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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for film help within the hour?

140 replies

Jones3A · 25/10/2024 18:35

We need a film to watch this evening, me DH and DS. Rare treat as DD8 is out on a sleepover.

My son is 11, he's mature, and he's increasingly keen to watch more adult style films.

He's not easily spooked and not squeamish.

He's seen Shawshank, a few good men, the dark knight, Forrest gump and hacksaw ridge, recently. All with both of us there to talk through the themes and difficult subjects. Some I've slightly regretted after tbh (Shawshank).

DH and I have argued this week because of some of the increasingly adult suggestions of films they're making together, to watch next. I don't mind him watching some stuff that's pushing it a little, but he's only a kid, and there's no rush.

What can we watch tonight that's exciting/challenging enough that he feels it's grown up, without filling his 11yo brain with things he doesn't need to be worrying about yet?

OP posts:
Thommasina · 25/10/2024 20:14

SootherSue · 25/10/2024 20:08

The Green Mile, Titanic, The Matrix, Mission Impossible, Minority Report, A.I., Bicentennial Man, Ocean's Eleven

Edited

The Green Mile is not like the other films in this list.

LyndaSnellsSniff · 25/10/2024 20:13

Someone else mentioned The Mummy. Lots for an 11 year old to love, especially if they've studied Ancient Egyptians in school. There are some scary bits to be aware of but they are quite 'comic book' in nature.

Green Mile though...not at 11!

Andoutcomethewolves · 25/10/2024 20:10

Just don't do what my mum did when I had two school friends over for a sleepover at 10/11 and stick on The Full Monty followed by Trainspotting(!!!). That dead baby still occasionally haunts my nightmares, God knows what their parents must have thought 😳

Truman Show is a great shout, or Men in Black!

lonelywater · 25/10/2024 20:08

Miyagi99 · 25/10/2024 20:05

Little Miss Sunshine is fantastic. Any of the Alien series. Spirited Away. Jaws.

Alien? For an 11 year old? Are you completely bonkers?

SootherSue · 25/10/2024 20:08

The Green Mile, Titanic, The Matrix, Mission Impossible, Minority Report, A.I., Bicentennial Man, Ocean's Eleven

BlueIndigoViolet · 25/10/2024 20:06

Jones3A · 25/10/2024 18:35

We need a film to watch this evening, me DH and DS. Rare treat as DD8 is out on a sleepover.

My son is 11, he's mature, and he's increasingly keen to watch more adult style films.

He's not easily spooked and not squeamish.

He's seen Shawshank, a few good men, the dark knight, Forrest gump and hacksaw ridge, recently. All with both of us there to talk through the themes and difficult subjects. Some I've slightly regretted after tbh (Shawshank).

DH and I have argued this week because of some of the increasingly adult suggestions of films they're making together, to watch next. I don't mind him watching some stuff that's pushing it a little, but he's only a kid, and there's no rush.

What can we watch tonight that's exciting/challenging enough that he feels it's grown up, without filling his 11yo brain with things he doesn't need to be worrying about yet?

Not sure if anyone else has suggested it but mine watched The Others at that age and really enjoyed it, especially with the twist

Miyagi99 · 25/10/2024 20:05

Little Miss Sunshine is fantastic. Any of the Alien series. Spirited Away. Jaws.

Gonegirl7 · 25/10/2024 20:01

Avatar?

Miyagi99 · 25/10/2024 20:00

MasterBeth · 25/10/2024 18:39

Stand By Me

Definitely Stand by Me!

AngeloMysterioso · 25/10/2024 19:49

I’d say Dune (and Dune Part 2 if you’ve got time)

PucaBandearg · 25/10/2024 19:48

Hot Fuzz, not sure of the rating though.
It's comical horror not gore fest.

lonelywater · 25/10/2024 19:46

independence day. complete tosh, but grade A+ tosh at that.

Jones3A · 25/10/2024 19:43

FloatyBoaty · 25/10/2024 18:57

You’re thinking about it the wrong way round.

A film isn’t “adult” because of the rating. Citizen Kane is a U, but it’s indisputably an “adult” film. Eat Pray Love is a PG, but the themes would fly over most kids heads. Also The Way- a 12, but of absolutely no interest to kids.

Ratings aren’t based on stories but presence of sex, violence, certain language etc. their presence doesn’t “make” a film adult- it just rules out suitability for kids.

Appreciate the sentiment and wholeheartedly agree, just couldn't be arsed writing all that 😂
One of my kids' favourite films is some like it hot, which due to the time it was released is an 18...

OP posts:
Thommasina · 25/10/2024 19:31

HousefulofIkea · 25/10/2024 19:20

Can't actually believe some of the suggestions on here. Who would show the Green Mile to an 11 year old wtf is wrong with you. Kids don't need to see films with such dark plotlines no matter how mature they are!!!

I think people think the Green Mile is the equivalent of the Shawshank redemption, but it is much, much darker.

YellowphantGrey · 25/10/2024 19:29

MasterBeth · 25/10/2024 18:41

He's a mature 11 year old, not a mature 7 year old! Harry Potter? Jurassic Park?

Are you going through everyone's replies to give your approval or just mine?

Freeasabird76 · 25/10/2024 19:29

National treasure,Gremlins,Et,cocoon,flight of the navigator,The Goonies,Karate kid,Eight below.loads of disaster movies out there if he likes those.
I was allowed to watch Nightmare on elm street at that age,big mistake,huge... had Nightmares for months.

GentleFinch · 25/10/2024 19:28

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Applesandbananaz · 25/10/2024 19:26

Billy Elliot

Notting Hill

Hohofortherobbers · 25/10/2024 19:25

Roastiesarethebestbit · 25/10/2024 18:53

Shawn of the dead

They say the c word within the first 1 minute

HousefulofIkea · 25/10/2024 19:24

And i would not show Shawshank to my 11yr old either. These films have older ratings for a reason they have content that is not appropriate for children younger - its one thing letting a mature 16 or 17 year old watch an 18 movie but an 11yr old is never, ever old enough no matter how 'mature' damaged you think they are

Jones3A · 25/10/2024 19:24

Thank you so much everyone! Definitely a winner in here and will reply properly shortly. Just eating 😁

OP posts:
RaininSummer · 25/10/2024 19:23

Operation mincemeat was good.

GentleFinch · 25/10/2024 19:22

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Holidaysarexoming · 25/10/2024 19:21

The Mummy! Halloween ish themed and it’s a 12A. I saw it around the same age and felt very grown up

Lilacbloomers · 25/10/2024 19:21

Apollo 13, Armageddon