You know that awkward movie selection phase where your 10-year-old rolls their eyes at anything animated (except when they don't), but you're definitely not ready to throw on a Marvel movie with intense violence or a teen drama with mature themes? Yeah, that's where we are.
"Older kid" films typically work for ages 9-13 — that sweet spot between childhood and adolescence where kids want to be treated like they're more mature, but honestly still need some guardrails. They're looking for stories with real stakes, complex characters, and themes that challenge them, but without the graphic content, heavy romance, or existential dread of teen/adult cinema.
Screenwise Parents
See allThe good news? There are actually some fantastic films in this category. The bad news? You have to wade through a lot of mediocre sequels and cash-grab adaptations to find them.
Here's the thing: what your kid watches during these years actually shapes their taste and critical thinking skills. If they're only consuming formulaic content designed to sell toys or set up seventeen sequels, they're missing out on learning what good storytelling looks like.
Plus, let's be real — family movie night is one of the few screen time activities where you're actually together. Finding films that genuinely engage both you and your tween means you're not just babysitting them with a screen, you're sharing an experience and having something meaningful to discuss afterward.
And unlike when they were little and you could just throw on Bluey for the 47th time, older kids are developing their own taste. They're also increasingly aware of what their friends are watching, which means you'll be navigating requests for films that might not align with your family's values or readiness.
Ages 9-11: At this age, kids can handle more complex plots, some mild peril, and themes about identity, friendship, and justice. They're ready for films that don't talk down to them, but they're not ready for intense violence, sexual content, or truly dark themes. Think adventure, mystery, coming-of-age stories with heart.
Ages 12-13: Early teens can handle more mature themes — death, discrimination, moral ambiguity — and appreciate more sophisticated storytelling. They can process films with some violence (as long as it's not gratuitous), understand historical context, and engage with social issues. But they're still kids, so graphic content and heavy sexual themes should still be off the table.
The tricky part? Every kid is different. Some 9-year-olds can handle The Goonies while others find it too intense. Some 13-year-olds are ready for Hidden Figures while others still prefer Encanto. You know your kid.
Here are films that consistently engage this age group without compromising on quality or age-appropriateness:
Adventure & Fantasy:
- The Princess Bride — Still perfect. Witty, exciting, quotable. Ages 9+
- Hugo — Gorgeous, mysterious, and a love letter to cinema itself. Ages 10+
- The Secret of Kells — Stunning animation, Irish mythology, actual artistry. Ages 9+
- Kubo and the Two Strings — Stop-motion magic with real emotional depth. Ages 10+
Coming-of-Age:
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople — Hilarious, heartfelt, perfectly weird. Ages 10+
- The Way Way Back — Summer job coming-of-age that feels real. Ages 11+
- Stand By Me — Classic for a reason, though has some language and mature themes. Ages 12+
Historical/Biographical:
- Hidden Figures — Math, space, and fighting racism. Inspiring without being preachy. Ages 10+
- October Sky — Rocket-building and following your dreams. Ages 10+
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind — True story of innovation and determination. Ages 11+
Mystery/Thriller (age-appropriate):
- Holes — Way better than it has any right to be. Complex, clever, satisfying. Ages 9+
- Knives Out — Smart whodunit that treats the audience with respect. Ages 12+
Animation that doesn't feel like "kid stuff":
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse — Visually revolutionary, emotionally sophisticated. Ages 10+
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines — Funny, heartfelt, and actually about something. Ages 9+
- Wolfwalkers — Gorgeous hand-drawn animation with real stakes. Ages 9+
Not every popular film is worth your time. Some are fine but forgettable, others are actively bad:
- Most live-action Disney remakes — Soulless cash grabs that teach kids that art is just IP to be exploited. The originals are better.
- Lowest-common-denominator comedies — If the trailer is just fart jokes and pratfalls, it's probably not going to suddenly become clever.
- Films that are just ads for toys/games — Looking at you, most video game adaptations and toy-based movies.
That said, sometimes a "just okay" movie is fine for a Friday night when everyone's tired. Not every film needs to be a masterpiece. But when you're intentionally choosing what to watch, aim higher.
The real value of family movie night comes from the conversation afterward. Some questions to ask:
- "What did you think the main character learned?"
- "If you were [character], what would you have done differently?"
- "What do you think the filmmaker wanted us to think about?"
- "Did anything surprise you?"
If your kid just wants to quote funny lines and move on, that's fine too. Not every film needs to be a teachable moment. But creating space for discussion helps them develop critical thinking skills and shows that you value their opinions.
Finding films that genuinely engage older kids without compromising on age-appropriateness is totally possible — you just have to be a bit more intentional than throwing on whatever's trending on Netflix.
Look for films with:
- Real stakes and emotional depth
- Complex characters who make difficult choices
- Themes that challenge without overwhelming
- Quality filmmaking (good writing, direction, cinematography)
Your kid is developing their taste right now. Give them something worth tasting.
Start a family film list: Let everyone add one film they want to watch, then take turns choosing. This gives kids agency while ensuring variety.
Check Common Sense Media: They have detailed breakdowns of content concerns and are generally pretty reliable for this age range.
Ask other parents: If your kid wants to watch something you're unsure about, text a parent whose judgment you trust and whose kid has already seen it.
Watch together first: For anything you're uncertain about, preview it yourself or watch it together so you can pause and discuss if needed.
Want more specific recommendations based on what your kid already loves? Ask our chatbot about films similar to your kid's favorites
— it can help you find films that match their interests while staying age-appropriate.