20 Sleepover Movies Worth Staying Up For

Action, adventure, pirates, sword-fighting, magic, and, yes, kissing all mash up in the fairytale-esque story of The Princess Bride. It's inconceivable!

Alexandra F. said:  I'll never forget when I first watched this movie with my then 9- and 11-year-olds, and seeing their faces mirror Fred Savage's exactly as they began to hear the love story unfold - wary and more than a little skeptical. Never fear! Though it is indeed a story about true love, it is also filled with adventure, sword fights, giants and pirates. Oh. And R.O.U.S. (Rodents of Unusual Size). This movie is hilarious - your tweens & teens will love it.

Scotty Smalls moves to the California suburbs in 1962 and tries to fit in with a group of baseball-loving boys in this obvious choice for a summer movie night with friends.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  My kids and I love The Sandlot! It's classic and wholesome with great characters, story and truly shows what life was like for kids before electronics took over.

Enchanted playfully blends fairytale tropes with real-world New York as an animated princess is magically transported to the city and falls for a cynical divorce lawyer with a daughter. Hilarity (and a seriously delightful soundtrack) ensue.

Alexandra F. said:  This is a truly enjoyable movie for tweens, teens, young kids and adults alike, with music you will be humming long after the film is over. A unique spin on the classic fairy tale throws a soon-to-be princess into the "real world" in NYC, where her upbeat and optimistic worldview both clashes with and inspires those around her. Tweens will especially enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humor that intentionally flips the traditional princess story on its head.

The Princess Diaries is a charming coming-of-age story about an awkward teenager who discovers she's the heir to a European throne and must navigate princess lessons while dealing with high school life. If you're looking for sleepover movie recommendations that are free from objectionable content but still appeal to tweens and teens, start here!

Kelly R said:  I thought this for sure was going to be a flop when I picked it for family movie night with my tween and teen, but it was actually a big hit with all of us!

Tired of being the bad guy, video game character Wreck-It Ralph wants to claim some of the glory and show that he can be a hero, too.

Amy S. said:  We love this movie about a video game villain who is looking for more out of life. Fast-paced, flashy, and fun, Wreck-It Ralph has lots of laughs but also thought-provoking discussions about what it means to be labeled a “bad guy” and what it takes to be a good friend.

Free Guy tells the story of an NPC in a video game who gains sentience and decides to become the hero. The blend of action, comedy, and video game visuals makes it a favorite among older tweens and teens.

Kelly R said:  My 12-year-old loved this one about a bank teller who figures out he's a secondary character in a video game. I'd recommend it for older tweens, because there is quite a bit of language.

A middle school boy finally has a robot "best friend" just like all the other kids, but his came with a few quirks...

Kelly R said:  We've watched this movie twice already, once for a tween boy sleepover, so I'd say it's a hit with all ages!

Kid-friendly romantic comedy about a Greek-American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek man, and the hilarious cultural clashes that ensue as their two very different families prepare for the wedding. With only mild innuendo, it's a pretty safe sleepover movie for tweens or younger teens.

Pirates, treasure, adventure and a group of childhood best friends combine to make up one of the best 80s movies for kids.

When teenager Marty McFly accidentally zaps himself thirty years into the past with the help of eccentric scientist Doc Brown's DeLorean time machine, he must ensure his parents fall in love to secure his own existence.

Tim Ponisciak said:  A great movie... and lots of fun details to look for when watching the movie a second or third time!

Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart are hilarious in this adaptation of Jumanji, where four teens get sucked into the video game world and need to figure out how to get through its dangerous challenges in order to escape.

In the seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land, Stereotypical Barbie begins to question her existence, leading her (and Ken) on an unexpected journey of self-discovery in the real world.

Kelly R said:  I haven't laughed this much at a movie in years. We went with a group of middle schoolers and parents and had the best time.

A stressed single mom and her teenage daughter magically switch bodies after a fortune cookie mishap, forcing them to walk a mile in each other's shoes with hilarious and eye-opening results. 

Hairspray is a vibrant and energetic musical comedy set in 1960s Baltimore, where a plus-size teen dreams of dancing on a local TV show and fights for racial integration. Its catchy songs, positive message of inclusivity, and fun, upbeat energy make it a fantastic choice for a tween or teen sleepover movie.

Delinquent boys spend their days digging holes at mysterious Camp Green Lake in this summer family movie that does the book justice.