11 “problematic” Family Films That Are Still Worth Watching (and Discussing) With Your Children
Watching movies with kids can be a good way to keep them occupied, but movies can also be great conversation starters—not just about the stories, but about the messages they convey, whether explicit or implicit. This is especially important when you’re watching older films with language or narrative elements that haven’t aged well (or worse).
Here are 11 examples of family films that are watchable on one level, but contain plot or thematic elements that many would find disturbing or problematic when viewed through a modern lens. That’s not to say they don’t have value (entertainment or otherwise), but it’s worth noting that watching them together can spark constructive dialogue between you and your kids. (Except for “Song of the South” ; that’s probably best left buried.)
Return to Oz (1985)
There’s a reason the film adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1939 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has endured through the decades: despite its dark undertones, evil villain, and terrifying flying monkeys, it’s a technicolor treat filled with themes of family, hope, and friendship. . Based on the second and third books in the Oz series, Return to Oz is a whimsical pseudo-sequel to the classic musical fantasy, dark in both look and tone, upsetting many parents who didn’t realize the film would be pure nightmare fuel for children. their children (including my parents). Afterwards, it’s worth talking to your kids about some of the more disturbing elements, including scenes where Dorothy’s memories are labeled as madness and she undergoes a terrifying “psychic treatment” that is frightening even in context.
Topic of discussion: Mental health, fantasy versus reality.
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.
Transformers: The Movie (1986)
The makers of this movie about alien robots turning into machines came out when Hasbro’s toy line and its accompanying TV show were at the height of their popularity, and decided to amp up the violence (and strong language) and kill off one of the series’ main characters, the head. good guy Optimus Prime. Parents not only had to endure 90 minutes of toy commercials, but they also had to console their children on the way home from the theater as they spent the second half of the film crying into their popcorn over the death of their favorite sentient semi. truck (including my parents).
Topics of discussion: Death
Where to Stream: Although it’s not officially streamed anywhere, there’s no shortage of quality bootlegs on YouTube .
Song of the South (1946)
Since its release, the hybrid animated/live-action film has sparked controversy and protests due to its problematic portrayal of race . (It’s worth noting that James Baskett, who played narrator Uncle Remus, couldn’t even attend the film’s premiere in Atlanta because he was black.) Disney continued to re-release the film in theaters until 1986, but it was never available on VHS or other home media, even though the film’s music and characters served as the basis for attractions in their theme parks until 2020. It was then that Disney decided to close Splash Mountain, which borrowed elements from Song of the South , and retool it using characters from Princess. and Frog .
Discussion topics: Why some things are better left unnoticed
Where to watch: Disney would rather we all forget this even happened, but if you have to, you can find it on YouTube .
Blushing (2022)
If you’re going to make a funny but honest movie about a teenage girl who turns into a giant red panda whenever she gets excited, themes of crushes and menstruation will probably be part of the story. Many parents weren’t ready to discuss the topic with their kids when the film came out on Disney+, so they took their anger out online instead. That’s too bad, because this is a thoughtful and entertaining film, filled with creativity and an uplifting message about overcoming cycles of family trauma – themes that are worth unpacking after you watch them together.
Topic of discussion: Women’s health, birth trauma.
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.
Watership Down (1978)
Rabbits should be charming and should not fight authoritarianism, despotism and other manifestations that can bring society to its knees. That’s why there’s little appeal in this animated film, based on Richard Adams’ 1972 novel. Rabbits don’t dance or sing; they become victims of traffic accidents, are killed by people, or become prey to hawks and dogs. It’s a good reminder that just because a movie is animated doesn’t mean it’s easy for kids to digest, and watching this movie together will leave you with a lot to talk about, from contextualizing violence to exploring political themes.
Topics of discussion: Violence of nature, political systems of oppression.
Where to watch: Max , The Criterion Channel, digital rental.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
No, the controversy surrounding this remake isn’t because Disney keeps making mediocre live-action copies of its beloved animated films. It came about because the update made LaFou, the lusty sidekick of the villain Gaston, gay, a change that led to a drive-in theater in Alabama boycotting the release because, according to a post on the theater’s Facebook page, homosexuality was contrary to Christian beliefs. While the boycott was not widely seen, it is worth discussing in context after viewing it, especially when compared to the original cartoon.
Discussion topic: Tolerance
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.
Harry Potter films (2001–2011)
Rowling’s own controversies aside (though her outspoken views on feminism and transgender rights are also worth discussing with older children), many religious groups believe that the Harry Potter films are based on “pagan” beliefs and may lead young fans to occultism and witchcraft. . Rowling has stated many times that this was never her intention when writing the popular series of novels, and there is no evidence that the films or books have made the practice of witchcraft any more socially acceptable than the Marvel films have turned children into real-life superheroes.
Topic of discussion: Keeping an open mind.
Where to watch: Max , Digital rental
The Lion King (1994)
The most popular film in Disney’s animated revival has a few problems. First, some have pointed out that several members of the minority cast (in a film set in Africa) play evil hyenas, which themselves resemble harmful stereotypes. It’s still great fun, but if your kids are older and able to understand the concepts, it’s worth talking to them about how to identify these kinds of stereotypes and understand how harmful they can be.
Topics of discussion: Negative stereotypes.
Where to watch: Disney+, digital rental.
Show dogs (2018)
This film about a police dog trying to save a panda didn’t generate much barking before release, but after several viewers pointed out that a scene in which a police dog is forced to fondle his genitals by a dog show judge without consent, things quickly got loud. The scene gets even worse when the other dogs tell him to go to his “happy place” during an examination that some viewers felt came uncomfortably close to normalizing grooming behavior. Global Road Entertainment, the studio behind the film, re-edited the scene, but the National Center on Sexual Exploitation says many objectionable elements still remain. Yes, it’s a silly scene, but it can open the door to conversations about sexual violence, consent, and bodily autonomy.
Topic of discussion: Sexual violence.
Where to watch: Plex, Digital rental.
Aladdin (1992)
Like The Lion King , Disney’s version of The Arabian Nights has been accused of perpetuating negative caricatures , especially of Arabs and Asians. While the main characters Aladdin and Jasmine have English-speaking features and voices, the street vendors speak with Arabic accents and more stereotypically “ethnic” motifs. It’s worth noting that the first verse of the song “Arabian Nights” describes the fictional Agrabah as a place “where they cut off your ear if they don’t like your face” until protests led to the lyrics being changed; even so, more problematic content remains. Before the movie airs, Disney+ is making viewers aware of “negative portrayals” of cultures in the animated film, and it’s worth talking to your kids about what that means. (See also: 1953 Animated Version of Peter Pan. )
Topic of discussion: Perpetuation of myths.
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.
Dumbo (1941)
Before the launch of Disney’s streaming service, there were rumors that an offensive scene in Dumbo in which a racially coded blackbird named Jim Crow (grimacing emoji) gives the titular elephant a feather so he can fly would be cut. This was not true; instead, as with The Lion King , the service added the following statement to the animated film’s description: “This program is presented as it was originally created. It may contain outdated cultural images.” Instead of skipping that screen to get to the cute baby elephant, it’s worth talking to your kids about how normal these stereotypes once were—and in many cases still are, if you understand how to recognize them.
Discussion topic: Harmful racial stereotypes.
Where to watch: Disney+ , digital rental.