Audiences often take movies at face value, focusing on the overall plot. But most of the time, there are hidden messages within every story that audiences are able to unpick. Often, these messages end up being put into people’s minds without them knowing, and that’s the case for some of the most popular movies of all time. While some movies tell uplifting tales and give messages that can change lives, many great films have terrible messages hidden.
Grease: Changing for Love
Grease is a classic musical that’s still adored today, but its underlying message is problematic. Sandy transforms herself completely to win Danny’s affection, suggesting that changing who you are for someone else is the way to find love. While Danny is a character that audiences enjoy and, therefore, don’t question, the fact is that this isn’t a good message to tell people.
Twilight: Romanticizing Unhealthy Relationships
The romance in the Twilight saga was one of the reasons the franchise became so iconic. The characters and their romantic decisions gripped people, but how love is portrayed in these films isn’t positive. Edward’s controlling behavior makes him seem like a stalker at times, yet Bella depends on him completely. It’s an odd dynamic that doesn’t showcase either character in a positive light, giving people the idea that this is normal.
The Little Mermaid: Sacrificing Identity
Disney is supposed to promote positive family messages suitable for all ages. But The Little Mermaid has a more problematic hidden message. Ariel sacrifices her voice and undergoes a dramatic transformation to be with Prince Eric, telling people it’s okay to completely change yourself to gain the love of someone else. It’s not a good lesson for everyone, especially when younger audiences are the target for this.
Forrest Gump: Blind Allegiance
Audiences loved Forrest Gump, and that’s remained to this day as the touching film has aged well. But even though there are many powerful and positive messages, Forrest’s allegiance to the idea of authority isn’t positive, especially when Jenny’s rebellious side leads to her downfall. It pushes the idea that questioning things is wrong, which isn’t a positive message that will empower people.
The Blind Side: The White Savior Complex
While The Blind Side is often praised for its heartwarming story, it has been criticized for pushing the white savior narrative. The film focuses on a rich white family rescuing a disadvantaged black teenager, giving the idea that people of color need saving and that white people are the only ones capable.
Beauty and the Beast: Love Changes People
Beauty and the Beast might be a romantic favorite, but its central theme is troubling. Belle’s love transforms the Beast, promoting the dangerous notion that love can and should change abusive or toxic behavior. This fairy-tale ending glosses over the fact that his character is dangerous and aggressive throughout most of the film, exactly the same as Gaston, the villain.
American Beauty: Glorifying Mid-Life Crisis
Due to Kevin Spacey being called out in the Me Too movement, American Beauty is a film that few people watch anymore. But that might not be a bad thing because the message of a mid-life crisis being perfectly fine isn’t good. Lester Burnham’s actions and obsession with his daughter’s teenage friend are sick, and pushing that as sympathetic because of his stage in life isn’t acceptable.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory: The Ethics of Labor
The Oompa Loompas might be seen as comedic relief characters that bring a level of lightness to Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, but they provide a dark hidden message. It’s essentially slave labor, with the characters being forced to work in difficult and dangerous circumstances. The singing and catchy tunes might distract people, but normalizing this behavior is an issue.
500 Days of Summer: Obsession and Idealization
500 Days of Summer might seem like a quirky romantic comedy, but Tom’s character is problematic. He’s obsessed with Summer to an unhealthy level, and that hidden message isn’t good. Despite it being made clear to him that she doesn’t want a relationship, he pushes himself onto her throughout, showcasing a lack of respect.
Avatar: The White Savior Narrative
James Cameron’s Avatar is visually stunning, yet its storyline reinforces the white savior trope. Jake Sully, a white man, becomes the hero who saves the Na’vi despite them being capable warriors themselves. This takes away from the message the entire film is trying to convey, falling short at the final hurdle.
The Karate Kid: Simplistic Solutions
People love an underdog story, and The Karate Kid is a great example of that. But the idea that a few weeks of training is all someone needs to prepare themselves to face bullies isn’t a strong message. Hard work is needed, and that’s not something this movie pushes.
Mean Girls: Bullying Dynamics
Mean Girls is a cult classic that explores the dynamics of high school. But it provides mixed messages regarding bullying, as the plastics end up in other social groups, which showcases the idea that bullying can be normalized and forgiven. That’s not a good idea because while second chances are deserved, people should be taught that bullying isn’t a potential positive.
The Great Gatsby: Glamourizing Excess
Period movies can have problematic messages because that was normal during that time. That’s the case with The Great Gatsby, as the movie pushes the idea that excess is normal and something people should pursue.
Trainspotting: Glorifying Drug Culture
Trainspotting focuses heavily on addiction throughout, but many have criticized the movie for glamorizing drug culture. Showing it in a positive light at times isn’t a good message for anybody to take.
Gone With the Wind: Romanticizing Slavery
Another historical movie with problematic undertones is Gone With the Wind. Many consider it a classic, and the film has many fans. But it glosses over the reality of slavery and the difficult circumstances people faced at that time.
Fatal Attraction: Demonizing Career Women
Fatal Attraction sends a troubling message about successful, independent women. Alex, the career-driven woman, is shown as dangerous and unstable, which isn’t a positive message. The idea that women shouldn’t put their careers as a priority isn’t progressive, and that’s a big issue that this film has.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie: Risky Behavior
When a television show does well for Disney, the company often pushes it to become a movie. That was the case with The Lizzie McGuire Movie, which follows the lead character to Rome. Lizzie is someone audiences look up to, so her risky behavior of trusting strangers and avoiding her chaperone are hidden messages that could be dangerous for people to watch.
300: Historical Inaccuracies and Racism
300 is a visually compelling movie that tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae, but it’s filled with historical inaccuracies. While movies always play fast and loose with facts when telling legitimate stories, 300 takes things to the extreme. The way things are portrayed does push some harmful racial stereotypes, which is hidden, but isn’t positive.
