There is a lengthy historical past of kids’s motion pictures which can be unexpectedly darkish, however there are movies which were marketed as family-friendly or others that upon second viewing, really surprised viewers. Studying the actual message of sure movies can take away a few of that magical feeling that you simply felt when first watching. Or maybe you went to see your favourite pop star on the time in what gave the impression to be a enjoyable street journey story that ended up being Crossroads.
Even movies that have been marketed as horror movies have been discovered to have way more sinister meanings than the primary plot would have you ever consider. For some movies, that makes them extra attention-grabbing as we mature and revisit them, and with others, it makes you query why your mother and father ever allow you to see them. We aren’t attempting to remove the attraction of a few of these movies, however somewhat shine a lightweight on movies that will not be fairly as healthful or so simple as all of us initially thought. So here’s a record of movies which can be darker than you ever realized.
10
‘Lilo and Sew’ (2002)
- Launch Date
-
June 21, 2002
- Runtime
-
85 minutes
Set as a unusual, animated movie a few unusual alien coming to a Hawaiian city, Lilo & Sew is yet one more movie for kids that touches on some extremely darkish subjects. A lot of the movie’s plot is centered round Lilo being doubtlessly taken from her sister’s care by Youngster Protecting Providers after her mother and father go away. Most movies for teenagers shrink back from subjects comparable to that, however Lilo & Sew goes for it whereas nonetheless managing to thrill and make you giggle. That’s a part of what makes it such a timeless movie and the darker components are what assist to create actual emotional moments for its characters.
Lack of Dad and mom
Oddly sufficient, most animated or children’ movies are centered across the lack of mother and father. From The Lion King to Bambi, it has turn into its personal style of movie. Regardless of a few of the darkish components within the movie, Lilo & Sew has been wildly profitable, spawning a number of spinoffs and a live-action model coming to theaters in 2025.
9
‘By no means Been Kissed’ (1999)
- Launch Date
-
April 9, 1999
- Runtime
-
107 Minutes
The 1999 teen romance movie, By no means Been Kissed, stars Drew Barrymore as an undercover journalist posing as an adolescent for a information story. The movie sees Barrymore reliving her highschool days, now extra positive of herself than she was as an precise highschool scholar. However the place the movie turns darkish is in its major romantic relationship. Barrymore’s character, Josie Geller, falls for her instructor and her instructor inexplicably falls for a lady who he believes to be an adolescent.
Problematic Relationship
The movie is saved by Barrymore’s commonplace attraction and wit, however the relationship stays in query twenty years later. Nonetheless propped up as one of many pivotal romance motion pictures of the ’90s, it is very important query the depiction of the connection between her and her instructor. Whereas she was technically in her twenties, the truth that her instructor thought she was in highschool, places the movie underneath a difficult mild.
8
‘The Breakfast Membership’ (1985)
The Breakfast Membership
- Launch Date
-
February 15, 1985
- Runtime
-
97 minutes
The Breakfast Membership is without doubt one of the most iconic movies of the Eighties and serves as an ideal time capsule of that era. The movie has held up for its reasonable depiction of teenage anxieties and relationships however has some darker themes and components that may make it a tougher movie if it have been to come back out at this time. Within the movie, there are mentions of suicide, sexual harassment, and parental abuse. Molly Ringwald has even come out to talk on how troubling the movie is at this time.
Coming of Age within the ’80s
Whereas society has gained a greater understanding of many of those delicate subjects, a few of the relics of the previous comparable to The Breakfast Membership have turn into referendums on a extra problematic tradition. There’s a specific scene Ringwald recounts with the John Bender character as he hides underneath her desk, that speaks loudly concerning the troubling methods through which feminine characters have been harassed in motion pictures of the previous. Whereas nonetheless a pivotal film of the time and one which has infinite touching and heartfelt moments, it’s exhausting to not look again on a few of the darkish components that also exist inside it.
7
‘Hen Run’ (2000)
- Launch Date
-
June 21, 2000
A preferred claymation movie, Hen Run was groundbreaking on the time for its technical prowess and fascinating storytelling. However what viewers most likely did not anticipate to see on this kids’s movie have been ideas on manufacturing unit farming, captivity, and allusions to the Holocaust.
Darkish Themes
A part of what makes Hen Run stand out is the way it was in a position to handle these heavy subjects whereas remaining enjoyable and endearing for viewers. For a G-Rated movie although, it’s shocking to see and listen to a few of the components that the movie touches on. Whereas most of the themes will probably go over a child’s head, a rewatch of the movie as an grownup could have audiences questioning all the pieces they thought they knew about their beloved movie.
6
‘Crossroads’ (2002)
Crossroads
- Launch Date
-
February 15, 2002
- Ranking
-
PG-13
- Runtime
-
99 Minutes
- Solid
-
Dan Aykroyd, Zoe Saldana, Kim Cattrall, Britney Spears, Taryn Manning, Anson Mount
- Genres
-
Drama, Romance, Comedy
In what was marketed as a teen-girl street journey comedy, Crossroads is a far darker film than followers ever anticipated. Britney Spears was on the peak of her reputation and for the lady penned as America’s sweetheart, the movie got here as a shock to followers and oldsters upon its launch. The movie focuses on a gaggle of estranged buddies however explores darker components when it’s revealed that one of many characters is pregnant on account of sexual violence.
Not Your Common Teen Flick
Whereas critically panned on the time, it has been well-regarded not too long ago for its exploration of darker subjects and for Spears’ expertise as an actress. One of many different stars Zoe Saldana, recalled the movie as lovely when trying again on it 20 years later. Whereas it might not have hit the sunshine tone it marketed itself as it’s nonetheless price a look ahead to followers searching for a extra layered teen drama.
5
The Sound of Music (1965)
- Launch Date
-
March 2, 1965
- Runtime
-
174 minutes
Not typically do household movies depict the rise of Nazism however that’s precisely what The Sound of Music did in 1965. Centered across the real-life Von Trapp household the movie has quite a few iconic musical numbers carried out by the legendary Julie Andrews. However amidst all of the tune and dance is the ever-pressing rise of the Nazi Military which makes it simply one of many darkest children movies on the market.
A Darkish Depiction
The five-time Academy Award-winning movie is consultant of a time when the impacts of World Battle II have been nonetheless being felt by the world at massive. So it solely made sense for the characteristic movie to depict one of many darkest moments in human tradition with a sequence of songs and dances. Nonetheless heartwarming, it’s exhausting to think about a movie pulling off the identical degree of drama within the household style.
Associated
10 Children Films With Surprisingly Excessive Kill Counts
With tales of conflict, demise, and destruction, a few of these motion pictures actually do not feel like material for kids.
4
‘The Shining’ (1980)
- Launch Date
-
Could 23, 1980
- Runtime
-
146
Typically thought of to be one of many biggest if not, the best, horror movies of all time. This might lead many to query why it’s included on this record. However for the unsuspecting fan, The Shining is even darker than it might seem. It was identified shortly after the movie’s launch that the movie is a metaphor for the genocide of Native Individuals within the U.S. Originally of the movie it’s talked about that the Overlook Lodge was constructed on a Native American burial floor together with constant imagery all through the movie that factors to this idea.
Numerous Fan Theories
Other than the imagery and allegory to Native American genocide, The Shining has produced infinite fan theories. In regard to the historical past of displacement of Indigenous individuals in America, Kubrick is claimed to have performed months of analysis on Native American tradition earlier than creating the movie, as informed within the documentary, Room 237. Simply when individuals thought The Shining could not get any scarier, it proves itself as soon as once more as some of the chilling film experiences of all time, even when the creator of the story, Stephen King, says in any other case.
3
‘Fairly Lady’ (1990)
- Launch Date
-
March 23, 1990
- Runtime
-
119 minutes
A rom-com centered round a rich businessman shopping for the love of an exquisite prostitute is yet one more darkish setup that oddly works. Fairly Lady gives an surprising depiction of sophistication and tradition and the darkish components are straightforward to miss because of the efficiency of its star, Julia Roberts.
A Darkish Backstory
The unique script for Fairly Lady was a a lot darker and grittier story than what ultimately appeared on the display screen. It depicted themes of habit and left Roberts’ character stranded and alone in the long run. Fortunately for followers, executives stepped in to make the movie extra upbeat, however it nonetheless gives the kind of darkish romance that’s not often seen on display screen. With all that mentioned, it’s nonetheless certainly one of Julia Roberts’ greatest movies.
2
‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)
- Launch Date
-
March 30, 1988
- Runtime
-
92 minutes
The unique Beetlejuice movie was given solely a PG ranking when it first got here out in 1988 and was principally marketed to kids. For a movie revolving across the matter of demise, that ranking comes as a severe shock. The movie’s characters are killed in a surprising automobile crash within the first act and the movie touches on an infinite string of darkish subjects that appear questionable for teenagers.
Questionable Ranking
Even with out the unusually low ranking, Beetlejuice nonetheless stays a darkish movie, even because it provides components of humor and tune. With comedy titans Catherine O’Hara and Alec Baldwin, the movie is ready to stay pretty grounded and was so successful that it lit up the display screen as soon as once more as a sequel, starring Jenna Ortega. Solely this time, it seems with a barely increased ranking of PG-13. Sneaking in conversations of demise and reincarnation is one thing solely director Tim Burton can accomplish that simply and is what makes the movie so rewatchable, particularly as an grownup.
Associated
10 Conspiracy Theories About Children Films and TV Exhibits
As you develop up and achieve a brand new perspective, some children motion pictures and exhibits do not appear so harmless. The truth is, listed here are 10 conspiracy theories to ponder.
1
‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)
- Launch Date
-
November 11, 1994
- Runtime
-
97 minutes
Tim Allen’s charming vacation story, The Santa Clause, is synonymous with vacation cheer. However the best way the movie begins is extremely darkish. It begins with Tim Allen’s character unintentionally killing the precise Santa Claus earlier than having to tackle his place because the jolly Saint Nick. The movie additionally depicts themes of kid labor in The North Pole and the way divorce can have an effect on a household.
Down Goes Santa
Tim Allen makes up for the lack of Santa by doing a commendable job as his substitute within the unique 1994 movie and its subsequent sequels. For kids of the ’90s, Tim Allen is the closest factor to a real-life Santa Claus, however the best way he will get the job within the movie is a severe tearjerker.