Joey King is the rare child star who didn't just survive Hollywood; she conquered it by becoming the most reliable worker in the industry. She has been acting since she was four years old, and because she’s grown up on screen, her filmography is a perfect map of every developmental stage your kid will go through. You can start with her as a rambunctious elementary schooler and follow her all the way to R-rated action hero and Emmy-nominated dramatic lead.
TL;DR Joey King’s projects span the entire maturity spectrum, from the charming Ramona and Beezus for younger kids to the intense, TV-MA drama of The Act for older teens. Her Netflix hits like The Kissing Booth and Uglies are middle-school staples, while the upcoming Practical Magic 2 is set to be her next major family-friendly crossover.
If you have younger kids, you’re likely meeting Joey King through her early work, where she specialized in being the high-energy kid who wasn't annoying. Ramona and Beezus remains the gold standard here. It’s a faithful adaptation of the Beverly Cleary books that captures exactly what it feels like to be a third-grader with a massive imagination and a knack for accidental chaos. It’s wholesome without being saccharine.
She also did a heavy stint in the voice-acting booth during this era. You’ll hear her in Horton Hears a Who! and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. These are safe, easy bets for a family movie night when you need something everyone can agree on. For a slightly more "spectacle" vibe, Oz the Great and Powerful features her as China Girl. It’s a bit more intense visually, but it’s a solid gateway into fantasy for kids who aren't quite ready for the darker stuff.
This is where most of your kids probably know her. Joey King basically built the modern Netflix teen rom-com with The Kissing Booth trilogy.
The honest take on these: they are mid. The writing is predictable, the drama is dialed to eleven, and the "rules" of the kissing booth itself are a bit dated. But for a 12-year-old, these movies are social currency. They deal with high school hierarchies, first crushes, and the looming fear of graduation. If your kid is watching them, the move isn't to critique the plot holes; it's to ask what they think about the friendship "rules" the characters obsess over. It’s a great way to talk about whether loyalty means letting your friend control who you date.
More recently, she’s leaned into the dystopian genre with Uglies. Based on the Scott Westerfeld books, this one hits the "self-image" nerve hard. It’s about a society that enforces mandatory cosmetic surgery at sixteen. It’s a perfect bridge for kids who are starting to feel the pressure of social media filters and beauty standards.
Once you hit the 15+ age range, Joey King’s work gets significantly heavier. She earned an Emmy nomination for The Act, where she played Gypsy Rose Blanchard. This is a TV-MA true-crime story about Munchausen syndrome by proxy and a very real murder. It is brilliant, disturbing, and definitely not for the faint of heart. If your teen is into the "true crime" boom, this is the high-water mark for the genre, but watch it with them. The themes of medical abuse and psychological manipulation are intense.
She’s also moved into the "action star" phase. The Princess is essentially a R-rated, ultra-violent version of a fairy tale where the princess fights her way down a tower instead of waiting for a prince. It’s fun, but it’s gory. Similarly, her role in Bullet Train alongside Brad Pitt is snarky, clever, and very violent. These are the picks for the kid who has outgrown Disney and wants something with a higher body count and faster dialogue.
Looking ahead, the project everyone is talking about is Practical Magic 2. Decades after the original cult classic, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are returning, and Joey King is set to join the coven.
Based on the trailer and the legacy of the first film, this looks like it will lean into the "cozy supernatural" vibe. It’s expected to follow the Owens family’s next generation, and Joey King is the perfect choice to bridge the gap between the original fans (the parents) and the new audience (the kids). It will likely be a PG-13 affair—expect some spooky vibes, themes of sisterhood, and the kind of "magical realism" that makes for a great October watch.
The most interesting thing about Joey King isn't her IMDb page; it’s her longevity. She’s managed to transition from "child actor" to "serious adult" without the typical public breakdown. She’s often vocal about her work ethic and the fact that she’s been a professional since she was in diapers.
When you’re talking to your kids about her, that’s the angle. She isn't just a face on a Netflix thumbnail; she’s someone who has mastered a craft over twenty years. Whether she’s playing a girl who wants to be "pretty" in Uglies or a survivor in The Act, she brings a level of preparation that’s worth pointing out.
If your kid is marathoning her movies, use the variety to your advantage. Joey King is a master of the "rebrand."
- On Uglies: Ask them what they think about the "Pretties" vs. the "Uglies." Does it feel like how people use Instagram or TikTok?
- On The Kissing Booth: Ask if they think the friendship rules between Elle and Lee are actually healthy or just controlling.
- On The Act: If they’re old enough for it, talk about the "stranger danger" vs. "danger at home" dynamic. It’s a heavy conversation about trust and boundaries.
Q: Is Joey King's movie Uglies okay for a 10-year-old?
It’s rated PG-13 and deals with some heavy themes regarding body image and forced surgery. Most 10-year-olds can handle the action, but the conversation about beauty standards is the part that will actually stick with them. If they’ve read the books, they’re ready for the movie.
Q: What is Joey King's most kid-friendly movie?
Ramona and Beezus is the winner here. It’s G-rated, funny, and captures the spirit of childhood perfectly. It’s a great pick for kids as young as five or six.
Q: Does The Kissing Booth have inappropriate content?
It’s a teen rom-com, so expect some suggestive dialogue, partying, and a lot of making out (it’s in the title, after all). It’s firmly in the PG-13 camp—more "mature" than a Disney Channel show, but less graphic than something like Euphoria.
Q: Is Joey King in Practical Magic 2?
Yes, she is set to star alongside the original cast. The movie is currently in production and is expected to be a major release in late 2026. It will likely follow the "legacy sequel" trend of passing the torch to a younger generation of witches.
Joey King is a pro who knows her audience. Whether she’s making a "mid" rom-com for tweens or a gritty drama for adults, she commits to the bit. For parents, she’s a reliable marker: if she’s in it, it’s probably going to be the exact thing your kid's friend group is talking about on Monday morning.
- For more high-energy family picks, check out our best movies for kids list.
- If your teen is moving into the dystopian phase, browse our best books for middle schoolers.
- Find more actors with great career arcs
