People who lived during the 1990s may recall Larry Clark’s Kids as a notorious movie about teenagers, which wasn’t intended for adolescents to watch. When the movie was rated by the MPAA, it received an NC-17 rating. The film was eventually released without a rating and went on to make $20 million worldwide at the box office. Some of its financial success can be attributed to the controversy it stirred up. A significant number of moviegoers and critics were offended by the explicit portrayals of teenage sexuality and drug use in the film. The strong subject matter may explain why it’s difficult to find online these days.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been searching high and low for the classic film “Kids,” but it seems to have disappeared from the streaming and digital rental landscape. Not only that, but physical copies appear to be out of print as well. The reasons behind this seem to be twofold. Firstly, the heavy themes might be off-putting to potential distributors, making them hesitant to license the film. Secondly, the rights distribution chain is quite intricate due to Shining Excalibur Films, a one-time distributor owned by the Weinstein brothers, holding the copyright. Since their subsidiaries are no longer operational, it’s unlikely that the movie will be readily available until a transfer of ownership or licensing agreement is reached.
Kids Is One of the Most Controversial Movies of the ‘90s, And It’s Becoming Increasingly Hard to Find
Here’s my attempt at paraphrasing in the first person:
If you’ve got an intense curiosity about this groundbreaking film, you can still find DVD copies of it on resale platforms. However, whether or not this overlooked gem is worth seeking out is entirely subjective and depends on individual preferences.
The movie was highly appreciated by some viewers as a compelling warning story set within the context of adolescence. Others acknowledged its realistic documentary-like approach, which effectively draws audiences into the plot, making them feel like they’re unintentionally part of the story.
Some enthusiasts of this specific aspect have expressed that this raw portrayal had such a profound impact on them during their formative years, they felt deterred from engaging in sexual activity due to the movie’s graphic depiction of teenage sexuality and its portrayal of potentially fatal outcomes. A Reddit user shares a similar experience, stating that the film served as a powerful motivator towards abstinence for them.
If you haven’t seen it, the movie revolves around Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), a teenager who aims to sleep with multiple young women. Unbeknownst to him, one of his past sexual partners carries HIV. Ignorant of this fact, Telly persists in sleeping with girls, many of whom are virgins, unwittingly spreading the virus. The film’s themes would be disturbing enough if the characters were adults. However, the fact that they are children makes their irresponsible behavior even more difficult to accept.
In response to critics, certain detractors of the movie argued it was exploitative due to its frank portrayals of teenage sexuality, drug abuse, and delinquency. Despite director Larry Clark and screenwriter Harmony Korine’s assertions that they aimed to offer a raw look into teen life without adult bias or judgment, several viewers believed that the movie lacked moral guidance and should have condemned the unlawful activities of its main characters in “Kids“.
The movie’s harsh critics have raised some compelling arguments, but it’s challenging to ignore that “Kids” delivers a grim warning about the consequences of reckless youth. The intensity within this film is undeniably tough to stomach. However, one of the defining qualities of great art is its ability to evoke emotion, and without a doubt, “Kids” manages to stir viewers’ feelings. Since its debut in 1995, it has left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Regardless of personal opinions about its quality, this movie is undeniably one of the most contentious films from the ’90s due to its groundbreaking and still-debated themes. Its notorious image might be part of the reason it’s hard to find, but if you’re determined to see it, your best option would be to purchase a secondhand copy from the resale market.
Have you encountered or dealt with this contentious and distressing situation? If so, we’d be interested in your perspective, feel free to share it in the comment area beneath this post.
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2025-08-05 19:43