From a young age—younger than many of us may realize—our thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs are influenced by the world around us. The books we read, the music we listen to, the movies we watch, and the people we surround ourselves with can all impact our lives.

Even if your child isn’t on social media, media messaging and specific societal values (that may or may not align with your own) can influence them. And unfortunately, much of this messaging is rooted in diet culture and an emphasis on one specific body type, generally rooted in thinness.

As a parent, as much as you may want to, you can’t protect your child from any messaging that you may deem harmful or unhelpful for your child. However, you do have the power to build a strong relationship with your child, and share with them media and lessons that convey healthy, helpful, and powerful messages!

The Best Body Image Movies for Kids and Teens

Movies are a great way to bond with your child and spark conversations around body positivity, body neutrality, body acceptance, body diversity, and more. Here are some great body confidence movies that you can watch with your daughter to embrace body acceptance and show what self-love looks like.

1. I Am Eleven (2014) — G/PG

This inspiring documentary follows 11-year-olds from across the globe, exploring their diverse lives and their thoughts. It explores the ever-changing period between childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and themes around growing up — all while embracing the diversity that makes our world and all the individuals in it so beautiful and unique. If you’re looking for tween movies about growing up, this is the perfect place to start.

2. Dumplin’ (2013) — PG-13

This film follows Willowdean, nicknamed “Dumplin,” as she begins to navigate societal beauty standards as a larger-bodied individual. As she navigates her emotions, she is inspired to enter the Miss Teen Bluebonnet pageant — which her own mother organizes — as a move against non-inclusive standards. Willowdean’s actions influence multiple others to enter the same pageant, sparking a movement that challenges standards. This message is rooted in the belief that individuals of all sizes deserve to be accepted and celebrated, and is a great mother-daughter movie about self-esteem to spark conversation with your child.

3. Tall Girl (2019) — PG

Tall Girl is a heartwarming story of high schooler Joni, the tallest girl in school, as she learns to embrace her height rather than trying to make herself smaller. It’s an empowering tale of body positivity for young girls and teens, and is a great movie to build self-esteem.

4. The Claudia Kishi Club (2020) — ⁨TV-14

Just under 20 minutes, this short documentary explores the portrayal of the character Claudia Kishi from the popular book series, The Babysitters Club. Different creatives discuss the impact Claudia had on them, and their feelings of her as one of the few characters whom they saw themselves in. The creators discuss that while during the 80s and 90s, many Asian characters were written stereotypically, Claudia defied that. This dives into the ways character portrayals can create self and body acceptance in media.

5. Hairspray (2007) — PG

Set in the early 1960s, Hairspray is the story of high school girl Tracy Turnblad, who lands a spot on the local dance TV program, The Corny Collins Show. Tracy navigates body acceptance as an individual in a larger body, and also fights for racial prejudice and inequality as she fights for the show to be racially integrated. This presents a great opportunity for talking to your daughter about body image while also teaching about deeper societal views throughout history.

6. Inside Out 2 (2024) — PG

Inside Out is a heartwarming story of a girl named Riley, who learns to navigate the acceptance of new emotions as her body changes throughout puberty — told through mixed perspectives of Riley herself and the personified feelings inside her head. This movie gives a powerful opportunity to discuss emotional and overall acceptance. Whether you’re searching for eating disorder recovery media or generally empowering movies for girls, this story is full of transformative lessons that teach us the importance of feeling a spectrum of emotions — including how we may think about our physical selves, especially through times of change.

7. Soul Surfer (2011) — PG

Soul Surfer is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a surfer who learns to navigate her passion after losing her arm to a shark. This incredible story is a perfect example of body diversity in film as well as body acceptance, and appreciating everything our physical selves can do for us — even when it may not be easy.

8. Empire Waist (2024) — PG-13 

When a classmate discovers she is a talented fashion designer, Lenore learns to navigate the complex relationship she has with herself and her body. Throughout this inspiring film, Lenore and her friends learn to appreciate — and even love— all their bodies can do for them, as she learns to let herself take up space.

9. Mulan (1998) — G

As Mulan grapples with the expectation that she will follow societal norms and find a husband, when her father is called to war, Mulan decides to disguise herself and go in his place. Disguising herself as a man, she finds inner and outer strength as she navigates the expectations placed on her and carves her own path. This body-neutral movie is perfect for kids and tweens, as it challenges typical gender norms and encourages people to write their own stories.

10. Survival of the Thickest (2023– ) — TV-MA

In this TV series, fashion stylist Mavis finds her footing after becoming single. Frustrated with the available clothing options in her industry, she is inspired to start her own fashion line as she moves through her own feelings surrounding body image and self-assurance. This series does contain mature content, so it is best for older audiences.

11. Shrill (2019-2021) — TV-MA

This TV series follows journalist Annie Easton, who unexpectedly falls pregnant and learns to navigate her emotions and body through different experiences. Season 1, Episode 4, in particular, has a great moment of body positivity as Annie and her friend attend a “Fat Babe Pool Party,” which is an empowering experience that she writes an article about. Note that this series is best for older audiences due to mature content.

Teaching Your Child to Embrace Body Positivity

Body positivity, body neutrality, and body acceptance can feel difficult to teach your child — especially in a world where diet culture runs so deep. However, embracing empowering movies for girls and showing your child self-worth movies for teens is a great way to start those conversations and share the message that your child is perfect the way they are.

If you’re looking for more guidance to help your child embrace their body, reject diet culture, and live a life of food freedom, Life Cycle Nutrition is here to help. Reach out to schedule an appointment and support your child’s nutritional wellness journey.