Miles Teller is genuinely talented. He can play cocky (Top Gun: Maverick), vulnerable (Whiplash), and everything in between. The problem? His filmography skews heavily toward R-rated dramas about substance abuse, war trauma, and toxic masculinity.

This isn't a knock on his career choices—these are often critically acclaimed films. But if you're trying to find something to watch with your 11-year-old who thinks he's cool because he flew jets in the new Top Gun, you're going to hit a lot of dead ends.

This is the crown jewel of Miles Teller's family-friendly filmography. He plays Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, and honestly, he's perfect in it. The movie has:

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This is legitimately one of the best action movies for tweens and teens in recent years. The aerial sequences are spectacular, the story is emotionally resonant without being manipulative, and it respects both the original film and modern audiences.

Parent tip: This is a great entry point for conversations about how to handle pressure and expectations.

Miles Teller plays Peter Hayes, a competitive jerk in this YA dystopian series. These movies are:

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The quality drops precipitously with each sequel, and the series never got its final chapter (the fourth movie was cancelled). But for middle schoolers who've read the books, these are serviceable adaptations.

This Netflix sci-fi thriller is technically R-rated, but it's one of those soft Rs that's really more like a hard PG-13. Miles Teller plays a convict in an experimental prison program testing emotion-altering drugs.

Why it might work for older teens:

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This is NOT for younger teens, but for 15-16+ who can handle complex ethical questions, it's actually pretty engaging.

This is Miles Teller's breakout role—a young drummer pushed to his absolute limits by an abusive music instructor (J.K. Simmons, who won an Oscar). It's a masterpiece. It's also intense as hell.

Why it's complicated:

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If you have a high schooler who's serious about music, sports, or any competitive pursuit, this film can spark incredible conversations about healthy vs. toxic coaching, the difference between pushing yourself and being pushed over the edge, and whether greatness requires suffering.

But watch it first yourself. Seriously. The emotional intensity is off the charts, and J.K. Simmons' character is genuinely traumatizing.

A coming-of-age drama about a charming alcoholic high school senior (Teller) who falls for a shy girl (Shailene Woodley). It's honest, well-acted, and devastating.

Why it's not for younger teens:

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This is one of the most realistic depictions of teen alcoholism in film. If you have a 16-17 year old and you're concerned about teen drinking culture, this could be a powerful conversation starter. But it's absolutely not appropriate for younger teens.

These are Miles Teller movies that are either too intense, too graphic, or just plain unwatchable for family viewing:

War Dogs (R) - Guns, drugs, language, and Jonah Hill being Jonah Hill. Ages 18+.

Thank You for Your Service (R) - Powerful film about PTSD, but incredibly heavy. Contains suicide, violence, and intense trauma. Not for teens.

Only the Brave (PG-13) - Based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Technically PG-13, but the ending is absolutely devastating. Maybe ages 14+ if they can handle real-world tragedy.

Bleed for This (R) - Boxing biopic with graphic injury scenes and substance abuse. Ages 17+.

Get a Job (R) - Forgettable comedy that sat on a shelf for years before being dumped to VOD. Just skip it entirely.

21 & Over (R) - Raunchy college comedy that's basically "The Hangover" but worse. Hard pass.

Miles Teller's career trajectory matters. He started in teen comedies and YA adaptations, moved into serious dramas about addiction and abuse, and has recently landed in big-budget blockbusters. This means:

The "based on a true story" problem. Many of Teller's best films (Whiplash, Only the Brave, Thank You for Your Service, Bleed for This) are based on real events, which makes them more impactful but also more intense. Real-world tragedy hits differently than fictional drama.

He's not a "family actor." Unlike someone like Tom Holland or Zendaya who have clear family-friendly franchises, Teller's career has been built on challenging, adult material. Top Gun: Maverick is the exception, not the rule.

Ages 8-10: Honestly? Nothing. Wait for Top Gun: Maverick at age 10.

Ages 10-12: Top Gun: Maverick is your only real option. Maybe the first Divergent at age 12.

Ages 13-14: Top Gun, Divergent series, possibly Spiderhead for mature 14-year-olds.

Ages 15-16: Add Whiplash (with discussion), The Spectacular Now (with caution).

Ages 17+: Most of his filmography opens up, though you'll still want to check individual titles.

Miles Teller is a talented actor who makes compelling films for adults. Unfortunately, that means his filmography is pretty sparse for families with kids under 15.

The good news: Top Gun: Maverick is genuinely excellent and worth watching together. It's the rare blockbuster that works for both tweens and their parents.

The reality: If your kid is asking to watch Miles Teller movies because they loved Top Gun, you're going to have to manage expectations. Most of his other work isn't age-appropriate, and the stuff that is (Divergent) isn't exactly prestige cinema.

The opportunity: For older teens (15+), films like Whiplash and The Spectacular Now can be powerful conversation starters about ambition, addiction, and toxic relationships—but only if you're prepared to have those conversations.

Want more recommendations for movies that spark great conversations with teens? Or looking for alternatives to intense dramas? We've got you covered.