The best pick for family movie night, hands down.

This Ron Howard masterpiece about the ill-fated 1970 moon mission is PG and genuinely thrilling even though you know how it ends. Bacon plays Jack Swigert, the backup astronaut who gets called up to the mission at the last minute, and he's excellent in an ensemble cast that includes Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Gary Sinise.

What works: It's educational without being boring, tense without being scary, and shows problem-solving under pressure in a way that's actually inspiring. The special effects hold up remarkably well, and the real-life drama needs zero Hollywood embellishment to be compelling.

What to know: Some intense moments when things go wrong in space (the oxygen tank explosion, CO2 buildup, reentry uncertainty), but nothing graphic or traumatic. One character's wife has a nightmare about her husband dying in space — brief but might upset sensitive kids. The technical jargon flies fast, so younger viewers might need context about what's happening.

Why it's worth it: This is one of those rare movies that makes STEM careers look genuinely cool and shows that "failure is not an option" isn't just a motivational poster slogan. Perfect for kids interested in space or science, and a great conversation starter about the actual Apollo program.

A surprisingly fun creature feature that spawned an entire franchise.

Before Kevin Bacon was a meme, he was fighting giant underground worms in the Nevada desert. This PG-13 horror-comedy has become a cult classic for good reason — it's clever, funny, and knows exactly what it is.

What works: The monster movie setup is straightforward enough for middle schoolers to follow, the practical effects are impressive (no CGI here), and there's genuine humor mixed with the scares. Bacon and Fred Ward have great chemistry as handymen who just want to leave their small town when, naturally, giant carnivorous worms attack.

What to watch out for: It's PG-13 for a reason. Some gruesome deaths (people get eaten, pulled underground), a few jump scares, and mild language throughout. There's also a severed head discovery early on that's played for shock value. No sexual content or nudity, but definitely more intense than Apollo 13.

The verdict: Great for kids who love creature features and can handle monster movie violence. Think Jurassic Park vibes but with less budget and more self-awareness. If your kid loved A Quiet Place, this is a fun precursor with similar "stay quiet or die" stakes but a much lighter tone.

The iconic 80s dance movie that defined a generation.

Bacon plays Ren McCormack, a Chicago teen who moves to a small town where dancing and rock music are banned. Yes, really. It's as ridiculous as it sounds, and also completely earnest and somehow it works.

What works: The soundtrack absolutely slaps (your kids will recognize "Footloose" and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" instantly), the dancing is legitimately impressive, and the themes about self-expression and questioning authority resonate with teens. Bacon's angry warehouse dance sequence is cinema history.

What parents should know: It's PG, but 1984 PG, which means it would probably be PG-13 today. There's underage drinking, teens playing chicken with tractors (truly bonkers), some mild sexual content (making out, sexual references), and the whole plot involves teens rebelling against adults. The religious undertones might spark conversations — the town's minister is the antagonist who banned dancing after his son died in a car accident.

Why it matters: This movie is a cultural touchstone that your teens should probably see, if only so they understand the references. It's also a surprisingly good discussion starter about grief, control, and how communities process trauma. Just be ready for your kid to ask why anyone thought banning dancing was a reasonable response to anything.

A John Hughes dramedy about young marriage and impending parenthood. PG-13 but deals with very adult themes (marital tension, career struggles, pregnancy complications). More for older teens who can appreciate the nuanced look at adult relationships.

Bacon has a small role in this PG family film about a boy and his dog in 1940s Mississippi. It's sweet but has some intense moments (dog in danger, war themes, bullying) that might be tough for younger kids. Solid option if you've exhausted all other dog movies.

Just so we're clear, here are Kevin Bacon movies you should absolutely NOT watch with kids:

The 2011 Footloose remake (which Bacon produced but doesn't star in) is basically the same movie with updated music and slightly more modern sensibilities. It's also PG-13 instead of PG, with more explicit references to sex and drugs. If you're choosing between them, the original is the better film and slightly more age-appropriate, but the remake works fine if your teens prefer contemporary music and less 80s cheese.

Ages 8-10: Stick with My Dog Skip if you must do Kevin Bacon, but honestly there are better family movies out there for this age.

Ages 10-12: Apollo 13 is perfect. Educational, inspiring, and genuinely entertaining. Follow it up with a documentary about the actual mission if they're interested in learning more about the Apollo program.

Ages 12-14: Tremors works great for kids who can handle monster movie scares. Apollo 13 is still excellent for this age too.

Ages 13+: Footloose becomes an option here, especially for teens interested in dance, music, or 80s culture. Just be ready for conversations about the themes.

Ages 16+: Most of Bacon's filmography opens up here, but you'll still want to preview anything rated R. His dramatic work is often excellent but deals with very adult themes.

Kevin Bacon is a legitimately talented actor with a career spanning 40+ years, but most of his work skews adult. Apollo 13 is your safest bet for family viewing and happens to be one of the best space movies ever made. Tremors works for monster-loving tweens and teens. Footloose is a cultural milestone worth watching with older teens who can handle the themes.

The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game is fun, but actually watching his movies with kids requires careful curation. When in doubt, preview first or check the Common Sense Media ratings for specific concerns.

And hey, if you're looking for more movies about space exploration after Apollo 13, or creature features after Tremors, or dance movies after Footloose — there are way deeper catalogs to explore in each of those genres.