70 Best Movies For 12 Year Old’s
Being a mom of three, I understand the struggle of keeping the brood entertained, especially when they’re on the cusp of teenhood. Picking the right movie for a 12-year-old can be as tricky as navigating a minefield blindfolded.
They’re not quite ready for the adult stuff but are too cool for kids’ movies. So, let’s dive into the world of cinema and find some gems perfect for those tough-to-please tweens!
Understanding the 12-Year-Old Psyche
Before we jump into the movie recommendations, let’s take a quick moment to understand the 12-year-old psyche. At this age, kids are looking for more complex stories and characters.
They want humor, adventure, and a touch of maturity (but not too much).
They’re also forming their own opinions and starting to understand the world around them. So, a good movie for them is something that’s engaging, thought-provoking, and above all, entertaining.
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70 Top Movie Picks for 12-Year-Olds
- A Christmas Story
- Description: This classic holiday film follows young Ralphie’s humorous and heartwarming quest for a Red Ryder BB gun.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a nostalgic and family-friendly tale that captures the magic of Christmas and growing up.
- A Hard Day’s Night
- Description: A lively musical comedy featuring The Beatles as they embark on a comical adventure, showcasing their iconic music.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: The catchy songs and fun antics of The Beatles make it an enjoyable watch for tweens.
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
- Description: Based on the popular book series, this movie follows the adventures of the Baudelaire orphans as they outsmart their evil guardian.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a darkly humorous and mysterious story that appeals to the sense of adventure and curiosity in tweens.
- Apollo 13
- Description: A gripping retelling of the real-life Apollo 13 mission, highlighting the teamwork and ingenuity of astronauts trying to return safely to Earth.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an inspiring and educational film that can spark an interest in science and space exploration.
- Back to the Future
- Description: A time-travel adventure where a teenager, Marty McFly, must ensure his parents fall in love to save his own existence.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: The mix of science fiction and humor makes it a timeless and entertaining choice for young audiences.
- Beauty and the Beast
- Description: A tale as old as time, this Disney classic tells the story of Belle, a young woman who sees beyond appearances.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a heartwarming story that promotes the value of kindness and inner beauty.
- Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
- Description: Two high school slackers use a time-traveling phone booth to collect historical figures for their history presentation.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a lighthearted and comedic take on history that’s perfect for young viewers.
- Bringing Up Baby
- Description: A screwball comedy featuring a paleontologist and a chaotic heiress trying to find a missing dinosaur bone.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: The witty banter and chaotic situations will keep kids entertained.
- Cars
- Description: In a world of sentient vehicles, a race car named Lightning McQueen learns about friendship and humility.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: This animated film combines action-packed racing with valuable life lessons.
- Catch Me If You Can
- Description: Based on a true story, it follows a young con artist who successfully poses as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and lawyer.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an engaging and suspenseful story of wit and deception.
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind
- Description: A science fiction masterpiece where a man encounters alien life forms and communicates with them through music.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It sparks curiosity about the possibility of extraterrestrial life and fosters a sense of wonder.
- Despicable Me
- Description: A supervillain adopts three orphaned girls, leading to unexpected changes in his life.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a heartwarming story with hilarious minions that kids adore.
- E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
- Description: A young boy befriends a stranded alien and helps him return home while evading government agents.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: This timeless tale explores friendship, courage, and acceptance.
- Eragon
- Description: A young farm boy discovers a dragon egg and becomes the last of the Dragon Riders, battling an evil empire.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an epic fantasy adventure with themes of bravery and destiny.
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
- Description: Set in the Harry Potter universe, it follows a magizoologist’s adventures in 1920s New York as he searches for magical creatures.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It provides a magical escape with a new cast of characters and enchanting creatures.
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
- Description: A high school student fakes illness to have a memorable day of adventures in Chicago with his friends.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a fun and rebellious comedy about seizing the moment.
- Finding Nemo
- Description: A clownfish embarks on a journey across the ocean to find his lost son, encountering a colorful array of underwater characters.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an animated masterpiece with themes of family and perseverance.
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife
- Description: A new generation of Ghostbusters must save a small town from paranormal activity, continuing the legacy of the original films.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It combines humor, ghosts, and adventure for a spooky and exciting experience.
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Description: A group of misfits, including a talking raccoon and a tree-like creature, come together to save the galaxy.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a space adventure with humor, action, and memorable characters.
- Hairspray (2007)
- Description: A teenager with a passion for dancing challenges racial segregation on a popular TV show in 1960s Baltimore.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an uplifting musical with a message of tolerance and equality.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- Description: The first installment in the Harry Potter series follows a young wizard’s journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It introduces a magical world filled with friendship, bravery, and adventure.
- Holes
- Description: A young boy is sent to a juvenile detention camp where he and other inmates dig holes as part of a mysterious punishment.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a mystery-filled story of friendship and redemption with a touch of folklore.
- Home Alone
- Description: A young boy accidentally left behind by his family must defend his home from two bumbling burglars.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a hilarious and heartwarming holiday classic about resourcefulness and independence.
- How to Train Your Dragon
- Description: In a Viking village, a young boy befriends a dragon and works to bridge the gap between humans and dragons.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an epic and heartwarming tale of friendship and acceptance.
- Hugo
- Description: A young orphan living in a Paris train station discovers a hidden world and embarks on a quest to unlock a mystery.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: This visually stunning film combines adventure and history in a unique way.
- Jumanji: The Next Level
- Description: The sequel to “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” sees the return of the video game adventurers in a new thrilling quest.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It offers action-packed fun and the humor of characters navigating a virtual world.
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
- Description: Four teenagers are sucked into a video game jungle and must complete the game to escape.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a hilarious and exciting adventure with a modern twist on the original Jumanji concept.
- Kung Fu Panda
- Description: A clumsy panda named Po becomes the Dragon Warrior and trains to protect his village from a formidable enemy.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a martial arts comedy with valuable lessons on perseverance and self-discovery.
- Legally Blonde
- Description: A fashion-conscious sorority girl enrolls in Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend and discovers her true potential.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a lighthearted comedy about empowerment and self-confidence.
- Little Women (2019)
- Description: An adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, it follows the lives of the March sisters as they come of age during the Civil War.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a beautifully told story about family, sisterhood, and pursuing one’s dreams.
- Matilda
- Description: Based on Roald Dahl’s novel, it tells the story of a young girl with telekinetic powers who takes on her neglectful parents and a tyrannical headmistress.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: Matilda’s intelligence and resourcefulness are empowering for young viewers, and it celebrates the joy of reading.
- Millions
- Description: Two brothers find a bag of money and must decide what to do with it, leading to moral dilemmas and humorous situations.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It explores the values of honesty and generosity in a heartwarming and comedic way.
- Moana
- Description: A spirited Polynesian girl sets sail on a daring journey to save her people and discover her own destiny.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: This Disney adventure encourages bravery, self-discovery, and cultural appreciation.
- Night at the Museum
- Description: A night security guard at a museum discovers that the exhibits come to life at night, leading to fantastical adventures.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a fun and imaginative film with history and humor rolled into one.
- October Sky
- Description: Based on a true story, it follows a young coal miner’s son who dreams of becoming a rocket scientist and the challenges he faces.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an inspiring tale of pursuing dreams against the odds and the power of determination.
- Paddington
- Description: A polite and lovable bear from Peru finds a new home in London and embarks on a series of comedic misadventures.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a charming and heartwarming film that emphasizes kindness and acceptance.
- Ratatouille
- Description: A rat with a passion for cooking teams up with a young kitchen worker to pursue their culinary dreams in Paris.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: This Pixar film celebrates creativity, friendship, and the joy of good food.
- School of Rock
- Description: A struggling musician poses as a substitute teacher and transforms his students into a rock band to compete in a music competition.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a rock ‘n’ roll comedy that encourages kids to pursue their passions.
- Shrek
- Description: An ogre, a talking donkey, and a princess team up on an adventure to rescue the princess from a dragon.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: This animated film is a hilarious and heartwarming twist on classic fairy tales.
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Description: The speedy blue hedgehog Sonic teams up with a human friend to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an action-packed and fun-filled video game adaptation with a message of friendship.
- Spies in Disguise
- Description: A top spy is accidentally turned into a pigeon and teams up with a gadget inventor to save the world from an evil plot.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a blend of spy adventure and comedy that promotes teamwork and innovation.
- The Adventures of Robin Hood
- Description: The legendary outlaw Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men fight against the oppressive Sheriff of Nottingham.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a classic swashbuckling adventure with themes of justice and heroism.
- The BFG
- Description: Based on Roald Dahl’s book, it follows the friendship between a young girl and a Big Friendly Giant as they work together to stop other evil giants.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a whimsical and heartwarming tale that celebrates the power of friendship and imagination.
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Description: Four siblings discover a magical world through a wardrobe and join the fight against the evil White Witch.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a fantasy adventure with themes of bravery and sacrifice.
- The Croods
- Description: A prehistoric family embarks on a journey to find a new home after their cave is destroyed.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a fun and adventurous story about family, survival, and adapting to change.
- The Goonies
- Description: A group of friends embarks on a treasure hunt to save their homes from foreclosure, leading to a series of thrilling adventures.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a classic ’80s adventure film that captures the spirit of youthful exploration.
- The Golden Compass
- Description: In a parallel universe, a young girl embarks on a journey to the Arctic to rescue her kidnapped friend and uncover a sinister plot.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a fantasy epic that encourages critical thinking and bravery.
- The Greatest Showman
- Description: Inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, it tells the story of the creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus and celebrates diversity and creativity.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a musical extravaganza with themes of acceptance and embracing uniqueness.
- The Incredibles
- Description: A family of superheroes comes out of retirement to save the world from a new villain.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a thrilling and heartwarming film about family bonds and heroism.
- The Iron Giant
- Description: A young boy befriends a giant robot from space and tries to protect it from government agents.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: This animated film explores themes of friendship, empathy, and the consequences of choices.
- The Jungle Book (2016)
- Description: A live-action adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, following Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves, on his jungle adventures.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It combines stunning visuals with themes of friendship, bravery, and environmental awareness.
- The Karate Kid
- Description: A young boy learns martial arts from a wise mentor and uses his newfound skills to overcome bullies.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an inspirational film that promotes self-discipline and resilience.
- The LEGO Batman Movie
- Description: Batman must work with allies to stop the Joker’s plan to take over Gotham City using a multitude of LEGO characters.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a hilarious and action-packed animated film that celebrates teamwork and creativity.
- The Lion King
- Description: Simba, a young lion cub, embarks on a journey to reclaim his throne as the rightful king of the Pride Lands.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a timeless Disney classic with themes of responsibility and the circle of life.
- The Maze Runner
- Description: A group of teenagers with no memory of their past are trapped in a deadly maze and must find a way to escape.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a suspenseful and thrilling dystopian adventure with themes of friendship and survival.
- The Parent Trap (1998)
- Description: Identical twin sisters, separated at birth, meet at a summer camp and decide to switch places to reunite their long-lost parents.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a heartwarming and funny tale of family and sisterhood.
- The Polar Express
- Description: A young boy embarks on a magical train journey to the North Pole to rediscover his belief in Santa Claus.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a visually stunning holiday film that captures the spirit of Christmas.
- The Princess and the Frog
- Description: A hardworking waitress in New Orleans is transformed into a frog and embarks on a quest to break the spell.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a musical fairy tale with themes of determination and love.
- The Princess Bride
- Description: A fairy tale adventure involving true love, pirates, giants, and revenge as a young woman seeks to rescue her true love.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a timeless and humorous tale that appeals to all ages.
- The Princess Diaries
- Description: A teenage girl discovers she’s the heir to a European throne and must navigate the challenges of royalty.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a coming-of-age story with humor and life lessons about responsibility and identity.
- The Sandlot
- Description: A group of friends spends a memorable summer playing baseball and learning life lessons in their neighborhood.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a heartwarming film about friendship, teamwork, and growing up.
- The Secret Life of Pets
- Description: A comedy about what pets do when their owners are away, featuring the adventures of a pampered dog named Max.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a fun and relatable film for animal lovers.
- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
- Description: Four best friends share a pair of magical jeans that fit them all perfectly, even though they have different body types.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a story of friendship, self-discovery, and the bonds that connect people over distance.
- The Spiderwick Chronicles
- Description: Siblings discover a hidden world of magical creatures and must protect it from dark forces.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a fantasy adventure filled with mystery and wonder.
- The Wizard of Oz
- Description: Dorothy is swept away to the magical land of Oz and embarks on a journey to find her way back home.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: This classic film is a timeless adventure with themes of courage and friendship.
- Toy Story
- Description: Toys come to life when their owner isn’t around, and they embark on adventures to save their fellow toy from being replaced.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a heartwarming and imaginative story about the value of friendship and loyalty.
- Turning Red
- Description: A young girl experiences an unusual transformation into a giant red panda when she gets excited or emotional.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a coming-of-age story about self-acceptance and the challenges of adolescence.
- Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
- Description: A young boy wins a golden ticket to tour a magical chocolate factory owned by the enigmatic Willy Wonka.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a whimsical and imaginative film that celebrates curiosity and wonder.
- Wreck-It Ralph
- Description: A video game villain seeks to become a hero and prove that he’s more than just his bad-guy reputation.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s a fun and creative journey through the world of video games with themes of redemption.
- Zootopia
- Description: A rookie bunny cop teams up with a slick con artist fox to solve a mystery in the bustling city of Zootopia.
- Suitable for 12-year-olds: It’s an animated film that addresses important themes of diversity, tolerance, and determination.
Choosing movies for a 12-year-old is about finding that sweet spot between too childish and too mature. The key is knowing your child and offering them a variety of choices.
And remember, sometimes it’s fun to watch something together and share a few laughs (or tears). So grab some popcorn, snuggle up, and enjoy some quality movie time!
In the end, the best movie for a 12-year-old is one that they enjoy and can learn from. Whether it’s about friendship, courage, or just a good old laugh, movies are a great way to enrich your child’s world. So, happy watching!