The best movies for tween boys address difficulties that many face daily, such as the intricacies of friendship, the sensation of being overlooked by adults, and the need to belong.
If you have a 10-, 11-, or 12-year-old, you know how difficult it is to entertain them. They yearn to show their maturity and go beyond their old princess flicks and cartoons half of the time.
The other half of the time, they’re still sensitive to huge increases in scariness, intensity, or risk. It’s challenging to discover tween movies that strike the perfect chord.
The best movies for tweens meet them where they are. They demonstrate that children are mature enough to step up in seriousness but not so much that they are terrified or disturbed.
Most importantly, they must all be enjoyable and amusing for children of this famously fickle age group since they will be lost without all those theme components.
The Karate Kid (1984)
The Karate Kid is one of the best movies for tween boys. After acting in this 1984 family picture about a youngster who learns the art of karate from a teacher named Mr. Miyagi, portrayed by Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio became a household figure.
While many other 1980s films have been forgotten by history, this one has maintained its popularity. Watch it (and its sequel) to find out why.
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
It isn’t easy to think that the first film about a panda who studied kung fu was released in 2008.
The original Jack Black film and its 2011 sequel are available on Netflix and are well worth seeing for families looking for something to do on weekends.
Kung Fu Panda became a franchise that includes two sequels and short movies, an animated series, many computer games, and even a traveling performance.
A Monster Calls (2006)
This 2016 fantasy movie for tween boys was directed by the legendary J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage).
It’s based on Patrick Ness’ novel of the same name, which follows a little boy called Conor (Lewis MacDougall) as he deals with his terminally sick mother (Felicity Jones).
In a fantasy/horror story about how children deal with death, his worries and sadness emerge in the form of a monster tree, voiced by Liam Neeson.
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Peter Ramsey made his directorial debut in 2012 with a computer-animated story based on the novel by David Lindsay-Abaire.
This was done before going on to co-direct Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, and Hugh Jackman star in the cast of The Guardians: Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, and Easter Bunny, which stars Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, and Hugh Jackman. It’s a strange film but much better than you remember.
Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)
Oz Rodriguez co-wrote and directed this delightful family/comedy/horror combination, which, with its blend of scaring and amusing, resembles genre films from the 1980s.
Three Bronx kids find that their neighborhood’s gentrification includes some genuine bloodsuckers. The kids steal the show, but the supporting cast includes Shea Whigham, Method Man, and Sarah Gadon.
The Water Man (2020)
The Water Man is also among the best movies for tween boys. In 2021, actor David Oyelowo made his directing debut with a family film currently available on Netflix.
The Water Man is a tender and touching story of a little kid who sets out to discover the title character after believing that the local legend can save his dying mother’s life.
The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021)
The Netflix blockbuster from the creators of Into the Spider-Verse is half road trip comedy, part post-apocalyptic sci-fi actioner, and immensely entertaining.
It’s also a visually magnificent, endlessly quotable family movie that genuinely understands the generational split between Mitchell’s station wagon’s front and rear seats.
It empathizes with the internet generation and the grownups attempting to create more analog relationships with their children.
You’ve got something for everyone when you throw in a couple of cute robots, a slobbery dog, and a conscious smartphone voiced by Olivia Colman.
The Goonies (1985)
The Goonies never say die, and neither does this Steven Spielberg-produced film directed by Richard Donner.
In this 1980s comedy, young tweens embark on a journey to save their home from foreclosure.
Mikey, the pack’s excessively exuberant leader, persuades his comrades that looking for One-Eyed Willy’s treasure is a terrific way to stay connected to their ancestors.
At the same time, their search for the jewels is extremely dangerous, especially when the Fratelli criminal family finds out.
The Parent Trap (1998)
Nick and Liz decide to part up, but they leave behind two twin daughters (both played by Lindsay Lohan in her breakthrough performance) caught in the thick of a terrible breakup.
As a result, each parent takes possession of a kid and vanishes into the abyss. However, over 12 years later, the sisters are inadvertently transported to the same sleepaway camp, where they meet their other half and develop a plot to reunite their parents “face to face.”
How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
This is among the best movies for tween boys. The DreamWorks movie about Hiccup and his dragon Toothless must be included in any discussion of the best movies for tween boys.
Although the original is still the unquestionable classic, both sequels are nearly as brilliant, including this 2014 narrative of Hiccup’s reunion with his mother, which Cate Blanchett voices. It’s a beautiful, heartfelt narrative about family and heritage.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
This 2020 offering, which thrilled viewers and audiences throughout the holiday season, seems like Netflix has created another Christmas classic.
It’s a beautiful production that tells the original story of a toymaker who rediscovers his creative passion thanks to his granddaughter.
This family filmmaking should embrace unique music, an imaginative storyline, and an original vision.
Jumanji (2019)
Robin Williams appeared in the original adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s novel, released in 1995, long before Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart even contemplated the phrase Jumanji.
In this more classic narrative rendition, a spooky board game comes to life, causing all kinds of family movie havoc.
The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)
You are familiar with the story’s basic outlines. A boy discovers a sword, pulls it from the stone, and transforms into a powerful hero who must defeat an evil sorcerer with the help of his trusted knights.
Only this time, the youngster is Alex. He lives in a modern-day London suburb and has to rally a bunch of his middle school pals to his cause.
Your Name (2016)
This romance animation features a body-swapping twist. Mitsuha, a girl from the countryside, and Taki, a lad from Tokyo, begin to have vivid dreams in which they experience each other’s lives.
They quickly discover they aren’t dreaming but rather spending time in each other’s bodies, and they begin to communicate by leaving notes for one another. After its premiere, this movie received a flood of honors at animation festivals.
Paddington (2016)
Paddington and its sequel, Paddington 2, are noted for capturing children’s and adults’ hearts.
This movie was notable for achieving the rare, perfect 100 percent fresh rating when released in theaters. It’s not a ruse; it’s just an interesting story about a bear that moves to London to live with a charming British family.
Coraline (2009)
Most of Laika’s stop-motion animation films, such as ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, Missing Link, and Coraline, are appropriate for tweens.
The studio understands how to use stop-inherent motion’s creepiness to tell stories with sinister elements, making them slightly more mature than most cartoons.
Coraline is the best choice since it has a premise that tweens can relate to. Coraline is enthralled by a hidden realm where an “other mother” promises her anything she desires while her parents are too busy to pay attention to her.
Unfortunately, the other mother wasn’t what she claimed to be.
Spy Kids (2001)
This is one of the best movies for tween boys. Carmen and Juni learn that their parents are spies who have been kidnapped in this movie, and they must embark on an expedition to save them.
However, the danger never becomes too frightening thanks to many ridiculous technologies and exaggerated characters.
If this is a hit with your family, the whole Spy Kids franchise, including an animated TV series, is presently available on Netflix.
Millions (2004)
You may need tissues for this film since it is very touching. A little child, still mourning over his mother’s death, discovers a duffel bag full of cash and needs to use it before England’s (fictional) currency changes and the money becomes useless.
The boy’s brother wants to spend the money on showy stuff, but he also wants to use it to respect his mother’s memories.
