10 Critically Loved Movies That Aged Terribly

Movies are always a reflection of the era they were made in, largely because technology changes so quickly and impacts how stories are told. But sometimes, films don’t age well for reasons beyond special effects – it’s often something at the core of the story itself. This can include characters or plot points that now seem deeply problematic, especially regarding issues of race or gender. These deeper flaws are often the reason certain movies haven’t held up over time.

However, to make the list, a movie needed to have received real praise originally. Some are still well-regarded, though critics often note aspects that haven’t aged well. Let’s explore why these films are so difficult to watch today.

10) The Birth of a Nation (1915)

Despite facing significant criticism even when it was first released in 1915, *The Birth of a Nation* was a major success both with critics and audiences. It still has a surprisingly high rating on Rotten Tomatoes today, with 91% positive reviews. However, it’s important to remember that the film is deeply problematic and glorifies the Ku Klux Klan, despite its technical innovations in filmmaking.

While the exact earnings of *The Birth of a Nation* in 1915 are unknown, it likely made at least $50 million, and possibly as much as $100 million. Adjusted for today’s money, that would be over $1.6 billion. Considering how many people watched it, that means a huge audience was exposed to its hateful message.

9) Chasing Amy

While Kevin Smith’s *Chasing Amy* is generally considered stronger than his more recent films and perhaps his most thoughtful work, the central storyline is quite problematic. It revolves around a relationship between a gay woman, Alyssa Jones (played by Joey Lauren Adams), and a straight man, Holden McNeil (played by Ben Affleck).

Some viewers have understood the film to suggest a lesbian can become heterosexual if she meets the right man. On the 20th anniversary of *Chasing Amy*, Kevin Smith acknowledged that, looking back, the film’s portrayal of sexuality is heavy-handed. He explained he was only 26 or 27 and still learning when he made it. This inexperience is apparent, and as a result, *Chasing Amy* isn’t as widely watched today as Smith’s other films like *Clerks* or *Dogma*.

Stream Chasing Amy on Kanopy.

8) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

The musical *Seven Brides for Seven Brothers* is famous for its dancing, especially the lively barn-raising scene. It received an Academy Award for Best Scoring and was also nominated for Best Picture.

Despite its comedic approach, the movie’s plot still revolves around outdated and troubling ideas. A man marries a woman and expects her to do all the housework for him and his six brothers, and those brothers then resort to kidnapping women they want to marry. While the film tries to make light of these actions with playful pranks, treating such serious issues as comedy actually makes them more problematic.

7) Sixteen Candles

John Hughes’ *Sixteen Candles* is a beloved and charming 1980s teen movie, but like many films from that era, it hasn’t aged well. In fact, it’s arguably more problematic than most of his other work from the decade.

The movie relies on harmful stereotypes, most notably in the character of Long Duk Dong, who feels like a caricature rather than a real person. Even more troubling is a scene where a character essentially offers his girlfriend to another, and it’s strongly suggested that she is then taken advantage of while unconscious – a clear implication of sexual assault. These elements seriously undermine any claim that this is a harmless or enjoyable comedy.

6) Grease

I still adore *Grease*, and it’s easy to understand why so many people do. The cast is just perfect – John Travolta, the wonderful Olivia Newton-John, and Stockard Channing all shine – and the film is brimming with a nostalgic charm, really capturing that late 1950s American vibe. But honestly, the way the guys treat the girls is pretty problematic. Take the drive-in scene, for example. Danny, played by Travolta, basically tries to force himself on Sandy, and then *we’re* supposed to feel bad for *him* when she pushes back and leaves? It just doesn’t sit right with me.

Many of the songs are undeniably catchy, but some of the lyrics are problematic. For example, in “Summer Nights,” Danny’s friends repeatedly ask him if the woman he’s talking about resisted his advances. And the song “Greased Lightning” includes the strange and unsettling line about women being overly excited by a refurbished car.

Stream Grease on Kanopy.

5)Manhattan

As a film lover, I’ve always had complicated feelings about Woody Allen’s *Manhattan*. The movie centers on Isaac, a 42-year-old writer, and his relationship with a 17-year-old named Tracy. Knowing what came out years later – the accusations by Mia Farrow that Allen sexually abused their daughter, Dylan – it makes that storyline incredibly uncomfortable to watch now. Allen has always maintained his innocence, but he did go on to have a relationship with another of their adopted daughters, Soon-Yi Previn, when she was still very young and he was much older. It just adds another layer of difficulty when revisiting the film.

While Mariel Hemingway’s Oscar nomination is well-deserved for a strong and nuanced performance, the storyline surrounding her character unfortunately makes an otherwise excellent Woody Allen film hard to watch. The plot point was a misstep from the start, and it has understandably led audiences to wonder if it was a disturbing prediction of Allen’s future actions.

Stream Manhattan fuboTV.

4) Animal House

Though known for *The Blues Brothers*, John Belushi truly shines in the hilarious classic *Animal House*, which also features an early villainous role for Kevin Bacon and some incredibly funny scenes. While it holds up remarkably well, like many college comedies from that era, some parts haven’t aged perfectly. It avoids the more problematic content found in films like *Porky’s* and *Revenge of the Nerds* – movies that weren’t critically acclaimed anyway – making *Animal House* a standout in the genre.

I have to admit, watching this movie is a bit of a shock. It’s full of young guys behaving wildly, and remembering it’s set in 1962 doesn’t excuse the really problematic language – there’s a lot of casual racism, homophobia, and sexism. And honestly, some of the stuff that was played for laughs, like John Belushi’s character spying on people, just doesn’t land well now. It’s a product of its time, but it’s hard to ignore those aspects.

Stream Animal House on Netflix.

3) Holiday Inn

Despite being a widely praised and cherished Christmas film, *Holiday Inn* includes a scene with characters performing in blackface – a racially offensive practice where performers darken their skin.

Generally, *Holiday Inn* holds up well, but the “Abraham” musical number is noticeably out of place. Luckily, most TV versions now remove this scene, which is a good thing and doesn’t disrupt the story too much.

2) Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Overall, *Breakfast at Tiffany’s* remains a charming film and holds up well today. However, Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of I. Y. Yunioshi is deeply offensive and jarring, completely pulling you out of the story with its problematic depiction.

The issues with the character extended to how the film was advertised. Paramount didn’t include Mickey Rooney in the cast list, and instead announced a little-known Japanese comedian would play the role, giving him the name “Ohayo Arigatou” – which means “hello” and “thank you” in Japanese. While producer Richard Shepherd felt it was important to cast someone else, director Blake Edwards, who was friendly with Rooney, insisted he play the part and ultimately made the decision.

Stream Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Kanopy.

1) American Beauty

Sam Mendes is a truly talented director, and his first film, *American Beauty*, was remarkably impressive when it came out – and still holds up well. However, it’s a tough watch now.

Beyond the fact that none of the characters are very appealing, and the overly dramatic moments feel forced, the movie centers around a disturbing fantasy: Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, repeatedly imagines being intimate with his daughter’s friend. This isn’t a minor plot point, and it’s deeply unsettling. Given the sexual misconduct allegations against Spacey – though he was found not liable in a 2022 civil case – these scenes are even more uncomfortable to watch.

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2025-10-06 02:16