19 Underrated PG-13 Movies the Whole Family Will Enjoy
19 Underrated PG-13 Movies the Whole Family Will Enjoy
Kara NesvigSat, August 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC
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If movie night is getting a little stale for your older kids, they might be bored with G and PG-rated movies and ready for something more, whether that’s action, thrills and chills, or more grown-up themes and coming-of-age stories. That’s when parents might want to consider introducing them to the PG-13 movie, a film designed to meet the needs of tweens and teens without going too far into grown-up territory.
Though reports vary, the dawn of the PG-13 film was in the mid-1980s, when the movie industry noted a gap between kid-friendly films and adults-only movies. The impetus was Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which contains gory scenes that are definitely too intense for young kids but more appropriate for teens, and thus, the PG-13 rating was born.
There are plenty of famous PG-13 films that parents of all ages enjoy introducing to their kids, like the John Hughes teen movies from the ‘80s, the Pirates of the Caribbean films, and classic teen flicks like Clueless, as well as a handful of recent movies like Enola Holmes and Twisters, but if you’ve already given those a spin or a stream, it’s time to go deeper into the film canon and check out some of the best underrated PG-13 movies around. Maybe you’ll rediscover an old favorite in the process.
Big Daddy
If your tweens and teens aren’t familiar with Adam Sandler’s film oeuvre, start them here. This 1999 movie is about a manchild named Sonny who takes in a little boy (played by Dylan and Cole Sprouse, perfect for Riverdale fans) to impress his ex-girlfriend. At first, things go less than smoothly and the 5-year-old boy starts acting like his immature adoptive father, but Sonny’s time with Julian helps him grow up and the pair develop a lasting bond. Big Daddy gets less love than other Sandler movies from the time period, like Happy Gilmore and The Waterboy, but it’s a great fit for families.
Big Fish
Tim Burton’s 2003 adaptation of the novel of the same name is a visual feast and ideal for teens who like fantasy and fairytales. It’s about a man who has to sort through all the grandiose stories his father told him about his past to find the truth about his father, and while there are plenty of over-the-top scenes and plenty of magical realism to depict the elder man’s fantastical tales, Big Fish is really a story about the love of a father for his son. !
Blue Crush
As a teenager of the ‘00s, I can confirm that the 2002 movie Blue Crush, starring Kate Bosworth, made a big splash (pun intended). The surf film was immensely popular at the time but hasn’t had the same longevity of other teen movies of the era. It’s about a talented young surfer named Anne Marie who is trying to continue on her quest to become a pro surfer after a stressful wipe-out. It’s both a coming-of-age story as Anne Marie and her friends deal with their professional hopes and normal teenage entanglements with friends and romantic interests, and an action-packed sports movie with a sunny Hawaiian setting.
The Bourne Identity
Teens who enjoy action movies and spy capers will be all about the first film in the Bourne movie series, which came out in 2002. The film stars Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, an amnesiac who finds himself dodging assassination attempts while trying to figure out who on earth he actually is and how he got in all this trouble in the first place. Once you finish the first movie, move on to the 2004 and 2007 sequels; Damon wrapped the series in 2016 with Jason Bourne.
Easy A
Does your teen have The Scarlet Letter on their high school reading list? Once they’ve finished the book, show them this clever 2010 retelling of the Nathaniel Hawthorne tale. It stars Emma Stone as Olive, who becomes the center of vicious gossip when she pretends to have lost her virginity. Instead of hiding in shame, Olive leans into the gossip until she can set the story straight. Because of its sexual plot line, Easy A is best for older teens and could open up interesting conversations about rumors, dating and sex, and gossip.
La Bamba
Biopics are generally crowd pleasers, and this 1987 classic about the late Ritchie Valens is a must-watch for young music fans. It tells the story of the “La Bamba” singer, who tragically died in an infamous 1959 plane crash along with Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. Though the 1950s probably feel like centuries ago to today’s teens, they’ll resonate with the themes of the film: following your dreams, staying true to yourself even when people tell you who to be, and remembering what’s most important in life.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
This 2015 film about two high school friends, Greg and Earl, who befriend a young woman with cancer, is a tearjerker, but it’s also clever, funny, and heartwarming—a story about how friendships evolve and how reconnecting with people from your past can change your life. Keep the tissues handy, but be prepared to laugh too; Me and Earl and the Dying Girl beautifully balances the sentimental elements with levity.
Mermaids
A story about mothers, daughters, and finding yourself, 1990’s Mermaids is a cult favorite that stars Cher as flirtatious mother Rachel Flax, Winona Ryder as her daughter Charlotte, who is preoccupied with Catholicism, and a young Christina Ricci as Kate, the adorable youngest child. Charlotte scoffs at her mom’s lifestyle but eventually finds they have more in common than she thought. One notable flag about Mermaids is that Ryder’s teenage character begins a romantic relationship with a man in his twenties; however, this plotline could lead to dialogue between parents and teens about age-appropriate relationships.
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Midnight Special
A sci-fi film about a gifted young boy, his estranged father, and a religious cult, Midnight Special will keep your whole fam on the edge of their seats. Young Alton is kidnapped by his father, played by Michael Shannon, from the ranch where he grew up, to help protect him from growing interest in his supernatural abilities. Along with Alton’s mother (Kirsten Dunst), the family goes on the run. Will the FBI catch up to them? Will Alton’s powers grow? You’ll have to watch to find out—the suspense will keep the whole family on their toes.
Moonrise Kingdom
Ready to introduce your kids to the wonderful world of Wes Anderson? Kick off with 2012’s Moonrise Kingdom, a nostalgic tale about 12-year-old kids Sam and Suzy, who fall in love and run away together one summer. Their escapade leads not only to the creation of their island paradise, Moonrise Kingdom, but a humorous wild goose chase between Suzy’s parents, Sam’s Scout troop, and the island police chief. The star-crossed story is relatable for tweens and teens experiencing their first crushes and the stylized Wes Anderson world is a visual treat for young cinephiles.
Moulin Rouge!
Broadway-loving teens will fall madly in love with this 2001 musical classic about the infamous French nightclub, its star performer Satine, and her poem-writing love Christian—Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in two of their best roles. Lately, the movie has been overshadowed by its jukebox musical counterpart, but the original film absolutely deserves its moment in the nightclub spotlight. Young viewers will connect with the love story, be entranced by the gorgeous costumes and set design, and have fun with the iconic soundtrack, including the mash-up “Elephant Love Medley.”
Mystery Men
Throw it back to the Y2K era with this 1999 comedy starring a plethora of the era’s brightest comedic talents, including Ben Stiller, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofolo, and Paul Reubens. Mystery Men is about a group of amateur superheroes who may not be as impressive as Captain Amazing, played by Greg Kinnear, but when the aforementioned Amazing is kidnapped, they have to band together and use their skills—or lack thereof—to save him. This is a great pick for kids who love the Marvel superhero movies or the ‘80s Batman films, but will also enjoy the silly antics along the way.
Now & Then
A beloved sleepover movie and cult classic, Now & Then is about a group of friends who get together as adults after many years apart to reflect on the summer that changed their lives. It flashes between the ‘90s and the ‘70s as Sam, Teeny, Roberta, and Chrissy remember that summer in their small town and how it led them to who they are today. Despite years passing and their lives moving in different directions, the four come together and remember how beautiful and essential their friendship was and is. Now & Then particularly resonates with tweens who feel like they’re leaving childhood behind but not quite ready for teenagerhood and all that comes with it.
Pleasantville
The 1998 movie Pleasantville took ‘50s sitcom tropes and flipped them on their heads. Siblings Jennifer and David end up in a black-and-white sitcom and use their knowledge of modern-day America (well, the ‘90s, anyway) to bring literal color to the town of Pleasantville, inspiring its residents to look outside their “perfect” confines. The critically acclaimed movie still resonates today, even with our 2020s technological advances, and kids will enjoy seeing how culture has changed in the years since.
Princess Mononoke
A critically-acclaimed anime film about a cursed prince on an epic journey, Princess Mononoke was released in 1997 and has developed a devoted following since. The prince, Ashitaka, encounters a forest-dwelling young woman called San on his journey and the two become friends, teaming up to help save the forest and end his curse. You can choose to show the original 1997 film or the 1999 English dub, which features voice work from Claire Danes, Billy Crudup, and Jada Pinkett Smith, among other stars.
Super 8
From Stand by Me to Stranger Things, there’s just something about a group of small-town friends solving a mystery that resonates with viewers of all ages. One underrated movie in that canon is Steven Spielberg’s Super 8, about aspiring young filmmakers in an Ohio town who film a train crash and alien appearance on their Super 8 camera and find themselves in the center of a very big adventure—one full of secrecy and supernatural happenings. Super 8 will be a hit for teens who love sci-fi and scary stories, and may just inspire them to pick up a camera and start making their own mini movies.
Uptown Girls
Brittany Murphy’s Uptown Girls wasn’t a huge hit when it came out in 2003, but in the 20-plus years since, it’s found a following. The movie stars the late Murphy as Molly, a rich girl who loses her fortune and has to find a job. She does so when she starts babysitting Ray (a young Dakota Fanning), a little girl with some major boundaries and emotional walls built up around her. The two eventually connect and learn from each other; Ray loosens up and Molly grows up.
The Wedding Singer
Another Sandler classic, The Wedding Singer is a ‘90s-does-’80s comedy about, you guessed it, a wedding singer. Sandler plays Robby, a small-time singer who gets left at the altar and loses his passion for his career until he finds light and laughter again with Drew Barrymore’s Julia, a cocktail waitress preparing for her own wedding. The movie goes big on the ‘80s tropes for laughs, including over-the-top costumes and era-specific references, but the love story at its heart is timeless.
Van Helsing
Sometimes you just want to queue up a popcorn movie and have a little fun, and 2004’s Van Helsing delivers—just in time for spooky season, too. Hugh Jackman plays the titular monster hunter, who is sent to destroy Dracula. (Another iconic monster, Frankenstein, also plays a small but important role in the film and its plot.) As expected, there are a lot of battles between the vampire and Van Helsing that will thrill kids. The movie wasn’t popular with critics, but teen viewers may disagree and revel in the thrills, chills, and fight scenes.
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