If you’ve seen the Netflix homepage lately, you’ve seen the poster: Kate Winslet behind the camera and a cast of breakout Gen Z stars looking wistfully at a sunset. Goodbye June follows a family over the course of one final summer month in their childhood home before a major, life-altering transition.

It’s not an action flick, and it’s definitely not a "kids' movie" in the traditional sense. It’s a quiet, atmospheric drama that deals with the "big stuff"—terminal illness, the loss of childhood innocence, and the messy way families fall apart and put themselves back together. Winslet brings that same raw, unpolished energy she had in Mare of Easttown, but this time, she’s directing the lens at the specific, painful nostalgia of growing up.

We are living in an era of "sad-fishing" on TikTok and "core memories" being a literal meme. Our kids are more fluent in the language of therapy and emotional processing than we ever were at their age. But there’s a difference between watching a 15-second clip about "healing your inner child" and sitting through a two-hour deep dive into a family’s collective grief.

Goodbye June is hitting the zeitgeist because it feels "real." In a world of AI-generated content and hyper-saturated YouTube influencers like MrBeast, a movie that actually makes you feel a human emotion is a novelty. For intentional parents, this is a "teachable moment" film, but only if your kid is developmentally ready to handle the weight without spiraling.

If you’re looking for a "vibe," here’s how Goodbye June stacks up against other "heavy" family favorites. You might want to start with these if you aren't sure your crew is ready for the Winslet treatment:

If you want to talk about sacrifice and the "circle of life" without the gritty realism of Goodbye June, this is your best bet. It hits the emotional beats but keeps it within the realm of beautiful animation.

For families with kids in the 8-12 range, this is the gold standard for discussing complex emotions like anxiety and suppressed memories. It’s a great "intro to feelings" before graduating to live-action dramas.

Like Goodbye June, this movie deals with family dynamics and the challenges of being "different" or facing hard truths, but it maintains a more hopeful, "Hollywood" ending that feels safer for younger viewers.

Check out our guide on the best movies for teaching empathy

Ages 0-10: Skip it. Honestly, they’ll be bored. It’s a lot of talking, a lot of long silences, and a lot of crying. There’s no "hook" for a younger kid, and the themes of mortality are presented with a realism that might trigger unnecessary anxiety. If they want a "sad" movie, put on Up and call it a day.

Ages 11-14: Watch with a Parent. This is the sweet spot for "intentional parenting." If your middle schooler is starting to ask big questions about life, or if your family has recently dealt with loss, Goodbye June can be a profound experience. But don’t just drop them in front of the TV with a bag of popcorn. You need to be there to pause and talk.

Ages 15+: Green Light. High schoolers will likely appreciate the cinematography and the "indie" feel. It’s a great alternative to the typical teen dramas like Euphoria (which we have thoughts on) because it’s grounded in family rather than just shock value.

This isn't a "single tear down the cheek" movie. This is a "ugly crying into a throw pillow" movie. If your child is highly sensitive or currently struggling with their own mental health, the heavy focus on terminal illness in the second act might be too much.

While the movie is rated PG-13, the maturity comes from the concepts. There isn't a ton of "bad" language or graphic content, but there is a very honest depiction of how a marriage can fracture under stress. If you’re going through a rough patch at home, be aware that this movie might mirror some of those tensions.

Let’s be real: to a kid raised on Roblox and Fortnite, a slow-burn drama can feel like a chore. If you’re trying to force a "bonding moment" with a kid who just wants to play Minecraft, this might backfire and just become "that depressing movie Mom made us watch."

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If you do decide to watch it, here are three questions to ask your kids afterward that won't result in a one-word answer:

Goodbye June is a masterpiece of a directorial debut, but it is emotional heavy lifting. It’s the opposite of "brain rot." It’s "soul food," but sometimes kids (and parents!) are just too tired for a five-course meal of feelings.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted Friday night, keep scrolling. But if you have a rainy Saturday, a box of tissues, and a teenager who is ready to talk about the deeper side of life, hit play.

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