One of the brilliant things about movies is that they can be passed down from generation to generation, allowing new audiences to appreciate classic tales from the past. This is how certain characters end up in pop culture history and why the likes of the Star Wars franchise continue to grow. But while there are many movies that people will be keen to show their children, there are also plenty of others that they might want to never see, or at least not until they’re older.
Watership Down
Watership Down might be an animated movie about bunny rabbits, but it is incredibly violent and scary. The film has many intense scenes, and many parents may choose not to expose their children to them.
E.T.
E.T. is a fantastic movie that still holds up today, with the story being all about friendship. There are some iconic scenes in this one, and even though E.T. is a kind alien that is very loveable, visually, that is very different. Many people might not want their children to watch this simply because E.T. could be too scary.
Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty might be considered a classic Disney princess movie in many people’s eyes, but there are elements of it that some parents may not want to expose their children to. There are many genuinely scary scenes with thorns, while Maleficent can be terrifying. There’s also the problem with the lack of consent regarding the kiss, which isn’t an appropriate message.
The NeverEnding Story
The NeverEnding Story might be a fantasy movie that seems vivid and bright enough for younger people to watch, but that’s not necessarily the case. The film features grief, bullying, and some terrifying characters that pop up throughout, and that’s
The Goonies
The Goonies is a fantastic adventure movie that is easy to dive into due to the stakes involved. But some parents might not feel this is something their children should be watching. Certain aspects of the movie have adult themes, with some mature jokes that aren’t child-friendly.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas is technically aimed at children, but it does have many dark themes throughout. The idea of Christmas being stolen and turned into something more horrific doesn’t provide the bright and festive feel that many movies in this genre do. Whether it be Santa Claus being kidnapped or how Oogie Boogie unravels, many scenes within this one aren’t ideal for children.
Jurassic Park
Children being fascinated by dinosaurs is expected, which can lead to many people watching Jurassic Park before they’re old enough to be ready for it. This movie takes aspects from the horror genre in terms of jump scares and how anticipation is built. Plus, the realism of the dinosaurs themselves can be frightening enough, which is why many parents opt to wait to show their children this.
The Dark Crystal
The Dark Crystal is a great movie, but it’s certainly one that many people can be scared of due to the visual aspect of the puppets. They are dark in theme, and that in itself can be too much for people, with The Muppets being a better option if parents want to expose their children to some Jim Henson work.
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is undoubtedly much fun to watch, and the over-the-top characters became iconic with people upon its release. But at the same time, this is quite a dark movie focusing on the afterlife that many parents might avoid showcasing to their children.
Gremlins
Gremlins might have originally been advertised as a movie appropriate for people of all ages to watch, but any adult who has seen it would know that’s not exactly true. This movie leans heavily into the horror genre, and there are plenty of scenes that people wouldn’t want their children exposed to.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
This Disney animation features terrific music and memorable characters and tells an overall story of hope. But the film has many dark themes, which may not be appropriate or easy to understand for younger viewers, which is why some parents could opt to allow them to wait until they’re older.
Shallow Hal
Shallow Hal might feature the always charismatic Jack Black and the equally talented Gwyneth Paltrow, but that doesn’t mean everyone should rush to watch this one. While the movie’s entire purpose is to teach audiences about looking at people’s inner beauty, it does so by mocking specific body weights, which isn’t a good message for young audiences to absorb.
Up
Up is a fantastic movie and is often considered one of Pixar’s best. But the opening scenes might be too much for younger viewers. The life and passing of Ellie is a lot early on, especially for children to try and tackle.
The Mummy Returns
The big problem with The Mummy Returns is the dreadful CGI showcased in The Rock’s character. It might scare people, and despite the adventure film’s many positives, this really does drag down the overall quality.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Many people have dove into Indiana Jones’s adventures throughout the years and found a lot of joy in doing so. Harrison Ford is fantastic in this role, and the action is something everyone will appreciate. But certain aspects of this particular movie haven’t aged well, with elements of racism being felt throughout due to how the Indian culture is portrayed that aren’t appropriate for today’s society.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
This movie is one that many people love, but Who Framed Roger Rabbit could be something many parents push their children away from. This one has plenty of scary scenes, particularly involving the dip. Plus, there’s also a lot of mature content regarding drinking or the flirtatious manner that Jessica Rabbit provides, which many don’t deem appropriate for younger viewers.
Bambi
Bambi is an iconic animated movie that many people love. It tells an excellent coming-of-age story. There are many fun characters throughout this one, and some beautiful animation, but the scene of Bambi’s mother being killed could be enough for many people not to show it to their children.
Jaws
Millions of people around the world consider Jaws a classic, which is why the movie remains relevant today. But watching that movie did create a fear of sharks and open water among countless people. That’s why many won’t show that movie to their children in a bid to stop them from having the same fears themselves, as no film is worth that.
