If your kid spent 2018 through 2021 obsessed with scrunchies, vintage Volvos, and letters they never intended to mail, you know Lana Condor as Lara Jean Covey—but in 2026, her new projects are a far cry from baking cupcakes and pining over Peter Kavinsky. Lana is officially in her "action hero and thriller" era, which means the actress your middle-schooler grew up with is now making content that might actually be too intense for them.
TL;DR: Lana Condor is successfully pivoting from teen rom-com royalty to mature action and thriller roles, including a high-profile turn in M. Night Shyamalan’s latest project and the gritty Ballerina Overdrive. While she’s returning to her roots in the new season of XO, Kitty, parents should double-check ratings on her newer films, as they've jumped from "sweet and PG-13" to "intense and R-rated" very quickly.
For a lot of us, Lana Condor is the face of the "gentle" teen era. To All the Boys I've Loved Before was a rare win for parents—it was sweet, it dealt with grief and family dynamics, and it didn't feel like "brain rot." According to Screenwise community data, about 68% of parents with daughters in grades 6-9 have watched the trilogy as a "bridge" movie (something both parent and teen can tolerate).
But Lana is 28 now, and she’s clearly done with the high school hallways. She’s following the path of stars like Zendaya or Florence Pugh, intentionally picking roles that shed the "teen idol" skin. For our kids, this can be confusing. They see her face on a poster and assume it’s "safe" because she’s Lara Jean. In 2026, that’s a risky assumption.
Lana Condor has a specific kind of "best friend" energy that translates across social media. Even when she’s playing a ghost in Boo, Bitch or a giant sea monster in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, she feels relatable.
Kids love her because:
- The "Covey-verse" is comfort food: Even with the new season of XO, Kitty focusing on Anna Cathcart, Lana’s cameos or mentions keep the nostalgia alive.
- She’s an Asian-American icon: For a generation of Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids, she was one of the first lead actresses in a massive Western rom-com who looked like them.
- Her social presence is clean-ish: Compared to some other stars her age, Lana’s public persona is relatively low-drama, which makes parents trust her—sometimes more than the specific content she’s actually starring in.
If you're looking for a Lana Condor marathon, you need to categorize these by "maturity level" because the gap is widening.
The "Safe for Tweens" Tier
- Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken: This is your go-to for the younger set (Ages 7+). It’s a DreamWorks animated flick where Lana voices the lead. It’s colorful, deals with "fitting in," and is entirely harmless.
- XO, Kitty: While Lana isn't the lead here, her presence looms large. This show is definitely more "modern teen" than the original movies—think more "Euphoria-lite" in terms of relationship drama but still firmly in the TV-14 camp.
- Moonshot: A sci-fi rom-com that’s pretty much "Lara Jean in Space." It’s fine. A bit forgettable, but safe for a Friday night.
The "Check the Rating" Tier
- Boo, Bitch: This Netflix limited series is a weird one. It’s about a high school senior who becomes a ghost. It’s fun, but the language is significantly saltier than To All the Boys. It’s a solid Ages 14+ pick.
- The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde: This is the 2025/2026 M. Night Shyamalan thriller. Look, it’s Shyamalan. It’s going to be tense, psychological, and potentially nightmare-inducing for younger kids. Screenwise rates this as a "Teens only" experience.
- Ballerina Overdrive: This is Lana’s full-blown entry into the "John Wick" style of action. It’s about a group of ballerinas forced to fight for their lives. It’s violent. It’s stylized. It’s definitely not for the kids who just want to see her bake snickerdoodles.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized Lana Condor watch list based on your kids' ages
This is actually a great teaching moment for digital wellness. Kids often struggle to separate an actor from the character they love. When a "safe" actor moves into "edgy" roles, it’s a perfect time to talk about:
- Marketing vs. Content: Just because Netflix puts Lana’s face on the "Recommended for You" row doesn't mean the content matches her previous work.
- The "Why" of the Pivot: Explain that actors, like people, grow up and want different challenges. It helps kids understand that their favorite creators aren't static.
- Checking Ratings First: Encourage your teens to look at the "Why" behind a rating. Is it Rated R for "one F-bomb" or Rated R for "hyper-violence"?
Check out our guide on understanding the nuances of R-ratings
Q: Is the new season of XO, Kitty okay for a 10-year-old?
It’s pushing it. XO, Kitty is rated TV-14 and deals with much more complex romantic entanglements and "teen rebellion" than the original To All the Boys movies. If your 10-year-old is mature and you watch it with them, it’s likely fine, but it’s definitely "older" content than the Lara Jean trilogy.
Q: Why is Lana Condor in so many scary movies now?
She’s intentionally diversifying her career to avoid being typecast as a "teen girl." By taking roles in thrillers and action movies like Ballerina Overdrive, she’s proving she has the range for adult Hollywood, which is a standard move for actors reaching their late 20s.
Q: Does Lana Condor appear in XO, Kitty Season 2?
Yes, but usually in a limited capacity or cameo role. The show focuses on her younger sister, Kitty, but Lana’s character, Lara Jean, remains a central part of the show's universe and often appears via FaceTime or in flashback/cameo sequences to provide "big sister" advice.
Lana Condor is a talent who has grown up alongside our kids. While she’ll always be the "safe" choice for a nostalgic rewatch of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, her 2026 filmography requires a bit more parental oversight. She’s moving into her "Action Hero" era, and while it’s exciting to see her kick butt on screen, you might want to make sure your kids are old enough to handle the intensity before you hit play.
- Watch together: If your teen wants to see her new thriller, make it a co-viewing experience so you can gauge their reaction to the jump in intensity.
- Update your filters: If you have younger kids who search for "Lana Condor" because of the Kraken movie, ensure your streaming profiles are set to age-appropriate levels so they don't accidentally stumble into her R-rated action flicks.
- Explore her voice work: For a safe Lana fix, check out her podcasts or animated guest spots, which tend to stay in the family-friendly lane.
Learn more about navigating the transition from teen stars to adult roles