21 Times Children's Movies Were So Harsh They Made People Question If They Were Truly Meant For Kids

Some children’s movies are a lot harsher than people remember, and that is exactly why they keep getting talked about years later. A lot of these films were marketed as family entertainment, but the scenes people still bring up are often dark, emotional, or surprisingly intense.

This list pulls together 21 movie moments that made viewers pause and wonder whether the film was really aimed at kids at all. From death and abuse to heavy themes like grief and mental health, the reactions are part nostalgia and part disbelief.

Some of these titles are beloved for a reason, but the scenes below still hit harder than expected. Read on.

1. 'The Addams Family'

The Thanksgiving play scene is out of place. The fact that she burns down an entire camp isn't kid-friendly, and then there's Morticia and Gomez, who murder their foes and bury them in the backyard.

Paramount Pictures

2. 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' is literally all about adultery and murder

Walt Disney Studios

3. The movie 'Fantasia' had those totally creepy 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' scenes down to the bare-chested wild harpies

4. 'Coraline'

The movie is suspenseful and spooky, but the part where Coraline finally finds happiness and they want to sew buttons onto her eyes is creepy.

Focus Features

That one still catches people off guard.

5. 'Soul' is pretty depressing as it contains some seriously heavy themes

Disney/Pixar

6. In 'Tangled,' we see Rapunzel's mom, who is narcissistic, vain, and obviously abusive

Disney

7. The scene in 'Big Hero 6' where the building explodes and Tadashi is killed is so dark and twisted

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

8. The movie 'Matilda' clearly shows a child being neglected and verbally abused at home and at school, and at six years old, she has enough freedom to essentially destroy her parents

Columbia TriStar

9. 'The Incredibles' has so much death and destruction, and the scene where Syndrome is sucked into a jet turbine is quite disturbing

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

10. 'Mulan' is actually pretty intense, and the village scene is a bit much for little kids

11. 'Coco' is all about connecting with the souls of deceased people

Disney/Pixar

12. '101 Dalmatians'

Wouldn't you say Cruella de Vil is pretty much evil incarnate? We clearly watch this woman commit animal cruelty again and again.

Walt Disney Pictures

Some of these titles are doing a lot more emotional heavy lifting than people expect.

It also reminds us of the AITA fight where the friend’s puppy led to broken items after pet-sitting was declined.

13. 'Toy Story'

The movie is undeniably fantastic, but specific moments, like when Woody encounters all the disfigured toys, could actually be traumatizing for kids.

Buena Vista Pictures/Disney

14. 'Inside Out' has a really powerful statement on mental health, and kids might misinterpret what happened to Riley

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

15. 'The Wizard of Oz'

The entire film depicts Dorothy having a nightmare. From the wicked witch to the flying monkeys, it's like a horror flick.

Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

16. 'Up' is an emotionally driven film, but some scenes are devastating, just like when Ellie suffers a miscarriage

That opening stretch alone is enough to make people rethink the whole movie.

17. 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'

It's more of an animated horror film than a children's movie, with all the hanging eyeballs, worms, and dead things.

Disney

18. The original 1982 version of 'Annie'

We see Mrs. Hannigan, who is a beast of a person, and the scene in which she's drunkenly singing about how much she hates the 'little girls'.

19. 'Beetlejuice' deals with death and the afterlife, but there's too much sexual innuendo that isn't exactly subtle

Warner Brothers

20. So many themes in 'My Girl' are entirely too heavy for little kids

Columbia Pictures

21. 'The Witches' movie is far too scary

The scene when all the witches at the convention are peeling off their faces is so creepy.

Warner Bros.

There are some truly dark, discouraging, and completely inappropriate scenes in children's movies that have us wondering if these films were ever intended for children in the first place. You’ve seen some of the above.

What are your thoughts about them? Is there any other kids' movie you want to add to this list?

Drop them all below.

Some kids' movies really do leave a lasting scar.

Before you judge “kid-safe,” check out how your grandparents’ “safety was a suggestion” moments looked in vintage photos.