Trying to find the best PG-13 movies for your teens and tweens and one that they will enjoy? Or perhaps you are a teacher looking for a shortlist to share with your highschool students for the end of the year? We have compiled a list of movies you and your teenagers will enjoy, all rated PG13 or G.
Best PG 13 Movies for Teens
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Plot: A man living a dull life dreams up romantic and action-filled scenarios to escape from monotony. He sets out on a romantic and action-packed journey when his job is threatened.
Year Made: 2013
Genre: Adventure / Comedy / Drama
Rating: PG
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
The Plot: Ricky Baker runs away to the wild when his foster mother dies. However, his cantankerous uncle Hector joins him and gets to know him better on their way out of the wild.
Year Made: 2016
Genre: Adventure / Comedy / Drama
Rating: PG
What We Did On Our Holiday
The Plot: While visiting family in the Scottish Highlands, a troubled couple try to put on a happy face, but their three children innocently reveal all of their biggest secrets.
Year Made: 2014
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Rating: PG
Paper Planes
The Plot: Dylan and his dad are struggling to stay connected after the death of his mother. When Dylan picks up the art of turning a piece of paper into an aerodynamic paper plane, he decides to compete in the upcoming regional finals of a paper plane flying competition.
Year Made: 2015
Genre: Family / Drama
Rating: G
Red Dog
The Plot: Based on the true story of Red Dog, the film revolves around how a dog develops a strong bond with Grant, who becomes his ‘true master’. When his master dies, Red Dog wanders the full length of Australia in search of him.
Year Made: 2011
Genre: Family / Comedy
Rating: PG
BABE
The Plot: Babe, an orphaned pig, learns to herd sheep after Arthur Hoggett, a farmer, wins him in a contest at a country fair. However, Rex, Hoggett’s lead sheepdog, doesn’t like Babe.
Year Made: 1995
Genre: Family / Fantasy
Rating: G
Oddball
The Plot: An eccentric chicken farmer, with the help of his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a penguin sanctuary from fox attacks in an attempt to reunite his family and save their seaside town.
Year Made: 2015
Genre: Family / Adventure
Rating: G
Storm Boy
The Plot: Storm Boy lives a lonely life with his reclusive father on a desolate coastline, but when he forms a close bond with a pelican, Mr. Percival, his life takes a new and unexpected turn.
Year Made: 2019
Genre: Drama / Family
Rating: PG
The Worlds Fastest Indian
The Plot: New Zealander Burt Munro is a motorcycle enthusiast who spends years rebuilding and perfecting a 1920 Indian motorcycle. Eventually, he puts everything on the line and sets a land speed world record.
Year Made: 2005
Genre: Drama / Sport
Rating: PG
Cool Runnings
The Plot: A Jamaican bobsleigh team, including a reluctant coach, fights against the odds to compete in the 1988 Winter Olympics. They train in a harsh and sunny climate for a sport that chills them to their bones. Based on an inspiring true story.
Year Made: 1993
Genre: Sport / Comedy
Rating: G
Hidden Figures
The Plot: Three female African-American mathematicians play a pivotal role in astronaut John Glenn’s launch into orbit. Meanwhile, they also have to deal with racial and gender discrimination at work.
Year Made: 2016
Genre: Drama / History
Rating: PG
Spirited Away
The Plot: Ten-year-old Chihiro and her parents end up at an abandoned amusement park inhabited by supernatural beings. Soon, she learns that she must work to free her parents who have been turned into pigs.
Year Made: 2001
Genre: Fantasy / Adventure
Rating: PG
Goonies
The Plot: A group of children facing their last days together before a development paves over their homes stumble onto evidence of a pirate’s treasure attracting the attention of a family of criminals.
Year Made: 1985
Genre: Adventure / Family
Rating: PG
The Karate Kid
The Plot: Teenager Daniel LaRusso is bullied by Johnny Lawrence, who is adept at martial arts. To defend himself, he tries to learn karate from Mr Miyagi, his apartment’s kind handyman.
Year Made: 1984
Genre: Drama / Action
Rating: PG
PG movies for teachers
All of the movies above are rated PG when writing this article. We suggest going to commonsense media for a more details synopsis of the movie, especially concerning triggers like the loss of parents or, in the case of Red Dog, the passing of an animal. Once you have an acceptable shortlist, we recommend putting the decision back on your students and letting them vote for their favourites. This idea came directly from Brisbane teens.
Are there any other great tween movies we haven’t listed? Please let us know, and we will add them!
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