There are a lot of movies that we see as kids that are bound to surprise us with a “Oh s***!” moment of realization as adults. These 13 scenes are no exception. Sometimes kids’ movies sneak sex jokes that only the adults will catch. The bare-chested wild harpies in this Disney classic are one example.
1. Toy Story
The toys in this Pixar classic are anxious about Andy’s upcoming movie. Woody, Sarge, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm the piggy bank and the rest of the crew watch Andy open his gifts via baby monitor. Woody discovers a rootin’ tootin’ cowgirl toy and becomes jealous. He wants to keep her, but the toys are being sold at a yard sale. What will happen to them all?
2. Inside Out
Whether we’re talking about sex, drugs or anguish, there are a lot of grown-up ideas that go completely over kids’ heads in movies. That’s a testament to both the naivete of childhood and cleverness of Hollywood screenwriting. This scene from Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing shows how misunderstandings can shape real-life events. It also teaches children that it’s important to consider a person’s viewpoint.
3. Pixar’s Soul
Even kids’ movies can be guilty of sly, grown-up humor that flies over the heads of children. Pixar’s Soul, which premiered on Disney in December 2020, is no exception. The 123movies film centers on Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), a middle school teacher and jazz musician. He is forced to reunite his soul and body after a soul instructor tells 22 that her passion has nothing to do with her ultimate purpose in life.
4. The Lion King
The scene where Mufasa dies is a powerful moment that has left an impression on generations of viewers. Even a pet dog’s reaction to the scene speaks to its power. Despite being the center of a dour sequence, this upbeat musical number from meerkat Timone and warthog Pumbaa is a welcome respite. The message of “Hakuna Matata” is a powerful one about the circle of life.
5. The Dark Knight
The Joker is a master of deception and this scene highlights his ability to manipulate without even speaking. It also showcases Heath Ledger’s incredibly charismatic performance. Nolan’s use of real stunts and claustrophobic camera work lent the sequence an authentic, terrifying feeling. The way he dispatches one of the gangster’s henchmen is unnerving. And his reference to Lehman Brothers was a terrifying jab at the bank that played a role in the global financial crisis.
7. The Lord of the Rings
A stunning sequence that showcases the scale of Middle-earth. From the scenery and set miniatures to Howard Shore’s sweeping score, it’s an epic moment. Gandalf’s conversation with Gollum polarized the characters and made them realize that this world was far more dangerous than they thought. It was a powerful scene, especially for kids.
8. The Matrix
The Wachowskis’ film enthralled audiences upon release with its fusion of high-concept sci-fi action and crypto-religious allegory. Its combination of lightning fast martial arts, John Woo-esque gunplay, and bleeding edge special effects was groundbreaking at the time. A seemingly casual line early in the movie foreshadows Neo’s choice to take the red pill. He signs his name using a pen with red, green, and blue ink options.
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The third and final installment of the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. The film adds some scenes that aren’t in the book. For example, Elrond presents Aragorn with his reforged sword Anduril. He also heals Eowyn and Faramir in the House of Healing. These additions help the movie to build up the characters. They also make the story more climactic.
10. The Matrix Reloaded
After the resounding success of The Matrix, expectations were astronomically high for its sequels Reloaded and Revolutions. The action scenes are still mind-blowing, including the back-to-back freeway chase and battle in the Merovingian’s chateau. But a lot was misunderstood in these movies. One major misunderstanding was the drug theme. In particular, the use of “shit” and a scene that depicts Neo spitting into a cup.
