This Post: Binge-Worthy and Beyond: 22 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Movies to Watch with Your Teen
Written By: Marybeth Bock
If you’re like a lot of parents of teens, finding something to do with your teen that doesn’t involve a heavy sigh, an eye roll, or a “Geez, Mom… do I have to do that?” isn’t always easy.
Plus, with busy schedules (both theirs and yours), sometimes just finding the time to slow down and enjoy spending a little quality time together can feel like a small victory.
But guess what? A good movie, a big bowl of popcorn, and a few cozy blankets are a pretty good place to start – especially when movie night involves a great science fiction or fantasy movie!
With their wild adventures, action-packed twists, and unexpected stories that keep you guessing, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself (and each other’s company). And sometimes, the best part isn’t even the movie itself. It’s laughing together, debating what you would do if you were in the main character’s shoes, predicting what’s going to happen next, and having something fun to talk about long after the credits roll.
Binge-Worthy and Beyond: 22 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Movies to Watch with Your Teen
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To help you plan your next family movie night, we’ve come up with a helpful list of 22 fantastic sci-fi and fantasy films, broken down by vibe, which strike the perfect balance for parents and teenagers.
So, dim the lights, ditch your phones, grab some blankets, pick a title from our list, and enjoy an adventurous time together!
(NOTE: A lot of these movies could probably be found on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or other streaming services. Just for convenience, we included the Amazon link if you decide to purchase the movie.)
Epic Adventures and Fantasy Worlds
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) – PG-13
This movie is the absolute gold standard of high fantasy. It’s an immersive, beautifully made epic story that teaches lessons about loyalty and courage, giving parents and teens a massive world to dive into together. (And five other movies in the franchise to keep everyone entertained for many more movie nights or a weekend binge!)
The Princess Bride (1987) – PG
A real crowd-pleaser, with something for everyone in your family. This timeless classic brilliantly blends romance, swordplay, comedy, and fantasy. It’s endlessly quotable (“Prepare to die!”) and appeals easily across generations, so this is a great one to put on during the holidays.
Stardust (2007) – PG-13
Here’s another excellent, feel-good trip into a magical realm. It’s a swashbuckling fairytale romance full of flying pirates, wicked witches, and fallen stars. It’s funny, clever, and a real hidden gem of modern fantasy, with a surprising number of big-name actors in it.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) – R (Best for older teens)
This movie is a dark and visually stunning fairy tale set in post-Civil War Spain. It offers a sophisticated and haunting look at the fantasy genre as a coping mechanism for the harsh realities of life. The film won three Oscars for cinematography, makeup, and art direction. Its original spoken language is Spanish, but there is an English-dubbed version as well.
Spirited Away (2001) – PG
Studio Ghibli’s Japanese masterpiece of a movie about a young girl trapped in a magical spirit world is a dreamy, animated fantasy adventure. It’s visually breathtaking to watch and will resonate emotionally with both teens and adults. The metaphors and messages in this movie will keep you and your teen talking about it for a long time.
Mind-Bending Sci-Fi and Time Travel
Back to the Future (1985) – PG
Here’s an 80s classic that never disappoints! Every teenager needs to watch Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly. Teens will love the high school comedy of this time-travel tale and the old-school special effects. And us parents get to enjoy a heavy dose of pure 80s nostalgia.
Arrival (2016) – PG-13
This is not your average alien movie, but rather a thoughtful, cerebral sci-fi film about communication, grief, and time. It’s a perfect pick for older teens who want a smart, high-concept puzzle rather than just action. I guarantee you will be thinking and talking about this one for quite a while after it ends.
Interstellar (2014) – PG-13
If you have a science-loving teen, this Christopher Nolan film is definitely one you should watch with them. Visually, it’s absolutely amazing to view, and it has a heavy emotional core message about parent-child bonds across space and time. It will spark some great conversations about physics and space exploration.
The Martian (2015) – PG13
Nominated for Best Picture in 2016, this excellent movie is smart, so funny, deeply optimistic, and has a star-studded cast led by Matt Damon. It emphasizes problem-solving, resilience, and science in a way that is completely absorbing from start to finish. This is one of those movies you can watch multiple times and still enjoy it just as much as your first viewing.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014) – PG-13
Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt star in this clever sci-fi action movie built around a time loop. The visual effects in this film are superb. Teens will love that the action is intense and fast-paced, and there’s a lot of witty, dark humor as well. It also features fantastic character development that will keep adults thoroughly engaged.
Dystopian and Abstract Worlds
The Hunger Games (2012) – PG-13
The OG of the franchise, which keeps on going with sequels and a prequel, can be the great start of a movie marathon with your teen. Based on Suzanne Collin’s book series, these popular movies are fantastic conversation starters about media literacy, societal control, and ethics. Teenagers often connect deeply with the themes of standing up against oppression.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – PG
Even if you’re like me and aren’t a massive superhero movie fan, this film is a visual innovation and won the Best Animated Feature Film at the 2019 Oscars. It’s a unique take on the superhero genre, and it tackles identity, family expectations, and what it means to be a hero with incredible style and heart.
Jurassic Park (1993) – PG-13
Another first-in-the-franchise movie that delivers breathtaking dinosaur spectacle with thrilling action sequences, directed by Steven Spielberg – no wonder that six more have been made. This is the ultimate creature feature that still holds up brilliantly. It combines genuine thrills with some timeless ethical questions about science “playing God.” What’s not to like?
WALL-E (2008) – G
And another Best Animated Feature Film of the Year – Pixar’s visual sci-fi epic packs a massive punch, utilizing themes of environmentalism, consumerism, and human connection to entertain and make us really think. This adorable movie appeals just as much to teens and adults as it does to kids, so don’t sleep on this one.
Ready Player One (2018) – PG-13
You could call this movie a neon-soaked virtual reality scavenger hunt based on the popular novel of the same name. It is really fun and is jam-packed with Easter eggs and pop culture references that parents will spot immediately, and teens will enjoy for the high-octane action.
Lighthearted, Fun, and Nostalgic
Men in Black (1997) – PG-13
Take your teen on a trip back to the 1990s with this memorable hit of a movie. The on-screen chemistry between Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith is perfection. The film is truly a brilliant mix of buddy-cop and sci-fi comedy with snappy dialogue, fun creature effects, and an effortless cool factor.
Ghostbusters (1984) – PG
“Who ya gonna call?” This classic never gets old, due to Bill Murray’s deadpan delivery throughout. It’s a supernatural comedy that blends spooky ghost-hunting with dry, cynical adult humor that teens will still find hilarious. They’ll get a kick out of what we thought were cutting-edge special effects back in the day, but that doesn’t at all diminish the charm of this movie.
The Truman Show (1998) – PG
If you have a teen who’s into reality TV shows, you should definitely watch this with them. With an incredible performance by Jim Carrey, this is a brilliant and perceptive look at surveillance culture, reality TV, and personal truth that feels even more relevant today than it did in the 90s. It’s truly thought-provoking and will get your teen talking.
Galaxy Quest (1999) – PG
Here’s a pitch-perfect, sci-fi satire that treats its fans and genre with deep warmth. It’s laugh-out-loud funny – especially for anyone who loves the vibes of Star Trek. Besides comedy, it has a lot of great performances and great action.
District 9 (2009) – R (Best for older teens)
This movie is really captivating and uses a realistic documentary-style approach. The visual effects are stunning. It puts a unique spin on alien arrival movies and uses sci-fi metaphors to explore the concepts of systemic prejudice and civilization. There will be lots to chat about with your teenager after watching this one.
Wild and Mind-Expanding Concepts
Minority Report (2002) – PG-13
Here’s another great Steven Spielberg sci-fi thriller movie. What if certain people could see into the future and predict who would commit a crime? It’s an intriguing concept, and this dark mystery will lead you to interesting conversations about free will versus predetermined fate.
Contact (1997) – PG
We’ll end our list with a film that is simply breathtaking. If you haven’t seen this one, put it on your to-watch list right away! It’s a deeply captivating and philosophical journey about humanity’s first signal from extraterrestrial life. It blends science and faith and is anchored by a stellar performance from Jodie Foster. Definitely a must-see in my opinion!
Parents:
At the end of the day, the best part of watching a movie with your teens isn’t just the cinematic journey – it’s what happens after the credits roll.
Whether you spend ten minutes debating the physics of interstellar travel, laughing about a quote from The Princess Bride, or discussing the moral dilemmas of The Hunger Games, these movies will open the door to natural, interesting, and low-pressure conversations. And that’s a breath of fresh air that both we and our teens need these days when it can feel like so many of our conversations with them are a bit prickly. So get comfy, grab the popcorn, and enjoy a little quality time with your teen!
If you enjoyed reading “Binge-Worthy and Beyond: 22 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Movies to Watch with Your Teen,” you might also like these posts:
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About Marybeth Bock:
Marybeth Bock, MPH, is a Mom to two young adults and one delightful hound dog. She has logged time as a military spouse, childbirth educator, college instructor, and freelance writer. She lives in Arizona and thoroughly enjoys research and writing – as long as iced coffee is involved. Her work can be found on numerous websites and in two books. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
