15 Movies No One Should Never Watch With Their Parents
Saltburn didn’t take the world by storm when it hit theaters around Thanksgiving last year, but it did garner some good awards for actor Barry Keoghan’s fearless performance.
However, when it premiered on Prime Video just in time for the winter holidays, it became popular on social media for entirely different reasons . News feeds were filled with reactions from adult children who watched it with their parents, completely unaware of the film’s provocative content. Saying more about the movie would spoil the fun, but you’ll never feel the same about your bath when it’s over.
If you’re one of those people who’ve recently been traumatized by watching Saltburn with the whole family, we’re here to make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice. Here’s a list of movies that seem relatively good on the surface, but cause all sorts of awkward feelings when you least expect it.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Why not? Quentin Tarantino’s breakout hit won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and what parent doesn’t love seeing Bruce Willis and John Travolta? However, there is plenty of drug use, sodomy, extreme violence, bombs and talk of sexy foot massages that could have you squirming while sitting on the couch in your childhood home.
Where to stream (without parents): Max, Digital rental
Monster’s Ball (2001)
Why not? Not only did Halle Berry become the first woman of color to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for this powerful film, but it was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay, which makes a reasonable assumption that it would be entirely appropriate to watch. with my family. However, if the shocking suicide in the first half of the film doesn’t make you and your parents wince, the drawn-out sex scene between Berry and Billy Bob Thornton certainly will.
Where to watch (without parents): Pluto TV, Roku Channel, Digital Rental.
Deliverance (1972)
Why not? This classic canoe ride action movie may seem like a good movie to watch with your outdoor-loving dad, but be warned: When the villagers start telling Ned Beatty’s Bobby to squeal like a pig, things quickly go dark .
Where to stream (without parents): Digital rental
Wild Things (1998)
Why not? Funny story: I was part of a group that decided to study this thriller in film classes. (For the record, I didn’t choose the movie, and I was the only guy on our team.) We watched it at my house, kindly asking my parents (who are practicing Mormons) to tag along while we watched the movie. My father left while the main characters were having a threesome. Then my mom, wondering where my dad was, saw Kevin Bacon’s sausage in another scene. I don’t know what made me more uncomfortable: listening to my father fondle Denise Richards, or the fact that their own DVD copy of the film was still in their collection.
Where to stream (without parents): Digital rental
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Why not? Before Saltburn there was The Wolf of Wall Street , a dark Martin Scorsese film released around the holidays filled with orgies, exposed genitals of both sexes, masturbation, drug use, domestic violence, locker room talk and, according to IMDb, almost 600 uses of f -words.
Where to watch (without parents): Paramount+ with Showtime, Peacock, Digital Rental
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Why not? Based on the best-selling book that coined the term “Scandinavian thriller,” this story of a disgraced journalist (Daniel Craig) uncovering a conspiracy with the help of hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) includes two disturbing rape scenes and several sex scenes.
Where to watch (without parents): Paramount+ with Showtime, digital rental.
American Beauty (1999)
Why not? Today, you might not want to see this Oscar-winning film for other reasons (like the off-screen performances of its main character), but we’re not your parents. However, seeing people as old as your parents lusting after underage cheerleaders or having loud sex in a seedy hotel room is a great reason to avoid such encounters with them.
Where to watch (without parents): Paramount+ with Showtime, Prime Video, digital rental.
Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Why not? It’s an iconic midnight movie that’s probably been around since your parents were born, but watching it with them may depend on where they stand in the current political landscape. There’s plenty of innuendo and skimpy costumes but very little nudity, but the appearance of Tim Curry’s Dr. Frank-n-Furter, a lovable transvestite from transsexual Transylvania, may make your parents uneasy.
Where to stream (without parents): Digital rental, but do yourself a favor and watch the midnight show in a theater.
There’s Something About Mary (1998)
Why not? Advertising for this crude, outrageous comedy showed that its most offensive aspect was the harm to a cute little dog. Viewers had no idea what hilarious vulgarities awaited them and their parents, especially the hair gel scene.
Where to stream (without parents): Digital rental
Apartment (1960)
Why not? Whenever I try to explain this award-winning drama to my parents, I always get worried looks. It involves an insurance agent (Jack Lemmon) who rents out his apartment to executives for their extramarital affairs. Sex is talked about in the most discreet terms, but never shown. There is also an unprecedented suicide attempt, which makes it poignant for the time. Depending on how conservative your parents are, you might want to avoid this.
Where to stream (without parents): Roku Channel, digital rental.
Titanic (1997)
Why not? It’s hard to decide what made a generation of ’90s kids feel uncomfortable watching this PG-13 movie with their parents: If it’s not the scene in which Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) draws a naked Rose (Kate Winslet), then it was definitely a couple consummating their relationship in the back seat of a car.
Where to watch (without parents): Paramount+ with Showtime, digital rental.
Bad Santa (2003)
Why not? While there’s nothing quite like watching a Christmas comedy about Saint Nick with almost no holiday cheer during winter break with your parents, there’s something a little unsettling about hearing Lauren Graham, the actress best known for her role as Lorelai Gilmore, scream: Fuck me, Santa!” while having sex in a car in a shopping center parking lot.
Where to watch (without parents): Paramount+ with Showtime, digital rental.
Mother! (2017)
Why not? You’d be hard-pressed to find a parent who doesn’t like Jennifer Lawrence. However, this disturbing film from Darren Aronofsky will test the limits of Mom and Dad with its violence, nudity, language and (spoiler alert) child sacrifice.
Where to stream (without parents): Digital rental
The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
Why not? Your mom and dad may have finally finished re-watching The Office , but as terrible as Michael Scott’s actions were, they pale in comparison to what you’ll feel watching this Steve Carrell comedy with them. Although there are no actual sex scenes in the film, there is a lot of nudity, crude sexual references and language, drug use and clips from porn videos.
Where to watch broadcasts (without parents): digital rental
Crash (1996)
Why not? The NC-17 rating and James Spader’s face should be obvious, but let us tell you that this film shares the same title as the 2004 Oscar-winning film starring Don Cheadle and Sandra Bullock. If you randomly pick up this movie, which is about a group of people exploring the connection between sex and car accidents, neither you nor your parents will be able to watch it.
Where to watch (without parents): physical media only.