Best Movies for 12-Year-Olds
We read the screenplay for every film on this list, so these aren't guesses based on a rating board's summary. Each pick below is recommended for ages 12 and up, with a note on exactly why it suits this age. Tap any title for the full scene-by-scene breakdown.
20 script-verified picks
- 1The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers2002 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 2Project Hail Mary2026 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, mild peril only — our age 12+ pick
- 3Ford v Ferrari2019 · PG-1312+
A few genuinely tense scenes, moderate action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 4Captain America: Civil War2016 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 5Rogue One: A Star Wars Story2016 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 6Captain America: The Winter Soldier2014 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 7Bridge of Spies2015 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 8The Blind Side2009 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 9Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol2011 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 10Black Panther2018 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 11Wonder Woman2017 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 12Cabrini2024 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 13Free Guy2021 · PG-1312+
A few genuinely tense scenes, mild peril only — our age 12+ pick
- 14Iron Man 32013 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 15Transformers2007 · PG-1312+
A few genuinely tense scenes, moderate action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 16Man of Steel2013 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 17Thelma2024 · PG-1312+
Only mild scares, mild peril only — our age 12+ pick
- 18Greyhound2020 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
- 19Ip Man 4: The Finale2019 · NR12+
A few genuinely tense scenes, mild peril only — our age 12+ pick
- 20Aquaman2018 · PG-1312+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 12+ pick
