Ages 12+

This isn't just a superhero movie—it's a masterclass in visual storytelling. The animation style alone is worth the watch, but the story about Miles figuring out his own path while everyone tells him what he "should" do? That's the most teenage thing ever. The action sequences are intense but not gratuitously violent, and the emotional beats hit hard without being manipulative.

Parent note: Some intense action and a cliffhanger ending that will make your teen immediately want to watch the next one (which isn't out yet—you've been warned).

Ages 13+

Hayao Miyazaki's latest is weird, beautiful, and deeply emotional. It's about grief, growing up, and finding your place in a world that doesn't make sense—wrapped in fantasy imagery that will stick with you. This isn't a "fun" movie in the traditional sense, but it's the kind of film that sparks real conversations.

Parent note: Classic Miyazaki means some dark imagery and themes of death/loss. Also, it's deliberately confusing at times—that's a feature, not a bug.

Ages 14+

Set in the 1970s at a New England prep school, this follows a curmudgeonly teacher, a grieving cook, and a smart-mouthed student stuck together over Christmas break. It's funny and heartbreaking, with the kind of character development you rarely see. Paul Giamatti is phenomenal, but the teen actor (Dominic Sessa) holds his own.

Parent note: Some drinking, language (nothing your teen hasn't heard), and themes of grief. The R rating is mild by today's standards—this would've been PG-13 in the 90s.

Ages 11+

The Judy Blume adaptation we've been waiting for. It's specifically about a sixth-grade girl navigating puberty, religion, and friendship in the 1970s, but the themes are timeless. This is particularly great for younger teens (or preteens) who are in that awkward phase of figuring out who they are.

Parent note: Deals frankly with menstruation, bra shopping, and religious questioning. If you're uncomfortable with honest conversations about bodies, this might not be for you—but maybe that's exactly why you should watch it together.

Ages 13+

Denis Villeneuve's sequel is even better than the first. It's a massive sci-fi epic about power, religion, colonialism, and destiny—with stunning visuals and incredible performances. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya give their characters real depth, and the action sequences are genuinely breathtaking.

Parent note: Some intense violence (desert warfare, knife fights) and complex themes about religious manipulation and political power. Great for teens who can handle moral ambiguity.

Ages 15+

Christopher Nolan's three-hour biopic about the father of the atomic bomb is dense, challenging, and completely engrossing. It's not "fun," but it's important—a film about the consequences of scientific achievement and the weight of moral responsibility. If your teen is into history, science, or just wants to feel intellectually stimulated, this delivers.

Parent note: The R rating is for brief sexuality and some language. The real challenge is the runtime and pacing—this demands attention and patience.

Ages 12+

Yeah, the Barbie movie. Hear me out. Greta Gerwig made something genuinely smart here—a comedy that's also a cultural commentary on gender, identity, and what it means to be human. It's funnier than it has any right to be, the production design is incredible, and it sparked more family discussions about feminism and patriarchy than any documentary could.

Parent note: Some innuendo that will go over younger kids' heads but teens will catch. Also, be prepared for your teen to have opinions about the ending.

Ages 14+

A quiet, beautiful film about two childhood friends who reconnect as adults after being separated for decades. It's about the roads not taken, the lives we might have lived, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. This is for teens who are ready for slower, more contemplative storytelling.

Parent note: PG-13, minimal content concerns. The "issue" is that it's slow and subtle—if your teen needs constant action, they'll be bored. But if they're ready for something more mature and reflective, this is stunning.

Ages 15+

An absurdist comedy about two unpopular queer girls who start a fight club to meet cheerleaders. It's ridiculous, self-aware, and genuinely hilarious. The humor is very Gen Z—fast-paced, irreverent, and not worried about being "realistic."

Parent note: R-rated for language, sexual content, and violence (all played for comedy). This is definitely for older teens who can appreciate satire.

Ages 13+

A mockumentary about a struggling theater camp for kids. If your teen has ever been involved in drama or musical theater, this will feel painfully accurate. Even if they haven't, it's a sweet, funny film about passionate weirdos doing what they love.

Parent note: PG-13 for some language and mild innuendo. Generally wholesome despite the mockumentary format.

Ages 10+ (Netflix)

An animated family road trip movie that becomes a robot apocalypse story. It's about a creative daughter and her tech-challenged dad trying to connect, with gorgeous animation and genuinely funny jokes about our relationship with technology. Somehow it manages to be both a silly comedy and an emotional story about family.

Ages 13+ (Netflix)

Rian Johnson's sequel to Knives Out is a blast—a murder mystery set on a tech billionaire's private island with an ensemble cast having the time of their lives. It's smart, funny, and rewards paying attention to details.

Parent note: PG-13 for language and some violence (it's a murder mystery, after all). Great for teens who like puzzles and clever plotting.

Ages 11+ (Netflix)

An animated film about a shapeshifting teen who teams up with a disgraced knight. It's funny, action-packed, and sneakily about acceptance, found family, and questioning authority. The LGBTQ+ representation is casual and integrated into the story rather than being The Point of the story.

For 11-13 year olds: Focus on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, The Mitchells vs. The Machines, and Barbie. These handle teen themes without heavy content.

For 14-15 year olds: Add The Holdovers, Past Lives, Dune: Part Two, and Glass Onion. These introduce more complex themes and some mature content.

For 16+: Everything's on the table, including Oppenheimer and Bottoms. At this age, focus on films that challenge them intellectually and emotionally.

Ratings aren't everything. The Holdovers is R-rated but gentler than many PG-13 action movies. Meanwhile, Dune: Part Two is PG-13 but deals with some heavy themes about religious fanaticism and political manipulation.

Watch together when possible. Not in a "monitoring" way, but because these movies are actually worth your time too. The post-movie conversation is often more valuable than the movie itself.

Let them choose. Your teen knows what they're in the mood for better than you do. Offer options, but don't force Oppenheimer on a kid who just wants to watch Spider-Man for the third time.

Different teens need different things. Some 13-year-olds are ready for The Holdovers, others aren't ready until 15. You know your kid—trust your judgment over arbitrary age ratings.

The best teen movies right now don't pander or preach—they tell good stories that happen to feature themes relevant to teenage life. Whether it's Spider-Man dealing with expectations, Barbie questioning identity, or The Holdovers exploring loneliness and connection, these films treat teens with respect.

And honestly? Most of these are better than whatever's trending on TikTok right now. Not that I'm judging. Okay, maybe a little.

If you want to explore more movies for teens or dive into age-appropriate content recommendations, Screenwise can help you find exactly what works for your family.