Best family movies about teens

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Being a teen is an intense time, a rollercoaster of emotions and change. Movies about teens is a great way to help teenagers understand what is going on with themselves as well as helping others in the family to understand their point of view as well.

I’ve ordered 17 of the best movies about teens from most recent to oldest and have included their age rating, length and IMDb rating for your convenience. I’ve also included what streaming platforms they are on in the UK.

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Best family movies about teens

Inside Out 2 (2024), U, 1h 36m, 7.7 IMDb, Disney +

A sequel that features Riley entering puberty and experiencing brand new, more complex emotions as a result. As Riley tries to adapt to her teenage years, her old emotions try to adapt to the possibility of being replaced.

We recently watched Inside Out 2 as a family and all thought it was fantastic. Not only was it a very enjoyable thing but it was such a great way for us all to understand what my 13 year old is going through emotionally right now. I think it helped him be less hard on himself and feel more understood too.

The first Inside Out is also well worth a watch too from the perspective of understanding mental health.

You can watch many great films and TV shows on Amazon prime video with a FREE 30 day trial here (affiliate link). 

Turning Red (2022), PG, 1h 40m, 7 IMDb, Disney +

This one is particularly great for girls going through puberty.

A thirteen-year-old girl named Mei Lee is torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the changes of adolescence. And as if the challenges were not enough, whenever she gets overly excited she transforms into a giant red panda.

Moxie (2021), 12, 1h 51m, IMDb 6.7, Netflix

A great movie about teen girls in particular. Moxie is a feminist film directed by (and starring) Amy Poehler. Inspired by her mom’s rebellious past and a confident new friend, a shy 16-year-old publishes an anonymous zine calling out sexism at her school.

Although this is about a 16 year old I think younger tween girls who have started secondary school will already recognise a lot of these issues.

You can watch many great films and TV shows on Amazon prime video with a FREE 30 day trial here (affiliate link). 

Eighth Grade (2018), 15, 1h 33m, IMDb 7.4, Prime Video

One for the teens, this is rated 15 so proceed with caution.

In his feature film directorial debut, comedian Bo Burnham deftly encapsulates the awkwardness, angst, self-loathing and reinvention that a teenage girl goes through on the cusp of high school. 

The Florida Project (2017), 15, 1h 51m, IMDb 7.6, 4 on demand

Set over one summer, the film follows precocious six-year-old Moonee as she courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother, all while living in the shadows of Walt Disney World. Starring Willem Dafoe.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014), PG 1h 21m, IMDb 6.2, Disney +

Alexander’s day begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by more calamities. However, he finds little sympathy from his family and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him, his mom, dad, brother and sister – who all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

A good one if your teen is feeling like everything keeps going wrong for them.

The Way Way Back (2013), 12, 1h 43m, IMDb 7.4, Prime Video

Shy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend’s daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park.

Stars some big names like Toni Collette, Maya Rudolph, Steve Carrell, Sam Rockwell. As you’ll see in the trailer, there’s some inappropriate scenes where men ogle girls so be prepared to pause to discuss why that is no longer acceptable (and why it never was in the first place!).

Juno (2007), 12, 1h 36m, IMDb 7.4, Disney +

Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes a selfless decision regarding the unborn child.

13 Going on 30 (2004), 12, 1h 38m, 6.8 IMDb, Prime Video

Unpopular schoolgirl Jenna Rink makes an unusual wish on her birthday. Miraculously, her wish comes true and the 13-year-old Jenna wakes up the next day as a 30-year-old woman.

Mean Girls (2004), 12, 1h 37m, 7.1 IMDb, Prime Video

Cady Heron is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George.

You can watch many great films and TV shows on Amazon prime video with a FREE 30 day trial here (affiliate link). 

Freaky Friday (2003), PG, 1h 37m, IMDb 6.3, Disney +

The wide generation gap between Tess Coleman and her teenage daughter Anna is more than evident. They simply cannot understand each other’s preferences. On a Thursday night they have a big argument in a Chinese restaurant. Both receive a fortune cookie each from the restaurant owner’s mother which causes them to switch bodies next day. As they adjust with their new personalities, they begin to understand each other more…

Perhaps a good one if you and your teen are feeling disconnected!

The Harry Potter films (2001-2011), 12, IMDB 7.4-8.1, Netflix

Every year we rewatch all the Harry Potter films in order and they do a great job of showing some of the issues the kids face as they go from from starting to finishing secondary school at Hogwarts from being little kids dealing with school work to older teens dealing with issues of romance and loss.

Billy Elliot (2000), 15, 1h 50m, IMDb 7.7, Netflix

A talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.

Dead Poets Society (1989), PG, 2h 8m, 8.1 IMDb, Disney +

Maverick teacher John Keating returns in 1959 to the prestigious New England boys’ boarding school where he was once a star student, using poetry to embolden his pupils to new heights of self-expression. Trigger warning/spoiler alert for suicide.

Captain, oh captain.

Big (1988), 12, 1h 44m, IMDb 7.3, Disney +

After wishing to be made big, a teenage boy wakes the next morning to find himself mysteriously in the body of an adult. Warning there is one adult scene. A cult classic that covers issues of wanting to be a grown up but not quite being there yet!

Stand by Me (1986), 15, 1h 29m, IMDb 8.1, Netflix

Cult classic coming of age film where a writer recounts a childhood journey with his friends to find the body of a missing boy. 15 rated so be careful with this one, there is grown up themes, language and some violence.

The Breakfast Club (1985), 15, 1h 37m, 7.8 IMDb, Prime Video and ITV

Five high school students meet in Saturday detention and discover how they have a great deal more in common than they thought.

You can watch many great films and TV shows on Amazon prime video with a FREE 30 day trial here (affiliate link). 

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