Rating: PG
Best for: Ages 7-14
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes

This prequel to the 2019 Lion King remake tells Mufasa's origin story, and it's genuinely better than it has any right to be. Director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) brings actual emotional depth to what could've been a cash-grab Disney sequel, and the photorealistic animation is stunning enough to keep even skeptical tweens engaged.

The Good: The story explores themes of found family, leadership, and overcoming prejudice in ways that actually resonate. Tweens who grew up on the original Lion King will appreciate the backstory, while younger kids just get a solid adventure tale. The music (Lin-Manuel Miranda) is catchy without being annoying, which is saying something.

Watch Out For: There are some intense predator-prey sequences that might be too much for sensitive 7-year-olds, though nothing worse than the original film. Also, at nearly 2 hours, it's long—pack snacks or hit the bathroom before it starts.

Parent Verdict: This is your top choice if you want something that won't make you want to claw your eyes out while still being genuinely appropriate and engaging for kids. It's the rare Disney sequel that feels like it has something to say beyond "please buy more merchandise."

Rating: PG
Best for: Ages 8-13
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes

The third installment of the surprisingly decent Sonic franchise introduces Shadow the Hedgehog (voiced by Keanu Reeves, because of course), and it's exactly what you expect: fast-paced action, Jim Carrey hamming it up as Dr. Robotnik, and enough video game references to keep kids who play Roblox and Fortnite entertained.

The Good: It's fun. Like, genuinely fun. The action sequences are creative, the humor lands more often than it misses, and there's actual character development. If your kid has played any Sonic games or watched the previous movies, they'll be invested. Plus, at under 2 hours, it doesn't overstay its welcome.

Watch Out For: Some mild cartoon violence and a few bathroom humor jokes that'll have your 9-year-old cackling while you pretend not to notice. There's also a subplot about revenge and loss that gets surprisingly dark for a Sonic movie, though nothing traumatizing.

Parent Verdict: This is your pick if you want maximum entertainment value with minimal thinking required. It's a solid popcorn movie that won't insult your intelligence too much while keeping kids thoroughly engaged. Bonus: if you have younger kids (5-7), they can probably handle this one too.

Here's where it gets tricky. Several PG-13 movies are in theaters right now, but "PG-13" is doing a LOT of heavy lifting as a rating category.

Wait, didn't we just cover this? Here's the deal: Sonic 3 is technically PG, but it pushes that rating pretty hard. Some theaters are listing it as PG-13 depending on the cut. Either way, it's fine for most tweens 10+.

A Complete Unknown (the Bob Dylan biopic with Timothée Chalamet) is PG-13 and technically "appropriate" for tweens in terms of content—no graphic violence, minimal language, brief romance. But let's be real: this is a 2+ hour slow-burn character study about a 1960s folk musician.

Unless your tween is a genuine music history buff or a die-hard Timothée fan, they're going to be bored out of their minds. This is the movie you see with your teenager who's taking AP US History and actually reads for fun, not your average 11-year-old who just wants to see things explode.

That said: If you DO have a kid who's into music, songwriting, or that whole era, this could be a genuinely cool experience. The performances are excellent, and it's a good conversation starter about artistic integrity, fame, and cultural movements. Just know what you're getting into.

This is rated R for a reason. It's a gothic horror remake that's genuinely unsettling, with sexual content and disturbing imagery. I don't care if your tween "loves horror movies" or "has seen worse on YouTube"—this isn't it. Save it for your own date night.

Several movies from earlier in December are still in limited release (Wicked, Moana 2), and while they're great options, they're not technically "new" for this specific holiday week. If you haven't seen them yet, though, both are solid choices for tweens—Wicked skews older (10+) while Moana 2 works for the whole 6-14 range.

Ages 7-9:
Mufasa is your best bet. It's got enough action to keep them engaged but won't give them nightmares. Sonic 3 works if they're on the mature side and have seen the previous films.

Ages 10-12:
Both Mufasa and Sonic 3 are solid. If they're into music or history, A Complete Unknown could work, but preview the runtime and subject matter with them first. This is also a great age to revisit Moana 2 if you missed it earlier.

Ages 13+:
All of the above, plus A Complete Unknown becomes more viable if they have the attention span for it. This is also the age where you can start having real conversations about film as art versus entertainment—why does a Bob Dylan biopic look so different from a Sonic movie? What makes a movie "good" beyond just being fun?

Theater Etiquette Refresher: Post-pandemic, theater behavior has gotten... interesting. Before you go, have a quick conversation about phone use (off or silent, no scrolling during the movie), talking volume, and respecting other people's space. I know it's obvious, but you'd be surprised.

Snack Strategy: Theater concessions are highway robbery, and tweens eat like locusts. Either sneak in snacks (I didn't tell you that) or set a clear budget before you get there. Nothing kills a fun outing faster than a $40 argument over whether they really need both candy AND popcorn.

The Friend Factor: If your tween wants to bring a friend, make sure you're clear on who's paying for what, drop-off/pick-up logistics, and phone check-in expectations. Also, sitting a few rows away while still being in the same theater is the sweet spot for this age—close enough to supervise, far enough away to not embarrass them.

This holiday week is actually pretty solid for tween-appropriate theater options. Mufasa is your best all-around choice for quality storytelling that won't bore parents, while Sonic 3 wins for pure entertainment value.

Skip Nosferatu unless you're going without kids, and only attempt A Complete Unknown if you're confident your tween has the interest level and attention span for a prestige biopic.

And if all else fails? There's always the "let's just stay home and watch Bluey for the 47th time" option. No judgment here—sometimes that's exactly what everyone needs.

Want more recommendations? Check out our guides to best movies for tweens or alternatives to mainstream blockbusters.