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When the usual animated favorites and familiar family movies have officially lost their sparkle, it may be time to move up to PG-13. These movies offer a little more action, emotion, suspense, romance, and complexity while still giving parents plenty to talk about with older kids and teens.
The PG-13 rating was introduced in the 1980s to fill the gap between PG movies and films considered too mature for younger audiences. Since then, the category has become home to everything from adventure and fantasy to coming-of-age stories and clever comedies.
Of course, PG-13 doesn’t automatically mean appropriate for every child. Ratings can cover very different types of content, so parents should consider their child’s age, maturity, and sensitivities before pressing play. With that in mind, here are 19 lesser-talked-about picks that can make your next family movie night much more interesting.
1. Big Daddy
If your kids know Adam Sandler mainly from his newer movies, Big Daddy is a fun way to introduce them to one of his older comedies. Sandler plays Sonny, an irresponsible bachelor whose life changes when he unexpectedly becomes responsible for a young boy.
What begins as a ridiculous attempt to impress someone gradually becomes a surprisingly sweet story about growing up, responsibility, and family. It’s goofy enough for younger teens but has plenty of emotional moments for parents, too.
Best for: Families with older tweens and teens who enjoy comedy.
2. Big Fish
Tim Burton’s Big Fish is an imaginative blend of fantasy, family drama, and storytelling. Edward Bloom has spent his life telling enormous, seemingly impossible stories about his adventures, leaving his son wondering where reality ends and exaggeration begins.
As his father’s life comes to an end, Will tries to understand the person behind all those stories. It’s visually imaginative, heartfelt, and likely to spark conversations about family, memory, and the stories we tell about our lives.
Best for: Teens who enjoy fantasy with an emotional side.
3. Blue Crush
Sunshine, surfing, friendship, and ambition make Blue Crush an easy pick for an energetic movie night. Kate Bosworth stars as Anne Marie, a talented surfer determined to pursue her dream despite a past accident that shook her confidence.
Beyond the spectacular surfing scenes, the movie explores perseverance, friendship, romance, and figuring out what you really want from life.
Best for: Teens who love sports, adventure, and coming-of-age stories.
4. The Bourne Identity
For teens who are ready for a more serious action movie, The Bourne Identity is a great place to begin. Matt Damon plays Jason Bourne, a mysterious man who wakes up with amnesia and discovers that he possesses extraordinary combat and survival skills.
As he attempts to uncover his identity, he becomes caught in a dangerous international conspiracy. The movie combines chase sequences, mystery, espionage, and plenty of suspense without relying solely on explosions.
Best for: Older teens who enjoy spy thrillers.
5. Easy A
Emma Stone shines in this clever modern take on The Scarlet Letter. Olive accidentally becomes the subject of school gossip and eventually decides to embrace the rumors rather than let them control her.
While the premise involves mature teenage topics, the movie is ultimately about reputation, peer pressure, honesty, and how quickly rumors can take on a life of their own. It’s best suited to older teens and can lead to some worthwhile parent-teen conversations.
Best for: Older teens interested in smart high-school comedies.
6. La Bamba
Music-loving families shouldn’t overlook La Bamba. The 1987 biographical drama follows musician Ritchie Valens as he rises from a young performer to a major rock-and-roll star.
His story is inspiring but bittersweet, particularly because of his tragic death in the 1959 plane crash that also claimed the lives of Buddy Holly and J.P. Richardson. The film offers older kids a glimpse into music history while exploring ambition, family, identity, and following a dream.
Best for: Teens who enjoy music and true stories.
7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Don’t let the title fool you into thinking this is nothing but a sad movie. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl combines humor and heartbreak as high school student Greg develops an unexpected friendship with Rachel, a classmate diagnosed with cancer.
The movie explores friendship and loss with an unusual sense of humor. It’s definitely emotional, so keep some tissues nearby, but it also has plenty of funny and genuinely warm moments.
Best for: Mature teens who can handle emotional themes.
8. Mermaids
Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci lead this memorable family dramedy about three generations of women trying to navigate life together.
Charlotte, a teenager desperate to establish her own identity, frequently clashes with her unconventional mother. Beneath the quirky humor and eccentric characters is a relatable story about growing up and discovering that your parents are complicated people, too.
Some relationship themes are more mature, so parents may want to save this one for older teens.
Best for: Teens interested in family-centered coming-of-age stories.
9. Midnight Special
If your family prefers mysterious sci-fi over straightforward superhero adventures, give Midnight Special a try.
The story follows a father desperately trying to protect his young son, Alton, who possesses mysterious abilities. Their escape becomes a tense journey involving government agents, a religious group, and plenty of unanswered questions.
It’s atmospheric rather than nonstop action, making it a particularly good choice for families who enjoy movies that leave you talking afterward.
Best for: Teens who enjoy suspenseful science fiction.
10. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson’s distinctive visual style meets a sweet coming-of-age story in Moonrise Kingdom. Two young kids decide to run away together after developing a first crush, sending their families, Scout troop, and local authorities into a hilarious search.
The movie captures childhood independence, first love, friendship, and the strange feeling of growing up. Its quirky characters and unusual visual style also make it a great introduction to Anderson’s filmmaking.
Best for: Tweens and teens who enjoy quirky stories.
11. Moulin Rouge!
For families with musical-loving teenagers, Moulin Rouge! is an extravagant spectacle. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor star in a romantic musical filled with elaborate costumes, theatrical sets, and a memorable soundtrack.
Its mash-up approach to popular music makes the film feel surprisingly modern even decades after its release. The romance and some adult themes mean it’s better suited to mature teens, but the visual experience is hard to forget.
Best for: Older teens who love musicals and dramatic romance.
12. Mystery Men
Before superhero movies became one of Hollywood’s biggest genres, Mystery Men offered a wonderfully goofy alternative.
The story follows a group of amateur superheroes whose abilities are, frankly, less than impressive. When the city’s celebrated superhero is captured, these unlikely heroes have to step up.
It’s silly, self-aware, and packed with recognizable comedy talent. If your kids enjoy superhero movies but appreciate something different, this one could be a pleasant surprise.
Best for: Tweens and teens who love superhero comedies.
13. Now & Then
Now & Then is a nostalgic story about four childhood friends looking back on the summer that shaped their lives.
The film moves between their childhood and adulthood, exploring friendship, growing pains, family problems, first crushes, and the inevitable changes that come with getting older. For tweens standing on the edge between childhood and adolescence, its themes can feel especially relatable.
Best for: Tweens and teens who enjoy friendship stories.
14. Pleasantville
Imagine being transported into an old-fashioned black-and-white television show where everything appears perfectly wholesome and predictable. That’s the setup for Pleasantville.
Two modern teenagers suddenly find themselves inside a fictional 1950s sitcom and begin changing the town in unexpected ways. As color slowly enters their black-and-white world, the movie explores individuality, curiosity, social expectations, and change.
It’s entertaining on the surface but gives older kids plenty to think about.
Best for: Families who like movies with a deeper message.
15. Princess Mononoke
Anime fans will want Princess Mononoke on the list. This ambitious Studio Ghibli adventure follows Prince Ashitaka, who becomes caught between humans and powerful forest spirits while searching for a way to break a curse.
The animation is stunning, but the movie also tackles environmental responsibility, conflict, humanity, and the complicated relationship between nature and progress.
There are some intense and violent scenes, so it’s worth considering your child’s sensitivity before watching.
Best for: Mature tweens and teens who enjoy fantasy and anime.
16. Super 8
If your family enjoys Stranger Things-style mysteries, Super 8 deserves a spot on movie night.
A group of young friends accidentally witnesses a strange train accident while filming their own amateur movie. Soon, mysterious events begin happening around their small town, and the kids find themselves caught up in something far bigger than they expected.
It combines friendship, science fiction, suspense, and adventure with a nostalgic coming-of-age feel.
Best for: Teens who love mysteries, aliens, and adventure.
17. Uptown Girls
Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning make an unexpectedly charming pair in Uptown Girls. Molly is a carefree young woman whose comfortable life suddenly falls apart, forcing her to find work as a nanny.
Her young charge, Ray, initially seems cold and difficult, but their relationship gradually changes both of them. It’s funny, touching, and ultimately about learning responsibility and finding family in unexpected places.
Best for: Tweens and teens who enjoy heartfelt comedies.
18. The Wedding Singer
If your family enjoys romantic comedies, The Wedding Singer brings plenty of nostalgic fun. Adam Sandler plays Robbie, a wedding singer whose own romantic disappointment leaves him heartbroken.
When he meets Julia, played by Drew Barrymore, the two develop a friendship that slowly turns into something more. The exaggerated 1980s fashion, music, and pop-culture jokes add plenty of laughs.
It’s a particularly fun choice for parents who want to introduce their teens to a beloved ’90s comedy.
Best for: Older teens and families who enjoy romantic comedies.
19. Van Helsing
Sometimes you don’t need a movie with a complicated message. Sometimes you just want monsters, action, and popcorn.
Van Helsing puts Hugh Jackman in the role of the famous monster hunter, who travels to Transylvania to take on Dracula. Along the way, viewers get vampires, Frankenstein’s monster, dramatic battles, and plenty of gothic atmosphere.
Critics weren’t especially enthusiastic when it arrived, but its over-the-top adventure style makes it an entertaining choice for teens who enjoy supernatural action.
Best for: Teens who love monsters, fantasy, and action.
Make Your Next Family Movie Night More Interesting
The best thing about these movies is their variety. Want something funny? Try Big Daddy or Mystery Men. In the mood for adventure? The Bourne Identity, Super 8, and Van Helsing have you covered. Looking for something more thoughtful? Big Fish, Pleasantville, and Moonrise Kingdom offer plenty to discuss after the credits roll.
And if you’re introducing an older child to PG-13 movies for the first time, remember that the rating is only a starting point. Check the specific movie’s content and think about what your child is comfortable watching.
Sometimes the best family movie isn’t the one everyone has already seen ten times. It’s the unexpected pick that turns into a new family favorite.
