Yikes! These Films We Enjoyed As Kids Have Not Aged Well
As a kid, diving into the fantasy world of movies is marvelous. But, unlike Peter Pan, kids eventually grow up, and re-watching a childhood movie, or even a movie from your teenage years, doesn't always hit the same. Whether it's the horrible message in Swan Princess or the peeping Tom that is Casper the Friendly Ghost, some movies haven't exactly aged well.
Back To The Future Has Some Strange Elements
While it is an iconic film and franchise, the first Back to the Future film hasn't aged well. Think about it. The entire movie revolves around Marty McFly attempting to get his teenage parents together, all while he's being hit on by none other than his mother.
There's even a strange moment where George spies on Lorraine. Let's just say the peeping Tom, and weird familial relations, don't exactly hit the same way as they did when we were children.
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Sends An Iffy Message
Yes, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the original Disney film that put Disney princesses on the map. But that doesn't mean the 1937 film hasn't gone through the wringer in recent years.
The biggest issue with this film is the fact that Prince Charming jogs on up to Snow White while she's in her eternal sleep and kisses her without her knowledge. While the kiss snaps her out of her slumber, it's still not a great message for kids.
Casper The Friendly Ghost Is A Peeping Tom
The 1995 film Casper is a classic family film about a young ghost who befriends the girl who moves into his old mansion. And while it's a great family Halloween flick, it definitely has some questionable elements that aren't really kid-friendly.
The main thing being the part where Kat is asleep in bed, and Casper literally whispers, "there's a girl in my bed. Yes!" It's a bit creepy, considering Casper is only 12 years old.
Beauty And The Beast Romanticizes The Wrong Thing
Belle from Beauty and the Beast is one of the most beloved Disney princesses. She smart, quirky, and wants nothing more than adventure. That's why looking back at the film as an adult makes us a bit mad.
Why would an intelligent girl fall in love with a mean and grumpy person (animal)? Not to mention someone who kidnapped her! The entire film pretty much romanticizes Stockholm syndrome, which isn't exactly the best thing to teach kids.
Home Alone Is Way Too Violent
It might be one of the better Christmas films, but that doesn't mean Home Alone doesn't have its issues. First off, making a franchise about a family who always seems to leave their kid at home isn't great.
But speaking of the first film, Kevin didn't need to go that hard on Marv and Harry. The kid literally could have taken the two robbers out and not have blinked an eye! Next time, call the police.
Sleeping Beauty And The Kiss
Princess Aurora's story in Sleeping Beauty was great for children when the film was first released in 1959. Even in later years, children would sit in front of the television and pop in the Disney VHS.
Now, the film raises more than one question. The primary question is what in the world Walt Disney was thinking when they had a Prince running up a tower and kissing a sleeping 16-year-old girl he'd never met, unless you counted the time when Aurora was a baby, which we don't.
Space Jam Did Lola Bunny Wrong
The beloved Looney-Tunes-meets-Michael-Jordan film Space Jam might have been one of the best films to come out of the '90s, but it really didn't age well. First off, Lola Bunny. Not only do the male characters keep calling her "doll," but the character's design looks more suited for an adult cosplay convention than a basketball game.
Thankfully, the new 2021 fixed the original's mistake, giving Lola the respect and functional outfit she deserves.
She's All That Is One Horrible Trope
She's All That was pretty funny when it first came out in 1999. The film revolved around a bet -- the popular, good-looking jock making the geeky girl popular. Well, looking back at the film, it's all one horrible trope that sends a bad message to young girls.
The movie is basically saying that to land the popular guy in school, a girl has to change her style, take off her glasses, and put on some makeup.
Big Daddy Was Full Of Horrible Male Stereotypes
Adam Sandler ruled the silver screen in the '90s, including the 1999 film Big Daddy. It was a great movie to watch as a kid since Sandler's character was the ultimate cool dad who pretty much let Julian do anything.
Looking back at it, though, the film wasn't the best example with all its male stereotypes. From judging the waitresses at Hooters to going to the bathroom in public, the movie definitely wasn't meant for kids.
The Swan Princess Raises A Few Eyebrows
One of the more beloved princesses not in the Disney catalog is Princess Odette from The Swan Princess. Unfortunately, for the non-Disney character, her movie didn't exactly age well, mostly because of the male characters who wanted to marry her for nothing more than her beauty.
Prince Derek literally wants nothing to do with her their entire childhood. Then, when they're grown up, he all of a sudden wants their marriage arranged because she's beautiful. Thank you, Derek, but next. And don't even get us started on Rothbart.
Sleepover Missed The Whole Body Positivity Thing
The early 2000s film Sleepover has a 15% on Rotten Tomatoes for a reason. Not only is it a huge cringe-fest with its horrid dialogue, but it sends one too many poor examples to its target audience -- young people.
First off, there is a group of weird guys who break into a house for the sole purpose of going through an unsuspecting girl's drawers. Not cool. Secondly, the film missed the whole body positivity conversation, using one character as nothing more than a joke because she's bigger.
Shallow Hal Tried Its Best
Released in 2001, Shallow Hal was about a guy who couldn't see past a women's exterior to the beautiful person she was inside. Well, let's just say the entire film didn't age well, as it literally has the male characters picking apart every single flaw they find in a woman.
While the moral of the film means well, it's not something people should have been showing their children back in the early 2000s.
Cinderella And The Girl Who Needs A Guy To Save Her
When it comes to Disney, Cinderella is one of those classic films most children have seen at least once. Unfortunately, re-watching the film later in life just doesn't hit the same way.
The entire movie pretty much depicts a young girl who thinks she needs a fairy godmother and prince to save her from the horrible household she's living in. Girl, pick yourself up and save yourself! That's the message Disney should have been sending to young girls.
Never Been Kissed Has A Lot Of Bad Plotlines
Okay, so Josie might have technically been an adult while she was undercover at the high school, but Sam, her teacher, didn't know that! He thought she was a student, and still, he formed a crush on her.
The film romanticized a student and teacher relationship while throwing in some serious high school stereotypes when it comes to the popular and non-popular crowds. All in all, the film did not age well.
Free Willy Is Simply Unrealistic
On the surface, Free Willy tries its best to send a good message -- a kid getting punished for vandalism and forming a strong bond with an orca only to set him free at the end. The issue is that the film sends the wrong message to kids.
Not only is the end scene of Willy jumping over the amusement park barrier extremely dangerous for both the whale and kid, but an orca can't simply get released back to the wild like that! He was there for a reason and needed to be reacclimated!
Superbad's Humor...Enough Said
Arguably every high schooler quoted Superbad when it was first released in 2007. And, for a time, McLovin was the most popular character ever. Looking back at the film, though, a lot of the humor didn't age well.
The male characters don't exactly talk about the female characters with respect, and the fact that the police officers want to have a "fun night" with an underage kid doesn't really hit home anymore.
Homeward Bound's Voice Acting Is A Bit Distracting
For those who watched Homeward Bound as a kid, chances are the movie brings back some good memories. It's a cute flick with three adorable animals. What's not to love?
As an adult, the answer would have to be the distracting voice acting. While Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Don Ameche give outstanding vocal performances, the fact of the matter is, the animals' mouths don't move. It looks as though the animals' are just staring into space, wondering what in the world they're doing in the forest while voices narrate what they're thinking.
Re-Watching The Parent Trap Has Adults Switching Sides
One of the beloved movies of the late '90s is The Parent Trap. Watching the film as a kid, pretty much everyone was rooting for Lindsay Lohan's twin characters getting their parents back together, getting rid of the evil Meredith Blake.
Well, re-watching the movie as an adult has many people switching sides and saying, "Well, Meredith kind of has a point." All she's trying to do is marry a rich guy who has a gorgeous vineyard house. Yes, she wants to send his kids away, but is she really evil?
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Is A Horrible Lesson
It might be a classic Christmas movie, but Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer did not age well. The film is a horrible lesson in acceptance! Not only does Rudolph's father make him hide his red nose, but once his classmates find out about it, he's shunned!
But don't worry, kids, the movie lets you know that, even if you're different, once people need your help, they want to be your best friend.
The Little Mermaid Gave Her Voice Up For A Man
Ariel from The Little Mermaid has gained a reputation of being many viewers' favorite Disney princess. But those people should rethink their loyalty, as she's really not someone to look up to.
The film sends the message that falling for a guy and making him love you means losing your voice in the process. That's not exactly a lesson young children should be learning about relationships, especially considering Ariel and Prince Eric are no more than teenagers.
