Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in Kids' Movies

We’d like to think that kids watching “Frozen” are aware that Anna’s engagement to Hans is extremely questionable—this is pretty obvious. But what’s much more subtle and geared toward the adult audience is a question asked by Kristoff as he grills Anna about her impulsive decision to marry someone she just met. To test the princess’ knowledge, Kristoff cheekily inquires about Hans’ foot size, which Anna claims is unimportant to her. We older and wiser folk know the insinuation behind the question – and answer – but kids likely think the inquiry odd and random.

Deviating from the usual, much easier-to-grasp themes of dreams and romance, Disney’s “WALL-E” contains mature messaging and underlying meanings. With concepts surrounding capitalism, consumerism, climate change, and technology, the film is essentially a social critique that warns of the dangers of present-day norms and behaviors. The comfort and convenience of the Buy n Large corporation may be perceived as fun by youngsters. But adults are more knowledgeable about the capitalist giant’s advertising motives that favor profit over anything else. The film intends to get its audience thinking about the consequences of our actions on the environment and both our physical and mental health.

Disney is no stranger to sneaking in risqué jokes here and there. But a particular one-liner from “Tarzan” is notable in that it references self-gratification, which isn’t something you’d necessarily expect from the kid-oriented company. When Jane sketches an image of the title character and points out his eyes, her father, along with the rest of us, can easily gauge the type of feelings she’s experiencing. The sultry shift in energy is followed up with a question asked by Jane’s dad, which certainly goes over many children’s heads. His quip is absolutely hilarious, and cheeky enough to make some parents blush!

Similar to “WALL-E”, “Inside Out” is much more than a movie intended to provide mere comedy and feel-good entertainment. Exploring human emotions, memories, and their subsequent experiences and consequences, it serves as an allegory representing the mental challenges and conflicts endured as we navigate life. Each of the characterized emotions encompass the complexity of the human psyche—something that is oftentimes even difficult for us grown-ups to understand and accept. To actually be able to identify the depression implied in the film, most viewers would have to at least be in their adolescent years.

Hints of sexuality are fused into a few scenes from “Hercules”, but there’s one reference in particular that really stands out. After viewing a rather interesting play together, our hero and Megara discuss the production. It seems that in it, an incestuous relationship was depicted that clearly made an impression on our hero, who hilariously jokes about it. It’s a perfectly-timed line sure to get a chuckle out of the older crowd. But some adults might not even clock this one unless they know “Oedipus Rex” and are well-versed in the common psycho-sexual plots of ancient Greek stories!

It's no secret that the anatomy of the human – and in particular of a woman’s – body is complex, and not everyone gets it. Well, substituting a person with a sentient residence apparently makes the biology of it all even harder to grasp. When the group of friends in the creepy film realize the titular home is alive, they hysterically attempt to figure out its anatomical make up. What follows is a wild misunderstanding between Jenny and the more naive Chowder. Unless the kids watching have taken a health or biology class yet, they surely wouldn’t understand this interaction.

We certainly hope that any kids watching “Alice in Wonderland” aren’t able to relate to the fictional substances and their apparent real-life inspiration and usage. Wonderland might be magical and full of whimsy, but not in a childlike way…more like in a trippy kind of way. With items reading “eat me” and “drink me”, potion-like options, and the depiction of smoking, there definitely seem to be clear references to illicit substances. Children might look at the goodies as mere magical treats, but adults know that it's not quite magic that is used for the ingredients.

The “Toy Story” franchise loves a punny joke, even if it's not the most kid-friendly. One of the more suggestive visuals is a bizarre-looking toy belonging to Sid. Indeed, he has in his possession a set of Barbie doll legs paired with a fishing hook where the head would normally be. The implication is that the toy represents a specific, adult profession. Further grown-up innuendos are found in the sequel films, like Buzz’s wings springing outward when he sees Jessie. Of course, there’s also Mr. Potato claiming ownership of his wife’s mouth. Need we say any more?

As we’ve learned by now, adult-geared insinuations have snuck their way into plenty of kids' movies. One of the most direct references that’s super easy for grown-ups to spot is made in “The Emperor’s New Groove”. When Kronk is laying outside, young viewers might think the placement of his tent odd, considering it's just covering his crotch area. In other words, Kronk “pitches a tent” in more ways than one. We hope any parents watching this with their kids were ready to dodge inquiries for an explanation of the suggestive image.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

A Trippy Reference, “The Santa Clause” (1994)
He Remembers Flying High

Headlights, “Cars” (2006)
Mia & Tia Fangirl Over Lightning McQueen by Flashing Him

Cursing, “Madagascar” (2005)
Sugar Honey Iced Tea Isn’t Just a Beverage

Honeymoon Reference, “Aladdin and the King of Thieves” (1996)
Genie Cheekily Jokes About Post-Wedding Activities

Suggestive Flirting, “Hocus Pocus” (1993)
We Don’t Think He Got What Kids the Sanderson Sisters Actually Desire

Arguably the most risqué innuendo from a kid’s movie is found in “The Road to El Dorado”. In an anything-but-PG scene, Tulio and Chel are up to something before the high priest arrives. When the man is noticed by the pair, her head rises after being awfully close to his crown jewels. Chel’s positioning — and fear when she hears the priest — are all too relatable for those old enough to have experienced a sneaky affair. So it's a given that kids watching the movie could be wondering what exactly the two are doing if they haven’t yet been given “the talk”.