Halloween H20
Finally, a film that really is fun for the whole family (assuming everyone in your family enjoys slice-and-dice horror films).

1998. Staring Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Michelle Williams, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Sugar & Spice
A caper film for teenagers. It comes perilously close to stereotyping youth, but deftly avoids it. Funny and fun to watch.

2001. Starring Marley Shelton, Marla Sokoloff, Mena Suvari, and James Marsden.

Bless the Child
Finally, a supernatural thriller in which the powerful child is not evil.

2000. Starring Kim Basinger, Jimmy Smits, and Christina Ricci.

RoboCop 2
If you're going to make a film with a young villain, this is the way to do it.

1990. Staring Peter Weller and Nancy Allen. Co-written by comic book legend Frank Miller.

I Know What You Did Last Summer
There have been many films where young people are the main characters. This is one of the few films where young people are heroes.

1997. Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Anne Heche. Written by Kevin Williamson.

Dressed to Kill
Another horror film with a young hero, convered in the Last Summer essay.

1980. Starring Keith Gordon, Nancy Allen, Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson, and Dennis Franz. Written and directed by Brian De Palma.

Hackers
A highly enjoyable comedy-thriller with young protagonists.

1995. Staring Jonny Lee Miller, Angelina Jolie, and Matthew Lillard.

Veronica Mars
OK, it's a TV show, but it's on DVD and this detective show is a great breakthrough for youth, surpassing even "21 Jump Street."

Staring Kristen Bell and Jason Dohring.

Agent Cody Banks
James Bond — the early years.

2003. Staring Frankie Muniz, Hilary Duff, and Angie Harmon.

The People Under the Stairs
Not totally youth-friendly, but offers an impresive young hero.

1991. Staring Brandon Adams, A. J. Langer, Ving Rhames. Written and directed by Wes Craven.

Elektra
Action movie with a surprise. Earns a mixed review from us.

2005. Staring Jennifer Garner, Terence Stamp, and Kirsten Prout.

10 Things I Hate About You
Why are fictional teenagers always such wimps? This problem is especially pronounced when the teenagers are supposed to be "rebellious." Rebels who don't rebel.

Starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
There are so few films made for children. Why do they all have to suck? Here's a perfect example of Hollywood promising to entertain children and then attacking them instead.

Pay It Forward
Seems to have more insults per second than any other film.

Starring Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment, and Jon Bon Jovi.

Freddy Vs. Jason
Horror movies hit a new low.

The Perfect Score
Confused heist movie.

Starring Scarlett Johansson, Darius Miles, and brief appearance by Matthew Lillard.