45 Movies to Watch with Tweens & Young Teens

Alexandra F. said:  We loved this new family movie based on the enormously popular role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons. And, we were totally able to follow along, even though none of us have ever played D&D. It was funny, light-hearted and had a great story and cast of characters. It's a fantasy adventure film so it features plenty of magical battles, sword fights, and a few surprises that might be bit scary for young kids (like a dead body suddenly popping up out of a grave), but overall I thought it was quite family friendly. Highly recommend, especially for tweens and up!

Jaclyn Keifer said:  Hachi: A Dog's Tale is the story of great love and respect between a college professor and the puppy he rescues on a snowy night. It's a very gentle film that quickly engages the audience as it introduces a heroic dog, a man with a loving heart, and an idyllic setting. That engagement intensifies emotions, which later carry the story through the years to its bittersweet conclusion. The movie is based the story of a dog who lived in Japan in the 1930s; a statue of the real Hachi remains in the Shibuya train station there. Our older two still enjoy watching this with us!

Alexandra F. said:  Kids were obsessed with this animated movie when it first came out in 2013, and that obsession has carried over to make it (and its sequel) beloved movies for tweens and teens today. A story of self-acceptance and sisterly love, the film is also well known for its awesome songs. As good a movie for 14-year-olds as for 5-year-olds!

Alexandra F. said:  This has been one of our tweens' favorite 80s movies that we've shared with them yet. Based on the classic murder-mystery board game, it is a clever, quick-moving farce that follows the Clue characters (Mr. Green, Mrs. White, Col. Mustard, etc) over a hilarious evening as they try to uncover the murderer among them. Watch out for lots of sexual innuendos and double entendres, but enjoy the witty dialogue and spectacular cast.

JoaquinVP said:  123

Alexandra F. said:  This iconic Tom Cruise action thriller was a huge hit when we watched it for family movie night with our 12 & 15-year-olds, and we soon made our way through all of the sequels. (The second was the only one that fell flat, the rest were all winners.) The action can be pretty intense, with explosions, knife fights, gunfire and the like, but the camera usually cuts away before the violence gets graphic, and the stunts are incredible. It'd be worth previewing with your kid in mind, but it's an awesome action movie for tweens and teens that parents will enjoy watching just as much.

Alexandra F. said:  Leonardo DiCaprio is a professional thief who steals valuable secrets by entering the subconscious of his subjects while they are dreaming. The plot for this movie is complex (and SO good!), but even my teen who is notorious for missing simple plot lines was able to follow along once we told her to pay close attention. It's such an original story, with riveting action scenes and cool stunts that don't really cross the line into being overly violent or graphic, and it was a great movie to watch with our 12 and 15-year-olds.

Kelly R. said:  This was my 13-year-old's first R-rated movie, and I personally think it feels more PG-13 compared to many of the movies we watch now. The fight scenes are still captivating and were very memorable for my son, and while there's quite a bit of action (and gun) violence, it's not too bad in terms of language and other adult content. I think the most important thing is to wait until your kids are old enough to follow the pretty confusing plot.

Alexandra F. said:  Disney's story about a lion cub's struggle to accept his place as king continues to resonate with viewers of all ages as much as it did when it was first released in 1994. The outstanding music and moving coming-of-age story make it an especially great movie for tweens, and a perfect family movie night choice for mixed ages.

Kelly R. said:  We loved National Treasure as a family movie night pick with our 11 year old and 8 year old! In his quest to find and protect a lost treasure, a historian has to steal the Declaration of Independence and decode its hidden map. It's a totally fun ride as each in a series of clues is solved, and has plenty of fun action that makes this a great movie for tweens...especially those who are interested in American history!

Alexandra F. said:  This murder mystery is phenomenal, and just so smart. We watched the movie with my 11-year-old and 13-year-old, and all of us really enjoyed it. It is a murder mystery, so beware of a scene where the victim's bloody body is found, and another where the camera cuts away as someone is about to slit their own throat. These scenes aside, it is not a violent movie, and is really about the mystery, showcasing clever writing and humor. There is a lot of cursing throughout, though if this is not a dealbreaker for your family, it is a great movie to watch with tweens and teens. The sequel is also phenomenal!

Alexandra F. said:  This Disney animated classic has been a household favorite for almost three decades, and is as great a movie for 12-year-olds as it is for younger kids! The colorful animation, award-winning music, and beloved characters make the story of Aladdin's quest to win Princess Jasmine's heart - with the help of his adorable monkey sidekick and a hilarious genie - one that kids of all ages will enjoy.