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Movies can serve as more than just entertainment for your children; they can also act as a springboard for meaningful discussions. Beyond the storyline, films often carry underlying messages, both obvious and subtle, that can spark important conversations. This becomes particularly relevant when revisiting older movies that may contain outdated language or themes.
Below is a list of 11 family-friendly films that remain enjoyable on the surface but include elements that might be considered troubling or outdated by today's standards. While these movies still hold value in terms of entertainment, they also provide an opportunity to engage in thoughtful conversations with your kids. (Note: Song of the South is best avoided altogether.)
Return to Oz (1985)
The 1939 adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has remained a beloved classic for generations. While it features dark elements, a menacing villain, and those infamous flying monkeys, it’s also a vibrant, colorful celebration of family, hope, and friendship. Return to Oz, based on the second and third books in the Oz series, serves as a strange and somber follow-up to the original musical. Its grim visuals and tone shocked many parents, unaware it would terrify their children (mine included). It’s worth discussing with your kids the film’s unsettling aspects, such as Dorothy being labeled as mentally unstable and subjected to horrifying "treatments" that are disturbing even with context.
Topic of discussion: Mental health, the line between fantasy and reality
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Transformers: The Movie (1986)
Released at the peak of Hasbro's toy line and TV show popularity, this film about alien robots transforming into vehicles took a darker turn with increased violence and profanity. Shockingly, it killed off Optimus Prime, the show’s central hero. Parents not only endured a feature-length toy advertisement but also had to comfort their distraught children, who spent the latter part of the movie sobbing over the loss of their beloved sentient semi-truck (mine included).
Topics of discussion: Death
Where to stream: Although not officially available on any streaming platform, numerous high-quality bootlegs can be found on YouTube.
Song of the South (1946)
This animated and live-action hybrid film has been controversial since its release, drawing criticism for its problematic portrayal of race. (Notably, James Baskett, who portrayed Uncle Remus, was barred from attending the film's premiere in Atlanta due to his race.) Despite repeated theatrical re-releases up until 1986, Disney has never made it available on VHS or other home media formats. However, elements of the film, including its music and characters, inspired theme park attractions until 2020, when Disney decided to close Splash Mountain—a ride based on Song of the South—and reimagine it using characters from The Princess and the Frog.
Topics of discussion: Why certain things are better left in the past
Where to stream: Disney prefers to erase this film from memory, but if you’re determined, you can locate it on YouTube.
Turning Red (2022)
Creating a humorous yet candid movie about a preteen transforming into a giant red panda when excited naturally involves addressing topics like crushes and menstruation. When the film debuted on Disney+, many parents felt unprepared to discuss these subjects with their children and instead directed their frustrations online. This reaction is unfortunate, as the film is a creative, heartfelt exploration of breaking cycles of family trauma, offering an empowering message that’s worth discussing after viewing.
Topic of discussion: Women's health, intergenerational trauma
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Watership Down (1978)
Rabbits are typically seen as cute and cuddly, not as symbols of resistance against authoritarianism, tyranny, and societal collapse. This animated adaptation of Richard Adams' 1972 novel strips away any sense of charm, presenting a stark reality where rabbits face brutal deaths—crushed on roads, hunted by humans, or torn apart by predators like hawks and dogs. The film serves as a reminder that animation doesn’t always equate to child-friendly content, offering rich material for discussions about violence in nature and the political undertones woven into the story.
Topics of discussion: The brutality of nature, systems of political oppression
Where to stream: Max, The Criterion Channel, Digital rental
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Topic of discussion: Tolerance
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
The Harry Potter films (2001-2011)
Despite J.K. Rowling's personal controversies (which could spark conversations about feminism and trans rights with older children), some religious groups argue that the Harry Potter films promote "pagan" ideologies and encourage interest in the occult and witchcraft. Rowling has repeatedly clarified that this was never her intention, and there’s no evidence to suggest the films or books have normalized witchcraft any more than Marvel movies have turned children into actual superheroes.
Topic of discussion: Maintaining an open mind
Where to stream: Max, Digital rental
The Lion King (1994)
While one of Disney’s most beloved animated films, The Lion King has its share of controversies. Critics have highlighted that the film’s portrayal of hyenas—voiced by minority actors—aligns with harmful stereotypes, despite the story being set in Africa. Though the movie remains a masterpiece of entertainment, it’s an opportunity to discuss with older children how to recognize and understand the impact of such stereotypes in media.
Topics of discussion: Harmful stereotypes
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Show Dogs (2018)
This film, centered on a police dog attempting to save a panda, initially flew under the radar. However, controversy erupted when viewers highlighted a scene where the dog is subjected to non-consensual genital touching by a dog show judge. The situation worsens as other dogs advise him to retreat to his "happy place" during the examination, a moment some interpreted as dangerously close to excusing grooming behaviors. Despite Global Road Entertainment re-editing the scene, The National Center on Sexual Exploitation argues that problematic elements persist. While the scene may seem absurd, it provides an opportunity to discuss critical topics like consent, bodily autonomy, and sexual abuse.
Topic of discussion: Sexual abuse
Where to stream: Plex, Digital rental
Aladdin (1992)
Similar to The Lion King, Disney’s adaptation of Arabian Nights has faced criticism for reinforcing harmful stereotypes, particularly of Arab and Asian cultures. While protagonists Aladdin and Jasmine are depicted with Western features and voices, secondary characters like street vendors are given exaggerated accents and stereotypical designs. Notably, the original lyrics of "Arabian Nights" described Agrabah as a place "where they cut off your ear if they don’t like your face," which was later revised due to backlash. Despite changes, other problematic elements remain. Disney+ now includes a disclaimer about the film’s "negative depictions," making it a valuable opportunity to discuss cultural representation with your children. (See also: The 1953 animated version of Peter Pan.)
Topic of discussion: Cultural stereotypes
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
Dumbo (1941)
Prior to Disney+’s launch, speculation arose that a controversial scene in Dumbo—featuring a racially insensitive blackbird named Jim Crow (grimacing emoji) who helps Dumbo fly—would be removed. Instead, the platform added a disclaimer: "This program is presented as originally created. It may contain outdated cultural depictions." Rather than ignoring this warning, it’s an opportunity to discuss with your kids how such stereotypes were once normalized and how they persist today, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and understanding these issues.
Topic of discussion: Damaging racial stereotypes
Where to stream: Disney+, Digital rental
