2022

Both are fundamentally about a teenager's journey from self-consciousness to self-acceptance, but Heartstopper achieves that arc with more nuance and emotional honesty.

A British teen series about a boy learning to accept himself and find love. Utterly genuine warmth, beautiful cinematography, characters you actually care about. It's what Tall Girl reaches for emotionally but executes with more sophistication.

But Centers on a queer romance, so if that's not your entry point, the specificity might not grab you; also slower-paced than American teen comedies.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before2018

Another Netflix teen romance that absolutely nails warmth and charm. Great casting, genuine chemistry, and a lead character who's thoughtful rather than conventionally cool.

But The central romance feels inevitable and smooth—less struggle, less genuine conflict than you might crave.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before poster

Cinderella2015

A live-action fairy tale that's genuinely about embracing yourself and facing the world with courage and kindness. Sumptuous visuals and Lily James is luminous.

But Some find it overly pretty and not grounded enough, and the 'have courage' message lands very differently than a modern teen comedy.

The Kissing Booth2018

Another Netflix teen rom-com with genuine chemistry and a protagonist learning her own worth. Entertaining if you're in the mood for uncomplicated fun.

But Lighter on wit and character depth than the better films in this category, and the plot is fairly predictable.

Sixteen Candles1984

The teen-movie template John Hughes perfected: awkward kid finds love while navigating high school social chaos. Sweet, funny, and genuinely moving at its core.

But Dated in ways that matter—some problematic racial humor and attitudes toward consent that feel uncomfortable now.

Eighth Grade2018

Bo Burnham's directorial debut captures the precise anxiety and social performance of being a teenager with painful accuracy and surprising tenderness.

But Cringe comedy and uncomfortable social situations will exhaust some viewers; it lacks the polish and reassurance of a traditional teen film.

Everything Sucks!2018

A short-lived series about high school theater kids with surprising sincerity and genuinely likeable characters. Warm ensemble energy and real stakes beneath the comedy.

But Cancelled after one season, so you're left hanging; it's messier and more chaotic tonally than Tall Girl's cleaner structure.

Shrill2019

Same year, same streaming service, same core idea—learning to take up space unapologetically—but Shrill approaches it from the opposite tonal direction, with bite instead of earnestness.

A comedy series about a plus-size woman navigating the world on her own terms. Brilliantly funny, genuinely angry when it needs to be, and full of real friendships that feel lived-in.

But Much raunchier and more cynical than Tall Girl; the body-positivity message comes with F-bombs and no sentimentality.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants2005

Both center young women learning to accept themselves, but Traveling Pants builds that arc through friendship and separation rather than romance, and treats each character's insecurity with equal weight.

A film about female friendship and self-discovery that actually earns its emotional moments. Four different stories, four different forms of growth, and a cast with real chemistry.

But The magical-pants framing device is corny; if you need your teen movies grounded in realism, this reaches for fairy tale.