45 Movies to Watch with Tweens & Young Teens

Beth Wood:  Big is the heartwarming story of a 12 year old boy who is turned into a 35 year old man when he makes a wish at a carnival wishing machine. This is one of our family favorites and always gets a good laugh!

Alexandra F.:  This sweet and funny film about a 13-year-old girl who finds herself fast-forwarded 17 years into the future is a perfect movie for tweens that gives perspective about the things that matter most in life - friendship, kindness, and being true to yourself.

Alexandra F.:  Boy, did this movie ever take us by surprise. Made for TV, it is now one of our family's favorite Disney movies ever! The children of all our beloved Disney characters are now in high school, and four “villain kids” get invited to the prep school where the kids of heroes & princes, heroines & princesses attend. Hilarity, and great musical numbers, ensue. This is a trilogy your tweens won’t want to miss (and really, you probably don’t want to miss either).

Kim Dick Fuller:  We showed our kids Napoleon Dynamite last night. Our kids thought it was funny. High School!

Alexandra F.:  This space adventure is another story from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a more humorous spin than most other MCU films, and a seriously awesome 70s inspired soundtrack. This is a good movie for tweens that offers exciting action that is not too intense, funny jokes and banter, and an introduction to a pretty great era of music.

Alexandra F.:  I'll never forget when I first watched this movie with my then 9- and 11-year-olds, and seeing their faces mirror Fred Savage's exactly as they began to hear the love story unfold - wary and more than a little skeptical. Never fear! Though it is indeed a story about true love, it is also filled with adventure, sword fights, giants and pirates. Oh. And R.O.U.S. (Rodents of Unusual Size). This movie is hilarious - your tweens & teens will love it.

Alexandra F.:  You can't miss with either the classic or the newer version of The Karate Kid. A great tween movie about perseverance and standing up to bullies, with some awesome martial arts scenes to top it all off.

Alexandra F.:  Based on the wildly popular children's fantasy books, the Harry Potter films are perhaps best suited as movies for tweens and older kids, as the story grows darker in its later chapters and can be scary for younger viewers. Harry's adventures upon discovering that he is a wizard, and his central role in saving the world from the evil wizard Voldemort, is one beloved by kids and parents alike.

Alexandra F.:  This is a truly enjoyable movies for tweens, teens, young kids and adults alike, with music you will be humming long after the film is over. A unique spin on the classic fairy tale throws a soon-to-be princess into the "real world" in NYC, where her upbeat and optimistic worldview both clashes with and inspires those around her. Tweens will especially enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humor that intentionally flips the traditional princess story on its head.

Alexandra F.:  Incredible animation and creative storytelling set this film apart, making it one of the best movies for tweens even if they are not otherwise familiar with the Spider-Man universe. The feel is like watching a comic book come to life, with a stand-alone superhero story that features multiple incarnations of the webbed crusader from different realities.

Alexandra F.:  Be ready to laugh and cry when you watch this film adaptation of the book by W. Bruce Cameron, which follows a dog through four lifetimes of joy and hardship with various human companions. Touching for viewers of all ages, but perhaps an especially meaningful movie for tweens and up.

Alexandra F.:  This is the movie my tweens watch over and over and over again, and I am usually right there with them! We all love the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but this is everyone's favorite MCU movie, hands down. No need to watch the first two Thor movies either - you will be able to follow along with this action-packed, yet lighthearted and hilarious, superhero film about Thor trying to save his home planet from his evil half sister without the back story. As in many PG13 movies, watch out for a handful of references to adult situations, but these are pretty minimal.

Alexandra F.:  A family favorite for many, the saga of Luke Skywalker now spans nine films, though opinions vary on whether Star Wars fans should start with the original Episode 4 or the more recent Episode 1. Whatever you choose, these are good movies for tweens who are old enough to appreciate the classic depiction of good vs. evil and enjoy the action-packed fighting scenes without feeling scared or overwhelmed.

Alexandra F.:  This is an epic adventure story that spans four action-packed movies. A team of superheroes including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and the Hulk comes together to save the world - and the universe - from destruction again and again. Though there are plenty of intense battle scenes, the violence is not overly gory or graphic and the adult language and references fairly minimal.

Alexandra F.:  Kids were obsessed with this animated movie when it first came out in 2013, and that obsession has carried over to make it (and its sequel) beloved movies for tweens and teens today. A story of self-acceptance and sisterly love, the film is also well known for its awesome songs. As good a movie for 14-year-olds as for 5-year-olds!