Watching movies with your teen is a great way to bond, introduce them to important themes, and even spark valuable conversations. If you’re lucky enough to have a teen still willing to do family movie night (or if you’ve given them no choice), here are some films to add to your list.
Good movies to watch with teens
1. Wicked
Wicked is the part one of the adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. It tells the backstories of characters from The Wizard of Oz, centering around roommates Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (Glinda the Good Witch).
Why it’s great: The film stays local to the songs, plot, and characters. The world of Oz features diverse representation and positive role models.
Content considerations: Some darker scenes, including bullying, animal mistreatment, and parental cruelty. There is no profanity, and any romance is mild and very PG.
This untraditional coming-of-age movie follows Mason as he matures from age 7 to 19. Most notably, it was filmed over the course of 12 years so the actors could be shown aging naturally through the story.
Why it’s great: Boyhood presents an unvarnished, uniquely real story. It’s mature and intense, but watching it with your teen could lead to some great discussions about life and growing up.
Content considerations: Strong language and substance abuse (including alcoholism), characters kissing, and discussions and innuendo about sex. Mason’s mother marries an abusive man who makes threats, but any physical violence takes place off screen.
This touching love story about two teens with cancer is based on the book by the same name.
Why it’s great: The Fault in Our Stars has valuable messages about living life to the fullest and discovering what’s truly important.
Content considerations: Cursing and light drinking, including by teens. The main characters lose their virginity to one another, but it’s portrayed as a tender love scene. The movie doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of cancer, death, and loss, so it might bring up big feelings for your teen.
This sci-fi adventure tells the story of a hacker who is led to the underworld, only to discover the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against the evil cyber-intelligence overlords.
Why it’s great: The Matrix raises interesting questions about destiny and our perceptions of reality. You just might find yourself in a late-night philosophical discussion with your teen after watching this iconic film.
Content considerations: Intense action violence and swearing. One character smokes and another has a single drink. There’s a brief scene with characters who are scantily clad, and passionate kissing is shown.
This movie, based on an award-winning book, tells the story of a Black teen girl who witnesses the fatal police shooting of a close friend. This movie is likely to lead to some pretty big, but vital conversations with your teen.
Why it’s great: The Hate U Give takes on important issues of racism and police brutality with honesty and depth. It presents strong messages about standing up to injustice and speaking up for those who can’t.
Content considerations: Violent scenes are realistic and upsetting, including a police shooting, a stepfather beating his son, and a store set on fire with people inside. There’s some swearing, drinking by teens and adults, and mention of drug dealing. Teens talk about sex, but nothing beyond kissing is shown.
Based on the bestselling book, this fantasy film tells the story of a teenager who discovers a secret school for children with special powers.
Why it’s great: It’s a Tim Burton film, so the visuals and world building in this movie are irresistible. It includes the message that being different doesn’t mean there’s not a place for you, and what may be seen as a deficit is, in fact, often a gift.
Content considerations: This movie is very dark with brutal battle scenes against nightmarish monsters. It may be scary for younger or more sensitive teens. There are some curse-adjacent words and adults drinking in a pub.
In this rom-com based on a novel by the same name, teenage Jenny Han’s little sister mails Jenny’s secret love letters to all her former crushes.
Why it’s great: The movie is wholesome and relatable for many teens, and it includes themes of honesty, openness, and self-confidence. It’s also awesome to see a Korean-American lead in a teen rom-com.
Content considerations: Discussions of sexual activity, but nothing beyond kissing is shown. Mild coarse language is used, and there’s underage drinking at a party.
Based on the best-selling book series, The Hunger Games takes place in a dystopian world where two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts are chosen at random to fight to the death in a yearly televised competition.
Why it’s great: The movie features a strong, complex female lead. It explores themes of selflessness, courage, and teamwork, and it introduces thought-provoking ideas about reality television’s impact on society and the risk of totalitarian governments.
Content considerations: The premise is children killing other children for the entertainment of adults, so it does get quite dark and violent. There’s some drinking, including by teens, as well as teens making out.
A group of LGBTQ+ high school students form an after-school club as a discreet way to share their experiences and support one another.
Why it’s great: This movie works to break preconceived stereotypes and move LGBTQ+ teens from supporting roles to the forefront. Through the protagonist’s journey to come to terms with his own sexuality, viewers see messages of tolerance, standing up for themselves and their peers, and self-acceptance.
Content considerations: A fair amount of making out and discussions of sex, as well as mild bullying, some swearing, and derogatory slurs against gay and disabled people.
From pure entertainment to a stepping stone for deeper discussions, these movies are a great choice to watch with your teen. Which one are you adding first to your next family movie night?
Heads up: while BrightCanary doesn’t cover streaming services yet, the app can help you stay informed about your child’s interests and what they’re watching, searching, and sending online, including YouTube and text messages. Download the app and start monitoring for free today.
