Top 10 Kids Movies that Were Definitely Not for Kids

When we look at some movies that are commonly labeled as children's movies, it becomes evident that they are far from being just that. On closer inspection, it may surprise us to see that these films often deal with incredibly dark subject matter, feature deeply disturbing moments, or contain a plethora of inappropriate jokes.

It is remarkable how such themes have found their way into movies that are primarily intended for children. The presence of such elements in children's movies not only raises questions about the suitability of such films for young viewers, but also calls into question the process by which these movies are made and the values they promote.

The Top Ten

Watership Down

I remember watching this movie when I was 10. I mean, just seeing it here reminded me of it. I completely forgot the plot.

It's basically about bunnies killing each other, I heard.

So much violence and blood. This movie is great, but it is not for kids.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Possibly one of the darkest Disney animated movies, it centers on an outcast who is hideously deformed and mocked and ridiculed by the people of Paris. Meanwhile, a judge becomes sexually attracted to Esmeralda to the point where he wants her to be his or face the flames of hell.
He even resorts to burning down the city of Paris looking for her, condemning people to death in the process.

A movie about a woman being treated like a toy (even in comparison to Disney's earlier works), Notre Dame burning, and the H word, rated G. A movie about a bunch of walking tic tacs making funny noises, rated PG.
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie

My only question is how this is considered a "kids' movie".
Monster House
Foodfight!
Minions

There's literally a scene in the movie where one of the minions is in a hot tub surrounded by yellow fire hydrants that clearly look like breasts.

There is even a scene where the minions wear bikinis, and one had a nip-slip.
Sir Billi
Coraline
Who Framed Roger Rabbit

It wasn't intended for kids... BUT, the animation, Mickey Mouse, the Looney Tunes, PG rating, tie-in video game, Roger Rabbit's cameos on some of the Mickey Mouse media, etc. got kids watching it.
Matilda

This movie is surprisingly demented. It features a super-buff principal who physically abuses the students in the school, and the parents don't seem to care. She even locks up kids in a room with broken glass and leaves them there, sometimes all day. She grabs a girl by her pigtails and throws her into the air.
Matilda's parents are no better. From the minute Matilda was born, they neglected her, left her home alone all the time, and even berated her for being smarter than them.

Just seeing Matilda going into the nail cupboard gives me shivers.

The Newcomers

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Return to Oz

This was the first film I ever saw at age 5. It could've been the last - it scared the pants off me. Shock therapy on a child, and a villain who wants to add a little girl's head to her collection of severed heads... Yep, great kids' movie right here.
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Corpse Bride

The Contenders

Home Alone

It may be a kids' movie, but it's still a movie about a kid being left home alone after his parents forget him. In the real world, child protective services would have taken Kevin, and his parents would have faced much heavier consequences. Especially with Kevin left alone while defending himself from two burglars who probably want to kill him.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The first part of the movie was more kid-friendly. It's not until the last part of the movie that they decide to make things really creepy. The Child Catcher breaks into people's houses searching for children and even resorts to luring out the poor children with promises of lollipops just so he can capture them.

Lollipops! Come get your lollipops, children!
Pokémon: The First Movie

The first 10 minutes had to be edited out because it brought up a child getting killed/dying and the child's parents having a depressing divorce.
Antz
The Nightmare Before Christmas

Funny thing was, this was a movie originally aimed at adults. The marketing campaign was limited and launched under the Touchstone banner.
Then came Haunted Mansion Holiday and Kingdom Hearts.
Rango
Bridge to Terabithia

Not really good for adults either.
Little Monsters
The Adventures of Mark Twain
Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart
ParaNorman
Dumbo

It was a kids' movie, but times change.
Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Considering there are some scenes a horror movie would have, especially the truck driver scene.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Don't let the cheerfully colored backgrounds fool you. There was something definitely sinister going on behind the scenes of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.
One scene that is truly terrifying is the tunnel scene. Also, it's never made clear what happened to the kids after their mishaps.
Ringing Bell