Movies like Welcome to the Dollhouse

Lady Bird captures the heartfelt and often humorous journey of a young woman's final year in high school. With its strong central character and exploration of teenage angst and ambition, Greta Gerwig's directorial debut will resonate with fans of Welcome to the Dollhouse's unvarnished look at growing up.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower explores the highs and lows of adolescence, friendship, and the search for identity. Its touching and authentic portrayal of teenage life, paired with an engaging story of belonging, makes it a fitting companion piece to Welcome to the Dollhouse.

Napoleon Dynamite presents a humorous and eccentric portrait of outsider teen life in rural America that fans of Welcome to the Dollhouse will find endearing. The film's deadpan style and appreciation for the oddities of its characters make it a cult classic with a similar charm.

Heathers is a dark comedy that, like Welcome to the Dollhouse, offers a biting satire of high school life and its cliques. This film turns the teen movie genre on its head with a wickedly funny script and a perspective on teenage society that will attract those who enjoy the more subversive elements of Dollhouse.

Thirteen provides an unflinching look at teenage turbulence, resonating with the raw and honest portrayal of adolescent woes found in Welcome to the Dollhouse. It dives deep into the chaotic world of Tracy, whose life spirals as she tries to fit in, ensuring that those who relate to the authenticity of Dollhouse will be captivated.

Eighth Grade is a contemporary reflection of adolescence that echoes the painfully real experiences depicted in Welcome to the Dollhouse. Directed by Bo Burnham, the story of Kayla as she navigates the final week of middle school will resonate with viewers for its heartfelt and genuine approach to the coming-of-age narrative.

Rushmore, directed by Wes Anderson, showcases the trials and tribulations of an ambitious teenager, much like Welcome to the Dollhouse. With its unique aesthetic, sharply written dialogue, and an outsider protagonist who's both precocious and flawed, it's a film that speaks to the same audience.

Ghost World, like Welcome to the Dollhouse, offers a quirky and insightful look at teenage life and its often excruciating awkwardness. Delving into the friendship of Enid and Rebecca post-high school, the film explores themes of alienation and the struggle to find one's identity, with a biting sense of humor that fans of Dollhouse will appreciate.