Look, I'm not here to give you some precious list of "educational films" that will turn your kid into a Rhodes Scholar. We're talking about movies that actually land with tweens—films that spark something real, whether that's a conversation about identity, a belly laugh, or just that warm feeling of "wow, someone gets it."
The tween years (roughly 9-13) are this wild in-between space where kids are still young enough to believe in magic but old enough to start questioning everything. They're figuring out who they are, who their friends are, and why the world is so complicated. The right movies can be like a mirror, a window, and a door all at once.
So here are 20 films that consistently resonate with this age group—not because they're "important" (ugh), but because they're genuinely good and they give you something to talk about afterward.
1. The Goonies (Ages 10+) The ultimate adventure movie. Yes, it's from 1985. Yes, your tween will still love it. Friendship, treasure hunting, and the radical idea that kids can solve their own problems.
2. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Ages 9+) Visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and the best "you can be a hero" message without being preachy about it. Miles Morales figuring out his powers is basically a metaphor for puberty, but cool.
3. Matilda (Ages 8+) For every kid who's ever felt misunderstood or underestimated. Also: telekinesis as wish fulfillment is chef's kiss.
4. The Princess Bride (Ages 9+) Sword fights, true love, ROUSes, and the most quotable dialogue in cinema history. This movie works on every level and never gets old.
5. Coco (Ages 8+) Death, family, memory, and music. Pixar at its absolute best. Have tissues ready. This one opens up amazing conversations about how we honor people we've lost.
6. Hidden Figures (Ages 10+) Math is cool. Black women are brilliant. History is more complicated than your textbook says. This movie delivers all of that without feeling like homework.
7. Paddington 2 (Ages 7+) Genuinely one of the most delightful films ever made. Kindness as a superpower, found family, and Hugh Grant chewing scenery as a villain. Perfection.
8. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Ages 9+) Spielberg's masterpiece about friendship, loneliness, and saying goodbye. Still hits hard. Still makes you cry. Still worth it.
9. Encanto (Ages 8+) Family expectations, generational trauma, and the pressure to be perfect—all wrapped in gorgeous animation and Lin-Manuel Miranda bangers. Your tween is probably already singing "We Don't Talk About Bruno."
10. The Iron Giant (Ages 9+) "You are who you choose to be." A boy and his giant robot, Cold War paranoia, and one of the most beautiful endings in animation. Criminally underrated.
11. Bend It Like Beckham (Ages 11+) Cultural expectations, following your dreams, and soccer. Great for conversations about identity, family pressure, and finding your own path.
12. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Ages 11+) A foster kid and his grumpy uncle go on the run in the New Zealand bush. Funny, heartfelt, and genuinely moving. Taika Waititi magic before he was a household name.
13. The Mitchells vs. The Machines (Ages 9+) A chaotic family road trip meets robot apocalypse. Also: the most accurate depiction of a creative, chronically-online teen I've ever seen. Great for talking about family dynamics and screen time (ironically).
14. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Ages 12+) Yes, Ferris is kind of a sociopath. But this movie is a love letter to friendship, seizing the day, and Chicago. Perfect for older tweens ready for something a bit more sophisticated.
15. Akeelah and the Bee (Ages 9+) A spelling bee movie that's actually about community, mentorship, and believing in yourself. Laurence Fishburne is wonderful. Your kid will want to learn big words afterward.
16. My Neighbor Totoro (Ages 7+) Studio Ghibli's gentle masterpiece. Two sisters, a sick mom, and forest spirits. Nothing explodes. It's just beautiful and comforting and perfect.
17. School of Rock (Ages 10+) Jack Black at his most Jack Black. A love letter to music, teaching, and being yourself. Also: stick it to the man.
18. Holes (Ages 10+) The rare movie that's as good as the book. Friendship, injustice, curses, and digging holes in the desert. Weirdly compelling and surprisingly deep.
19. Big Hero 6 (Ages 8+) Grief, robotics, and a marshmallow-shaped healthcare companion. This movie handles loss better than most "serious" films and still manages to be fun.
20. The Parent Trap (Ages 9+) The 1998 Lindsay Lohan version, obviously. Twins, summer camp, elaborate schemes. Pure comfort food cinema that also works as a conversation starter about divorce and family.
These aren't just "good movies for kids." They're films that respect tweens' intelligence while meeting them where they are emotionally. They feature characters who are figuring things out, making mistakes, and growing—which is exactly what your tween is doing.
The best part? These movies give you something to talk about that isn't "how was school?" (fine) or "did you do your homework?" (yes/no/later). You can ask: "Would you have gone into the cave like the Goonies?" or "What would your family's magic gifts be?" or "Do you think Ferris was a good friend to Cameron?"
Yeah, I know. Where's Harry Potter? Where's Star Wars? Where's The Karate Kid?
Those are great too. This list isn't exhaustive—it's a starting point. These are films that consistently work across different types of kids: the sports kid, the artsy kid, the shy kid, the loud kid. They're accessible, they're rewatchable, and they hold up.
If your tween has already seen most of these, great! You can explore alternatives to popular tween movies or dig into more specific genres
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You know your kid. Some 9-year-olds can handle Ferris Bueller's mild language and themes. Some 12-year-olds will find E.T. too intense. The ages I've listed are suggestions based on content and emotional maturity, not hard limits.
Common Sense Media has detailed reviews if you want to know exactly what's in each film. Or just ask about specific content concerns for any of these movies.
Movie nights are one of the easiest, most enjoyable ways to connect with your tween. You're sitting together, experiencing the same story, feeling the same feelings. And unlike scrolling TikTok or playing Roblox, movies have a beginning, middle, and end—and then you can talk about them.
These 20 films are a solid foundation. They're not going to solve all your parenting challenges or magically make your tween more communicative. But they might give you a shared language, some inside jokes, and a few hours of quality time that doesn't involve nagging anyone about screen time.
And honestly? That's worth it.
Start with what they're interested in. Sports kid? Try Bend It Like Beckham. Loves drawing? The Mitchells vs. The Machines. Obsessed with animals? My Neighbor Totoro.
Make it a ritual. Friday night movie nights, Sunday afternoon classics, whatever works for your family. Consistency matters more than perfection.
Actually talk about it afterward. Not in a "what's the moral of the story" way, but genuinely: What did you think? What was your favorite part? Would you want to be friends with that character?
And if your tween says "that was boring" or "old movies are weird"? That's fine. Not every movie will land. But keep trying. One of these will click, and when it does, you'll have given them something they'll remember forever.
Want more personalized recommendations based on what your tween already loves? Chat with Screenwise about your specific kid and their interests.