Inside: When your big kid asks you to watch a flick on a Friday night, you don’t want to waste any time figuring out what to watch. Here are 20 of the best teen movies to watch on Netflix.
If you have a teenager, you probably have heard the ever-popular phrase, “There’s nothing to watch.”
Although this used to be accurate, Netflix has truly upped its game regarding entertaining movies, particularly for teens.
Watching movies with your teenagers can be a great way to connect and talk about important issues, such as sex, drugs, alcohol, friendship, etc. Today’s high school students face an entirely new set of issues and watching some modern movies can give you a sense of understanding and them a window to talk.
OR, sometimes you can just sit back and be entertained and simply enjoy some time together.
If you are looking for some teen-friendly movies for your next movie night, or just a good flick to watch on Netflix, this list will help. It’s filled with a few romcoms, sports films, sci-fi, and melodramas so there is something for everyone.
Just make sure you have some snacks handy, and you’re off to make some great memories.
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The Best Teen Movies on Netflix
Sierra Burgess is a Loser
Sierra Burgess is an independent spirit who isn’t all that interested in being part of the popular clique at school. However, when her phone number falls into the hands of one of the cutest boys in school, Jamey, who thinks he’s digitally connecting with one of the most popular girls in school things get interesting. This movie stars Shannon Purser and the popular Noah Centineo, who also stars in To All the Boys We Loved Before and The Perfect Date.
Sierra and Jamey exchange texts and phone calls, creating an undeniable virtual connection, but her fears of revealing her true identity lead to a modern “Cyrano” storyline that creates both humor and drama in this imperfect but entertaining teen movie.
Dude
OK, maybe four teen friends smoking a lot of weed during their final weeks of high school isn’t your idea of family movie night, but if you want to talk to your big kids about a lot of issues that actually are happening in today’s high schools, than this is a good watch. DUDE stars Lucy Hale, Alex Wolff, Alexandra Shipp, Awkwafina, and Kathryn Prescott, and the movie shows four best friends making a lot of ill-advised decisions, which gives a lot of opportunities to discuss how to make the right ones–and maybe sharing some of your own mistakes, too.
A Week Away
In this uplifting musical, a seemingly hopeless teen finds the family, friends, and love he’s been yearning for during his first-ever visit to summer camp.
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between
Two teens make a pact to break up before they start college. Of course, that’s easier said than done, especially when Aiden (Jordan Fisher) has an epic final perfect date planned with the hopes of staying together with his girlfriend Clare (Talia Ryder.)
Moxie
Inspired by her mom’s rebellious past, an extremely shy and quiet 16-year-old girl starts an e-zine to out sexism at her school. Directed by Amy Poehler and starring teen favorites Hadley Robinson and Lauren Tsai, it’s a great girl-power movie that provides a lot of comedy.
The Perfect Date
In this Netflix Original, based on the book The Stand-In, teen favorites Noah Centinio, Laura Marano, and Camila Mendes of Riverdale fame, a high school senior aspiring to go to Yale launches a dating app to earn some fast cash. He acts as a stand-in for anyone needing a “boyfriend” for a special occasion, but he doesn’t anticipate actually falling for one of his clients. This movie is cheesy and predictable but also fun and romantic.
The Half of It
When smart but social outcast Ellie Chu is asked by a goofy but well-meaning jock to write love letters to his crush Aster, Ellie finds herself fighting surprising feelings. This teen rom-com takes an old story and makes it heartwarming and refreshing. Starring Leah Lewis and Daniel Diemer, this is a fun, clever movie for the whole family.
The Kissing Booth (and its two sequels)
Based on the books with the same name, this cheesy but entertaining film follows a forbidden high school romance and the choice one young girl (Elle) has to make between friendship and attraction to the hottest boy in school. It may not be Oscar-worthy, but you’ll find yourself smiling. Don’t be surprised when you find yourself watching the sequels because of your love for lead actors Joey King and Jacob Elordi. This is definitely one of the best high school movies out there and you can binge-watch the three-part series on a Friday night.
Home Team
Sean Payton has the dubious honor of being the first modern NFL football coach to be suspended for an entire season. During his downtime, he apparently took over coaching his son’s football team. This comedy sports film starring Kevin James is based on the true story of his life’s events. It’s hysterical and warm and a great quick watch.
All Together Now
Amber (Auliʻi Cravalho) is a homeless teen living on a bus, doing her best to keep her situation a secret while also juggling many different activities. This includes preparing for an audition for the drama program at Carnegie Mellon University. It’s a great tale about accepting love, accepting help, and most of all, accepting ourselves. All Together Now is emotional so make sure you have a box of tissues handy for all the tears.
Alex Strangelove
This is a refreshing take on the typical high school romance and a great modern coming of age film. Alex Trulove (Daniel Doheny) is a high school senior who goes on a journey of sexual discovery after befriending a new boy, who has an obvious crush on him. Their friendship continues to blossom and Alex begins to question his plans to lose his virginity to his girlfriend.
After
Based on Anna Todd’s bestselling novel, After follows Tess (Josephine Langford), a dedicated high school girl, dutiful daughter, and loyal girlfriend to her high school sweetheart, as she falls for a boy with a dark secret in her first semester of college.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
If you are looking for the perfect teen romance movie to watch, you will love this one starring Lana Condor! This movie follows Lara Jean and how she finds her entire quiet high school life turned upside down when her secret love letters get mailed to her crushes!
Also, you have to watch the sequel: “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You”
Tall Girl
Jodi, the tallest girl in her high school, has always felt uncomfortable in her own skin. But after years of slouching, being made fun of, and avoiding attention at all costs, Jodi finally decides to find the confidence to stand tall. Great launchpad to talk about learning to love yourself exactly as you are.
Update! There’s a sequel: Tall Girl 2
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Concrete Cowboy
Inspired by the real Black cowboys of North Philadelphia, Concrete Cowboy follows a teen, Sefer, who’s sent to live with his father for the summer to get away from pursuing a life of crime. During his stay, he meets a group of city-cowboys who change the trajectory of his life.
The Last Summer
Teens from a Chicago high school grapple with their dreams, relationships and identities in a transformative summer before they leave for college.
See You Yesterday
This movie follows the story of two teenage prodigies who have cracked the code on how to time travel! This movie follows these characters as they are sent through a series of trips to the past.
Dumplin’
A teen from small-town Texas, Willowdean Dickson, is the daughter of former beauty queen Rosie. But she is taught by her aunt to love Dolly Parton and herself, even though her plus-sized frame isn’t quite in keeping with traditional pageant beauty standards. This is the Jennifer Aniston both teens and adults will ove.
After her aunt’s passing, Willowdean decides to enter the local pageant, which is the oldest one in Texas — and which her mother now directs..
Enola Holmes
Enola Holmes is a 2020 mystery film starring Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things fame as the title character, the teenage sister of the already famous Victorian-era detective Sherlock Holmes. The film is is an adapts the first novel in The Enola Holmes Mysteries series by Nancy Springer. In the film, Enola travels to London to find her missing mother but ends up on a thrilling adventure, pairing up with a runaway lord as they attempt to solve a mystery that threatens the entire country. In addition to Brown, the film also stars Sam Claflin, Henry Cavill, and Helena Bonham Carter.
Note: there is now a sequel, Enola Holmes 2!
You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
Variety hails this “hilarious” coming-of-age comedy about a tween girl’s riotous rite of passage as “charming,” “relatable” and “wonderfully endearing.”
No matter what kind of movie you are looking for on Netflix, these modern teen movies are sure to be a hit with teenagers. If you are looking for some other great genre movies, here is a list of sports movies and 80’s movies for teens.
Are you in the thick of raising your tweens and teens? You may like this book by Whitney Fleming, the co-owner of Parenting Teens & Tweens: Loving Hard When They’re Hard to Love: Essays about Raising Teens in Today’s Complex, Chaotic World.
Parenting Teens and Tweens can be hard, but maybe these popular posts that other parents found helpful can make it a little easier.
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