If you’re like many families, there’s a movie night in your future. Multiple ages can make family movie night tough, but here are some movies teens need. These may not be appropriate for your teen or younger students; parental discretion is advised.
While some of our families are used to more adult content, some are not. So we always advise looking at movie trailers and reviews using sources such as Common Sense Media, or ask a friend with similar values if they think the content is appropriate for your specific brood.
In this article, we’ll explore why we chose these films and what questions you can ask yourself as you plan for a summer of family movie nights.
- What themes do teens need to talk about with parents after a movie?
- Why are specific movies more hepful than others?
- What can you take away from movies even if they have some content you’ve not typically allowed your teen to watch or listen to?
Movies teens want and movies teens need aren’t always the same; here are a few reasons why.
Photo by Kevin Woblick on Unsplash
Movies Teens Want
Movies teens want vary widely depending on what each individual enjoys; if your teen’s into superheroes and heists, he or she may enjoy the latest Marvel movie, franchise from a comic book storyline or the latest whodunit from an author who sold the rights from their favorite book to a Hollywood production company.
It’s important to listen to what movies teens want because they may have redemptive value and help bring up terrific conversations if you watch them as a family. Not every movie will be a shining example of truth and purity, but many will contain aspects that spark thought-provoking conversations.
Movies Teens Need
Ideally, we’d all be capable of merging the kinds of movie content our kids and teens are into right now with valuable themes worth watching and discussing. However, that’s not always reality. But there are some themes that you can discuss with your teens (and when appropriate, younger students) based on movies of any genre. These themes are important because they help students think about what’s happening around them and decide what they want to internalize, how they view the world and their own values and beliefs.
1. Support, Love, and Friendship
We group these themes together because they often begin with one or the other. Too often, teens mistake love with what they most need: support and friendship. Learning the difference and learning how to decipher what they’re really searching for can give them insight into their own mental health, how to respond appropriately in new situations, and how to recognize relational red flags.
2. Self-advocacy & Self-expression
As parents, it can be difficult to let go of the advocacy role we’ve played in a child’s life as they grow into adulthood. But it’s paramount that teens and young adults learn how to advocate for themselves, in which scenarios it’s good and appropriate to stand up for themselves or others, and how to express themselves in respectful ways in various contexts.
3. Culture, Civics & Lifestyle
These may seem like broad topics, but they’re bound up in the idea that when a teen can view what’s going on around him through the lens of “Why is this considered normal?” he’s much more equipped to make decisions based on his own values and goals rather than simply doing what is expected. This applies to understanding his or her own rights and the ability to appeal what’s going on at local, state and national levels, and it also applies to what happens in college, in the workplace and their community.
Movies Teens May Need on Family Movie Night
Here are some of our recommendations for movies that your family might find appropriate and excellent conversation starters. Remember that not every family has the same media guidelines, so always check these against how your family operates, the ages of each family member and what your kids might be sensitive to that others aren’t.
- Enola Holmes franchise: This is a series of three movies (the third of which is still in production) that can spark lively conversations about empowerment, family and society roles, and self-expression.
- Instant Family: Based on one family’s experience in foster care, this film addresses topics like teens and independence, stereotypes, foster care, and recognizing family patterns.
- Codegirl: Described by Common Sense Media as “a 2015 documentary that focuses on a tech competition designed to foster the intellectual and economic empowerment of girls,” this is an opportunity to talk about the difference between a documentary and a film, stereotypes, and tech careers and how they’ve changed. This is an excellent documentary to watch in comparison to the 2016 film Hidden Figures. A docudrama that may inspire young scientists is Science Fair.
- Modern period movies like Emma, Kate & Leopold, The Kid Who Would Be King, and Little Women help families discuss the cultural expectations of today compared to the past. You can also talk about romance and friendship, long-suffering and bullying, and marital expectations with older teens.
- The King’s Speech is an excellent film for anyone who’s struggling with being themselves and embracing what they may view as limitations; however, it’s recommended for older teens (14 and up).
- Thinking through the catalog of movies you may have watched as a teen can conjure up new ideas; however, keep in mind that family standards have changed significantly and there may be elements you’re not comfortable talking about yet with children or younger adolescents. Some of these could include Back to the Future, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Goonies and Pretty in Pink. The last one on this list, a John Hughes film, is one to watch only with older teens when you’re ready to discuss themes of absentee parenting, family breakdown, and how teens cope with the pressures to fit in with peers today versus yesterday. Read the full review here.
- Dead Poet’s Society and Dumplin are worth exploring because they deal sensitively with themes of fitting in, suicide awareness, and cultural stereotypes. Teens and parents can talk about how they’ve seen similar themes in their own growing-up years.
Movies to Watch with Multiple Age Groups
While every family has different restrictions or limits for their kids and teens, we generally do not recommend any movies on this list or the previous one without in-depth parent research that reflects your individual values. We recognize that it can be difficult to get students to do summer review or to compromise on a family movie night, though.
So, here are a few ways to tackle both at the same time.
Try to pair a family read-aloud with its corresponding movie or series. Some of the books that families who attend Learnwell have enjoyed in the past include “Anne of Green Gables,” “Becoming Jane” paired with a Jane Austen novel (for older students), “The Lemonade War,” and a short film series based on the book, or “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry and its movie adaptation.
We hope you and your family find movies that help spark conversations, drawing you together.
Do you want other summer family night ideas?
Check out our Pinterest page for more options, such as skits and games to help with public speaking or summer bucket list ideas. Learnwell Collective offers two formats to look at education through a different lens: a homeschooling format where parents receive the coaching and support they need, and a hybrid school format where students’ mental health, individualized educational support and community are highly valued. Find out more about both options here. To get to know us deeply, consider signing up for a parent preview night (Discover Learnwell) or request information about how we support 100% homeschooling families in grades K-7th.
Learnwell Collective does not officially endorse any of these as recommendations. Instead, we leave the content recommendations to families to make based on what works best for them.