Have you ever watched an older film and experienced moments that made you uncomfortable because they have inappropriate humor in modern times? For many, they want the humor in these films not to be appreciated today because of the current cultural climate. These 30 films are once-hilarious masterpieces that cancel culture does not want you laughing at today.
1. Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
Me, Myself & Irene, starring Jim Carrey, is a comedy that features humor based on mental health issues, including Dissociative Identity Disorder. The movie uses this condition as a punchline, depicting a character with a split personality as a source of endless humor.
In today’s more sensitive climate, making light of mental health issues is highly discouraged. The film’s portrayal of mental illness is offensive and stigmatizing and not something people find funny when the stigma surrounding mental health is finally dissipating.
2. White Chicks (2004)
White Chicks is a comedy that revolves around two Black FBI agents who disguise themselves as white women. The movie is rife with stereotypes, caricatures, and racial insensitivity.
It reinforces harmful ideas about race and cultural identity, as well as perpetuating harmful stereotypes about gender. In today’s socially aware world, a movie like White Chicks would face immense scrutiny and backlash for its racially insensitive content.
3. Airplane! (1980)
Surely, you can’t be serious?! Airplane! is a classic comedy that is celebrated for its slapstick humor and clever gags. Nonetheless, the film contains numerous jokes and scenes that would be considered culturally insensitive today.
It plays on stereotypes and racial caricatures, perpetuating harmful ideas about different cultures and communities. In an era where sensitivity to cultural diversity is a paramount concern, the humor in Airplane! would be seen as offensive and unacceptable.
4. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
“Helllllllo!” Mrs. Doubtfire, starring Robin Williams, tells the story of a divorced father who disguises himself as an elderly woman to spend time with his children. While the movie is heartwarming and beloved by many, it relies heavily on gender-based humor and plays on stereotypes about masculinity and femininity.
In the context of today’s discussions on gender identity and the importance of avoiding gender-based jokes, Mrs. Doubtfire would likely face criticism for perpetuating outdated stereotypes.
5. Heathers (1988)
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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. The Jerk (1979)
The Jerk features 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 people with health conditions or impairments would draw condemnation today.
9. Caddyshack (1980)
The 1980 classic 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. It also features scenes and gags that objectify women, which is against today’s norms of respect and equality.
10. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
In the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds, 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. From setting up hidden cameras in the women’s locker room to sexually assaulting the cheerleader wearing her boyfriend’s costume, the film has some issues.
11. Porky’s (1981)
A crude, sexually explicit teenage comedy called Porky’s contains scenes that would be viewed as extremely improper and disrespectful in today’s cultural environment since they degrade and abuse female characters.
12. Police Academy (1984)
Police Academy 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 use outdated and offensive stereotypes about race, gender, and sexual orientation.
13. Crocodile Dundee (1986)
The fish-out-of-water comedy Crocodile Dundee 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.
14. Big (1988)
Big 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.
15. Clerks (1994)
A day in the life of two store clerks is depicted in the indie black-and-white comedy Clerks. 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.
16. 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.
17. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
Jim Carrey plays a quirky detective specializing in finding missing animals in the comedy picture Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Despite being a groundbreaking comedy with financial success and launching Carrey’s career, it wouldn’t be produced today because of issues with how transgender people were portrayed in it.
18. 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. 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.
19. 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. It earned favorable reviews and accolades for its performances.
20. American Pie (1999)
The explicit teenage comedy American Pie 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.
21. Mr. Mom (1983)
Mr. Mom 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.
22. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
There’s Something About Mary 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.
23. American Beauty (1999)
American Beauty 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. Also, the problematic theme of him wanting to sleep with his teenage daughter’s friend.
24. Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)
Monty Python’s Life of Brian 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.
25. Weird Science (1985)
Weird Science follows two socially awkward high school guys who 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.
26. Sixteen Candles (1984)
The coming-of-age comedy Sixteen Candles, helmed by the legendary John Hughes, 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 environment.
27. Forrest Gump (1994)
A slow-witted but kind-hearted man named Forrest Gump is the subject of the comedy-drama of the same name. 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.
28. Teen Wolf (1985)
Teen Wolf centers on a high school boy (Michael J. Fox) 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.
29. Borat (2006)
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan stars Sacha Baron Cohen in the titular role. In today’s cultural climate, the movie’s satirical strategy and boundary-pushing aesthetic would get more attention and criticism than laughter and accolades.
30. Aladdin (1992)
Walt Disney Pictures created the animated musical fantasy picture Aladdin. Despite the movie’s enormous popularity and status as a beloved classic, it couldn’t be produced today due to issues with cultural representation, including harmful stereotypes of Arab culture.
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