8. Stand By Me
Rob Reiner's Stand By Me, adapted from the short story by Stephen King, is an altogether different coming-of-age story set during the summer than The Way, Way Back. The discovery of a dead body - and the quest to track it down - makes this an edgier exploration of what it means to grow up. Rob Reiner's decision to cast young actors who already fit the characters was a masterstroke which lends their performances the feeling of being effortless; we spend almost the entire movie with the four boys and their regrets and hopes, shortcomings and strengths are all clear by the time we reach the end of their journey. Stand By Me is often cited as one of the greatest Stephen King adaptations of all time - for all his praise as a writer of horror, his subtle understanding of characterisation shines through in these more personal moments.