14 TV Shows and Movies You View Differently as an Adult
Rewatching a favorite movie or TV show from your youth sometimes hits differently when you're an adult. Someone in a popular online forum asked, “What movie is the epitome of ‘The older I get, the more I agree with the adult?'” Here are the top 14 responses, including a couple of TV shows that also fit the bill.
1. The Powerpuff Girls (1998)
The Powerpuff Girls is a classic example of a show that's fun for kids, but has a lot of jokes designed for adults. Just think about it: should a ’90s baby really understand an episode that parodies the entire career of The Beatles? That's just the beginning. A look back at the show reveals references to sex, accidental pregnancies, alcoholism and more.
2. Ed, Edd, N Eddy (1999)
On the surface, Ed, Edd n Eddy is a show about three teens and their scheme to get jawbreakers. But, through the lens of an adult, there are plenty of jokes that simply aren't meant for pre-teens. For instance, there's an episode where the three Eds and other kids in the neighborhood are hit with a boomerang that drastically alters their behavior, making them start to act like stoners. Come to think of it, if you wanted to look at the show through a more cynical lens, it's easy to imagine the Eds looking for something a lot more addictive than hard candy.
3. Father of the Bride (1991)
One person named Father of the Bride. “Watching it as a kid, Steve Martin seemed like an old grump,” they shared. “Rewatching it as an adult, holy cow, he is the only sane person in that movie.”
Another agreed, saying, “Yes! A wedding is one day. That moment when he finds Annie has been reading tips on having a budget wedding, you’re supposed to feel sorry for her, but no way! She and her mother are driving poor George into insane debt and a complete breakdown with their crazy spending and somehow he’s the jerk?”
4. Malcolm in the Middle (2000 – 2006)
Many TV fans agreed they viewed Malcolm in the Middle differently as adults. “I used to think Lois was a horrible mother who overreacted about everything,” one person said. “Now that I'm older I can see she is just an overworked working-class mother with 5 terribly behaved boys.”
Another added, “Those kids are so feral… I'd go nuts just babysitting them.” One person pointed out how “Lois and Malcolm working together at the Lucky Aide” was an eye-opening moment for the kid to see what his mom dealt with at work.
5. Lilo and Stitch (2002)
One person said, “Lilo & Stitch. My opinion of Nani changed entirely.”
Another added, “Older sister has to become a mom to her 7-year-old sibling. She's just doing her best to hold the family together.” A third commenter noted, “Her room had a whole bunch of surf trophies. She gave up going pro for Lilo.”
6. Dirty Dancing (1987)
“Dirty Dancing. The dad was wholly justified in not wanting his teenage daughter to mingle with a creepy adult male camp dance teacher,” one movie fan said.
Another added, “Jerry Orbach also teaches an important life lesson to everyone. Near the end, he says, ‘When I'm wrong, I say I'm wrong.' We'd be in a better place if more people could do this.”
7. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
“10 Things I Hate About You,” said one movie buff. “When the dad says, ‘You're 18, you don't know what you want. And you won't know what you want 'til you're 45, and even if you get it, you'll be too old to use it.' So you think he's over the top and nuts at the start.”
They continued, “But then you learn his wife left him with two daughters, who are now going through high school, working a stressful job to care for them, and worrying about them constantly.”
8. Mean Girls (2004)
One person shared, “The principal and teacher in Mean Girls. They were only trying to do their jobs.”
Another added, “I like that they were both competent, relatable, and friendly adults, and not just reduced to some ridiculous stereotype. But, unfortunately, a lot of older teen movies do that.”
9. Sister Act (1992)
“Sister Act. Maggie Smith and Whoopi Goldberg's characters are at odds and don't like each other, but Maggie Smith isn't a villain. She wants to protect the nuns in her care,” one movie fan said.
They added, “She has a different idea of what's suitable for the abbey. By the movie's end, both characters respect and care for the other, even though neither changes their opinion.”
10. Winnie the Pooh (2011)
“Winnie the Pooh,” one person stated. “Rabbit was never against playtime… but can you not do it in his house or garden?”
“And Pooh is some frat boy who eats all of Rabbit's honey,” another added. “Rabbit hardly complains, oh my gosh. And then Pooh gets stuck in the door and the whole village or whatever has to help him.”
11. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (2005 – 2008)
One person said, “Mr. Moseby from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody — dude's got it rough. He's just trying to run a hotel. Still, these kids are bent on sabotaging everything and making matters worse. They live there, so it's a daily occurrence.”
Another said, “I raised my two daughters on Nickelodeon and Disney shows. Almost all adults are just trying to do their jobs and live their lives, but these kids are nightmares!”
12. The Little Mermaid (1989)
“The Little Mermaid,” one movie lover said. “But daddy, I love him! No! You're 16. You're not completely changing yourself for a boy you just met.” Another added, “She didn't even meet him! She saw him dancing from afar and decided, Yes, that's the one.”
A third replied, “Definitely. Ariel barely knew Eric, yet she was willing to give up everything just for him. She was so consumed with her fascination over humans that she wasn't thinking straight and mainly just loved the idea of Eric.”
13. The Simpsons (1989 – Current)
One person admitted, “Rewatching The Simpsons, realizing I no longer relate to Bart. I'm a Homer Simpson now.” Another confessed, “I'm relating with Moe Szyslak more and more every year. I'm scared.”
A third person shared, “I never, never would have imagined this, but I’m rewatching and one of the most relatable characters for me is Edna Krabappel.”
14. A Goofy Movie (1995)
“I just rewatched A Goofy Movie as an adult,” one person admitted. “Goofy just wanted to spend time with his kid. That was the whole conflict. Just go fishing with your dad, Max. You and Roxanne are breaking up before the sequel, anyway.”
Another added, “I also understand part of Pete's side of how parenting should work, but he's not perfect either. You also need to discipline your kids. For example, Pete focused on ensuring his son respected him by having him fear him, while Goofy aimed more for love and compassion.”
Source: Reddit.