15 Hilarious Adult Jokes In Cartoons We Didn't Catch On As Kids - A Nostalgic Look At Our Childhood Cartoons
Cartoons are for grownups too.
Some jokes are so sneaky they basically wear a fake mustache and glasses. As kids, we just laughed, no questions asked, then grew up and realized cartoons were roasting adults right in front of us.
This nostalgia trip is packed with moments like Zootopia’s tiny “Get yourself fixed” ad, SpongeBob casually dodging “anemone porn” like it’s a normal Tuesday, and Wreck-It Ralph dropping a Mortal Kombat reference like it’s nothing. Even the Justice League has Hawkgirl side-eyeing The Flash’s love life, and the Marauder’s Map is out here listing what looks suspiciously like mischief in the room.
And once you notice them, you can’t unsee them.
1. Wreck-It Ralph
It's surprising that a cartoon created for children would contain a reference to 'Mortal Kombat.'
amazon.com2. Zootopia
In Zootopia, a small advertisement is displayed for bunnies that reads, “Get yourself fixed.” This indicates that having too many offspring is a problem faced by the citizens of Judy's world.
Disney3. Animaniacs
When Jakko requests it, Dot embarks on a mission to search for the pop superstar Prince. She is attempting to find his fingerprints; thus the pun "Finger 'Prince,' get it?"
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4. SpongeBob
The internet is home to many funny jokes, but the last and most famous one is when SpongeBob was discovered watching anemone porn. Quickly changing the channel to a sports program, SpongeBob managed to avoid any embarrassing consequences.
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5. Cars
When Lightning McQueen was approached by two female Mazda cars, he was literally being flashed. The cars declared themselves to be his biggest admirers and showed off their pop-up headlights.
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6. Justice League
Hawkgirl had a bit of fun at The Flash's expense when she made a comment about his love life. She said, "The fastest man alive," in a teasing manner, showcasing her wit and humor.
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7. The New Batman Adventures
Harley Quinn asks the Joker, “Don’t you want to rev up your Harley?” Vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom. She was not referring to a motorcycle. Unfortunately, the Joker has no interest in taking a spin on the Harley.
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8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
At the conclusion of the movie, the Marauder's Map, which shows the locations of all students attending the school, features two mischievous entries. It makes one ponder what those two were up to in the room.
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It also reminded us of the pet-sitting dilemma when the ferret, Ferret Bandit, escaped and surprised Jen.
9. The Amazing World of Gumball
The poor, diminutive balloon lamented the fact that he was unable to inflate himself. Fortunately, Gumball came to his rescue and blew him up in a restroom.
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10. The Flintstones
When Fred and Barney go to the costume store, Fred tells Barney that he only requires an extra head in order to appear taller. Barney then asks, “What do I need three of them for?”
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11. The Road to El Dorado
In one scene, Chel and Tulio appear to be sharing a romantic moment off-camera, as she emerges from his waist. It is possible that they are expressing their love for one another in this moment.
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12. The Spectacular Spider-Man
As soon as Spider-Man shoots a web from his web shooter and ensnares Black Cat's hand, she teases him in a flirty manner, saying, "You better not let your goop get in my hair!"
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13. Toy Story 3
It appears that this film explores themes related to the Holocaust if you observe the various connections and pay close attention. The maltreatment of the toys in the daycare is similar to the maltreatment of prisoners in concentration camps, so one can only imagine the plight of the bad bear.
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14. Beauty and the Beast
Sad, but true...
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15. Shrek
In a memorable scene, Lord Farquaad meets with his own reflection and sits, uncovered, beneath his bed sheets. He pleads with the mirror, which appears obviously disgusted, to show him the women he desires. His brief glimpse beneath the covers suggests he may be aroused.
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That’s how the whole thing starts, with Wreck-It Ralph casually name-dropping Mortal Kombat while everyone else is just trying to keep the game-world vibes kid-friendly.
Then Zootopia hits you with the “Get yourself fixed” bunny ad, and suddenly Judy’s world feels way more complicated than the cuteness suggests.
Right after that, SpongeBob goes from cheerful sponge to frantic channel-changer when he’s caught watching anemone porn, like embarrassment is a boss fight.
Despite the age gap, cartoons are still made to entertain all viewers. Many cartoons, such as The Simpsons and Family Guy, contain jokes that only adults can fully understand.
This is because the writers and animators are adults themselves and may not be aware of how younger viewers could interpret their jokes. It is important to remember that cartoons are not only intended for children.
Adults can appreciate them too and may even be more likely to understand the jokes that are meant for an older audience. That being said, it is important to be mindful of the content and aware of how it could be interpreted by children.
Now you’re stuck laughing at cartoons for the wrong reasons, and you’re kind of proud of it.
Want more awkward fallout, like the neighbor embarrassed over the dog park pet name?
