TL;DR: The Lohanissance is in full swing. If you’re looking for a nostalgia trip with your kids or wondering if the new 2025 sequel is worth your Friday night, here are the quick hits:
- The Gold Standard: The Parent Trap (Ages 6+) – Still a masterpiece.
- The Teen Essential: Mean Girls (Ages 12+) – Great for talking about social dynamics, but watch out for the "Burn Book" behavior.
- The 2025 Must-Watch: Freakier Friday (Ages 8+) – The sequel we actually wanted, focusing on the chaos of multi-generational parenting.
- The Holiday Fluff: Falling for Christmas (Ages 7+) – Harmless, Hallmark-style fun.
It’s officially 2026, and if you told me five years ago that Lindsay Lohan would be the reigning queen of family-friendly streaming and Disney sequels, I might have asked if you were feeling okay. But here we are. Between her Netflix deal and the massive release of Freakier Friday, Lindsay has completed the ultimate Hollywood pivot.
For us parents, this is a weirdly sweet spot. We grew up with her. We remember the double-VHS of The Parent Trap and the absolute cultural chokehold Mean Girls had on our high schools. Now, our kids are discovering her through TikTok edits and "vintage" 2000s fashion trends.
But navigating her filmography isn't just a straight line of PG ratings. There’s a "Dark Era" in the middle that is definitely not for family movie night, and some of the older "teen" movies have jokes that land a little differently in 2026. Here is how to navigate the Lohanissance without the PG-13 surprises.
This is the era of peak wholesome energy. If you want to introduce your kids to the concept of "movie magic" before they get sucked into Roblox or Skibidi Toilet lore, start here.
This movie is essentially perfect. The CGI used to put two Lindsays on screen still looks better than some big-budget Marvel movies today.
- Why it works: It taps into that universal kid fantasy of finding a long-lost twin and outsmarting the adults.
- Parental Note: There’s some very mild "mean girl" behavior from the stepmother character (Vicky!), and the parents’ decision-making (splitting up twins and never telling them?) is objectively unhinged, but it’s a classic for a reason.
Lindsay Lohan plus Tyra Banks as a doll come to life.
- Why it works: It’s basically a precursor to the Barbie movie but with a lower budget and more 2000s flair. It deals with grief in a way that is actually pretty accessible for younger kids.
A Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) where Lindsay plays a wealthy, fashion-obsessed teen journalist.
- Why it works: It’s harmless. If your kid likes "mystery" or "aesthetic" vibes, this is a winner. It’s very "pre-social media," which might be a fun conversation starter about how kids used to communicate.
Ask our chatbot for more 2000s DCOM recommendations
This is where things get iconic, but also where you need to start being the "intentional parent" Screenwise is all about.
The chemistry between Lindsay and Jamie Lee Curtis is legendary.
- Why it works: It’s the ultimate empathy builder. It literally forces a parent and child to walk in each other’s shoes.
- What to watch for: There’s some early 2000s "angst" and a few jokes about dieting/body image that were standard then but feel a bit dated now. Overall, it’s a 10/10.
This movie is… a lot. It’s peak "theater kid" energy.
- The Verdict: Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess, but if your kid is into drama or fashion, they’ll probably find it "preppy" or "vintage." It’s harmless but can be annoying for parents to sit through.
The heavyweight champion.
- Why it matters: It is a sociological study of middle and high school.
- Parental Note: This is PG-13 for a reason. There’s talk about "hooking up," sexual health (the infamous gym class scene), and some pretty brutal social sabotage.
- The Conversation: Use this to talk about "relational aggression." Is your kid seeing "Burn Books" on Snapchat or Instagram? This movie is the perfect opening to talk about how words hurt.
This was her last "innocent" Disney run for a while.
- The Verdict: It’s fine. It’s a racing movie with a sentient VW Bug. If you have a younger sibling who needs to watch something with an older sibling, this is a safe middle ground.
As Lindsay’s personal life became tabloid fodder in the late 2000s, her movie choices got darker and, frankly, worse.
- I Know Who Killed Me: Hard R-rating. Torture. Just… no.
- Georgia Rule: Actually a decent acting performance, but it deals with heavy themes of sexual abuse. Not a "family movie night" pick.
- The Canyons: This is basically an art-house erotic thriller. Keep it far away from the kids.
Lindsay’s comeback has been characterized by "Cozy Content." It’s predictable, warm, and very safe for families.
Lindsay plays a spoiled heiress with amnesia.
- The Verdict: It’s a Netflix Christmas movie. You know exactly what’s going to happen in the first five minutes. It’s great for a "low-brain-power" Sunday afternoon.
More of the same, but with Irish scenery.
- The Verdict: Totally safe for kids, though they might find the romance plot "cringe."
The big one. In this sequel, Lindsay’s character (Anna) is now a mom herself, and she has to deal with her own daughter and a blended family situation.
- Why it’s great for 2026: It addresses the digital age. There are jokes about TikTok and how hard it is to be a "cool mom" when you're just trying to manage screen time.
- Age Range: 8-15. It’s the rare movie that actually bridges the gap between us and our kids.
Check out our guide on how Freakier Friday handles modern parenting
Lindsay Lohan is more than just an actress; she’s a cautionary tale and a comeback story. Depending on the age of your kids, her career can be a jumping-off point for some real-talk:
- The Pressure of Fame: If your kid wants to be a "YouTube Star" or an "Influencer," Lindsay’s early struggles are a great way to talk about the mental health toll of being constantly watched.
- Redemption: She’s a great example of someone who had a very public "messy" period and came out the other side healthy and successful. That’s a powerful message for kids who feel like one mistake on social media is the end of the world.
- The 2000s Aesthetic: Your kids are likely seeing "Y2K" fashion everywhere. Lindsay was the blueprint for that. You can talk about what has changed (and what hasn't) regarding how the media treats young women.
- Ages 5-8: Stick to The Parent Trap and Life-Size.
- Ages 9-12: Freaky Friday, Herbie: Fully Loaded, and the new Freakier Friday.
- Ages 13+: Mean Girls. Be ready to discuss the "Mean Girl" dynamics.
Learn more about navigating social media drama with your teen
The Lohanissance is a rare win for parent-child movie nights. It gives us the nostalgia we crave while providing content that isn't just "brain rot" for the kids. Start with the classics, enjoy the 2025 sequel, and maybe skip the weird stuff from 2007.
Next Steps:
- Queue up The Parent Trap for your next family night.
- If you have a middle schooler, watch Mean Girls and use it to check in on their friend group dynamics.
- Take the Screenwise Survey to see how your family's movie habits compare to other intentional parents in your community.