We’ve all been there. You try to ask your ten-year-old how their day was, and you get a "Fine" or maybe a "Mid" if they’re feeling particularly descriptive. If you ask about their feelings, they look at you like you’ve just asked them to explain the entire lore of Skibidi Toilet. It’s a non-starter.

But movies? Movies are the "side door." When we watch a character struggle with anxiety or identity, we aren't talking about their life; we’re talking about Riley’s life or Roz’s life. It removes the spotlight from them and puts it on the screen, which—ironically—is exactly when kids start to open up.

2024 and 2025 have actually been surprisingly great for "intentional" movies. We've moved past the era of pure "brain rot" sequels and into some storytelling that actually respects a kid’s intelligence. Here is how to use this year’s biggest hits to actually talk to your kids.

Age Range: 7+ (but hits hardest for ages 10-14) The Conversation: Anxiety and the "Belief System"

If you haven't seen this yet, stop reading and go find it. While the first Inside Out was about sadness, the sequel introduces the heavy hitter: Anxiety.

What makes this movie a masterpiece for parents is how it visualizes "The Projectionist"—that part of our brain that constantly shows us "what if" horror stories about the future. For our kids, who are growing up in a world of TikTok filters and the constant pressure to be "aesthetic" or "Ohio" (weird/cringe), this is their daily reality.

How to talk about it: Ask your kid: "Which emotion do you think is the 'boss' of your console right now?" It’s a low-stakes way for them to admit they’re feeling overwhelmed without having to use big, scary therapy words. We see a lot of kids in the 5th and 6th grades starting to let Anxiety drive the car because they’re terrified of social exclusion. This movie gives you the vocabulary to help them take the wheel back.

Read our full guide on managing social media anxiety

Age Range: All Ages The Conversation: Tech vs. Nature and "Overriding Our Programming"

Based on the incredible The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, this film is a visual gut-punch. It follows Roz, a high-tech robot stranded on a deserted island who has to learn to survive by "unlearning" her factory settings.

This is the perfect bridge to talk about Digital Wellness. Roz is literally a piece of tech trying to find her place in the dirt and the trees. In a world where our kids are being "programmed" by algorithms on YouTube and Roblox, the idea of "overriding your programming" to do what is right or natural is a powerful metaphor.

How to talk about it: "Roz had to change her 'code' to help Brightbill. Do you ever feel like the apps you use are trying to 'code' you to keep scrolling? How do we override that?" It’s a great way to talk about the "persuasive design" of tech without sounding like a Luddite.

Age Range: 6+ The Conversation: Imposter Syndrome and Finding Your Tribe

Elio is an underdog story about a kid who accidentally becomes the "Ambassador of Earth" to a bunch of aliens. It’s funny, it’s weird, and it taps into that universal feeling of "I have no idea what I’m doing and everyone is going to find out."

Whether your kid is struggling to find their "squad" at school or feeling like they aren't "good enough" at Fortnite, Elio’s journey is about realizing that being "different" is actually the very thing that makes you valuable.

How to talk about it: "Elio felt like he didn't belong on Earth, but he found his place in the galaxy. Have you ever felt like you were 'faking it' in a group of friends?" This is a great entry point for kids who feel social pressure to conform to whatever is trending on Instagram.

Age Range: All Ages (It’s a silent film!) The Conversation: Cooperation and Climate Change

If you’re tired of the "loud" movies—the ones with constant explosions and screaming characters—Flow is your palette cleanser. It’s a stunning animated film with no dialogue, following a cat and other animals surviving a flood.

Because there is no talking, your kids have to watch and interpret what’s happening. It builds incredible empathy.

How to talk about it: Since there’s no dialogue, ask: "How did you know the cat was scared even though he didn't say anything?" This builds emotional intelligence (EQ). In a digital world where so much communication is text-based and prone to misunderstanding, teaching kids to read body language and "vibe" is a superpower.

I’m going to be the honest friend here: 2024 and 2025 are also the years of the "Parental Guidance" struggle.

Movies like Deadpool & Wolverine are everywhere. Your kid probably knows the soundtrack, has seen the memes, and is begging to see it because "everyone else has."

The Screenwise Take: This movie is a hard R. It’s not "Disney R," it’s "chainsaws and f-bombs R." If your 11-year-old is asking to see it, it’s a great time to talk about Media Literacy. Why does a movie need that much gore? Is it actually a better story because of it, or is it just "edgy" for the sake of it?

If you decide to say no, don't just say "because I said so." Say, "That movie is designed for adults who grew up with those characters. It’s got themes and imagery that are a bit much for your brain to process right now. Let’s find something that’s actually made for you."

Check out our guide on how to say 'no' to inappropriate media without being the villain

When you're picking a movie, remember that "Age Appropriate" isn't just about bad words or violence. It's about Developmental Readiness.

The fastest way to shut down a conversation is to make it feel like a school assignment. Don’t: "What was the moral of the story, Tyler?" Do: "That one scene where the character felt [X] was actually kind of relatable. Do you ever feel like that?"

Some 2025-specific prompts:

Movie night doesn't have to be a "zone out" session. In 2026, we have access to some of the most emotionally intelligent storytelling in history. Whether it’s talking about the "Anxiety" monster in our heads or the "Programming" of our digital lives, these films are giving us the scripts we need to connect with our kids.

So, grab the popcorn, put the phones in the "tech basket," and actually watch with them. You might be surprised at what they have to say once the credits roll.

Next Steps: