10 Childhood Movies That Were Way More Inappropriate Than You Remember

Family entertainment has often balanced the need to entertain children while keeping adults engaged. This is usually done through the inclusion of jokes or references that may be over a child’s head, such as occasional adult humor found in animated movies and family comedies from the 90s and early 2000s. However, some films during this period took this approach to an unexpected level. What makes these films intriguing is their ability to hide numerous suggestive jokes, mature themes, and adult content within seemingly innocent storylines. These movies didn’t just sprinkle in a few subtle innuendos – they were filled with them, along with double entendres and surprisingly complex adult themes that somehow managed to slip past both censors and parents. Today, many people who grew up in the 90s are often surprised to learn about the amount of adult content they overlooked in their beloved childhood films.

Here are ten films secretly serving up way more adult content than ’90s kids ever realized.

Gremlins 2: The New Batch

In a playful twist to the horror-comedy series, Joe Dante’s sequel, titled Gremlins 2, was transformed into a wickedly satirical critique. Hidden beneath its chaotic exterior lies sharp commentary on corporate America, genetic manipulation, and media sensationalism. Some of the most jaw-dropping moments include a seductive musical performance by a female gremlin, reminiscent of Jessica Rabbit, filled with provocative poses and flirtatious gestures. The film also includes gruesome death scenes played for laughter, such as one gremlin being gruesomely shredded in a paper shredder and another meeting its end through electrocution into a skeleton. Even the genetic hybridization plot takes on a chilling new significance when viewed from an adult perspective, with numerous dark jokes about drug testing and mutation that seem eerily relevant today.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Beneath its charming and family-oriented exterior, Mrs. Doubtfire is brimming with mature humor, largely due to Robin Williams’ renowned talent for improvisation. The film’s unique premise – a divorced father assuming the role of an elderly nanny – provides ample opportunities for innuendo regarding gender identity, dating, and sexuality. The transformation sequences themselves are laced with suggestive remarks about artificial body parts, while the restaurant scene, where Daniel must swiftly transition between his Doubtfire persona and a professional dinner setting, is teeming with sexual references such as “moistness” and “hot flashes.” Moreover, the custody battle plotline contains a substantial amount of adult content, delving into topics like alcoholism, divorce, and parental estrangement that carry greater weight upon rewatching in adulthood. It’s no surprise that an R-rated version of the movie exists.

The Mask

Initially, the movie titled “The Mask” may seem like a platform for Jim Carrey’s humorous, exaggerated facial expressions, but upon closer inspection, it’s a more sophisticated tale that delves into the exploration of repressed desires. The nightclub scenes in particular are rich with adult content, showcasing various suggestive dance routines and Cameron Diaz’s intentionally seductive first acting role. The Mask character essentially embodies the id, consistently making sexually suggestive comments and catcalling women. Even more unexpected are the gangster aspects, which include real acts of violence and threats, surprisingly found in a film marketed as family-friendly. The movie’s main message about letting go of restrictions takes on a new depth when viewed from a mature perspective.

George of the Jungle

In a clever disguise, films such as “George of the Jungle” subtly reveal adult themes under layers of child-friendly storytelling. Whilst young viewers were enthralled by George’s bumbling escapades and his talking ape companion, adults found themselves engrossed in the film’s focus on Brendan Fraser’s physique and humor revolving around primitive masculinity. The movie was quite open about the chemistry between George and Ursula (Leslie Mann), as it included numerous suggestive remarks regarding his loincloth and her responses to his muscular form. Notably, the film incorporated a recurring joke about “swinging” that held multiple meanings, along with several instances where Ursula’s fiancé made subtle jabs at George’s masculine “inferiority” compared to George’s apparent “natural superiority.

The Road to El Dorado

DreamWorks Animation ventured into new territories with “The Road to El Dorado,” seamlessly integrating mature themes into its tale of an ancient civilization exploration. The film focuses on swindlers Tulio (Kevin Kline) and Miguel (Kenneth Branagh), however, it’s their interactions with the native Chel (Rosie Perez) that draw attention. Their connection is strikingly sensual for an animated movie, as evidenced by a scene suggesting they were on the verge of making love before Miguel halted them. The adult content in this film goes beyond romance, showcasing gambling, alcohol consumption, and even fanaticism as significant elements of the plot. Interestingly, some adult viewers perceive Tulio and Miguel’s bond as having subtle romantic overtones.

The Cat in the Hat

What’s surprising about “The Cat in the Hat” isn’t just its deviation from Dr. Seuss’s well-known story – it’s the abundance of adult humor and lewd jokes that are packed into the movie. Mike Myers, known for his suggestive comedy, plays the part with a lot of double entendres and mature references that seem quite out of place in a kids’ film. From the Cat’s joke about his “dirty hoe” (which refers to a gardening tool) to an extended scene focusing on a photo of the babysitter for mature laughs, the movie seems intent on testing the limits of its PG rating.

Shark Tale

DreamWorks’ movie titled Shark Tale, set underwater, presents Will Smith as the character Oscar, a fish living a questionable life at the whale spa. However, what truly sets it apart is its exploration of organized crime themes. Essentially, it can be likened to The Godfather with aquatic characters, starring Robert De Niro as Don Lino, a powerful shark mafia boss, and Martin Scorsese as Sykes, a puffer fish managing an underwater protection racket. This film is rich in adult humor that satirizes classic gangster movies, from fish associating with humans to loan shark gags carrying deeper, darker implications. Angelina Jolie’s character, Lola, a captivating lionfish inspired by iconic femme fatales, adds layers of mature themes such as greed and manipulation, which may have been overlooked by younger viewers.

Shrek

People who brought their kids to watch the story of a lovable green ogre (Mike Myers) found that it contained more adult-oriented humor than they expected. The film’s villain, Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow), represents this mature theme throughout – his character is essentially an extended joke about masculinity and compensation, evident in his tall castle, short stature, and suggestive scenes involving mirrors and bedroom sequences. Eddie Murphy’s Donkey often shares double entendres with Shrek regarding the private lives of fairy tale characters, while Robin Hood’s musical number includes a suggestive French verse that parents likely didn’t want to understand. The interrogation scene with the Gingerbread Man is reminiscent of hardboiled crime films, testing the limits of what is appropriate in family-friendly entertainment.

Space Jam

In a surprising twist, the animated film produced by basketball icon Michael Jordan showcased a more mature side, moving beyond its sporty narrative. The character of Lola Bunny, voiced by Kath Soucie, stirred up debate due to her design inspired by Jessica Rabbit and her flirtatious persona, which included scenes that made Bugs Bunny, played by Billy West, quite agitated. Warner Bros. incorporated numerous references to Jordan’s actual gambling habits for adults, while the character portrayed by Wayne Knight, a stressed-out publicist, handled situations typical of an adult comedy. The Monstars’ plan to steal basketball abilities echoed professional sports’ steroid scandals, and Bill Murray’s extended appearance appeared tailored for parents, featuring commentary on his career and Hollywood politics.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

The captivating character, Jessica Rabbit, voiced by Kathleen Turner, made a lasting impact in the world of animation with her design and performance that tested the limits of family-friendly entertainment. Her well-known quote, “I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way,” only begins to touch upon the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit‘s adult themes. The movie is filled with innuendo-laden visual jokes, such as Jessica’s provocative performance at the Ink & Paint Club and her playful “patty-cake” exchanges with Marvin Acme, which take on a different interpretation for mature viewers. Bob Hoskins’ character, Eddie Valiant, finds himself in numerous risqué scenarios, including an instance where animated women appear to bounce off his lap. Even Betty Boop’s brief appearance includes jokes about being forced out of the entertainment industry due to cartoons switching to color – a subtle nod to Pre-Code Hollywood that went unnoticed by children, along with numerous other suggestive puns and double entendres.

2025-01-29 21:10