Let It Snow is an ensemble teen rom-com that weaves together three love stories over the course of one snowy Christmas Eve in a small Illinois town. The movie features a diverse cast including Kiernan Shipka (from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore, Odeya Rush, and Joan Cusack as a delightfully quirky tin foil woman who serves as the movie's connective tissue.

The three storylines follow: a girl stuck on a train with a charming stranger, a pop star hiding out at a Waffle Town restaurant, and a girl navigating her feelings for her female best friend. All the stories intersect throughout the night in that classic rom-com way where everyone's connected by like two degrees of separation.

Let's get specific about what you're actually signing up for:

This is where the PG-13 rating really shows up. The movie includes:

The language feels authentic to how actual teens talk, which is probably the point, but it's definitely more than you'd get in a Disney Channel movie. If your family has a zero-tolerance policy on f-bombs, this isn't your movie.

There's a house party scene where teens are drinking beer. It's not glorified exactly—some characters are uncomfortable with it, and there are consequences—but it's definitely present. No one gets dangerously drunk or drives under the influence, but underage drinking is shown as a normal part of the teen party scene.

No drug use appears in the film.

The sexual content is pretty tame by modern standards:

Nothing graphic is shown, and the overall approach to relationships is actually pretty healthy—characters talk about consent, communication, and what they want from relationships.

The movie deals with some heavier themes alongside the romance:

These themes are handled with care, and the movie has a generally optimistic, heartwarming tone. But the hospital scenes with the sick mother might be tough for kids who've experienced serious illness in their family.

Let It Snow hits a sweet spot for the teen rom-com genre. The multiple storylines mean there's something for everyone, and the snowy Christmas Eve setting gives it that cozy, magical feel that makes for perfect holiday viewing.

The representation matters here. One of the main storylines centers on a queer romance between two girls, and it's treated as just as important and romantic as the straight relationships. The cast is racially diverse, and the characters feel like actual teenagers rather than 30-year-olds playing teens (looking at you, Riverdale).

The humor is genuinely funny without being mean-spirited, and Joan Cusack's tin foil woman character has become a bit of a cult favorite for being so wonderfully weird.

Ages 14+: This is the sweet spot. Most high schoolers will be fine with the content, and it reflects experiences (parties, relationships, identity questions) that are relevant to their lives.

Ages 12-13: It depends on your kid and your family values. If they've watched other PG-13 rom-coms and you're okay with some language and implied sexual content, they'll probably be fine. The themes about identity and relationships might actually spark good conversations. But if you're strict about language or not ready to discuss sex (even implied), wait a year or two.

Ages 11 and under: Probably skip it. Not because it's traumatizing, but because they'll likely be bored by the relationship drama, and the content is just a bit much for this age group. Stick with The Christmas Chronicles or Klaus for younger kids.

The LGBTQ+ storyline: This is front and center, not a side plot. If you're looking for a holiday movie that includes positive queer representation, this is a good one. The coming-out storyline is handled thoughtfully, showing both the fear and the joy of being honest about who you are.

It's based on a book: If your teen loves the movie, the Let It Snow book by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle offers more depth to the characters. The book is similarly appropriate for the same age range.

The Christmas element is light: This is more "rom-com that happens at Christmas" than "Christmas movie." If you're looking for something that really leans into holiday spirit and family togetherness, this might not scratch that itch. It's more about teen relationships that happen to take place on Christmas Eve.

It's genuinely sweet: Despite the PG-13 content, the overall message is positive. Characters learn to be honest about their feelings, take risks for love, and support their friends. Nobody's cruel or manipulative, and the relationships (both romantic and platonic) are portrayed as important and worth fighting for.

If you watch with your teen (or want to chat after they watch), here are some good jumping-off points:

These questions can open up discussions about identity, risk-taking, peer pressure, and what healthy relationships look like—all without being preachy.

Let It Snow is a solid PG-13 teen rom-com that's appropriate for most high schoolers and mature middle schoolers. Yes, there's language and some sexual content, but it's not gratuitous, and the overall message is sweet and positive. The diverse cast and LGBTQ+ representation are genuinely well done, and the movie manages to be both funny and heartfelt.

If your family is okay with PG-13 content and you're looking for a holiday movie that's more sophisticated than Home Alone but less intense than Die Hard (yes, it's a Christmas movie), this is a good choice.

For more teen-appropriate holiday content, check out teen-friendly Christmas movies or explore coming-of-age movies for teens.