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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

We are infinite.

2012103 minPG-13Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Director
Stephen Chbosky
Starring
Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1991. High school freshman Charlie is a wallflower, always watching life from the sidelines, until two senior students, Sam and her stepbrother Patrick, become his mentors, helping him discover the joys of friendship, music and love.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Perks of Being a Wallflower?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Perks of Being a Wallflower streaming on Howdy via Prime Video, MovieSphere+ via Prime Video and Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Perks of Being a Wallflower?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower earns 10 badges, led by Modern classic and Top 5% of films.

Show 2 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is The Perks of Being a Wallflower worth watching?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower's Midcredits score is the 98th percentile of all films, from 4.2M ratings across 6 sources. 88% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

98th percentile

Better received than 98% of films

98th percentile among Drama98th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)96th
Approval (how many liked it)97th

79 /100

96th percentile of all films

97th percentile among Drama96th percentile among 2010s

Critics 67 · Audience 80

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

88% liked it

97th percentile of all films

97th percentile among Drama97th percentile among 2010s
88% rated it 7–1012% rated it 1–6

Critics 85% · Audience 89%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 18 wins / 50 noms overall

99th percentile

4.2M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Drama99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 10% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$13M
Opening weekend$228K
Domestic gross$18M
Worldwide gross$33M

Returned 2.6× its budget — 93rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is a sincere, well-acted coming-of-age drama with strong source material, but they split on whether its execution rises above genre conventions.

Fans praised

  • faithful adaptation by author-director Stephen Chbosky
  • grounded, believable trio chemistry (Lerman, Watson, Miller)
  • blends drama and comedy with authentic emotional weight

Detractors panned

  • fails to stand out within the teen-drama genre
  • some characterization feels inconsistent or underwritten
  • specific plot logic gaps (e.g., character knowledge of famous music)

What stands out

ActingDivisive85

cast chemistry and natural performances, especially the trio

Emotional impactDivisive85

deeply moving with a touching, heartfelt message

CharactersDivisive80

relatable, human teens with depth, though some find them underdeveloped

DialogueDivisive75

sincere and naturalistic, faithful to the novel's voice

Atmosphere75

captures authentic 90s high-school feel and emotional tone

Plot and story70

well-developed but occasionally predictable structure

Tension60

some dramatic turns and emotional build-up

Originality55

not highly original within teen genre, but feels authentic

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 2 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • Critics vs users 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is The Perks of Being a Wallflower like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Moving and bittersweet: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want a story that moves you and leaves an ache.

It takes its time, has a few laughs and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Moving and bittersweet.

The answer rests on this: Moods
MelancholicBittersweetCathartic
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Tender · 13% of filmsWarm
Told as
Frame story · 5% of films: A story told inside another — someone is recounting it.Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its characters' struggles with genuine empathy and never condescends to them.
The rideThe film sustains a gentle melancholy and bittersweet warmth from start to finish, intensifying in the final act during Charlie's breakdown and recovery.
StructureThe story is framed as Charlie's letters to an anonymous pen pal, but unfolds in a linear three-act structure.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

The answer rests on this: BittersweetHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film balances its heavy themes with a message of acceptance and healing, leaving a poignant sense of hope.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).RebirthHealing
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% (this title) · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Healing: Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).

13% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeCharlie, a traumatized freshman, is taken in by a group of seniors and gradually confronts his repressed abuse, ultimately finding healing and self-acceptance.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% (this title) · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsTrauma · 7% of filmsFriendship · 9% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeCharlie's inward journey is about confronting buried trauma and learning to see himself as worthy of love and friendship, rather than defined by his past.
StanceThe film observes Charlie's internal struggle with empathy, neither celebrating his pain nor condemning his choices, but simply chronicling his path to healing.

The world

Late 20th centuryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
RockPopSupportive music · hybrid · Michael Brook
SettingA suburban Pittsburgh high school and its surrounding social scene in the early 1990s.
MusicThe soundtrack mixes early-90s alt-rock classics (like David Bowie's 'Heroes') with Michael Brook's gentle score, underscoring key emotional moments.

Content guide

Is The Perks of Being a Wallflower okay for kids?

PG-13

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 on appeal for mature thematic material, drug and alcohol use, sexual content including references, and a fight - all involving teens” (MPAA). As of August 18, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (37/100), sexual content at moderate (47/100), language at moderate (56/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (66/100) and frightening material at intense (62/100). Overall it is heavier than 89% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 28 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceU
  • Ireland15A
  • Japan15
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Argentina13
  • Austria12
  • CL14
  • Denmark11
  • FinlandK-12
  • GreeceΚ-12
  • Hong KongIIB
  • ID17+
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoB-15
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway12
  • PE14
  • PhilippinesR-13
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • Russia12+
  • SingaporeNC-16
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 58% of all filmsHeavier than 89% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 34%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 86%
Profanity
Moderate
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 81%
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 98%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 78%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is drug and alcohol content and frightening material.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The Perks of Being a Wallflower have?

MovieCove's classifier found 9 depicted content warnings in The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Gore or body horror (mild), plus 8 withheld here because they would spoil the plot. 3 more are mentioned only, in dialogue or backstory: Death of a child, Gun violence, plus 1 behind the spoiler gate. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

MildGore or body horror
MentionedDeath of a childGun violence

Mentioned: referenced in dialogue or backstory, not shown in the story’s present.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Perks of Being a Wallflower?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Logan Lerman
as Charlie
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Emma Watson
as Sam
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ezra Miller
as Patrick
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Mae Whitman
as Mary Elizabeth
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kate Walsh
as Mother
Dylan McDermott
as Father
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Melanie Lynskey
as Aunt Helen
Nina Dobrev
as Candace
Johnny Simmons
as Brad
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Joan Cusack
as Dr. Burton
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Perks of Being a Wallflower?

Movies like The Perks of Being a Wallflower include The Spectacular Now (2013), Dear Evan Hansen (2021) and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015). Of the 12 closest matches, most are stories about teenagers, and most are films set in high school.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its story type: teen drama. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Perks of Being a Wallflower?

1.8K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: friends to lovers. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.