15 Best Family Films for Teenagers That Adults Will Enjoy Too
Family film night gets harder when younger viewers have outgrown simple children's films but the group still needs something everyone can watch. These picks respect teenage attention spans and give adults something real to enjoy.
- 01
View movie detailsWHY IT FITSInventive animation, a great soundtrack and a sincere story about becoming ready in your own way.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Animation · Action.
- 02
Enola Holmes
2020View movie detailsWHY IT FITSA bright mystery with a capable teenage lead and enough momentum for a mixed-age group.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Mystery · Adventure.
- 03
View movie detailsWHY IT FITSA rebellious boy and reluctant foster uncle become the subjects of a national manhunt.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Funny · Warm.
- 04
The Martian
2015View movie detailsWHY IT FITSScience, resilience and dry humour turn survival on Mars into an unusually optimistic blockbuster.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Science fiction · Language warning.
- 05
Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves
2023WHY IT FITSA generous fantasy adventure built around teamwork, jokes and likeable failures.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Fantasy · Comedy.
- 06
Hidden Figures
2016View movie detailsWHY IT FITSAn accessible true story about the Black women mathematicians central to NASA's space programme.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: True story · Inspiring.
- 07
School of Rock
2003WHY IT FITSA chaotic substitute teacher helps a class discover confidence through a secret rock band.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Music · Comedy.
- 08
View movie detailsWHY IT FITSBeautiful stop-motion fantasy with real danger, family history and emotional weight.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Animation · Fantasy.
- 09
View movie detailsWHY IT FITSA messy family road trip collides with a robot uprising in a rapid, visually playful comedy.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Animation · Very funny.
- 10
View movie detailsWHY IT FITSA talented student enters the world of competitive spelling and finds a community behind her.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Inspiring · Drama.
- 11
View movie detailsWHY IT FITSTeenage personalities land in mismatched game avatars, creating an easy ensemble adventure.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Adventure · Comedy.
- 12
The Truman Show
1998View movie detailsWHY IT FITSFunny, accessible and newly relevant for conversations about privacy, performance and reality.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Satire · Thoughtful.
- 13
Nimona
2023View movie detailsWHY IT FITSAn energetic shape-shifting adventure about labels, loyalty and who gets called a monster.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Animation · Inclusive.
- 14
October Sky
1999View movie detailsWHY IT FITSA coal miner's son becomes fascinated by rocketry in a sturdy, rewarding true story.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: True story · Science.
- 15
View movie detailsWHY IT FITSAdventure, romance and comedy delivered with enough wit to survive endless family rewatches.
THE VIEWING BRIEFThis belongs on your list when the brief is: Classic · Fantasy.
