Florence Pugh is one of the most magnetic actors of her generation, which is why your teens are probably obsessed with her—but her filmography is a wild ride that swings from wholesome literary adaptations to absolute psychological nightmare fuel. She can do a Marvel blockbuster, a classic period piece, and a deeply disturbing cult thriller all in the same breath, meaning you can't just blind-trust a "Florence Pugh movie night" without checking the rating first.
TL;DR: If your teens want to explore Florence Pugh's work, start with her brilliant, Oscar-nominated performance in Little Women (2019) or her witty, action-packed role in Black Widow. Save her heavy-hitting R-rated projects like the cult horror hit Midsommar and the biographical drama Oppenheimer for mature audiences, as they feature intense psychological terror, graphic violence, and explicit sexual content. For more great teen-friendly options, check out our best movies for kids list.
Pugh doesn't do "boring." Whether she’s playing a sassy Marvel assassin or a tragic historical figure, she brings an intense, grounded authenticity that instantly connects with younger audiences. She has a massive online following not just for her acting, but for her unfiltered, down-to-earth personality—like her viral cooking videos and her refusal to conform to Hollywood's standard beauty molds.
These projects are the perfect entry points. They showcase her massive range without throwing anyone into the deep end of heavy adult themes.
Amy March is historically the most disliked sister in the March family, but Pugh did the impossible: she made her deeply human, practical, and hilarious. This movie is a masterpiece, and Pugh’s performance is the anchor. It’s an incredibly safe, heartwarming, and genuinely brilliant watch for middle schoolers and up.
Black Widow and Hawkeye
Pugh joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Yelena Belova, and she immediately stole the spotlight. She brings a dry, sarcastic, mac-and-cheese-loving energy to the role of a trained assassin trying to find her footing in a normal world. Her banter with Hailee Steinfeld in Hawkeye is a masterclass in comedic chemistry. It's standard Marvel fare—plenty of action violence, but very clean overall and highly entertaining for kids aged 10 and up.
Yes, she voiced Goldilocks in this animated hit, and she absolutely crushed it. Alongside her crime-family of three bears, she brings a gritty, street-smart charm to a movie that is secretly one of the best-animated films of the decade. It deals with some surprisingly mature themes like mortality and family loyalty, but it's wrapped in a gorgeous, fast-paced package that works for literally all ages.
As Princess Irulan, Pugh plays a quiet, calculating political player. While she doesn’t get a ton of screen time in this installment, she is the narrator of the story and sets up the massive events of the upcoming Dune: Part Three (slated for late 2026). It's a gorgeous sci-fi epic that is perfect for high schoolers who love dense world-building and intense cinematic scale.
These films are great for mature teens (think 14 and up), but they carry some heavier emotional baggage, mild psychological tension, or thematic weight.
The behind-the-scenes drama of this movie was a circus, but Pugh's performance as a 1950s housewife realizing her perfect suburban life is a simulation is genuinely stellar. It’s a visually stunning psychological thriller that features some intense gaslighting, a few highly suggestive sexual scenes, and a creepy, dystopian atmosphere. It's a solid conversation-starter for older teens about control, relationships, and systemic expectations.
This is a surprisingly heartwarming, laugh-out-loud biopic about WWE wrestler Paige and her eccentric British wrestling family. Pugh is fantastic as a goth teenager thrust into the high-glitz world of professional wrestling. It has some crude British humor, mild language, and wrestling violence, but the core message about staying true to yourself and supporting your family is incredibly sweet. It’s a great family movie night pick for the 12+ crowd.
If your teen asks to watch these because "Florence Pugh is in them," this is where you want to step in and redirect them. Save these for your own movie night.
This is the ultimate "do not watch with kids" film. Pugh plays Dani, a grieving young woman who travels to a remote Swedish midsummer festival that quickly devolves into a pagan nightmare. It is a brilliant, daylight-drenched psychological horror masterpiece, but it features graphic, stomach-churning violence, disturbing imagery of grief and suicide, and explicit sexual rituals. It’s a phenomenal movie, but strictly for mature adults.
Christopher Nolan's historical epic is a masterpiece, but Pugh’s role as Jean Tatlock includes prolonged, explicit nudity and sex scenes that will make family viewing incredibly awkward, very fast. Beyond that, the film's heavy, tragic themes of mental illness and political persecution require a high level of maturity to process.
Pugh's career is hitting overdrive in late 2026, and she's got some massive projects on the horizon that your teens will definitely be talking about.
First up is Netflix’s highly anticipated seven-episode limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel, East of Eden. Pugh is producing and starring as Cathy Ames, one of literature's most chillingly complex antiheroes. The teaser trailer just dropped, and it looks like a brooding, atmospheric, and highly dramatic adaptation that will likely lean into heavy psychological themes.
And if that wasn't enough, December 18, 2026, is shaping up to be "Florence Pugh Day" at the box office, with both Dune: Part Three and Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday scheduled to hit theaters on the exact same day.
When your kids are engaging with Pugh's work, it's a great opportunity to move past the screen and talk about the actual craft of acting and storytelling.
- The Power of the Underdog: In Little Women, talk about how Pugh took Amy March—a character generations of readers hated—and made her relatable. Ask your kids: How did she make us understand Amy's choices, even when she was being selfish?
- The Marvel Formula vs. Indie Films: Pugh balances massive franchise films like Black Widow with smaller, character-driven dramas. Ask your teen: Do you prefer her in big-budget action roles, or do you think she shines brighter when the focus is just on her acting in smaller films?
- The Price of Performance: Many of Pugh's roles (especially in Midsommar or Don't Worry Darling) require intense emotional distress. Talk about how actors protect their own mental health while portraying heavy trauma.
Q: Is Midsommar appropriate for a 15-year-old?
No, Midsommar is not recommended for most 15-year-olds due to its graphic, ritualistic violence, explicit nudity, and deeply disturbing psychological themes surrounding grief and suicide. It is a brilliant film, but best left for older, mature audiences.
Q: What is Florence Pugh's most kid-friendly movie?
Her most kid-friendly movie is Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, where she voices Goldilocks. It is a fantastic, high-energy animated film that is perfect for the entire family. For a live-action option, Little Women (2019) is excellent for middle schoolers and older.
Q: Why is Oppenheimer rated R, and is Florence Pugh's part okay for teens?
Oppenheimer is rated R primarily for prolonged, explicit graphic nudity and sexual content involving Florence Pugh's character, Jean Tatlock. While the historical drama is highly educational, these scenes make it a challenging watch for a family movie night.
Q: What is Florence Pugh's role in the Marvel movies?
Florence Pugh plays Yelena Belova, the younger sister figure to Natasha Romanoff in the MCU. She first appears in Black Widow, reprises her role in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, and is a central character in Thunderbolts*.
If your teen is a massive movie buff and wants to keep exploring great cinema, we’ve got you covered. Check out our digital guide for high schoolers to find age-appropriate, high-quality content that actually respects their intelligence. You can also browse our best movies for kids list for your next family movie night, or just ask our chatbot for a personalized recommendation
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