If you want to share favorite movies from decades past with your tween or teen, without them rolling their eyes or you frantically diving for the remote to hit pause during a scene you completely forgot was so not okay, we’ve got you covered.
These seven nostalgic picks include MPA ratings, content warnings, and why tweens and teens will love them — so you can enjoy family movie night without surprises.
MPA rating: PG
Who it’s good for: 8+
Where to watch: Disney+, Prime Video, Fandango, Apple TV, AMC+, Roku, Google Play
Why you’ll both love it: This outlandish satirical fairy tale will have the whole family laughing, swooning, and cheering. It features likeable characters, strong role models, and positive messages of courage, integrity, and teamwork.
Content warnings: Princess Buttercup is a powerless female, so younger kids might need help understanding the satire. Adults drink, occasionally swear, and there’s a reference to “perfect breasts.” Violence is frequent, but it’s mostly played for laughs, and the fairy tale tone dampens it a bit.
MPA rating: PG-13
Who it’s good for: 9+
Where to watch: Hulu, Prime Video, Sling, Fubo, Apple TV
Why you’ll both love it: This over-the-top intergalactic romp will have the whole family in stitches. Kids will love the gross-out aliens, while parents will appreciate the clever writing and positive role models.
Content warnings: More sensitive kids might find the aliens scary. There’s a ton of violence, but it’s very campy and cartoonish. Frequent swearing.
MPA rating: PG-13
Who it’s good for: 10+
Where to watch: Peacock, Sling, Apple TV, TNT, Paramount+, Roku, Google Play, Fandango
Why you’ll both love it: This comedy is a fun way to expose kids to classic rock and features positive messages about teamwork, following your passion, and believing in yourself.
Content warnings:
Occasional strong language (including “slut”). Adult characters smoke and drink at rock concerts, and there’s mention of “getting wasted.”
MPA rating: PG
Who it’s good for: 10+
Where to watch: Hulu, HBO Max, Roku, Google Play, Disney+, Prime Video, Fandango, Apple TV
Why you’ll both love it: Napoleon Dynamite and his quirky band of misfits celebrate nonconformity and embracing differences. The offbeat humor and deadpan jokes are great for laughs.
Content warnings: Characters insult each other, including multiple instances of the R-word. A Mexican teen faces prejudice. Napoleon’s uncle sells breast enhancement supplements.
MPA rating: PG-13
Who it’s good for: 13+
Where to watch: Hulu, Prime Video, Google Play, Fandango, Disney+, Apple TV
Why you’ll both love it: 10 Things I Hate About You is a fun, feminist retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, packaged in a classic teen romcom. It features strong female role models and positive messages about resisting peer pressure and staying true to yourself.
Content warnings: Quite a few sexual references and discussions of teenage sexual experiences, but nothing is shown. Underage drinking and smoking at a party, with a brief reference to teenage drug use.
MPA rating: PG-13
Who it’s good for: 13+
Where to watch: Pluto, HBO MAX, Apple TV, Roku, Prime Video, Google Play, Fandango, Netflix
Why you’ll both love it: Hoop Dreams is a powerful documentary that sheds light on race and class in urban America. It doesn’t shy away from tough subjects as the two young men it follows open up about poverty, violence, urban blight, and teenage pregnancy. This honest portrayal opens the door for families to have important discussions.
Content warnings: Drug use is discussed, and neighborhood drug dealers are shown, but substance use isn’t glorified. There’s some locker room profanity and music with strong lyrics.
MPA rating: PG-13
Who it’s good for: 15+
Where to watch: Prime Video, Fandango, Google Play, Apple TV
Why you’ll both love it: This sweet, funny coming-of-age movie shows a realistic depiction of teen life. While your kiddo might be baffled by the pagers and boomboxes, they’ll relate to the timeless themes of love, authenticity, and the struggle to stay true to yourself.
Content warnings: Teens make out and have sex; although the sex isn’t explicit, it’s discussed in detail afterward. Underage drinking is depicted, but avoiding drunk driving is emphasized. Some swearing.
Some of the best 90s family movies to rewatch with kids include The Princess Bride, Men in Black, and 10 Things I Hate About You. They combine humor, adventure, and positive role models.
Yes. Many 2000s family movies like School of Rock and Napoleon Dynamite are still great choices. Parents should check content warnings for language, mature themes, or outdated jokes. Use parental controls on streaming platforms, such as Netflix, to set guardrails around what your child watches.
Movies like School of Rock (ages 10+) and Napoleon Dynamite (ages 10+) are great for tweens because they feature relatable characters, positive themes, and humor kids enjoy.
Preview ratings and content warnings, set viewing guidelines, and use tools like BrightCanary to supervise what your child watches on their own.
The films on this list are great for family movie night, but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on what your tweens and teens watch on their own, too. BrightCanary helps supervise your child’s online activity, offering AI-powered alerts for inappropriate content on Apple devices, YouTube, Google, and social media. Download today to get started.
