Glen Powell is the closest thing we have to a 1990s-era movie star in 2026, but his filmography is a minefield if you’re picking a movie based on "that guy from the memes." He specializes in a specific brand of high-wattage charisma that works just as well in a PG-13 fighter jet as it does in an R-rated bedroom comedy. If your kid is asking to watch "the Glen Powell movie," you need to know which Glen you’re getting: the heroic pilot or the guy in the R-rated philosophy-thriller.
TL;DR: For family night, stick to Twisters or Top Gun: Maverick, which offer high-stakes action with minimal content baggage. Skip Anyone But You and Hit Man for anyone under 17; they’re heavy on nudity, sex, and adult themes. For more age-appropriate picks, check out our best movies for kids list.
Powell’s rise to the A-list happened because he can play "arrogant but lovable" better than anyone else working. In the PG-13 space, he’s essentially the king of the modern summer movie.
This is where most kids first clocked him as "Hangman." It’s the gold standard for a multi-generational watch. The tension is high, the flying is real, and the "content" is limited to some mild swearing and a few shirtless beach scenes that are more athletic than suggestive. It’s a great entry point for talking about the difference between being a "lone wolf" and being a teammate.
If your kid is into science, weather, or just seeing things get blown over, this is the move. Powell plays a "tornado wrangler" who is much smarter than his YouTube-stunt-man persona suggests. It’s intense—there’s real peril and some scary sequences involving natural disasters—but it’s remarkably clean. It’s the kind of movie that makes kids want to go to Space Camp or buy a weather vane.
A quieter, more somber war movie than Top Gun. It’s a true story about the first Black naval aviator and his wingman (Powell). It’s PG-13 for war violence and some period-accurate racial slurs that are used to show the reality of the era. It’s a "heavy" watch, but a rewarding one for older elementary or middle schoolers who can handle a sadder ending.
Because Powell has "Golden Retriever energy," it’s easy to forget he’s also a producer and writer who likes edgy, adult-oriented stories. These are the ones that frequently trip up parents who see his face on a Netflix thumbnail and hit play without checking the rating.
The TikTok clips make this look like a cute, bickering rom-com. It isn’t. It’s a hard R-rated movie with full-frontal nudity, constant sexual dialogue, and a level of maturity that isn't for the middle school set. It’s a fun throwback to the 2000s rom-com era for adults, but very awkward for a family couch.
This was a massive hit on Netflix, but it’s a sophisticated, R-rated dark comedy. Powell plays a philosophy professor who moonlights as a fake hitman for the police. It’s brilliant, but it’s packed with f-bombs and very graphic sex scenes. It’s also a movie about the fluid nature of identity—a concept that’s great for a high schooler to dissect, but only if you’re okay with the R-rated wrapper it comes in.
Powell’s schedule is packed, and based on the trailers and production notes, he’s continuing to split his time between broad comedy and intense action.
- Chad Powers (Hulu Series): Based on the first looks and the Eli Manning "skit" it’s based on, this looks like a broad, Ted Lasso-adjacent comedy. Powell plays a disgraced quarterback who disguises himself to play for a Southern walk-on team. It’s expected to land in the TV-14 range, likely leaning into sports-locker-room humor.
- The Running Man: Directed by Edgar Wright, this remake of the Stephen King story is set to be a high-octane dystopian thriller. Based on Wright’s previous work (Baby Driver, Hot Fuzz), expect it to be stylish, violent, and likely a hard PG-13 or R. It’s set to drop later this year or early next.
- Huntington: This one is described as a "revenge thriller" with a dark comedic edge. Given the director’s pedigree, this is almost certainly going to be an adult-targeted R.
If your kid is a fan, the most interesting thing to talk about with Glen Powell’s characters isn't the planes or the tornadoes—it’s the ego.
In almost every role, he starts as a guy who thinks he’s the only person in the room who matters. By the end of Top Gun: Maverick or Twisters, that ego has been channeled into something useful.
Questions to ask after the movie:
- In Maverick, when does Hangman stop being a jerk and start being a wingman? What changed?
- In Twisters, Tyler Owens acts like a reckless influencer for the cameras. Why does he do that? Is his "real" self different?
- Why do you think people find "arrogant" characters like this fun to watch, even if they’d be annoying in real life?
Q: Is Anyone But You okay for a 13-year-old? No. It’s a hard R with significant nudity and adult sexual themes. It’s a date-night movie, not a young-teen movie.
Q: What is Glen Powell's most kid-friendly movie? Twisters is the best bet for a broad age range. It has the excitement of a superhero movie but is grounded in real-world science and heroics.
Q: Does Glen Powell have any movies on Netflix? Yes, Hit Man is a Netflix original, but remember it’s R-rated. For something more family-oriented on the platform, you’re better off checking our best movies on Netflix list.
Glen Powell is a rare talent who actually cares about making "Big Movies," but he doesn't cater exclusively to kids. If you see him in a flight suit or a truck, you’re usually safe for a family night. If you see him in a tuxedo or a disguise on a streaming thumbnail, check the rating first. He’s a pro at playing the charming rogue, but sometimes that rogue is strictly for grown-ups.
