What do I watch with a nearly 13yo who doesn’t like anything???

[LadyContrary]

Just as the title says. We are having a movie night. DS likes nothing atm - he is a grumpy teenager who communicates more through grunts than actual words. I suspect he’s in it just for the snacks anyway.

He doesn’t like (brace yourselves for the list)

• Christmas movies (for girls, apparently!!!)
• Star Wars/ lord of the rings vibe (seen many times)
• anything too scary (as if I would ever let him watch a proper horror film!)
• anything at all.

Every suggestion from me has been a NO!!!
He likes football, all sports in general, planes and travelling. He liked Jurrasic Park films, Sully: mirace on the Hudson, Men in Black - just a few examples for inspiration..

I’m feeling lost for ideas, any suggestions welcome! We have Disney+, Prime, Netflix, Sky, Paramount, Apple and pretty much any other streaming service (I know, I know, waste of money).

If you asked him what he wanted to watch, what would he say?

Ds(13) and I have watched and enjoyed:
Jumanji films
harry potter films
star wars films
Happy Gilmore 2
Rampage
Avatar movies
Holes (random one but he read the book at school and the film was good)
maze runner (I dont think this qualifies as too scary)
hunger games films (as above)

Friday night dinner or Wednesday (if you want a non film option you can just get the odd episode in)

I try to find a balance between letting him do whatever he wants and insisting (which, as you said usually he enjoys in the end). We generally watch something together twice a week, have some chats in the car as regular one on one time and he loves it when I show an interest in a computer game and let him tell me about it. I don’t tend to insist he comes with us at weekends on walks or small trips and he often does things with friends but he said this weekend he has nothing planned so will come for a walk or whatever (this was off his own bat, I was shocked but tried not to show it!).

The bobs burgers movie, naked gun (the original) , big hero 6 (banging music) inner spat. My teenage son is really liking the old movie's from the 80's. Planes trains and automobile might have him smiling...does contain swearing though

Don't force him into joining you. Leave him to entertain himself and if he wants snacks, he can put his phone down and come out his room as required!

My parents were 100% cringe when I was 13, no way would I have been watching anything with them 😆.

Well maybe the OP wants to have a movie night. Why should her viewing enjoyment be spoiled by a moody adolescent who won't be pleased?

@LadyContrary How about 'The Dish'? Based on a true story about the Moon landings.

Ted Lasso (there is swearing but nothing he wouldn’t hear at school)!

My kids loved film or tv nights with us which did make life easier, once we had exhausted all the current stuff I introduced them to older films from the 80s and 90s or even earlier, a few suggestions:-
What’s up Doc?
Cool Runnings
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Bond films
Early (recent) Dr Who series - Christopher Ecleston/ David Tennant
Indiana Jones films
Romancing the Stone/ Jewel of the Nile
Godzilla
Forest Gump
Hitchcock films - the Birds, Rear Window - not Psycho
Jaws (my girls quite liked being scared!) but it’s only a 12
Hope some of these are useful - good luck!

Have a 16 year old boy and 13 year old girl. We have watched Signs and Arrival recently, and Planes Trains and Automobiles. Will watch some National Lapoon too.
Dr Who goes down well, and we have popcorn etc

No. Don’t teach a young boy that his wants and opinions over rule everyone else’s and are more important - that’s a recipe for disaster.

James Bond ?

Blimey, I was still doing stuff and imposing stuff on ds well past 13, and I’d do the same again. Not every hour of the day, but sometimes.

Our hit of hits during Covid was Arrested Development (first 3 series) but he was 16 for that, it’s a bit Rude. So funny though.

Naked Gun? Also a bit rude but then I’m very innocent. Can be fun for teens to see you blush and hide in a cushion.

A feel good retro sports film like Mighty Ducks or Cool Runnings.

Oh yes and Planes Trains and Automobiles! I love that movie and it isn’t a Christmas movie although I treat it like one because it has that feel

Thank you for that comment. I really don’t want him always glued to his phone when he’s home! I want us to do stuff together even when he’s not super keen.

My son really enjoyed Wednesday. Watched it with his 15 year old sister.

A lot of these movies are quite old, 12yos might not enjoy them because they're quite dated now (I'm loving the list btw).
What about something released in the last 5 years, or one of the marvel or DC films?

There's been some great suggestions on here. I'm a huge fan of Erik the Viking, Princess Bride, Monty Python and all those kinds of comedies. Plus 5th Element, Strange Days, etc
If you don't mind a bit of language and fright things like Planes, Trains and Automobiles (f word), Alien, Terminator, Predator there's so many good films a and don't forget the classic Bruce Lee or Clint Eastwood or National Lampoon
But pick 3 and get him to choose . It's best to try comedy as making him laugh will relax you both and it makes my day when my lad is giggling

White chicks
drop dead Fred
happy gilmore
step brothers
dumb and dumber

my 13 now 14 year old loves these

Forrest Gump?

Put Blazing Saddles on

What about an old film uncle buck, ruthless people, brusters millions etc

I asked my just turned 13 yo what his favourite movie of all time is and apparently its Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse. He's a big fan of animated stuff though so perhaps a bit niche.

Cool Runnings.
Trading Places. Ocean's 11 if he's quite clever (it's relatively complicated plot at the end); ditto Now you see me.?? Sometimes older films are better? Have you done all the Back to the Future films?

You don't mention Marvel OP. Has he watched many of them?

I also second PPs' suggestion of Wednesday. Yes it's a series, but in a way that is good, you can watch two or three episodes together then have more to come back to.

Airplane
Catch Me If You Can