TL;DR: Moonshot isn't the worst thing on Max, but it’s basically the "unflavored rice cake" of cinema. If you want real science and high stakes, go with The Martian. If you’re here for the teen butterflies and actual character development, watch The Half of It or To All the Boys I've Loved Before. For the younger kids who want robots and space-romance without the cringe, Wall-E is still the GOAT.
If you missed the 2022 release, Moonshot stars Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse in a sci-fi romantic comedy. The premise is simple: in a future where Mars is colonized, a barista (Sprouse) sneaks onto a space shuttle to follow a girl, and a high-achieving student (Condor) helps him hide so she can reunite with her own boyfriend on the Red Planet.
It’s fine. It’s harmless. But in an era where our kids are bombarded with "brain rot" content and 15-second TikTok loops, "fine" feels like a missed opportunity. The science is non-existent, the stakes feel lower than a game of Among Us, and the chemistry is—to put it politely—room temperature. We can do better.
We only get so many "movie nights" before our kids decide hanging out with us is officially "Ohio" (that's Gen Alpha for "cringe" or "weird," for those keeping score). If we’re going to sit down for two hours, let's pick something that either sparks a conversation about physics or actually makes us feel something.
Ask our chatbot for more personalized movie night recommendations based on your kids' ages
If your kid is the type to spend hours on Kerbal Space Program or constantly asks how black holes work, Moonshot is going to annoy them. Here are the upgrades:
This is the gold standard for "stuck on Mars" movies. Instead of sneaking onto a ship for a crush, Matt Damon is left behind and has to "science the sh*t out of this" to survive. It’s funny, it’s intense, and it celebrates human ingenuity and botany. It makes growing potatoes look like an Olympic sport.
- Ages: 12+ (some language, but it’s used in high-stress survival moments)
- Why it’s better: It respects the audience's intelligence.
If you want to have a deep conversation about time dilation and the power of a father-daughter bond, this is it. It’s visually stunning and scientifically grounded (mostly). It’s a long watch, but it stays with you.
- Ages: 13+ (complex themes and some intense sequences)
- Why it’s better: It’s a masterpiece of space movies for teens that doesn't talk down to them.
Space travel isn't just about the pilots; it's about the math. This movie tells the story of the Black female mathematicians at NASA who were essential to the space race. It’s inspiring, historically significant, and a great way to talk about systemic racism and gender roles without it feeling like a lecture.
- Ages: 10+
- Why it’s better: Real-life stakes are always more compelling than a fake barista in space.
If your teen was drawn to Moonshot because they love Lana Condor or the "fake dating/forced proximity" trope, let’s point them toward movies that actually execute those tropes with some soul.
If you’re going to watch a Lana Condor movie, watch this one. It’s the definitive modern teen rom-com. The chemistry between the leads is electric, the family dynamics are sweet, and the stakes feel real to a high schooler.
- Ages: 11+
- Why it’s better: It’s the peak of the genre.
This is a Netflix gem that more people need to see. It’s a modern, queer retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac set in a small town. It deals with friendship, longing, and the messy reality of being a teenager who doesn't quite fit in. It’s smart, quiet, and deeply moving.
- Ages: 12+
- Why it’s better: It avoids the "happily ever after" clichés for something much more honest.
Sometimes you have to go back to the classics. This Shakespeare adaptation is witty, the soundtrack is incredible, and it features a young Heath Ledger. It’s the perfect intro to 90s rom-coms for a kid who thinks everything made before 2015 is "old."
- Ages: 12+ (some teen partying and sexual references)
- Why it’s better: The writing is lightyears ahead of Moonshot.
Check out our full guide on teen rom-coms that aren't cringe
If you really want that hybrid of "space" and "love story," there are better ways to get your fix.
I’m dead serious. The first 30 minutes of Wall-E is one of the best silent films ever made. It’s a beautiful love story between two robots, a scathing critique of consumerism, and a hopeful look at environmentalism. It’s a movie that works for a 5-year-old and a 50-year-old.
- Ages: 5+
- Why it’s better: It’s Pixar at its absolute peak.
This one is very similar to Moonshot in tone, but it actually leans into the "science" of being born on Mars. A boy born on a Mars colony travels to Earth for the first time to find his father and experiences the world with a girl he met online. It’s a bit melodramatic, but the "fish out of water" elements are much more charming.
- Ages: 12+
- Why it’s better: It feels like it has a reason to exist beyond filling a streaming quota.
When we’re talking about "teen" movies, the PG-13 rating is a wide net. Moonshot is very "clean" PG-13—mostly just some mild language and suggestive situations.
However, as kids move into middle school, they start seeing a massive divide in content. Some "teen" movies are basically just Disney Channel shows with a bigger budget, while others deal with heavy themes like consent, substance use, and mental health.
- Middle School (Ages 11-13): Stick to movies like The Martian or To All the Boys I've Loved Before. They offer "grown-up" stakes without the "adult" baggage.
- High School (Ages 14-18): This is where you can dive into Interstellar or The Half of It. These movies respect their ability to process complex emotions and non-linear storytelling.
If your kid does watch Moonshot (maybe it's a sleepover pick, we've all been there), use it as a low-stakes way to talk about digital life and expectations.
The movie features a lot of "long-distance" interaction through screens before the characters meet in person. In a world where kids are meeting friends on Roblox or Discord, that's a real-life dynamic.
How to Talk About It:
- The "Meet-Cute" vs. Reality: Ask them if they think sneaking onto a spaceship for a crush is romantic or just... a felony? It’s a good way to talk about boundaries and "grand gestures" versus actual healthy relationships.
- The Science Gap: If they've played Minecraft or Universe Sandbox, they know physics matters. Ask them what the movie got wrong about Mars. It’s a fun way to engage their critical thinking.
- The Lana Condor Factor: Talk about how actors can be great in one thing (like To All the Boys) and stuck in a mediocre script in another. It’s a lesson in media literacy!
Don't settle for "background noise" movies. If your family is into space, go for the awe and wonder of The Martian. If they're into the romance, go for the genuine heart of The Half of It.
Moonshot is a movie you watch because it's Friday night and you're too tired to scroll any further. But these alternatives? These are the ones your kids might actually remember.
- Check the "Wise Score": Before you hit play, search our media database to see how other intentional parents rated these picks.
- Poll the Family: Use a "this or that" approach. "Do we want to see Matt Damon grow space-poop potatoes or Lana Condor find love on Mars?" (The potatoes usually win).
- Go Beyond the Screen: If a space movie hits home, check out the NASA website or grab a copy of The Martian by Andy Weir for a comparison.
Ask our chatbot for a curated list of "hidden gem" sci-fi movies for 10-year-olds