Top 30 Sexual Innuendos in Kids Animated Series

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at adult references and gags that animators managed to slip into these iconic kids shows.
#30: Puddin’
“The New Batman Adventures” (1997-99)
The sexual relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn is pretty blatant to say the least. Of course their dynamic is much more abusive than others. Feeling kind of naughty, Harley surprises her puddin’ in a pie pan full of… well, puddin’. Even the Joker is caught off guard by this sight, as his homicidal henchwoman performs a risqué song and dance routine. On top of that, the pudding looks suspiciously like a certain bodily fluid. Mr. J isn’t hungry for Harley’s dessert, however, and tosses her out. He doesn’t even taste the cherry on top.
#29: Time of the Month
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
So… let’s just address the elephant in the room. SpongeBob works at a restaurant called the Krusty Krab, which is located in a town called Bikini Bottom. When you stop and think about it, there’s an obvious sex joke in there. What adds another layer to this innuendo is the fact that the Krusty Krab gets an unwanted monthly visitor in the form of Plankton. As Mr. Krabs’ rival invades the fast food joint in a blimp, Squidward bluntly announces that it’s that time of the month. The fact that Plankton’s blimp is a bloody red color probably isn’t a coincidence either. All that’s missing is a panty raid.
#28: Berry Picking
“Rocko’s Modern Life” (1993-96)
From Heffer getting “milked” to the doggie-style bowl ride, “Rocko’s Modern Life” got away with more sexual innuendos than we can count. This infamous moment in particular pushed the envelope for a Nicktoon. While camping, Rocko helps himself to some of Mother Nature’s fruit. Instead of picking berries, though, the wallaby accidentally grabs a couple of nuts instead. A screaming bear subsequently emerges from the bush, grabbing his crotch. Need we say more? It isn’t at all surprising that this scene was removed from reruns and DVDs. The idea that it aired at all is jaw dropping, not to mention hysterical.
#27: An Accident
“The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005)
Professor Utonium may have made the Powerpuff Girls in a laboratory, but all the other parents of Townsville made their children the old fashion way. That doesn’t mean every conception was planned, though. As the girls introduce their new neighbor to their father, Robin notes that her birth was every bit as accidental as Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup’s. The Professor’s mortified expression corresponds with the reaction of any adults watching this seemingly wholesome cartoon with their kids. An awkward conversation about using birth control will most likely ensue at home.
#26: This is Caca
“2 Stupid Dogs” (1993-95)
We know the main reason why teenagers go to drive-in movies. Naïve kids and these two stupid dogs are none the wiser, however. Big Dog and Little Dog can’t quite figure out what the fuss is all about, but the various automobiles shaking back and forth provide a clear indication. The canines give a couple a terrible case of coitus interruptus by blowing up their car... but it isn’t long until the ol' rock and rollin' resumes. There’s zero doubt that quite a few people were getting lucky that night but our heroes will never know about it.
#25: Premature Departure
“Rocko’s Modern Life” (1993-96)
On a road trip, Rocko and Heffer decide to stay at the No Tell Motel for the night. What they don’t realize is that nobody checks into this motel to sleep. Although the clerk says they’re all booked up, the best friends score a room after a premature departure. Believe it or not, that’s not even the most jaw-dropping part about this scene. After learning that the two travelers want the room until the next day, he looks at them in total disbelief. And that’s where cartoon babies come from, kids.
#24: Private Parts
“Rugrats” (1991-2004)
There comes a time in a young boy’s life when he starts to notice girls. In this episode of “Rugrats,” one-year-old Tommy first realizes how male and female reproductive organs differ. As the babies shed their clothing, Tommy can’t help but notice that Lil is missing something below the waist. We never hear Tommy’s question or Lil’s response, but we adults can imagine how their conversation went down. As confusing as this is for Tommy, he’ll find there’s even more that separates boys from girls when puberty rolls around. Ah, youth…
#23: Conjugating
“Animaniacs” (1993-98)
“Animaniacs” made a ton of subtle sexual references that none of us got as kids. Heck, the writers managed to sneak multiple innuendos into this one scene alone. Although “conjugating” sounds like a dirty word, it actually means to give the different forms of a verb. That doesn’t stop Yakko from twisting the word’s meaning into something entirely different, though. As Miss Flamiel attempts to teach the Warners grammar, the audience gets a lesson in sexual education. Yakko seems just as amazed as anyone that the censors didn’t cancel them right then and there.
#22: Dirty Magazines
“Ed, Edd n Eddy” (1999-2009)
Aside from laughing about sextants, Ed, Edd, and Eddy have never explicitly discussed the birds and the bees out loud. It’s obvious that the subject is constantly on their minds, though. This is most notably evidenced in an episode where the three seek refuge under Eddy’s bed. Just as many other growing boys do, Eddy hoards a collection of magazines like “Jiggy Jiggy” and “Chix.” As if those naughty titles aren’t blatant enough, Eddy also keeps a box of tissue close by. Hopefully the boys don’t stay under there for too long because it doesn’t look like Eddy has enough Kleenex to go around.
#21: Tier Fifteen
“Adventure Time” (2010-18)
Unlike some animated shows where kids remain in a permanent state of youth, Finn the Human has aged over the seasons of “Adventure Time.” After getting a smoking hot girlfriend, Finn is mature enough to learn about the tiers of dating from his more experienced bro. Jake fills Finn in on hugging and smooching. Since Finn is still becoming a man, however, Jake orders him to stay away from the fifteenth and final tier. Let’s just say Finn will need more protection than tin foil when he reaches that level.
#20: Extra Charge
“Dexter’s Laboratory” (1996-2003)
After firing Dee Dee, Dexter decides to hire a new sister to fill the void in his lab. He ultimately goes with a woman with cartoon level curves. Prancing around in a ballerina outfit, she presses all of Dexter’s buttons. When Dexter asks her to dance a little, though, she notes that it will cost him an additional fee. Judging from this, it’s safe to say this woman may have previously worked as an exotic dancer. She might aspire to be a famous actress, but sadly there's no permanent role for her on “Dexter’s Lab.”
#19: One Great Video Game
“Steven Universe” (2013-)
Sexuality is a recurring theme in “Steven Universe,” although it’s often addressed in a clever, understated manner. The most notorious innuendo in the series has got to be when Sadie opens up about her relationship with Lars. After buying a video game for her co-worker, Sadie had the pleasure of being his player 2. The naïve, wide-eyed Steven assumes this means they spent the whole evening playing the game. Yet, the look in Sadie’s eyes suggests that Lars and her were up all night doing something else.
#18: Farrah Fawcett
“Johnny Bravo” (1997-2004)
Johnny Bravo has one thing constantly on his mind: getting with the ladies. In this episode, he sets his eyes on actress Farrah Fawcett. With the real Fawcett lending her own voice, she plays a game of pin the tail on the donkey at a birthday party. At first, Farrah can’t remember the last time she was blindfolded, but then she has a rather revealing recollection. The kids might not know what Farrah is giggly about, but Johnny likely would.
#17: Orange You Glad I Didn’t Say Banana
“The Amazing World of Gumball” (2011-)
Gumball’s amazing world is full of eccentric, diverse characters, including a family of talking bananas. We don’t really need or want to know how sentient fruit can engage in relations, but this scene gives us an idea. Running through the house, Gumball stumbles upon Banana Joe watching an Internet video. On the screen is a pair of hands ripping into a juicy orange. At first glance, this might not seem sexual. When you’re a banana, though, nothing is more intimate than watching another fruit unpeel. Taking that into consideration, we can’t help but share Gumball’s stunned expression.
#16: Dipper’s Internet History
“Gravity Falls” (2012-16)
Dipper Pines is a curious young man who’s naturally drawn to the many secrets of Gravity Falls. Since he’s going through puberty, however, Dipper is also quite curious about the female body. He has a crush on teenager Wendy, although she’s a few years too old for him. Fortunately, the Internet provides Dipper with an outlet to explore his new feelings. In this scene, Mabel takes a jab at her twin brother and his creepy Internet history. It’s never made clear what kind of websites Dipper has been visiting. Then again, some mysteries are better left unsolved.
#15: Johnny and the Del-Tones
“Courage the Cowardly Dog” (1999-2002)
If you thought Dipper’s Internet history was creepy, you should log onto Courage the Cowardly Dog’s computer. On one occasion, it’s implied that Courage has an adult entertainment website bookmarked. But that’s far from the only innuendo in the series. While listening to the radio in another episode, the announcer mentions a band that’s apparently called Johnny and the Dildo. At least that’s what it sounds like. There’s some speculation that the announcer actually says, “Johnny and the Del-Tones.” The moment goes by so quickly that it’s hard to make out his exact words. In any case, we’re pretty sure a subliminal message snuck past the censors. Too bad Eustace smashes the radio before the song starts.
#14: Can’t Get a Date
“Justice League” (2001-04)
The DC animated universe has been hailed for its sophistication and treating its audience like adults. It isn’t surprising then that the grown up themes of “Justice League” would extend to the occasional innuendo. This exchange between Hawkgirl and the Flash is perhaps the show’s most obvious sexual overtone. As everyone’s favorite speedster showboats about being the fastest man alive, Hawkgirl notes that his super power may also be his greatest weakness. Hopefully, the Flash has different speeds for different occasions.
#13: Sam’s Prison Visit
“The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police” (1997-98)
Despite their cute, cuddly appearances, Sam and Max have never shied away from edgy humor. Throughout their short-lived animated series, they managed to incorporate plenty of adult-oriented jokes while maintaining a kid-friendly rating. Visiting his grandmother at the big house where she works, Sam looks at the prison showers in awe. The dog detective can’t help but think about the stories these walls could tell, although his rabbity companion points out that they’re better off not knowing. As if that’s not shocking enough, this scene also throws in a “dropping the soap” gag.
#12: Try My Sausage
“Hey Arnold!” (1996-2003)
Some innuendos beat the audience over their heads. Others are hidden in the background and are easy to miss. To catch this one from “Hey Arnold,” you probably had to pause your TV. While attending an eating contest, Arnold is surrounded by numerous delectable foods to munch on, including sausage. You see the poster hanging on that fence over there? Read what it says out loud and tell us if it sounds suggestive in the slightest. You could argue that this is just an innocent advertisement for pork products, but we all know what the animators were really trying to get away with.
#11: Lonely Space Vixens
“Rugrats” (1991-2004)
“Rugrats” is largely about viewing the world from a baby’s perspective and not entirely understanding the world around us. Because of this, it’s only natural that the Nickelodeon series would work in a few references solely intended for big people. This is the show’s most evident wink to older audiences as Grandpa Lou notes that he’s rented a clearly adult film for after Tommy and Chuckie’s bedtime. Yep, Grandpa has a thing for adult themed sci-fi. If he was around today, Lou Pickles would probably be interested in playing “Mass Effect.”
#10: Jake’s Video
“Adventure Time” (2010-18)
“Adventure Time” makes no secret that Jake the Dog and Lady Rainicorn are in a relationship. They have a litter of rainbow puppies together after all. Yet, this episode clarifies what the adult viewers already know. While watching a video, Finn and Lady stumble upon Jake posing by a roaring fire. BMO fast-forwards before they can see any weird Jake stuff. Unfortunately, there’s also a clip of Jake dropping his towel, leaving Finn and Lady screaming in terror. This isn’t the first time Finn has been exposed to something for more mature eyes. Since he’s also seen Marceline the Vampire Queen naked, it’s safe to say Finn isn’t a boy anymore.
#9: Grilled Cheese, If You Pwease
“The Looney Tunes Show” (2011-14)
Just as the original “Merrie Melodies” cartoons worked in lots of adult jokes, the more recent “Looney Tunes Show” also had its fair share of innuendos. In this music video, Elmer Fudd sings about his burning desire for a grilled cheese sandwich. That might sound innocent enough, but just listen to the suggestive lyrics and the seductive melody. Watching butter melt on a frying pan has never been more graphic. Matters get especially erotic when Fudd eats the sandwich in a heart-shaped bed, immediately craving seconds. Did George Costanza write this episode or something?
#8: Like Meat Too Much
“Freakazoid!” (1995-97)
Seeing as how “Freakazoid” came from the same team as “Animaniacs,” it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it too pushed the envelope for children’s programming. Perhaps the most explicit moment in the show occurs as our titular hero asks best friend Mike Cosgrove why he never married. Apparently it’s because the police sergeant loves meat more than he could ever love a woman. There are a couple of different ways one could interpret this comment, many of which imply Cosgrove prefers the pleasures of the single life.
#7: Rev Up Your Harley
“The New Batman Adventures” (1997-99)
Harley Quinn’s hopeless devotion and attraction to the Joker is beyond disturbing, especially for a show aimed at kids. What really gets under our skin, however, is the thought of her tickling his funny bone. If Harley trying to seduce her puddin’ in a pool of pudding doesn’t confirm their physical relationship, this moment certainly does. Wearing an outfit that leaves little to the imagination, she attempts to get the Clown Prince of Crime to rev up his Harley. The Joker is in such a sour mood, however, that not even the whoopee cushion can cheer him up.
#6: Pencil Sharpener
“The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005)
For a show that looked like sugar, spice, and everything nice, “The Powerpuff Girls” sure did work in a lot of racy jokes. Did you ever notice when Buttercup slipped condoms into Professor Utonium’s pocket? How about the time the girls tried to determine the gender of a nutty squirrel? Or that time a little girl told the professor she was an ‘accident’? Even those risqué moments can’t compete with this scene, though, as the attractive Ms. Bellum causes the Mayor to break his pencil. In what might be the most salacious image in the entire series, the secretary takes her boss’ hand and whips out the pencil sharpener. The expression on the Mayor’s face says it all.
#5: In the Closet
“The Ren & Stimpy Show” (1991-95)
We might have missed it as kids, but there’s little doubt about Ren and Stimpy’s romantic preferences. If you need irrefutable evidence, this scene says it all as Stimpy plays with his new friend, Sven. Getting close in a litter box, Stimpy shuts the closet door so he and Sven can have some private playtime. Although we don’t see what happens, their risqué descriptions of juggling and sword swallowing really challenge what you can get away with on a cartoon show.
#4: Don’t Drop the Soap
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
While SpongeBob SquarePants may be the least sexualized being on the planet, even he has a spicy side. His need for physical relief is alluded to in one episode where he appears to be watching straight-up sea erotica. If you think that’s naughty, get a load of this scene where SpongeBob actually makes a ‘dropping the soap’ joke. We hope this really was a joke and not a comment on the state of Bikini Bottom’s correctional facilities. Now we’re just waiting for the show to make a “sponge-worthy” joke.
#3: One-On-One Hotline
“Rocko’s Modern Life” (1993-96)
Honestly, it’s hard to choose one moment from “Rocko’s Modern Life”. In one episode, Rocko and Heffer are able to find a motel room after a ‘premature departure’ and in another, Rocko has a berry-picking mishap that is more than just a little suggestive. For this entry though, we had to bring up the time Rocko gets a job as a specialty phone operator. His crass language on the phone and the suggestive posters in the background, though, clarify that this position is much kinkier than the want ad entailed. If that’s not uncomfortable enough, it turns out the woman on the other line is Rocko’s next-door neighbor, Mrs. Bighead. Awkward!
#2: Buffalo Gals
“Cow and Chicken” (1997-99)
This controversial episode of “Cow and Chicken” is jam-packed with so many innuendos that Cartoon Network actually banned it after one airing. The story centers on our title characters crossing paths with a motorcycle gang known as the Buffalo Gals. Their short hair, deep voices, and all around masculine appearance imply that the Buffalo Gals are stereotypical lesbians. As if that’s not already blatant, the bikers actually pop into random homes and chew on their carpets.
#1: Finger Prince
“Animaniacs” (1993-98)
Although “Animaniacs” was primarily marketed to children, its pop culture references, social satire, and elusive innuendos made it just as much fun for adults. The writers got away with a ton of dirty jokes over the years, for example: the time Miss Flamiel tried to educate the Warners in ‘conjugation’. The standout moment though is this infamous instance that had kids scratching their heads and adults dropping their jaws. Studying a crime scene, Yakko asks Dot to unearth fingerprints. She instead returns with a certain musician. As for what follows, well…
even for Animaniacs, this gag was next level.
Which of these references went over your head as a kid? Let us know in the comments!
