Looking back at our childhood, all ’80s and ’90s kids can guarantee that we had some of the best TV shows and movies to date.
They were warm and homey, and we loved curling up in front of the TV on Saturday nights and discovering new universes.
However, some of these shows and movies were not particularly suitable for children, especially when viewed as adults.
Also, some of these would definitely not make us comfortable showing them to our own kids today. Here are eight movies and TV shows from the past that would simply not make it to our screens today.
1. Ren & Stimpy: The Cartoon That Definitely Wasn’t for Kids
When you first looked at this cartoon, it looked like just another silly animated show. But ‘Ren & Stimpy’ was anything but innocent.
With their dark humor, disturbing imagery, and shockingly mature jokes, this Nickelodeon classic pushed more boundaries than you could comprehend as a kid.
Now, looking back, it’s hard to believe our parents allowed us to watch Ren scream in manic rage or Stimpy lick things he shouldn’t have.
Today, we would probably steal the remote and change the channel as soon as we saw it.
2. Beetlejuice (The Cartoon Series): A Whole Lot of Weird in After-School Hours
As the new Beetlejuice movie gained fame, we could not help but remember the Beetlejuice Cartoon series.
This show followed the weird adventures of a dead guy who changed shape, summoned monsters, and pranked people non-stop. Somehow, we were glad and excited to watch it after school with no parental control.
At the time, it felt quirky and unique; now it feels like a fever dream we do not want to have again.
While not as intense as in the original movie, the themes of death and a grown ghost’s obsession with a teenage girl were still very much present and disturbing.
Today, it would be a fun watch for adults, but children would probably be except from watching it every day like we did.
3. The Addams Family Movies: Wholesome… Until You Actually Listen
The iconic Addams Family was a true gem back in the day, and a favorite of many. However, we thought we were watching this fun, spooky family’s eerie adventures, and while that’s true, there was a lot more going on.
The weird humor was filled with death jokes, sadomasochistic flirting, and not-so-subtle adult innuendos that we did not comprehend at the time.
Morticia and Gomez were and still are relationship goals, but also one of the most sensual couples ever shown on kids’ channels. How we were not mortified by The Hand is still a mystery.
4. Drop Dead Fred: The Chaotic “Kids Movie” About Mental Illness and Trauma
First advertised as a slapstick comedy about an imaginary friend, Drop Dead Fred was much darker than we understood at the time as kids.
A story about emotional abuse, divorce, and a woman’s mental breakdown was at the center of the story, and we did not even realize it.
As kids, we giggled at the messes and gags, but now we watch it with a bit of horror (and much-needed therapy).
It is a true example of how most shows and movies have different meanings depending on your age when you watch them.
5. Gremlins: Cute Creatures That Turned Into Literal Nightmares
What started as a cute holiday movie with a fluffy, wide-eyed creature named Gizmo escalated into chaos, horror, and some very disturbing scenes.
A blender death, explosions, and that disturbing Santa story; not quite the cozy family movie we remember.
It was meant to be for kids, but it gave most of us our first cinematic trauma experience.
6. Who Framed Roger Rabbit: A Cartoon Noir Full of Adult Content
We just wanted to see Bugs Bunny; instead, we got murder, betrayal, and one of the most sexualized animated characters in history.
Yes, it had cartoons, but this movie was made for adults, and nobody can convince us otherwise.
Between Jessica Rabbit’s sultry performances, the disturbing noir crime plot, and a villain that haunted our minds for a long time, it was a sensory overload and an inappropriate movie for children, for sure.
7. The Witches (1990): Nightmare Fuel in a Kid’s Movie Package
One of the most popular horror movies for children ever made, The Witches was a dark and visually horrifying movie.
It was marketed for children, but it disturbed even some horror fans who were adults at the time. They would literally peel off their faces, turn children into mice, and try to kill them.
Parents thought they were putting on a new fantasy film; kids were left scarred (for life).
8. Pee-Wee’s Playhouse: A Whimsical Show with a Side of What-Is-Happening
Everything about this show was weird (to say the least): the puppets, the screaming, and Pee-Wee himself.
It was colorful and bold enough to capture a kid’s attention, but all the unsettling undertones and eccentric humor didn’t really belong in a kids’ show.
As adults now, we see how disturbing it was and how it resembled a horror show… or possibly a psychedelic trip.
Today, we would not be surprised if some horror movie makers used the same theme to create an adult horror movie, and it would still leave us terrified.
It is true that we were much more resilient to these things as children, but did these shows leave some hidden traumas? I guess we will never know.
