Movies are made for a reason. They entertain us, capture our imagination, and make us laugh. They also help us learn about the world around us. Movies have the ability to elicit a wide range of feelings in viewers, making us laugh, cry, and everything in between.
While a great number of films have taught us lessons that may help us be better people, there have also been a small number of films that have done society more harm than good. In this article, we look at movies of the past that would never be greenlit for production today. Some had questionable content, while others were downright despicable.
Forrest Gump
Some people believe that movies, like other beautiful things, get better over time. Unfortunately, you cannot always say the same thing about films like Forrest Gump. When you view the movie more than once, you start noticing certain problematic aspects.
In an effort to paint a more favorable view of the United States, some people believe that the movie brushes over or ignores certain events or aspects of American history. On top of that, the film's special effects aren't all that impressive.
Back to the Future
This movie may have become a cult classic, but the writing in several of the film's scenes is rather questionable. Several instances of bullying are depicted in the movie. The film also features various racial slurs that just wouldn’t fly in today’s culture.
The main character drinks excessively and frequently swears throughout the film. As a result, many viewers feel that the film should go back to the editing room, if not the storyboarding phase, to fix the problems brought to light.
Caddyshack
The plot of the sports comedy Caddyshack revolves around the exploits of Danny Noonan, a caddie at the posh Bushwood Country Club. It is reported that the movie's script went through dozens of modifications in the final minutes of production.
It seems incredible to think that it was ever produced. The film's unpredictable pace and convoluted narratives caused many critics to overlook it when it first came out, even though it has since become a cult classic. ESPN says that the film is "perhaps the funniest sports movie that has ever been filmed," but many viewers would disagree with that assessment.
Batman Forever
In the film Batman Forever, released in 1995, the title character faces off against Two-Face and the Riddler while trying to defend the city of Gotham. Unfortunately, audiences and film critics have both been very harsh in their criticism of the movie.
Many viewers thought that the movie had an utterly inconsistent tempo. In addition, when the movie first came out, the actors' costumes were considered controversial because of how anatomically accurate they were and how revealing that made them. We believe that modern viewers would have the same reaction to this movie as audiences did back then.
The Love Guru
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term "guru," allow us to explain. Guru can refer to somebody who has achieved expert status in any field. Therefore, the title refers to a person who has mastered the art of romantic relationships. The film follows a guru who, after spending some time in India, decides to settle back in the States.
The film is a stereotyped representation of India and a triumph of cultural appropriation. The awful and inappropriate outfits the characters wear throughout the film were also widely panned by critics.
Disney's Aladdin
There are several moments in Disney's Aladdin that can be interpreted in a racist manner. Numerous critics felt the movie promoted harmful generalizations about the Middle East. The Middle Eastern characters in the film are stereotyped as villainous, uncivilized brutes.
A character in one scenario refers to the area as "Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face. It's barbaric, but hey, it's home." To people of Middle Eastern descent, these troublesome lyrics were highly upsetting. One would never guess that this is a family film.
Chasing Amy
The subject of same-sex relationships was explored in the romantic film Chasing Amy, which was released in 1997. However, both the critics and the public felt that the film perpetuated the mistaken belief that a person's tastes could simply be toggled on and off at will.
The way the concepts of gender are portrayed in the film also presents some difficulties. We do not feel that a movie like Chasing Amy would have been produced in this day and age because its approach was incredibly disrespectful to the LGBTQ+ community.
Manhattan
This film, which was released in 1979, is frequently described as Woody Allen's "love letter" to the city of New York. However, the film does not hold up well to the test of time. Many modern viewers and critics are turned off by the film's depiction of an intimate relationship between a teenager and a guy in his forties who has been divorced.
It's creepy, especially in light of the many claims of inappropriate behavior with minors that Woody Allen has faced. The 1979 popularity of Manhattan would not be replicated with a modern remake.
Baby Geniuses
Those responsible for bringing this film to life were horribly misguided. To begin with, the film's plot is as outlandish as it gets. The film follows a gang of infants who have advanced language skills and have mastered the martial art of karate. With their superior intellect, they scheme against their guardians.
With a 24% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 49,000 reviews, it's clear that this film is widely considered to be terrible. If you know someone who already dislikes children, it's probably not a good idea to show them this.
Home Alone 3
Most people probably did not anticipate seeing Home Alone 3 on this list. This third installment in the Home Alone franchise likewise follows the story of a boy who is accidentally left behind and must use his wits to prevent theft. Unfortunately, this movie got terrible reviews from critics everywhere for various reasons.
To begin with, the movie has several disturbingly violent sequences, which are not at all acceptable for a movie geared toward children. The film's antagonists can be interpreted as terrorists, which is an odd choice for a picture intended for children.
Glitter
The movie Glitter, starring Mariah Carey, is notorious for being exceptionally awful. The film follows an aspiring young singer who, as her success grows, is forced to choose between pursuing her singing career and the love of her life.
This movie is horrible for several reasons, but one of them is that it implies that a successful woman can't have everything she wants. The film is not only terrible but also incredibly dull, to put it mildly. It’s not worth the time, in our opinion.
Mr. Mom
This movie's plot explores what might occur if the roles and responsibilities traditionally associated with different sexes were reversed due to external factors. On the surface, Mr. Mom is written in a manner that is similar to a progressive picture.
Unfortunately, there were just too many problems with the movie, one of which was the title of the film. The implication made by the title is that a woman's place is in the home, especially if she is another. This is not something that would resonate with modern audiences.
Pocahontas
Pocahontas is an animated film produced by Disney that portrays the narrative of a young Native American girl named Pocahontas who falls in love with an English settler. Even after so many years have passed since its first release, Pocahontas is still widely regarded as one of the most troublesome films Disney has ever created.
Many people, including historians, argue that the film exaggerates certain historical events or overly romanticizes other times and places in history. Though it has been decades since the movie was released, many people continue to believe that it is racially inappropriate and historically inaccurate.
The Polar Express
It should come as no surprise that The Polar Express is included on this list of films that could never be produced today. This critically acclaimed movie features animation that is sloppy and unsettling all at the same time. Simply looking at the animation is enough to put most children (and even some grownups) off.
Instead of being a movie geared for the Christmas season, this film would work far better as one meant for Halloween. So, forget about seeing this movie unless you enjoy setting a spooky tone for the beginning of the Christmas season.
Jack Frost
You've got your awful movies, and then there are films like Jack Frost, which are just plain weird. The film follows a man who dies and then comes back to life on Earth in the form of a snowman. He can still communicate with his son in his new body.
The premise is uncomfortable from the get-go, but it's also weirdly executed and has some cringe-worthy parts. This holiday film is so unsettling that it would be more at home in the horror genre than the holiday one. Watching this film will change the way you think about snowmen forever.
Animal House
Although this picture enjoyed widespread success during its period, many of its sequences now would be considered offensive due to their potential to promote discrimination of many kinds. In the eyes of many, Animal House is the product of terrible writing.
The film frequently resorts to the kind of humor that makes fun of others' misfortune. Feel free to roll your eyes at the film's old-fashioned humor if you find yourself watching it again. If at all possible, steer clear of it.
Tootsie
Tootsie recounts the misadventures of an unemployed actor named Michael Dorsey, who must disguise himself as a woman to find work. When he realizes he has feelings for his co-star, the film follows the funny chain of events that follow.
The picture relies on the old and worn-out "man in a dress" cliche, which has seen better days. Some critics believed that the movie was trying too hard to be funny without sufficiently investigating the nuances of gender in length. When viewed through the lens of the modern day, this movie has an archaic feel to it.
National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers
Gold Diggers was a film produced by National Lampoon that received negative reviews from film critics. It was about two young guys who hoped to become wealthy by marrying two older women. The movie begins with a horrific heist plot, which later develops into a plotline about the males opting to marry the wealthy older women rather than robbing them of their money.
The filthy comedy in the movie, as well as the many problematic situations, caused both critics and audience members to shudder. The complicated plots ranged from violence against women to questionable intentions from the leads.
Stripes
Stripes is a film from 1981 that tells the story of two friends who, after becoming dissatisfied with their work in the corporate world, decide to enlist in the military. Several critics had the impression that the movie did not give the female characters enough autonomy. A significant number of the female characters in the film are portrayed as having only one dimension or are merely seen as objects of sexual desire.
It is in everyone's best interest that a movie similar to this one is never made again because the majority of the movie's scenes come across as being absurd when viewed through a modern lens.
The Crying Game
In the novel The Crying Game, a British soldier recounts his ordeal after being kidnapped by the Irish Republican Army. However, while the movie received mostly positive reviews from film critics and audience members, many people thought its exploration of racial and gender dynamics was problematic.
The movie contains several sequences that could be interpreted in a way that is insensitive to racial issues, as well as scenes that involve violence against women and transgender people. Many critics believed that the movie gave an unfavorable impression of terrorists by portraying them in a sympathetic light.
Porky's
After being ejected from a local bar known as Porky's, a gang of high school students decides to exact their vengeance on the establishment's proprietor. This is the plot of the film Porky's. Unfortunately, many people believe the movie is exceptionally misogynistic, although it is regarded as a classic in many film communities.
The film uses the cliche "boys will be boys" throughout its narrative. Throughout the movie, an archaic justification is brought up to justify some of the characters' highly unethical acts. Because of this, those who go to the movies nowadays would never accept the film.
Ishtar
This film is based on the story of two American singers who travel to Morocco in search of stardom while working as lounge singers at a hotel there. Unfortunately, they wind up becoming embroiled in a chain of occurrences that have little to do with their musical skills.
Ishtar is widely considered to be among the very worst films that have ever been produced, both by critics and moviegoers. If this film had been produced in modern times, its sexist undertones would have failed to attract audiences to its opening weekend showings.
Super Mario Bros.
Your all-time favorite video game was adapted into a movie for reasons that aren't entirely clear to us. However, the events that occur after two plumbers from Brooklyn, New York, become aware of a parallel world ruled by an advanced species of dinosaurs serve as the basis for the film's premise.
Many people felt that the movie did an excellent job of spoiling their favorite video game from their childhood. The film was criticized for having plot holes and a narrative that made no sense. To be fair, a video game is not exactly the best place to look for ideas when you're making a movie.
Battlefield Earth
Battlefield Earth is regarded as one of the worst movies of all time, according to several reviewers and film critics, and this is primarily due to the film's terrible execution and editing. The film is an adaptation of a book authored by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer and the founder of Scientology.
Putting the film's Scientology connections aside, viewers and critics were turned off by the awkward camera work and lackluster performances. Even the person who wrote the screenplay for the movie said that watching it just once, when it was first released, was more than enough.
Heathers
To many, this 1980s film is as iconic as any other classic. The movie follows the narrative of Veronica Sawyer, a young woman who is a member of a famous group known as the Heathers at her high school. However, several critics felt the film made light of the serious topic of suicide.
When it first came out, the movie did not fare well with critics, even though it is now considered a cult classic. In addition, the film was criticized for making bullying seem like something all students must go through.
Sixteen Candles
The iconic film Sixteen Candles tells the narrative of a girl turning 16 and the trials and tribulations she must endure. Although it was once widely acclaimed, this film is ill-suited to the tastes of today's audience for various reasons. The movie portrays Asian people in a negative light and perpetuates harmful prejudices.
An extremely dubious scene in which one of the characters takes advantage of another while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is also included. There has been a shift in the cultural discussion about consent, and that scenario may come across as insensitive.
The Master of Disguise
In the film The Master of Disguise, which came out in 2002, the protagonist, Pistachio, goes through a series of transformations to protect his pals from an evil force. Unfortunately, even at the comedic moments that are supposed to be hilarious, the movie is ridiculous and without any sense of humor.
Each of his disguises is rather terrible. The movie features shockingly poor costume design throughout its entirety. It would appear that even a little child would have no trouble recognizing the person hiding behind the mask.
Blazing Saddles
The plot of the film Blazing Saddles, which was released in 1974, focuses on an unfair politician who seeks to evict an entire village for his own selfish reasons. The movie is full of offensive jokes and makes no effort to hide its use of racial slurs.
Even if the picture was widely regarded as a comedy classic in the '70s, we doubt that audiences would enjoy it today. Many people would consider this to be a very problematic film due to the presence of stereotypical characters as well as the usage of offensive language throughout the entirety of the movie.
48 Hrs
Two men, Reggie and Jack, are at the center of the 1982 film 48 Hrs. The two protagonists are going to have to work together in order to apprehend some scary bad guys. It is stated that this movie was the one that started a new subgenre of films called "buddy cop" flicks.
Despite its groundbreaking role in developing a new film genre, several critics found the film to be poorly cut and tone-shifty. Women in the film's cast are also underutilized, which would likely turn off modern viewers.
The Jerk
The Jerk, released in 1979, is widely regarded as one of cinema's funniest pictures, although many viewers feel it hasn't held up well over time. The film is filled with insults and vulgarities that are offensive to many people.
In today's climate, it's hard to imagine that a film like this would succeed at drawing in an audience. Steve Martin says the film would get a "knee-jerk reaction" in today's more liberal society, but he's pleased to have been a part of it anyhow.
The Police Academy Series
In these 80s films, a bunch of misfits attends the police academy together, intending to make a name for themselves there. The movies feature multiple moments of nudity that are entirely unnecessary. When you watch the films a second time, some of the jokes that were humorous the first time aren't as funny anymore.
The characters are revealed to be flat and one-dimensional in nature, which contributes to the film's overall lack of depth. We do not believe that this film is relevant in any way to the modern world.
Big
In Big, a little boy uses a fortune-telling machine to make him age quickly so that he can fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming an adult. This body-swapping comedy from 1988 has some funny moments but also some serious issues.
Inappropriate sequences that hint at very mature behavior may be seen in this film, even though it was made with younger viewers in mind. The creepiness of the film's romantic sequences is amplified by the fact that Tom Hanks' character is actually a kid despite seeming like an adult.
Soul Man
Only one word can adequately characterize the plot of Soul Man, and that word is "problematic." The story's plot revolves around a young man who, to get funding for his schooling at Harvard, pretends to be an African American.
Ugly racial stereotypes are used to propel the story, which involves a man who aims to appear to be of a different ethnicity by darkening his complexion. Even if you’ve run out of other films to watch, do not resort to this mess of a movie.
Dogma
Dogma tells the story of two angels who have been cast down to Earth and are now attempting to make their way back to heaven. Following the movie's first release, people of the Catholic religion were quick to lodge objections against it due to the disrespectful and frequently insulting scenes and ideas it included.
Audiences today seem to favor films that examine religious themes more respectfully, despite the fact that filmmakers retain the ability to investigate complex topics in their work.
Crocodile Dundee
This is yet another film that features a plethora of questionable sequences and violent acts. Additionally, there are scenes of substance misuse, some mild adult language, and some humor that verges on the crude. The movie also features lines of conversation that could be interpreted as being insensitive to the indigenous people of Australia.
A few Crocodile Dundee sequences have been criticized for their sexist undertones. For example, even though she portrays the role of a successful journalist, the character of Sue, who Linda Kozlowski portrays, is subjected to several instances of misogyny.
Monty Python: Life of Brian
The protagonist of this film is a man named Brian, who shares his birthday with Jesus Christ and was born on the same day. As a result of this, he is sometimes misidentified as the savior. Due to the fact that the picture dealt with matters of religion, it was met with opposition from a wide variety of religious communities, which led to its status as a contentious cinematic release.
It is improbable that a movie similar to Monty Python and the Life of Brian would have been produced in this day and age since some of the film's themes are highly contentious.
The Toy
Initially released in 1982, this picture is based on the French film Le Jouet. In the movie, a spoiled boy requests that his wealthy father buy him an African American man as a toy. The movie's storyline is so ridiculous that it's surprising that it was ever given the go-ahead to be made into a film.
A film like The Toy does not belong in the annals of pop culture in this day and age when there are television shows like Dear White People that are becoming increasingly popular.
Three Men and a Baby
As the title suggests, Three Men and a Baby tells the tale of Jack, Peter, and Michael, three grown men whose lives are turned upside down by the advent of a baby. The movie did well at the box office and was widely praised in 1987.
However, when viewed from a distance of several decades, the film's widespread acclaim raises the question of whether it deserved its success. Maybe not, considering the film's troublesome subplot, including substance misuse, outdated views, and other troubling elements.
The Bad News Bears
The Bad News Bears is a sports comedy film that covers the journey of a former baseball player who begins coaching a children's baseball team while battling substance abuse. The journey takes place over several years. Even though the film garnered mostly positive reviews, several elements would be deemed offensive in today's society.
Scenes of juveniles engaging in drug use are integral to the film's plot. In addition, several racist slurs and other offensive terms are used throughout the film's dialogue. Many even consider some of the scenes to amount to child abuse, which is highly disturbing.
Mac and Me
The average rating for the film Mac and Me on IMDB is 3.40 out of 10. The film centers on the friendship between an alien and a disabled young man. Unfortunately, the film is widely considered to be among the worst in cinematic history.
To some people, every one of the film's scenes is so horrible that it's good. It's hard to tell whether you're watching a movie or a series of commercials for McDonald's, Coke, and other big brands, given how much the film sounds like an ad.