Movies are there to entertain and enjoy, but there’s no denying they influence their viewers. Sometimes, they have strong morals to encourage viewers to be true to themselves and care for others; other times, not so much. Here, we look at the 24 worst messages in movies you never noticed the first time around.
Grease
The classic romance Grease sees a relationship develop between Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) and Danny Zuko (John Travolta), rekindling after a chance meeting at the beach. Their love is fraught because of their differences, but in the end, they both learn the concerning lesson that you need to alter yourself to be loved.
The Parent Trap
When twins Hallie and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) meet at summer camp after being separated at birth due to their parents’ divorce, they decide to team up to bring their parents back together. It’s a sweet story, but the message about getting a couple who have probably divorced for good reasons back together is not a helpful idea in practice.
The Wolf of Wall Street
Romanticizing white-collar crime and reckless spending, The Wolf of Wall Street follows Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he engages in serious corruption and fraud to obtain everything he wants from life. Although his downfall comes at the end, many must have missed the message, as the over-the-top decadence has become a party theme.
Cinderella
The 1950 version of Cinderella sees her married to her prince and living happily ever after, just as she hoped. But she never does anything to shape her future, implying that all you need to do is wait, and your dreams will come true.
Project X
High school students Costa (Oliver Cooper) and J.B. (Jonathan Daniel Brown) plan to throw a party to make them famous. The result is a disaster, with drugs, violence, and even a flamethrower making an appearance before the police put a stop to it. Glamorizing reckless partying and illegal activities, Project X sees yet another party being planned at the end.
Fight Club
Although the movie was intended to criticize hyper-masculinity and aggressiveness, its actual scenes tended to romanticize violence and anarchy. Brutal and graphic fight sequences only encouraged people to start their own Fight Clubs.
Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman tells the story of the prostitute Vivian (Julia Roberts), who is hired by Edward (Richard Gere) to accompany him to social events, with the two eventually falling in love. Unfortunately, it promotes the message that you can ‘save’ people with enough money and attention.
Gone With the Wind
With slavery ending, sheltered upper-class lady Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) meets and starts a romance with Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). Hugely popular, this historical romance has since attracted criticism for its romanticism of slavery and the South at this time.
500 Days of Summer
500 Days of Summer is a rom-com with a non-linear structure that follows Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a man in love with Summer (Zooey Deschanel). Although considered a romance, the movie portrays an unhealthy relationship and obsession.
The Great Gatsby
Based on the novel of the same name, The Great Gatsby is all about luxury and lavish parties in the Jazz Age in New York. Despite the movie ending with Gatsby being shot and having an overall critical tone, it has still been misunderstood to glamorize an excessive lifestyle.
Mean Girls
Cruel clique The Plastics rule the school in this teen comedy, bullying anyone who gets in their way and keeping a ‘Burn Book.’ At the movie’s end, they are disbanded but join other groups, conveying that cliques and isolating others are alright if you’re not one of the ‘mean girls.’
American Beauty
A commentary on suburban life, American Beauty follows Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) in his unhappy marriage to Carolyn (Annette Bening) as he becomes infatuated with their daughter’s teenage friend Angela (Mena Suvari). It has problematic portrayals of inappropriate relationships and a mid-life crisis.
Beauty and the Beast
The Disney classic from 1991, Beauty and the Beast, sees Beauty being held at the Beast’s castle in exchange for her father’s freedom. The Beast is a prince who has been transformed as punishment for his cruelty, needing true love to free him. On the surface, a romance encourages the idea that abusers just need someone to love them, and they will change.
Forrest Gump
The titular Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) has a low IQ and is bullied at school, but is determined to live beyond his disabilities. The problem comes when Forrest’s unquestioning allegiance to authority is shown as the right thing to do, with Jenny’s (Robin Wright) rebelliousness being the root of all her problems.
Avatar
The epic science fiction movie Avatar follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who becomes part of the Avatar program after his twin brother dies. Due to his military background, he bonds well with the Na’vi and ultimately unites them to battle the Resources Development Administration. Unfortunately, the resulting message is a white savior narrative in a new setting.
Twilight
Teen romance Twilight shows the relationship between Bella (Kristen Stewart) and a vampire, Edward (Robert Pattinson), who is very over-protective of her. Normalizing stalker-like behavior and controlling relationships, Twilight even has Edward creep into Bella’s room to watch her sleep.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Hilary Duff stars as Lizzie McGuire on a graduation trip to Rome, befriending pop star Paolo Valisari (Yani Gellman). The dangerous message here is that it’s alright to dodge your chaperone and trust strangers as long as you’re chasing your dreams.
Trainspotting
Trainspotting is a black comedy that follows a group of drug addicts through their lives, exploring themes of poverty and crime. The ending sees the protagonist escape the police while the ‘bad guy,’ still addicted to heroin, is arrested. It adds the implication that the ‘good’ characters manage to quit drugs, with only bad people staying addicted.
300
Telling the story of Spartan warriors, 300 is set during the Greco-Persian Wars and the battle against Persian King Xerxes. Not only does the movie have several historical inaccuracies, but it has also been criticized for the racism of having a heroic white army face off against the Persians.
The Blind Side
A homeless African-American teenager with learning difficulties is adopted by a Caucasian family and encouraged to train in American football. The heartwarming message hides a more disturbing white savior complex, suggesting Black people need help to succeed.
The Little Mermaid
Mermaid Ariel falls in love with human Eric and goes to the sea witch to become human, at the cost of her voice. This classic Disney romance has a terrible message about changing yourself dramatically to be with someone, whatever the cost.
The Karate Kid
New boy Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is bullied by Johnny (William Zabka) until he runs into Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), who teaches him Karate. He enters a karate championship, which culminates in him facing Johnny. Although a great underdog story, The Karate Kid gives the message that violence is the only way to solve conflicts.
Mrs. Doubtfire
Recently divorced actor Daniel (Robin Williams) disguises himself as a nanny to gain more access to his children. They find out and agree to keep his secret, but he is discovered anyway. Funny and heartwarming, Mrs. Doubtfire normalizes deceit and underhand ideas in relationships.
The Lion King
Lion cub Simba is raised knowing he will be King one day, but this is upended when Scar brutally takes over the pride. A classic coming-of-age story, The Lion King sends the message that everyone has pre-decided roles that they must not change, submitting to those above them.
