The Best Films to Watch With Your Teens

Family movie night gets a bit more complicated when your child enters her teen years and her tastes evolve. As a parent, you want to engage your teen while still exposing her to age-appropriate content. This can be a hard line to walk, but there are some classic films which are sure to be a hit with both you and your teen. Watching them together may even spark some conversations about life, friendships and love.

  1. Stand By Me

    • This 1986 film was an instant classic, catapulting the careers of Jerry O̵7;Connell and Corey Feldman. Following the friendship of a group of young boys in search of a missing teenager, ̶0;Stand by Me̶1; is told in the narrative of an adult author looking back. While the film has received some criticism for its heavy story lines and the glimpse it provides at a dead body, it should help spark a conversation with your teens about death, and how far they would go for their friends.

    Now And Then

    • Released in 1995, "Now and Then" is a great movie to watch with your teen daughter. Showcasing the lifelong friendship between 4 girls, this film cuts back and forth between the summer they were 12 and present day, when they are now all adults. First crushes are explored, as well as parents divorcing and learning how to rely on both yourself and your friends. Teen girls are sure to relate to this movie, as well as the music which makes up its soundtrack.

    The Sandlot

    • This 1983 movie about a group of boys enamored with the sport of baseball is sweet enough to be appropriate viewing for your younger children, while still entertaining enough to engage your teen. With themes surrounding conquering fears and pursuing dreams, it is sure to get your teen thinking, even as he is laughing. The friendships also run strong in this film, and may help your child to reflect on his own friendships and the people he chooses to spend his time with.

    Dirty Dancing

    • A true classic, ̶0;Dirty Dancing̶1; has been a favorite among teen girls since its release in 1987. Following the budding romance between good girl ̶0;Baby̶1; and bad boy Johnny, there is more to this movie ̵1; and its characters ̵1; than meets the eye. Growing up and finding yourself is a theme which remains throughout ̶0;Dirty Dancing̶1;, as Baby struggles to figure out what it is she wants and what she needs to do to achieve it. From beginning to end, her transformation is hard to ignore and will be a good conversation starter for you and your daughter as she struggles to gain her own independence.

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