The best movies for teenagers and older kids

Even though they see themselves as adults, they still have a long way to go. It’s also about confusion and adolescence, but also about idealism and the desire to contribute something to the world. For teens, there are movies that they will likely relate to and take a personal nuance from. It is said that independent films, in particular, represent young people in the best way.

While teen movie recommendations generally focus on kids ages 12 to 18, we recommend movies that tackle important topics. That’s why we choose the best movies for teenagers. These ages, known as adolescence, are a complex period for both young people and their parents.

Sometimes movies show us some of the issues that are important to teens, and can be a good resource for parents to start conversations about these with their kids. That’s why we leave you this selection of movies for young people, movies that can be watched with young people, whose scary themes can also be educational.

Boyhood (2014)

The film takes a real-time tour of the life of a boy named Mason, from the age of 6 to the age of 18. During this journey, many changes occur such as moves, different schools, first loves, disappointments and wonderful moments. A story about the transformation of a modern family over time. It clearly and naturally shows how a mother who is crushed by the responsibility of raising her child alone, a father who lives with them for only a few hours, and the young people themselves must face divorce.

Love, Simon (2018)

Simon is a teenager who lives with his parents, with whom he has very good relationships, his younger sister, with whom he gets along very well, and a group of friends with whom he shares their laughter and confidence. But he’s hiding a secret he can’t admit, he’s gay. One day, one of his e-mails goes to the wrong address and that’s when the truth comes out. Things will get complicated for the young man and he will face a difficult situation that will endanger the life he has lived so far. It is one of the movies to be watched with young people, as it shows us the difficulties parents face in explaining homosexuality to their children and the rejection it causes in some people.

A Monster Calls (2016)

Connor is a 12-year-old boy whose parents have recently divorced and lives with his cancer-stricken mother, so he will have to take responsibility for the house himself. He is also bullied at school and does not want to talk about it at home. All this leads him to create a fantasy world populated by imaginary beings to confront his fears and phobias. He feels safe there, but one day a monster different from the ones that visit him in his nightmares appears. The film shows us a metaphor for the complexity of facing a harsh reality such as the illness of a loved one. At the same time, it shows us the problem of bullying and how to solve it.

Girl (2018)

Lara dreams of becoming the best dancer in the world, and thanks to her father, she sets out to realize this dream. But there is something different about him because he was a boy when he was born. His classmates at the academy notice something odd and make fun of him. That’s when the hero begins an internal conflict about who he really is and what he wants most above all else. It is one of the movies to watch with young people, showing us the difficulties that a transgender person has to face and the importance of family support in these situations, as well as personal acceptance.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

This 2012 film is the adaptation of the novel of the same name written in 1999. This youth film, written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, pays tribute to all the introverted and strange young people who find a place for themselves in the world even if they cannot find a place for themselves. Set in the 90s, the film focuses on the life of Charlie, a shy and lonely teenager who faces the difficulties of adolescence with his two best friends. The film, like the book, tells inevitable realities such as love relationships, sex, drugs, identity, friendship and family problems in an unpretentious and uncensored way.

Lady Bird

This drama film with a dash of comedy tells the story of Christine, a high school student who goes through many of the classic stages that every teenager goes through. Although she has a strained relationship with her family, Lady Bird seeks love, friendship and acceptance at universities. It is a wonderful film that tells the lives of young people who go through similar situations through the transition of a young high school student to a university student.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

The film’s protagonist is a man named Pat, who suffers from bipolar disorder and returns home after checking into a mental health facility to attack his partner’s lover. Although he wants to get his ex-wife back at all costs, the situation changes when he meets Tiffany, a girl with a bad reputation. The relationship, which started with great distrust between the two, will turn into a beautiful relationship in which they will find the positive aspects of things. A film that shows, albeit in a humorous way, the difficulty of living with mental illness, reflecting the most difficult aspects of it and how the support of friends and family can be very helpful.

Juno (2008)

Juno is a 16-year-old girl who is very smart for her age and a bit sarcastic; She uses this feature to hide her fears and doubts. She becomes pregnant as a result of an affair with a classmate, which her partner completely ignores. That’s when She decides to give birth to her little child and give him up for adoption, with the support of her family. When the time comes, she searches for the right adoptive parents, they are Mark and Vanessa, but it seems Juno and Mark share many hobbies and seem to get along very well from the beginning, which could complicate things. It is one of the movies to watch with teenagers, showing teenage pregnancy and emphasizing the importance of support from loved ones.

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

If you’re after some romantic drama, The Fault in Our Stars is sure to bring tears to your eyes. This movie is based on John Green’s best-selling novel. It tells the adventure of a young couple who must stay strong to continue their experiences and fight against cancer together. First love, internal duels and how difficult life can be are the main themes.

Moonlight (2016)

Chiron is a young African-American who had a difficult childhood living in one of Miami’s most conflict-ridden areas. As the years pass and he enters adolescence, he will have to deal with increasingly difficult problems, such as his mother’s drug addiction and the bullying he experienced in high school. It is one of the movies to watch with teenagers that roughly deals with the issue of bullying and how it can affect a person’s social development in the future.

Rachel Getting Married (2008)

Kym is a former model who has a long history of alcohol problems but put aside her rehab to attend her sister Rachel’s wedding. His family has always experienced many conflicts, and during the ceremony all the problems will come to light, causing conflicts between them and threatening the disintegration of the family unity. Although the most socially accepted problem is drugs, it is one of the films to be watched with young people, depicting the problems caused by alcohol addiction, which can cause serious damage to people.