Has cancel culture come for your favorite films? There are several classic comedies that were once considered hilarious that are deemed offensive today. Here are twenty-six of them.
1. Heathers (1988)
The 1988 film Heathers, which Michael Lehmann directed, is a dark comedy that explores teens taking their lives, violence, and high school cliques. Although the movie received plaudits for its biting wit and social insight, it wouldn’t be produced today because of issues with how it handled delicate and serious matters.
2. Silver Streak (1976)
Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor star in Arthur Hiller’s comedy-thriller Silver Streak, released in 1976. Despite the movie’s popularity at the time, the usage of blackface now would prevent it from being produced. In the movie, Gene Wilder’s character pretends to be Black, which would be considered extremely disrespectful and inappropriate in today’s society.
3. Blazing Saddles (1974)
Mel Brooks’ comedy movie Blazing Saddles, which was released in 1974, mocks Western movies. The movie, which at the time received praise for its razor-sharp wit and comedic genius, couldn’t be created today because of its contentious use of racial humor. The movie uses racial stereotypes and insults that are unpleasant and are no longer acceptable in contemporary comedy.
4. The Jerk (1979)
Carl Reiner was the director of the comedy The Jerk, featuring Steve Martin as a dimwitted but well-intentioned man who amasses absurd wealth before losing it all. Despite being popular then, the movie’s humor is based on offensive stereotypes, and its representation of race and disabled people would draw condemnation today.
5. Caddyshack (1980)
The 1980 comedy Caddyshack, which Harold Ramis directed, takes place in a country club. The movie earned positive reviews for its colorful characters and humorous scenes, but it would today draw criticism for how it portrayed women and reinforced gender stereotypes. The movie has scenes and gags that objectify women, which is against today’s norms of respect and inclusivity.
6. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
In the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds, helmed by Jeff Kanew, a group of college students who are social outcasts try to establish their worth. Although the movie was well-liked in its day, today’s concerns with consent prevent it from being produced.
7. Porky’s (1981)
A crude, sexually explicit teenage comedy called Porky’s, helmed by Bob Clark, was released in 1981. The movie contains scenes that would be viewed as extremely improper and disrespectful in today’s cultural environment since they degrade and abuse female characters.
8. Police Academy (1984)
Hugh Wilson’s comedy Police Academy, released in 1984, features a group of oddball police cadets. The movie was a financial success and inspired several sequels, but given its focus on vulgar comedy and insensitive representations of various characters, it wouldn’t be produced today. There are jokes in the movie that still use outdated and offensive stereotypes about race, gender, and sexual orientation.
9. Crocodile Dundee (1986)
The fish-out-of-water comedy Crocodile Dundee, helmed by Peter Faiman and published in 1986, follows an Australian bushman in New York City. Although the movie was a financial success, its representation of Indigenous cultures and the maintenance of stereotypes would draw criticism today.
10. Big (1988)
The 1988 film Big, which Penny Marshall directed, is about a young kid who mysteriously grows up overnight. Despite being a critical and financial success, the movie wouldn’t be produced today because of issues with the romantic relationship between an adult woman and a youngster trapped within an adult body.
11. Clerks (1994)
A day in the life of two store clerks is depicted in the indie black-and-white comedy Clerks, which Kevin Smith filmed and released in 1994. Although the movie attracted a cult following and helped start Smith’s career, today’s standards would consider its crass comedy and explicit language to be insensitive and excluding.
12. 48 Hrs. (1982)
In Walter Hill’s action-comedy 48 Hours, released in 1982, a mismatched pair, a cop and a prisoner, work together to apprehend crooks. Despite the movie’s success at the time, the interactions between the main characters and its emphasis on racial stereotypes prevented it from being created today.
13. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
Jim Carrey plays a quirky detective specializing in finding missing animals in the comedy picture Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, released in 1994 and directed by Tom Shadyac. Even though the movie was a financial success and launched Carrey’s career, it wouldn’t be produced today because of issues with how transgender people were portrayed in it.
14. Three Amigos! (1986)
Three silent movie actors mistaken for actual heroes in a small Mexican community are the subject of the comedy movie The Three Amigos, which John Landis directed and was released in 1986. Despite the film’s positive reviews for its humorous performances and lighthearted homage to classic Westerns, it couldn’t be produced today because of worries about stereotyping and cultural appropriation.
15. Tropic Thunder (2008)
The action-comedy Tropic Thunder, directed by Ben Stiller, is sarcastic and mocks both the movie business and war films. The use of blackface (Robert Downey Jr.) and other racially offensive features prevented the movie from being filmed today, although the fact that it earned favorable reviews and accolades for the performances.
16. American Pie (1999)
The explicit teenage comedy American Pie, directed by Paul Weitz, centers on a group of high school pals who are trying to lose their virginity. Despite the movie’s box office success and status as a genre classic, it wouldn’t be produced today due to worries that it objectifies women and reinforces harmful stereotypes.
17. Mr. Mom (1983)
The comedy Mr. Mom, directed by Stan Dragoti, examines how a family’s dynamic changes when the father stays home with the children. In today’s world, where a more inclusive and equitable approach to parenting is favored, the movie’s representation of old gender roles and expectations would be seen as backward.
18. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
The Farrelly brothers’ romantic comedy There’s Something About Mary, published in 1998, focuses on the pursuit of a Mary. Although the movie was a financial success and received praise for its humor, it wouldn’t have been created today because of issues with how it handled issues like stalking and disabilities.
19. American Beauty (1999)
The dark comedy-drama American Beauty, which Sam Mendes directed and was published in 1999, explores suburban life and personal discontent. Although the movie received positive reviews and won an Oscar, it couldn’t be made today because of the allegations against and subsequent conviction of the movie’s principal actor, Kevin Spacey, for sexual assault.
20. Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)
The 1979 satirical comedy film Monty Python’s Life of Brian, which Terry Jones directed, parodies religious themes and biblical tales. Its humorous interpretation of religion, especially Christianity, would probably draw a lot of criticism and protests from various religious groups.
21. Weird Science (1985)
In the teen comedy Weird Science, directed by John Hughes, two socially awkward high school males use their computers to design the ideal woman. The film contains scenes and ideas that objectify women, portraying them as things to be manufactured and manipulated, which opposes modern notions of consent and respect.
22. Sixteen Candles (1984)
The coming-of-age comedy Sixteen Candles, helmed by John Hughes and released in 1984, examines the highs and lows of adolescence. The film features the Asian exchange student Long Duk Dong, whose portrayal promotes damaging racial stereotypes and would be viewed as very inappropriate and disrespectful in today’s cultural milieu.
23. Forrest Gump (1994)
A slow-witted but kind-hearted man named Forrest Gump is the subject of the comedy-drama Forrest Gump, which Robert Zemeckis directed and released in 1994. Forrest’s intellectual handicap was portrayed in the movie in a way that has drawn criticism for possibly supporting stereotypes and for failing to consider the variety of experiences that people with disabilities may have.
24. Teen Wolf (1985)
The 1985 comedy-fantasy movie Teen Wolf, which Rod Daniel helmed, centers on a high school boy who learns he is a werewolf. Despite being popular then, the movie wouldn’t be produced now because of issues with how toxic masculinity was portrayed.
25. Borat (2006)
The mockumentary comedy film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, was released in 2006 and was directed by Larry Charles. In today’s cultural climate, the movie’s satirical strategy and boundary-pushing aesthetic would get more attention and criticism.
26. Aladdin (1992)
Walt Disney Pictures created the animated musical fantasy picture Aladdin, helmed by Ron Clements and John Musker, and released in 1992. Despite the movie’s enormous popularity and status as a beloved classic, it couldn’t be produced today due to issues with cultural representation.
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