So, your teen has outgrown Disney movies, and deciding what to watch on family movie night has become a difficult task. Don’t worry – I’ve got you back on some of the greatest teen movies to assist them in getting through those difficult adolescent years while also entertaining Mom. So, what are the best movies for your teen to watch?
Rebellion, love, competitiveness, rivalry, crime, relationships, betrayal, friendships, action, and many more themes are trendy in teen films. These are specific topics because they are prevalent during development. Certain characters are essential in your traditional high school adolescent flick.
Drama is part of being a teenager. But, as these intriguing movies indicate, they also deliver humor, romance, and more than a touch of mystery. You will find that you may even enjoy these movies while bonding with your kid on a movie night. So, while the popcorn is popping, here are the best movies to consider.
The Best Movies for 13 to 15-Year-Olds
A teen protagonist is ideal since they are simple to sympathize with. What I would like to do, apart from explaining the plot and why the movies are just incredible, is explain what valuable lessons each movie themes. It’s important to know what life skills you are absorbing as you get carried away by the plot.
With that said, starting with The Hunger Games, here is the list:
1. The Hunger Games – 2012
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The Hunger Games movies have captivated millions of teens, as well as a large number of adults who have been drawn in by Suzanne Collins’ dystopian novel series.
The spectacle of a group of adolescents battling to the death in a state-sponsored gladiatorial tournament isn’t precisely amusing, and it might be outrageously voyeuristic if done incorrectly. However, the movies are well-crafted, and Katniss, the teenage heroine, is a winning blend of bravery, vulnerability, brilliance, and flaws.
The Capitol of Panem, in what was formerly North America, keeps its control on its 12 districts by compelling them to choose a boy and a girl, known as Tributes, to compete in a nationally broadcast event known as the Hunger Games. Every person must watch the youth as they battle to the death until only one is left.
In a world where she must choose between survival and love, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has nothing to rely on save her hunting skills and sharp senses.
The Hunger Games reminds us that adolescence is a battleground as well, and it helps if you can put yourself in your children’s shoes and look around. Because, like Katniss, children have no option but to feel and act the way they do.
The Hunger Games have three sequels to enjoy that are sure to keep you and your teens at the edge of your seats!
2. Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle – 2017
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The tables are reversed in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, when four detention-bound youths are dragged into the realm of Jumanji, they are forced into the game’s jungle environment, into the bodies of their avatars, played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan, when they uncover an outdated video game system with a game they’ve never heard of.
They find that you don’t simply play Jumanji; Jumanji plays you. They’ll have to embark on the most challenging journey of their lives, or they’ll be trapped in the game indefinitely.
“Welcome to the Jungle” is surprising not because of what it shows but because of how sincere it is in doing so. You get the idea that the actors and crew of the film genuinely care about their roles. The speech and tics of the characters are authentic. The performance is excellent, and the direction and editing are simple.
The narrative has some suitable lessons, such as collaboration, overcoming preconceptions, and camaraderie. I’d stick to the classification and say it’s appropriate for teenagers aged 13 and up. Overall, the movie is a lighthearted, amusing comedy that families with older children enjoy.
3. Spider-Man: Far From Home – 2019
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Tom Holland is the optimum Spider-Man there is. Spider-Man has always struck me as a geeky adolescent, which makes him appealing to the teen and tween demographic. It is one that kids and adolescents will want to watch since it’s simple to see him as a buddy.
Thankfully, Spider-Man: Far From Home didn’t have nearly as much profanity as Avengers: Endgame. The violence was on pace with other Marvel films, although there was some mature content and a few crude jokes.
When Nick Fury comes up in Peter Parker’s hotel room to enlist him for a mission, his calm European vacation takes an unexpected turn. The planet is in peril when four giant elemental animals emerge from a hole in the cosmos, each symbolizing Earth, air, water, and fire.
Parker quickly dons the Spider-Man costume to assist Fury and fellow superhero Mysterio in stopping the evil creatures from spreading devastation throughout the continent.
Peter wants to be a typical adolescent, traveling and falling in love with a girl, but his life has a greater purpose, as we see in the film. It’s the same as trying to fit into someone else’s goal or vision, but your call is more significant and will save millions of lives, and of course, with great power comes great responsibility.
4. Five Feet Apart – 2019
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Finally, something with a bit less action! Five Feet Apart exceeded my expectations, having far more heart, creative beauty, and adventure than many of the romance/dramas I’ve watched.
The strong selling qualities for this picture were the outstanding cast, character utilization, and surprises in terms of comedy and narrative.
Stella, a girl with cystic fibrosis, spends most of her time in the hospital. Her life is full of rituals, limits, and self-control, all of which are put to the test when she meets Will, a lovely kid who suffers from the same ailment. There’s an instant attraction, but they have to keep a safe distance between them due to the constraints.
The urge to throw the rules out the window and accept their attraction grows as their connection grows stronger. This film raises awareness of cystic fibrosis and those who suffer from it.
It demonstrates how those suffering from cystic fibrosis are regular people who go about their daily lives and that their affliction does not define them as individuals. “Five Feet Apart” is more than just Stella and Will’s love tale. Life and death, love, and rebellion are the central themes of Five Feet Apart.
Life and death: Through the friendship between Stella and Will, both of whom have cystic fibrosis, a potentially fatal condition, the story explores what makes life worth living.
5. 13 Going On 30 – 2004
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Do you recall the adage, “Be careful what you wish for because you could get it”? Unfortunately, Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen), a thirteen-year-old girl, did not. She dreams of being just like the cover girls featured in her favorite fashion magazine—Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving—while she waits for puberty to change her into a woman.
The junior high girl invites the school’s coolest clique to her birthday party in an attempt to jump-start her adolescent life. Jenna is prepared to go to any length to be welcomed into the gang, even applying cosmetics to her face and shoving tissues down her blouse.
As a result, she is duped into participating in Seven Minutes in Heaven, a game in which you are blindfolded and trapped in a closet while a random guy from your circle climbs in with you for that romantic first kiss.
The bereft youngster makes a desperate wish after learning that the in-crowd has abandoned her to her equally disliked neighbor Matt Flamhaff (Jack Salvatore Jr.). Jenna wakes up in an adult body (played by Jennifer Garner) in a New York apartment and a nude guy in her shower the next day.
Seventeen years have passed, and she has no recall of any of them as if she were living in a Rip Van Winkle fable. Jenna searches for a familiar face, desperate to make sense of the situation. She hunts down Matt (Mark Ruffalo) with a bit of effort and is astonished to realize that they are no longer great friends.
Many parents have warned their children not to mature too quickly. 13 Going on 30 centers its humor on this issue, bringing adolescent naivete into the adult world’s sexual knowledge. The screenplay is rife with innuendo, has a decent bit of mild to moderate profanity, and includes scenes when the main characters drink and smoke. Many families will be hesitant to wade into these waters because of the material.
Nonetheless, the film shines in its portrayal of Matt. He exhibits steadfast friendship, never letting fame or personal gain sway his allegiance, unlike Jenna, who is prepared to sell her soul for prosperity. His noble behavior highlights the importance of carefully selected friends.
6. Enola Holmes – 2020
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Enola, for example, is the fierce, little crazy, and immensely brilliant female character that I would have loved as a youngster. She understands jiu-jitsu, can hit the target every time with an arrow, and has no qualms about keeping her clothes clean.
When Enola Holmes, Sherlock’s younger sister, realizes her mother has gone missing, she sets out to locate her, becoming a super-sleuth in her own right while outwitting her renowned brother and unraveling a perilous plot centered on a mysterious young Lord.
In 1884, the world was undergoing profound changes. Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) wakes up on her 16th birthday to discover that her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) has vanished, leaving behind a bizarre collection of presents but no clear explanation of where she’s gone or why.
After a carefree upbringing, Enola is taken in by her brothers Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin), who are both intent on sending her to a “good” finishing school for young girls. Enola flees to London in pursuit of her mother, refusing to obey their demands.
When Enola becomes engaged in a mystery regarding a young fugitive Lord (Louis Partridge), she transforms into a super-sleuth in her own right, outwitting her renowned brother as she uncovers a scheme that threatens to throw history into reverse.
Enola Holmes devoured every book she could get her hands on, but she followed her instincts when it came down to it, which led her to her mother. It is a lesson for teens to understand that being book and street-smart is essential for survival and must always go hand in hand.
7. Pirates Of The Caribbean – 2003
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This film is both a tribute and a revival of a long-forgotten genre. It’s more fun than buried treasure and more exciting than crossing the plank. The Curse Of The Black Pearl is a delightful blend of comedy, horror, thrills, entertainment, and blissful escapism.
Captain Jack Sparrow is an iconic figure created by Jonny Depp, who is ably supported by a talented ensemble. Even if the Caribbean seems lovely, I’d rather watch this.
Captain Jack Sparrow lands at the Caribbean’s Port Royal without a ship or crew. However, his timing is inconvenient since the town is attacked by a pirate ship later that evening.
The governor’s daughter, Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), is kidnapped by the pirates because she carries a priceless coin tied to a curse that has turned the pirates into the undead. A brave blacksmith (Orlando Bloom) falls in love with Elizabeth and joins forces with Sparrow in pursuit of the pirates.
“What a man can indeed do and what a man cannot do” is Jack’s only rule. Further regulations, such as “not murdering someone, not running red lights, and being courteous. Whatever code you follow, it’s critical to know what you stand for,” are some of the themes presented in this fantastic film.
8. The Maze Runner – 2014
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The Maze Runner is an easy film for teens to sink their teeth into if they’re willing to sink their teeth into it. The tale, lore, and characters all work in the end because they are both elegant and straightforward. It’s the title’s setting, and it doesn’t let you down.
Almost alive and breathing, the maze moves and evolves throughout the film, preventing the Gladers from finding a path out. It’s a dangerous beast, evoking the unpredictability of the “Hunger Games” arenas, albeit not quite as elaborately.
An adolescent named Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) lands at a clearing at the heart of a massive labyrinth. He has no remembrance of his past existence like the other adolescents that were thrown there before him.
Thomas easily integrates with the gang and swiftly exhibits a distinct perspective, earning him a promotion to Runner level — those who patrol the ever-changing maze in search of an escape route. Thomas tries to persuade his comrades that he knows a way out with the help of Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), the solitary female.
Positive role models are prominent in The Maze Runner. The film urges people to challenge authority and take risks when required, and defend the helpless. Courage, camaraderie, and collaboration are among the themes explored.
9. The Fault In Our Stars – 2014
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The Fault in Our Stars always has the right mix of well-chosen details and innovative yet true-to-life conversation.
John Green wrote a book with the same name, which is the basis for the movie, which is based on a phrase in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in which Cassius states, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves because we are underlings.”
So, how deep is that? Cassius appears to be implying that it is men’s own flaws, not fate, that dooms them. Hazel is one of the most creative creations in current young adult fiction, which is part of the many reasons why Green’s novel is so famous.
A 16-year-old named Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), suffering from cancer meets and falls in love with Gus Waters (Ansel Elgort), a similarly affected youngster from her cancer support group. Gus, Hazel believes, truly understands her.
They both have a sharp wit and a passion for reading, notably Grace’s favorite, Peter Van Houten’s “An Imperial Affliction.” Gus and Hazel go on the trip of their lives when they receive an invitation to meet the reclusive author.
Some of the most critical concepts in this film explain how we spend so much of our time attempting to escape suffering, yet if you observe, The Fault In Our Stars also teaches us that “pain demands to be felt” and “the universe enjoys being noticed.”
However hard we try, we do not get to choose whether or not we get hurt; it’s a near-certainty that we will. Each of us should hope that, in the end, we will be able to state that we were not only not wounded but that we cautiously selected who did us harm.
If we choose our poison with care, we may be fortunate enough to like our selections, making it all worthwhile. This movie is sure to touch every heart, young and old, as it captures you into the story.
10. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy – 2001
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There are several reasons why The Lord of the Rings is the greatest cinematic fantasy epic of all time. Most of these factors are related to the films themselves, from their epic vision and source material to their massive production efforts, long runtimes, and flawless continuity.
Hands down, the majority of teens would enjoy this masterpiece. After all, it’s never been a better time to explore Middle Earth’s vast and varied globe than it is now.
Lord of the Rings emphasizes collective action, delivering fascinating stories about the irresistible force of humans uniting toward a common purpose at a time when we must think about our loved ones and care for our neighbors.
The outcome of the One Ring, which has been lost for generations, determines the future and fate of civilization. In their quest for it, powerful forces are unrelenting. But destiny has placed it in the hands of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a young Hobbit who inherits the Ring and becomes a legend.
When Frodo becomes the Ringbearer, he faces a difficult task: destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, where Souron made it.
The most apparent lesson from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, out of the numerous fantastic life values it can teach us, is that genuine friends will not only do crazy things for you, but they will also do crazy things with you.
Friendship is crucial at all times, but it’s more important when things get bad, and you need someone to lean on.
11. To All The Boys: Always And Forever – Best Teen Movie 2021
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In To All the Boys: Always and Forever, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and her group are officially back, and the drama heats up immediately. The scrapbook-obsessed protagonist is approaching maturity, and her new challenges reflect this.
The film follows Lara Jean and Peter (Noah Centineo) through their senior year negotiating college, prom, and family. The central conflict is whether Lara Jean will pick Peter or New York City. While it has the same TV rating as its predecessors, Always and Forever is aimed at a somewhat older demographic.
In the first film, Lara Jean Song Covey (Lana Condor) is humiliated when her old love letters are distributed to crushes. One of the recipients, Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), devises a scheme to make his ex jealous by pretending to have a relationship with Lara Jean.
They end up having a genuine relationship as a result of the encounter. Then there’s “To All the Boys” in “To All the Boys.” In “PS. I Still Love You,” Lara Jean navigates the pitfalls and uncertainties of first love while revisiting old affections for John Ambrose (Jordan Fisher), one of the males she once loved.
As teens experience the movie, they’ll realize that it helps make one a little more self-assured and paints and inspires a bright future forward to a new beginning filled with romance, education, and writing success. “To All the Boys: Always and Forever” opens with an optimistic message from Lara Jean.
Her aspirations appeared closer than ever, but she’s about to discover one of life’s most difficult lessons: the future doesn’t always go as planned.
Conclusion
Whether it’s action, drama, romance, fantasy, or all combined, these movies are sure to steal the attention of teens away from their phones. Staying in tune with the latest trendy film as well as classics that just never die, these recommendations for ages 13- to 15-year-olds will make you look like the shining parent you’ve always been.
Fortunately, these movies are enjoyable for teens and adults, so now that the popcorn is ready, take a seat, sink in, and enjoy!
References:
Seventeen Magazine: 55 Best Teen Movies You Can’t Grow Up Without Watching
Empire: The 50 Best Teen Movies
Common Sense Media: Best Teen Movies
Good Housekeeping: These 25 Teen Movies on Netflix Will Either Have You Swooning or Cringing
iMore: Best Movies for Teens in 2021
Time Out: 33 great tween-friendly movies to add to your watch list
Ranker: Good Movies for 13-Year-Olds
Esquire: Relive Your Glory (Or Awkward) Days With the Best Teen Movies on Netflix
