Best Movies for 13-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 13 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 Dark Knight2008 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 2The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King2003 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 3Forrest Gump1994 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 4Inception2010 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 5Cinema Paradiso1988 · PG13+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 6The Dark Knight Rises2012 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 7Avengers: Infinity War2018 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 8Senna2010 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 9Dune: Part Two2024 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 10Hamilton2020 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 11Batman Begins2005 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 12Top Gun Maverick2022 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, moderate action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 13Stand by Me1986 · R13+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 14Rocky1976 · PG13+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 15Jaws1975 · PG13+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 16Titanic1997 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 17Jojo Rabbit2019 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 18Spartacus1960 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 19Avatar2009 · PG-1313+
Some intense frightening scenes, strong action violence — our age 13+ pick
- 20Ferris Bueller's Day Off1986 · PG-1313+
Only mild scares, mild peril only — our age 13+ pick
