Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Moonrise Kingdom is a whimsical coming-of-age tale set on a small, fictional New England island in 1965, where two lonely 12-year-olds — Sam (Jared Gilman), an earnest orphaned scout, and Suzy (Kara Hayward), a sharp-witted but misunderstood girl — run away together, sparking a frantic search by the adults who never quite understand them. As a storm approaches, the island’s quirky community, from well-meaning scout leaders to Suzy’s troubled parents, scrambles to find the pair while confronting their own flaws. The film blends tender young romance, dry humor, and a storybook visual style to explore longing, rebellion, and the desire to feel seen. — Terri Rutter