21 Tween-Approved Movies for When You've Seen Everything

Back in medieval times, sailors used to think if they sailed too far toward the horizon, they’d run out of ocean and plummet off “Edge of the World” into a black abyss of nothingness.

That’s what it feels like sometimes when my family is trying to find a new movie to watch, after we’ve cycled through the go-to’s and the classics and everyone is barking, “Already seen that one!” at me so loud my fillings rattle; When I’m scrolling through my phone, reading subreddits about ‘family films’ and it becomes apparent that we’ve already seen every. single. film. — It feels like we’ve run out of ocean and are plummeting into the abyss.

Anyone else have that experience?

Well, here’s a list of potential movies for when you’re dropping through nothingness. A compilation of non-classic films that have hit for our family. Hopefully there will be one or two that weren’t on your radar, so the next time your family ship is headed over the edge, you can dig your oar in and find dry land.

1. The Slumber Party, Disney+ - This one is a true ‘four corner’ crowd pleaser in our house. It basically takes the plot of ‘The Hangover’ and maps it onto a group of tween girls, complete with a wild card Zach Galifianakis type character in the group. After a visit from a birthday party hypnotist, the girls wake up to find one of their pals missing, and a ton of crazy stuff from the night before that none of them can remember. It’s really funny without being crass, and has a little budding romance that is cute.

2. Mixtape, Netflix - This one is a little more emotional without being too saccharine. It’s about a tween girl whose parents died when she was young, who finds a mixtape they made and starts to piece together, song by song, who they were. And in the process, learns who she is. There’s a lot of comedy and coming of age fun, plus it’s got Julie Bowen for any Modern Family fans, and my buddy Nick Thune as a gruff but cool record store owner. And the actual songs on the mixtape are a pretty great punk soundtrack.

3. Chang Can Dunk, Disney+ - We watched this one over Covid lockdown and it really inspired everyone. It’s about a scrawny high schooler who makes a bet with a bully that he can dunk a basketball by the end of the year, to impress his crush. Full of heart and legit comedic performances by the lead dude and the supporting cast, it’s a super entertaining watch that also has some classic ‘sports movie’ inspirational stuff about personal growth and perseverance.