Ten Movies To Get You Prepared For ‘Paper Towns’

Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley star in this charming coming of age story, based on the book by Tim Tharp, about the popular and hard-partying Sutter who falls for the innocent and nice girl Aimee. Like Paper Towns, prom, a road trip, and first love make this the ideal YA movie. [Where to stream The Spectacular Now]

This classic about embracing differences is similar to Paper Towns in that Margo appreciates the differences between herself and Quentin. If the brain, athlete, basket case, princess, and criminal can find common ground, so can (and do!) Margo and Q. [Where to stream The Breakfast Club]

Much like Paper Towns, If I Stay, based on the novel by Gayle Forman, is a bit of a mystery. Mia (Chloe Grace Moretz) is in a car accident that kills her parents and little brother and puts her in a coma. Through flashbacks we see Mia and Adam’s (Jamie Blackley) beautiful love story. As a ghost, Mia watches the people who love her while they wait for her to wake up. The viewer is constantly questioning if Mia will choose to stay, very similar to questioning whether or not Margo will be found. [Where to stream If I Stay]

The quiet and slightly awkward Charlie falls for Sam, the free-spirited girl. They, along with Sam’s stepbrother Patrick, are typical teenagers who worry about the future while trying to enjoy the end of high school. Sam brings Charlie out of his shell, much like Margo does with Q. [Where to stream The Perks Of Being A Wallflower]

This offbeat comedy about a pregnant teen shares a certain quirk with Paper Towns. Juno and Paulie (Ellen Page and Michael Cera) are unsure about how to handle what has quickly become their harsh reality, much like how Q is not sure what to do when Margo goes missing. Both couples figure it out and, in doing so, are left with an unforgettable story to tell. [Where to stream Juno]

In 1973, William covers the tour of rock band, Stillwater. While on the tour, he falls for Penny Lane, starts to grow up, and begins to learn about love and life. The wide-eyed look of innocence that William has at the start of the film mirrors Q’s, while his growing sense of adventure is a very Margo-esque quality. [Where to stream Almost Famous]

In the dystopian world where everyone is divided into one of five factions, Tris is divergent, meaning she doesn’t fit into one faction perfectly. She must keep her divergence a secret, keep her hormones around her hot instructor Four in check, and learn that it is okay to be who she is. Though the setting is not anything like Paper Towns, the themes of growing up, self discovery, and first love are present in both. [Where to stream Divergent]

In this modern take on The Scarlet Letter, Olive lies about losing her virginity to Brandon, her gay best friend. Soon the lie spreads and Olive begins to pretend to have sex with a number of guys. The story is hilarious, Emma Stone is perfect, and, like Paper Towns, it shows that there is always more to a person than the rumors you hear about them. [Where to stream Easy A]

The mischievous Ferris (Matthew Broderick) cuts school, borrows a Ferrari, and evades his determined principal while running around Chicago having the adventure of his life. His trouble inducing trip is much like the midnight shenanigans of Margo and Q. [Where to stream Ferris Bueller’s Day Off]

Perhaps the most obvious movie to prep you for Paper Towns is The Fault In Our Stars, John Green’s other novel-turned-film. The heartbreaking story of two teens who meet in a cancer support group is chock full of surprising humor, first love, and an epic overseas adventure. Warning: Do not watch unless you are prepared to sob uncontrollably. Seriously. [Where to stream The Fault In Our Stars]

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