Top 50 Cartoon Fan Theories That Will RUIN Your Childhood
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VOICE OVER: Rudolph Strong
WRITTEN BY: Jonathan Alexander
There's always someone willing to ruin it for everyone! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the craziest conspiracy theories that will make you completely reevaluate your favorite cartoons. Our countdown includes theories about shows “Pokémon”, “SpongeBob SquarePants”, “Pinky and the Brain” and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the craziest conspiracy theories that will make you completely reevaluate your favorite cartoons. Have any of these theories made you rethink your childhood? Let us know in the comments below!
#50: Bikini Bottom Is a Nuclear Test Site
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Apparently, the remnants of a radioactive testing operation. While Bikini Bottom doesn’t seem like a particularly dangerous place to live, it notably shares its name with Bikini Atoll. AKA, the United States’ nuclear test site after World War II. The radiation’s effects on the environment would explain a lot of the peculiarities about the show. Like, how a sponge learned to talk. Or, how a school of fish managed to create their own society. The answers are all in the history books. But that doesn’t make them any easier to stomach.
#49: Bender's Reprogramming
“Futurama” (1999-2003; 2008-13; 2023-)
These days, everyone’s favorite sociopathic robot is known for his vulgar and prejudicial outbursts. So, it’s odd to learn that wasn’t always the case. Before Bender got, well, bent out of shape, he was a measly steel worker contemplating ending it all. But, after a quick pep-talk from Fry and a shock from a stray wire, his personality underwent a complete one-eighty. As nice as Fry’s words were, there’s a much better chance the volt of electricity rewired some of Bender’s code. It completely reframes not just the pilot, but the entirety of Bender and Fry’s friendship. Shocking, isn’t it?
#48: Casper Is the Ghost of Richie Rich
“Casper the Friendly Ghost” franchise (1945-) & “Richie Rich” franchise (1953-)
Imagine a young kid with a cheerful smile and a penchant for well-meaning antics. We could be describing either Casper the Ghost, or Richie Rich. One look at them side-by-side is enough to prove there’s more than a passing resemblance. What’s more, they’re both characters published by Harvey Comics. So, as morbid as it is to say, there’s a possibility that Casper and Richie Rich are the same person. Just at very different stages of life, if you catch our drift. You don’t have to take our word for it, though. Bart and Lisa Simpson believe in the theory, and who are we to say they’re wrong?
#47: Donkey Is from Pleasure Island
“Shrek” franchise (2001-) & “Pinocchio” (1940)
Despite pulling from all different types of fairy tales, there’s one prominent character in “Shrek” with no clear origin: Donkey. Where did he come from, and how did he learn to talk? The explanation is pretty simple when you think about it. He’s from Pleasure Island. In “Pinocchio,” bad kids who visit and misbehave are sold into servitude and turned into - you guessed it - donkeys. Pinocchio himself also appears in “Shrek,” and in the very same scene Donkey’s introduced, too. Maybe because they’re coming from the same tale? If this version of Donkey’s origin story is even partly true, it’s amazing he’s still so cheerful.
#46: Miss Frizzle’s Class Grew up to Be the Planeteers
“The Magic School Bus” (1994-97) & “Captain Planet and the Planeteers” (1990-96)
Full disclosure, there isn’t any fancy lore, hidden details, or behind-the-scenes drama to explain this one. The only evidence we have is our eyes. And, quite frankly, it’s still pretty convincing. Arnold and Wheeler are basically twins. The same goes for Wanda Li and Gi, and D.A. and Linka. Need we mention Carlos and Ma-ti? There’s a chance all the similarities are just a coincidence. But, it would have to be one gigantic, massive, planet-sized coincidence. Plus, whether intentional or not, it just makes sense that Miss Frizzle's unorthodox teaching style inspired the heroes of tomorrow.
#45: Kuzco Wasn’t the First Person Turned into an Animal
“The Emperor's New Groove” (2000)
Turning into a llama isn’t exactly Kuzco’s idea of a good time. But, if this crackpot theory has any basis, at least he isn’t alone. Think about it; Yzma’s got a lot of potions around her office. Who’s to say she doesn’t have a few spares, too? Say, ones that turn her enemies into other kinds of animals. Kuzco’s adventures almost prove as much. He seemingly can’t understand squirrel talk, but when he finds a bug in a spider’s web, he hears it whimper in English clear as day. How could that creature have talked unless he was transformed by Yzma, too? Scary stuff.
#44: Breaking the Fourth Wall
“Rick and Morty” (2013-)
Mad scientist or not, you’ve gotta give Rick some credit; he really knows how to make a portal. Because of that, he and Morty have pretty much seen it all — including the other side of the fourth wall. While “Rick and Morty” is far from the first cartoon to acknowledge the audience, the portal-hopping antics make you wonder. What if one of these portals brought them to our dimension, and that’s how they know they’re on a TV show? It makes about as much sense as everything else in “Rick and Morty.” That is to say, it’s weird, but kind of works in its own, strange way.
#43: Nemo Never Existed
“Finding Nemo” (2003)
Bring out a box of tissues, this theory is tragedy on top of tragedy. To set the scene, “Finding Nemo” follows single dad, Marlin, as he sets out to, well, find Nemo. But, what if Nemo was never born? The fatal barracuda attack that opens the film might be just that - completely fatal. From there, Marlin slowly tackles the five stages of grief, eventually accepting that he needs to let go of his son — or rather, the memory of him. It adds a dark spin to what is already an incredibly fraught tale. But, at least no one can see you cry under the sea.
#42: It’s All in Garfield’s Head
“Garfield” franchise (1976-)
Most of the time, “Garfield” is made up of fun, light-hearted tales involving lasagna, mondays, and punchlines galore. However, in a particularly traumatizing comic strip, Garfield wakes up in an abandoned building. John isn’t there, and neither is Odie. He’s all alone, and he’s probably starving. Then, in the blink of an eye, Garfield’s family reappears like nothing happened. The strip ends with an ominous quote about the power of one’s imagination, potentially implying that everything Garfield has been through was made up. It’s so traumatic, it puts the entire “Garfield” canon into question. Who knew a grumpy, orange cat could be so depressing?
#41: The Disney Family Tree
“Frozen” franchise (2013-), “Tangled” franchise (2010-), “The Little Mermaid” (1989), & “Tarzan” (1999)
Buckle up, there’s a lot to go over. In “Frozen,” Flynn and Rapunzel make a cameo attending Elsa’s coronation. What if that was more than a friendly gesture? A theory once apparently confirmed by co-director/writer Jennifer Lee was that Elsa and Anna’s parents died at sea going to a wedding, though the sequel discounts that. Still, considering that version of events, it could’ve been the “Tangled” couple’s nuptials. There’s more, though. The ship that Anna and Elsa’s parents were on? That could be the one Ariel explores at the start of “The Little Mermaid.” And, since the parents’ bodies were never found, rumor has it they washed ashore and gave birth to a baby boy — Tarzan. Talk about being “Part of Your World.”
#40: Dexter’s Family Are Clones
“Dexter's Laboratory” (1996-2003)
The most unbelievable part of Dexter’s childhood isn’t his out-of-this-world experiments. It’s that his parents never catch him in the act; especially considering Dee Dee isn’t exactly “stealthy.” It’s all completely far-fetched. In fact, it’s so far-fetched, that some have begun to wonder if Dexter’s parents are actually experiments, too. The show’s closing theme song alludes to Dee Dee making one of Dexter’s inventions go boom. That’s a bit specific, don’t you think? What if Dee Dee’s curiosity cost her family their lives, and blaming himself, Dexter created exact copies of them? He’s made clones before, and it would explain why his family is unfazed by just about everything.
#39: Wolverine's Yellow Suit
“X-Men: The Animated Series” (1992-97)
When you think of the cuddliest members of the “X-Men,” Logan with his adamantium claws probably isn’t topping the list. But, this one detail completely reframes all of Wolverine’s actions. As this comic tidbit explains, when Logan storms into a fight, his classic blue-and-yellow suit isn’t just a bold style choice. He intentionally wears bright colors in order to stand out more on the battlefield. The more focus there is on him, the less of a chance one of his teammates gets hurt. It’s a silent bit of character insight that makes you realize, even when he claims otherwise, that Wolverine has always been a team player.
#38: Calhoun Killed Her Fiancé
“Wreck-It Ralph” (2012)
For the most part, Cy-Bugs become what they eat. Literally. However, that leads to a whole lot of grim implications, particularly for Sergeant Calhoun. Her entire character motivation hinges upon the fact that her fiancé was devoured by a bug at their wedding. In return, she understandably shot the critter to bits. But, if Turbo’s future transformation is any indication, being eaten by a Cy-Bug isn’t fatal. Sure, you grow a few extra legs, but you maintain your own free will. All that points to the idea that Calhoun is the only one responsible for her current single status. No wonder she’s full of so much rage.
#37: Frankie Is Imaginary
“Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends” (2004-09)
Anyone with eyes can tell Frankie and Madame Foster look alike in ways that go far beyond mere familial resemblance. But, maybe that was intentional. Madame Foster did always wish she was young enough to continue taking care of the home. And, lo and behold, Frankie does just that, all the while sporting an outfit extremely reminiscent of her grandmother. They take care of a foster home for imaginary friends, so it’s not too out there to assume that Madame Foster’s lives there, too. For what it’s worth, series creator Craig McCracken has publicly refuted this claim. But, the evidence is pretty damning either way.
#36: Kristoff Is Wearing Sven’s Dead Mom
“Frozen” (2013)
How did a boy and a reindeer become friends? Some eager Disney fans sought to answer that, but unfortunately, what they found wasn’t merry or bright. As audiences learn, Kristoff was raised in the woods by trolls. There would’ve been slim pickings for fashion, and coats are practically a must-have to protect any child from the cold. Since current-day Kristoff wears a jacket made of reindeer clippings, the natural conclusion is that he and his fixer-upper parents took it from Sven’s mother. At the very least, Sven got a new parental figure out of it. But, that doesn’t make it any less haunting.
#35: Comatose Danny
“Danny Phantom” (2004-07)
Danny Fenton got his ghostly powers by walking through a malfunctioning portal. Or, so he thinks. This hypothesis asks, what if Danny never actually woke up from the accident? Yes, this is another age-old “it was all a coma” theory. But, this one actually has some good points behind it. Each of Danny’s villains could be interpreted as a figment of his repressed psyche. None more so than his parents, who’s quest to capture ghosts could be seen as a metaphor for keeping Danny on life support. Need more convincing? How about the fact that Danny is literally half-human, half-ghost? In hindsight, it feels a bit on the nose.
#34: Black Death
“Monster's, Inc.” (2001)
The monsters do most of the actual scaring around here, but the kids’ fear is very much mutual. Look no further than Sulley himself. Just the mere presence of Boo has him practically showering in disinfectant. It begs the question, what do these burly monsters have to be so afraid of? Well, a popular Reddit theory argues that, maybe, the monsters entered the wrong kid’s room during the Bubonic Plague. If they unknowingly brought the lethal virus back with them, then it makes sense why monsters are so frightened of interacting with humans again. Although, to be fair, Roz and her team seem pretty well-equipped for another breakout.
#33: Kim Was Genetically Altered
“Kim Possible” (2002-07)
Kim’s your basic, average girl. Or, so says the theme song. But, we don’t know many teenagers who can kick butt like she can. No matter how much training she went through, it’s still strange that a young girl could take on genetically-modified supervillains. Unless, of course, Kim had been genetically enhanced, too. Look at it this way: both her parents are geniuses, her younger brothers are already inventors, and she’s a secret spy. There’s gotta be something in the water at their house, that’s all we’re saying. At the very least, Kim’s frequent exposure to all of Shego’s energy blasts can’t help matters, either.
#32: Simba Causes the Drought
“The Lion King” (1994)
Look, as much as we’d like to blame Scar for Pride Rock’s decline, not even he can control the weather. But, if this theory is to be believed, Simba can. He sees firsthand that the past kings of Pride Rock take the form of clouds in the sky, AKA the rainwater that feeds the valley. It perfectly ties into the movie’s message about lineage and the circle of life. Since Simba is the rightful heir, the former kings follow him on his journey with Timon and Pumbaa. Later, once Simba returns to Pride Rock to reclaim his crown, the rain follows him. Coincidence? We think not.
#31: The Powerpuff Girls Are One Person
“The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005)
Meet Brenda. She’s your typical, superhero girl. The only issue? Her brother ridicules her constantly, and eventually, it becomes too much to endure. Brenda fractures into three different versions of herself: Blossom, who she wanted to be; Bubbles, her innocent side; and Buttercup, who represents her mean streak. The older brother becomes Mojo Jojo. That’s the gist of the widely-circulated “Brenda Theory,” a fan idea so widespread, they even gave the rumored girl a name. While Brenda herself hasn’t ever appeared in canon, we can’t deny that the girls do act like three sides of the same coin. Maybe they were actually made with sugar, spice, and a brother who wasn’t nice.
#30: The Cars Overthrew Mankind
“Cars” (2006)
There’s no tinfoil hats here. Instead, this suspicion comes straight from the “Cars” creative director himself, Jay Ward. While he clarifies that none of his ideas are Pixar-approved, he’s still personally addressed a few long-standing questions about the film. Like, why do the cars have doors if there’s no people to use them? His answer is pretty cut and dry: they were for humans. But, one day, the cars didn’t need people anymore, so they got rid of them. Ward likened it to the current evolution of real-life, self-driving vehicles. If they ever gain sentience, we may be looking at an all-too-real live-action remake of “Cars.”
#29: All the Simpsons Are Geniuses
“The Simpsons” (1989-)
It’s no small secret that this family is better known for their hijinks than their brains. But, as much as it may pain Lisa to admit, she isn’t the only bright member of the Simpsons. In fact, she may not even be the smartest. An episode in Season 12 confirms that, were it not for a crayon in Homer’s brain, he’d be a bonafide genius. Apparently, he passed that on to kids, too. All of them. Case in point, Bart crafts some pretty intricate pranks, and Maggie canonically has a higher IQ than Lisa. For all the trouble the Simpsons get into, it’s clear that they’re a whole lot wiser than they let on.
#28: Syndrome Is Mr. Incredible's Son
“The Incredibles” (2004)
In a world with no shortage of superheroes, why does Buddy fixate on Mr. Incredible? Well, the answer may lie in their looks. Buddy and Bob Parr do have a passing resemblance, especially in their jaw shape. Maybe, unbeknownst to Mr. Incredible, their connection runs blood-deep. While Bob is a family man nowadays, he and Helen were often stretched to their limits, pun fully intended. An affair or a one-night stand is not out of the realm of possibility. Plus, remember how Syndrome takes a surprising amount of interest in Mr. Incredible’s family? Yeah, his actions practically scream red-headed stepchild. He’s already got the red hair, too.
#27: Phineas & Ferb Don't Exist
“Phineas and Ferb” (2007-15; 2024-)
Fair warning: after hearing this, you may not be able to see “Phineas and Ferb” the same way ever again. Still here? Good. Ever notice how Candace almost never busts her brothers? Well, it’s become such a running gag, that many are starting to side with her parents. Maybe she’s just imagining it all. The prevalent rumor is that Candace’s brothers are a desperate ploy for attention that she conveniently shoves all her trauma onto. It sounds a bit odd, but keep in mind, this is a girl who semi-frequently hallucinates a talking zebra named Kevin. Compared to that, imagining two tech-savvy brothers is nothing.
#26: Ellie’s Infertility
“Up” (2009)
As if this opening scene isn’t heartbreaking enough, some eagle-eyed viewers discovered something that might make it even worse. On paper, Carl and Ellie meet, renovate their home, lose their baby, and that’s that. However, using Carl’s age as a ruler, it’s safe to assume their house was constructed before people knew about the dangers of lead paint. The prolonged exposure from a renovation would probably cause lead poisoning. Occasionally, that can lead to infertility, too. While there’s no way of knowing if this is true for Ellie, it’s the closest thing to an explanation “Up” offers. Either way, it explains why Carl takes so long to warm up to Russell.
#25: Avoiding the Draft
“Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” (1969-78)
These meddling kids never seem to settle down in one place for more than a single episode. They don’t appear to be going anywhere in particular, either. So, why waste all the gas? Thankfully, this is a mystery you don’t need a Scooby Snack to solve. The long-rumored answer lies in the political climate the series debuted in. See, the first iteration of Mystery Inc. hit screens in 1969, right at the height of the Vietnam War. The gang could’ve been avoiding the draft, and had to keep moving to stay ahead of the authorities. It would also explain why there’s so much crime in the world. Although, the monster costumes are still a mystery.
#24: Wile E. Coyote Is in Hell
“Looney Tunes” franchise (1930-)
Picture this: you’re trapped in a desolate wasteland, constantly taunted with your wildest dreams, but they’re always just out of reach. Oh, and all the while, an annoying pest keeps laughing at you when you fail. Doesn’t sound too nice, does it? Well, that’s been Wile E. Coyote’s life for the better part of a century. Ever since his looney debut, he’s been humiliated, tormented, laughed at, and just about everything in between. All things considered, if this isn’t some form of toon Hell, we don’t know what is. At this point, the only question remaining is what Wile E. did to deserve this.
#23: Peter Pan Is a Cold-Blooded Killer
“Peter Pan” (1953)
Apparently, there’s a very simple reason why kids don’t grow up in Neverland: Peter kills them before they have a chance to. It’s hard to believe, but the original novel, “Peter and Wendy,” heavily implies that Peter has had to put some of the Lost Boys six feet deep. Even though it’s not overt, the implication alone is enough to turn the film adaptation into a straight up horror film. After all, what was Peter planning to do with Wendy and the others once they grew up? Thankfully, we never have to see. But, still, this is enough to prove that Neverland is full of more than just faith, trust, and pixie dust.
#22: Mr. Krabs Plans to Use His Daughter for Krabby Patties
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
If there’s one thing in the world Mr. Krabs loves more than anything else, it’s money. So, it’s very suspicious that he puts up with Pearl’s spending habits. Actually, it’s weird that his daughter is a whale in the first place. Throw in the fact that Pearl’s mom is nowhere to be seen, and the theory starts to write itself. Maybe, all this time, the secret to the Krabby Patty formula has been whale meat? Their carcasses leave enough behind to feed entire ecosystems, and in Mr. Krabs’s case, he has a second serving ready to go whenever he runs out. Yeah, remind us never to eat at the Krusty Krab ever again.
#21: Allegory for Substance Use Disorder
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)
Sleepy, Happy, Doc, Dopey, Sneezy, Bashful, and Grumpy. They’re the seven dwarfs. But, as it turns out, each of those emotions also represent a different stage of cocaine misuse and withdrawal. That’s right, there’s a lot of compelling evidence to suggest that “Snow White” is a thinly veiled analogy for drug use. It’s not just with the dwarfs, either. Little things like the setting and character designs all lend credence to this idea. Heck, the main character’s name is “Snow White.” Classic fairy tail or not, once you see the signs, you’ll never be able to unsee them. As they say, one bad apple and all that.
#20: Economic Depression
“Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” (1969-78)
Perhaps it wasn’t just the monsters that Mystery Incorporated had to be afraid of. According to one theory, the original “Scooby-Doo” series was actually set during a time when the economy had gone bust. Things were so dire that even well-known individuals, like celebrities, intellectuals and so forth, became criminals to survive the desperate financial climate, all while dressing up as creatures so that the blame wouldn’t be put on them. It might sound like a stretch, but you gotta admit there were a lot of abandoned buildings and downtrodden areas on that show. Sign of the times…?
#19: Claw Is Gadget
“Inspector Gadget” (1983-86)
This fan theory is a shot to the heart of this light-hearted cartoon about everyone’s favorite robotic detective. The theory in question states that Dr. Claw is actually the real, or at least, the original, Inspector Gadget, who supposedly died via an explosion. His genius niece Penny then created a robotic replica out of grief. This would explain why Claw pretty much always escapes from the villain’s clutches unscathed: he wouldn’t want to actually harm his own niece and only wants to destroy his mechanical replacement. It also explains why we never actually see Dr. Claw’s face.
#18: Bill Dauterive Is Bobby Hill’s Father
“King of the Hill” (1997-2009)
It’s fair to say that not all children turn out like their parents, whether it’s in appearance or personality. But when it comes to Hank and Bobby, the difference is like night and day. Along with how dissimilar they are, fans of the show have pointed out that there are hints that Bill might actually be Bobby’s biological father. You’ve got the physical likeness and the fact that the two spend so much time together bonding. Not to mention the little fact that Hank has a rather narrow urethra, which the Hills were originally told meant they could never have children. Damn, Hank, you may be the king, but from the sounds of it… someone got with your queen.
#17. The Flintstones Live in the Future
“The Flintstones” (1960-66)
If you thought Bedrock’s favorite family was kicking it back in the Stone Age, then this theory will make you think again. Evidence for this one comes from the 1978 TV movie “The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones,” where a malfunction with a time machine leads two of animation’s most beloved families to share the screen. How does this support the theory? Well, the time machine was created by Elroy Jetson to bring his family to the FUTURE (that is, further in time than the future in which they already live). But what if the machine actually worked? We know the Jetsons live in the sky, and perhaps they’re doing that to avoid the nuclear wasteland below that’s been brewing into another stone age. That means the Flintstones is actually set in a post-apocalyptic future, instead of thousands of years in the past.
#16. Nazi Propaganda
“Tom and Jerry” franchise (1940-)
You know the drill, Tom Cat tries his best to take out his mousey nemesis Jerry with all manner of nefarious and ill-conceived ideas. But were you aware that these two are the physical representation of countries? That’s right, someone out there posted a theory that states Tom and Jerry represent the Tommies and Jerries, aka the British and the Germans, during the early years of WWII. So if you put that into context, we’ve been watching Nazi Germany outdo the Brits with their “superior” intelligence all these years. Creepy.
#15. Peach Creek Is Purgatory
“Ed, Edd n Eddy” (1999-2009)
Did you ever wonder why we never saw Ed, Edd n Eddy’s parents and why they were perpetually stuck in the cul-de-sac? Well, this theory says it’s because they’re all stuck in Purgatory. No, we are not kidding. Each character apparently died as a child at different points in time, and now remains confined to their suburban afterlife. For example, Rolf spends most of his time with farm animals because he died in 1903. Eddy is so obsessed with money and wealth because he died during the Great Depression, and Ed loves comic books so much because he died right as their popularity soared… near the end of the Second World War.
#14. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
“Donald Duck” franchise (1934-)
It’s no secret that Donald doesn’t exactly have the best temperament and that he goes on the odd rant every now and again. While most of us just find it funny and associate it with his character, some have claimed that his escalating rage is a result of his PTSD. How did he get such a thing? Well, as a Second World War paratrooper, poor old Donald was used for plenty of military propaganda back in the day, with one cartoon showing him fighting against the Japanese by himself. That’s bound to drive anyone over the edge.
#13. Charlie Brown Is Dying of Cancer
“Peanuts” franchise (1947-)
You thought Charlie Brown was just an unlucky kid who happened to have a receding hairline? Actually, according to this theory, he’s got terminal cancer. Not horrifically dark enough for you? The reason he always seems so down, and life doesn’t seem to give him a break, is that his adventures and entire life are all an illusion – in other words, nothing but a dream created out of sadness for his brief existence. Each of his failures is just his own misery manifesting itself. Try to watch any Charlie special now without feeling hollow inside!
#12.Shared Universe
“Samurai Jack” (2001-04; 2017)
Crossovers are nothing new, and if fans even get a whiff that some of their favorite cartoons are entangled in some subtle or overt way, you can be sure they’ll find “evidence” of it. Given the history of Cartoon Network’s properties making random cameos between shows, it’s no surprise people latched onto this particular theory – which is that, apparently everyone’s favorite time traveling samurai was roaming around the post-apocalyptic but past version of Townsville this whole time. Given the identical landmarks seen throughout some episodes, the idea certainly has some merit. Meanwhile, there are others who insist that Jack and Professor Utonium are the same person. Ah man, time travel makes our heads spin.
#11.WALL-E Doomed the Earth
“WALL-E” (2008)
WALL-E’s a lovesick robot that travels the stars to be with the one he loves and has a voice that just makes you want to pinch his metallic cheeks. Well, what you didn’t know about him is that this little guy actually doomed the planet! Didn’t you wonder why the planet was covered in garbage at the beginning of the Pixar flick? That’s because, according to this theory, WALL-E destroyed all of the other robots, took what he needed from their bodies to fix himself up, kept certain items of trash to decorate his home instead of compacting them and left the robo-corpses of his fellow brethren scattered across the wasteland that was once Earth. Thanks Wall-E!
#10. Mr. Crocker’s Advances
“The Fairly OddParents” (2001-06; 2008-17)
Brace yourself, people, because this one is bleak. Some fans theorize that Cosmo and Wanda could actually just be metaphors for antidepressants. Well, this theory takes things a step further by stating that they are delusions of Timmy Turner’s actual deceased godparents. He imagines them watching over him and granting his wishes all in a bid to keep himself happy, since his real parents don’t care about him, he has one heck of a volatile babysitter… and Mr. Crocker’s scheme to capture his fairy godparents is in reality just him making sexual advances on Timmy. Yeesh.
#9. Winnie & Friends’ Mental Disorders
“Winnie the Pooh” franchise (1966-)
The classic tales of Pooh Bear and his friends are beloved by children and adults everywhere. This makes things especially lovely considering this theory in which the timeless characters have each been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. We are not joking. It goes like this: Pooh is impulsive with obsessive fixations, Piglet has general anxiety, Tigger has ADHD, Owl is dyslexic, Rabbit has OCD, and not surprisingly, Eeyore is a major depressive. We could have seen the Eeyore one coming, but does this maybe mean Christopher Robin is their therapist?
#8. Pinky Is the Genius
“Pinky and the Brain” (1995-99)
How can one of cartoon’s most lovable idiots possibly be smarter than the megalomaniacal mouse who dreams of taking over the world? Well, what if the Brain is so loco in the head that all his thoughts of world domination are the result of madness? The pair’s endeavors could be nothing more than delusions in his oversized head. But even if they aren’t, you only need to look a little more closely to see that more often than not, it’s Pinky’s observations and comments that make the most logical sense compared to the Brain’s ramblings. One is a genius, the other’s insane, but which is which?
#7: The Pokémon War
“Pokémon” (1997-)
For an anime about fighting pocket monsters, there doesn’t really seem to be any horrifically mature content in “Pokémon,” at least as far as the original season is concerned. Or is there? According to this theory, the amount of Gym Leaders and organized crime, plus the fact that Ash and Gary are both missing parents is because they are the generation born after a terrible war fought with Pokémon. While this creepypasta may seem more concrete with the video games, it does raise some interesting points. Where is Ash’s dad anyway?
#6: Timmy’s on Anti-Depressants
“The Fairly OddParents” (2001-06; 2008-17)
Here comes another kick to the childhood! While you may have thought that Timmy Turner was a lucky little boy with fairy godparents that could grant his every wish, what you were actually seeing was a metaphor for Timmy taking anti-depressants to ensure he made it through the day. How does this make sense? Well, this theory states that this scenario’s possible because the godparents only appear when Timmy’s life starts to take a tumble, but they aren’t around when he doesn’t need them. On top of this, too much use of their ‘magic’ is shown to have disastrous results on Timmy personally. But hey, at least it’s better than the alternative theory that they are just being imagined by a sexually abused boy. Yeah, we’re not going anywhere near that one.
#5. Comatose Ash
“Pokémon” franchise (1997-)
A lot of entries on this list involve the fantastical elements of their respective shows being nothing more than figments of the imagination. Well, this one deals with an entire world being made up in the mind of a comatose Ash Ketchum. One theorist makes the point that the tone of “Pokémon” became much lighter after Ash was struck by lightning in an earlier episode. Ever since then, Team Rocket became less menacing and the ten year old can somehow traverse freely in the world without consequence. The fact that there are multiple Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys, plus countless other examples, seems to support the idea that his dream to become a Pokémon Master may actually just be a dream after all.
#4.The Seven Deadly Sins
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
Who woulda guessed that Bikini Bottom’s most iconic residents would actually represent something as dark as the seven sins? It’s not all that crazy when you think about it. SpongeBob has a lust for life – while Pearl is obsessed with males, Mr. Krabs is the greediest thing under the sea, Sandy takes great pride in her work, Patrick bests everyone when it comes to sloth, both Gary and Mrs. Puff have been shown to be quite gluttonous, Plankton is obviously envious of the Krusty Krab’s success, and Squidward… well, we all know how wrathful SpongeBob makes him. Turns out this show attracts weird theories, since there’s another one that suggests these seven represent narcotics.
#3.All in Angelica’s Imagination
“Rugrats” (1991-2004)
Speaking of dreams, in this fan theory, it turns out all those adorable babies on “Rugrats” were nothing more than projections of a three-year-old’s psychological breakdown. We all thought Angelica was just moody because of her age and spoiled upbringing, but here, it’s said that her attitude is actually due to the traumatic events of the Rugrats’ deaths. Yep, apparently Chuckie died with his mother in a crash, which is why his father is always overly worried about him, and Tommy was stillborn, which is why Uncle Stu is constantly making toys – i.e. for the son he never had. As for the DeVille twins, they were just a projection of an aborted baby, so Angelica projected them as identical twins since the gender remained unknown.
#2. There Are No Monsters
“Courage the Cowardly Dog” (1999-2002)
Despite his timid nature in the face of the supernatural horrors going on in the middle of nowhere, Courage never fails to protect his owners from the many monsters and psychopaths that seem to come their way. This would be all fine and dandy, except what if they’re not all as scary as he thinks they are? Given that he’s just a dog and the world probably looks a lot different to him, the entire show could be nothing more than Courage’s canine perception tricking him into thinking he and his humans are in danger, when the truth is all those monsters he thinks he’s seeing are just people. But tbh, we’re not sure if that’s uplifting or even more depressing.
#1. Allegory for the Holocaust
“Toy Story 3” (2010)
There was no doubt that the third installment of the “Toy Story” franchise was definitely the darkest. However, we bet that you wouldn’t have guessed that the Oscar-winning computer-animated movie also seems to have some unsettling parallels to the Holocaust. First off, the toys are forced to leave their home and then find themselves at Sunnyside Daycare, where they are imprisoned and routinely mistreated and injured. Near the film’s climax, there is a scene that looks like they’re all about to perish in an incinerator together. If you replace a few of those key characters and locations with some of the victims and perpetrators of World War Two, there’s definitely a disturbing similarity.
#50: Bikini Bottom Is a Nuclear Test Site
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Apparently, the remnants of a radioactive testing operation. While Bikini Bottom doesn’t seem like a particularly dangerous place to live, it notably shares its name with Bikini Atoll. AKA, the United States’ nuclear test site after World War II. The radiation’s effects on the environment would explain a lot of the peculiarities about the show. Like, how a sponge learned to talk. Or, how a school of fish managed to create their own society. The answers are all in the history books. But that doesn’t make them any easier to stomach.
#49: Bender's Reprogramming
“Futurama” (1999-2003; 2008-13; 2023-)
These days, everyone’s favorite sociopathic robot is known for his vulgar and prejudicial outbursts. So, it’s odd to learn that wasn’t always the case. Before Bender got, well, bent out of shape, he was a measly steel worker contemplating ending it all. But, after a quick pep-talk from Fry and a shock from a stray wire, his personality underwent a complete one-eighty. As nice as Fry’s words were, there’s a much better chance the volt of electricity rewired some of Bender’s code. It completely reframes not just the pilot, but the entirety of Bender and Fry’s friendship. Shocking, isn’t it?
#48: Casper Is the Ghost of Richie Rich
“Casper the Friendly Ghost” franchise (1945-) & “Richie Rich” franchise (1953-)
Imagine a young kid with a cheerful smile and a penchant for well-meaning antics. We could be describing either Casper the Ghost, or Richie Rich. One look at them side-by-side is enough to prove there’s more than a passing resemblance. What’s more, they’re both characters published by Harvey Comics. So, as morbid as it is to say, there’s a possibility that Casper and Richie Rich are the same person. Just at very different stages of life, if you catch our drift. You don’t have to take our word for it, though. Bart and Lisa Simpson believe in the theory, and who are we to say they’re wrong?
#47: Donkey Is from Pleasure Island
“Shrek” franchise (2001-) & “Pinocchio” (1940)
Despite pulling from all different types of fairy tales, there’s one prominent character in “Shrek” with no clear origin: Donkey. Where did he come from, and how did he learn to talk? The explanation is pretty simple when you think about it. He’s from Pleasure Island. In “Pinocchio,” bad kids who visit and misbehave are sold into servitude and turned into - you guessed it - donkeys. Pinocchio himself also appears in “Shrek,” and in the very same scene Donkey’s introduced, too. Maybe because they’re coming from the same tale? If this version of Donkey’s origin story is even partly true, it’s amazing he’s still so cheerful.
#46: Miss Frizzle’s Class Grew up to Be the Planeteers
“The Magic School Bus” (1994-97) & “Captain Planet and the Planeteers” (1990-96)
Full disclosure, there isn’t any fancy lore, hidden details, or behind-the-scenes drama to explain this one. The only evidence we have is our eyes. And, quite frankly, it’s still pretty convincing. Arnold and Wheeler are basically twins. The same goes for Wanda Li and Gi, and D.A. and Linka. Need we mention Carlos and Ma-ti? There’s a chance all the similarities are just a coincidence. But, it would have to be one gigantic, massive, planet-sized coincidence. Plus, whether intentional or not, it just makes sense that Miss Frizzle's unorthodox teaching style inspired the heroes of tomorrow.
#45: Kuzco Wasn’t the First Person Turned into an Animal
“The Emperor's New Groove” (2000)
Turning into a llama isn’t exactly Kuzco’s idea of a good time. But, if this crackpot theory has any basis, at least he isn’t alone. Think about it; Yzma’s got a lot of potions around her office. Who’s to say she doesn’t have a few spares, too? Say, ones that turn her enemies into other kinds of animals. Kuzco’s adventures almost prove as much. He seemingly can’t understand squirrel talk, but when he finds a bug in a spider’s web, he hears it whimper in English clear as day. How could that creature have talked unless he was transformed by Yzma, too? Scary stuff.
#44: Breaking the Fourth Wall
“Rick and Morty” (2013-)
Mad scientist or not, you’ve gotta give Rick some credit; he really knows how to make a portal. Because of that, he and Morty have pretty much seen it all — including the other side of the fourth wall. While “Rick and Morty” is far from the first cartoon to acknowledge the audience, the portal-hopping antics make you wonder. What if one of these portals brought them to our dimension, and that’s how they know they’re on a TV show? It makes about as much sense as everything else in “Rick and Morty.” That is to say, it’s weird, but kind of works in its own, strange way.
#43: Nemo Never Existed
“Finding Nemo” (2003)
Bring out a box of tissues, this theory is tragedy on top of tragedy. To set the scene, “Finding Nemo” follows single dad, Marlin, as he sets out to, well, find Nemo. But, what if Nemo was never born? The fatal barracuda attack that opens the film might be just that - completely fatal. From there, Marlin slowly tackles the five stages of grief, eventually accepting that he needs to let go of his son — or rather, the memory of him. It adds a dark spin to what is already an incredibly fraught tale. But, at least no one can see you cry under the sea.
#42: It’s All in Garfield’s Head
“Garfield” franchise (1976-)
Most of the time, “Garfield” is made up of fun, light-hearted tales involving lasagna, mondays, and punchlines galore. However, in a particularly traumatizing comic strip, Garfield wakes up in an abandoned building. John isn’t there, and neither is Odie. He’s all alone, and he’s probably starving. Then, in the blink of an eye, Garfield’s family reappears like nothing happened. The strip ends with an ominous quote about the power of one’s imagination, potentially implying that everything Garfield has been through was made up. It’s so traumatic, it puts the entire “Garfield” canon into question. Who knew a grumpy, orange cat could be so depressing?
#41: The Disney Family Tree
“Frozen” franchise (2013-), “Tangled” franchise (2010-), “The Little Mermaid” (1989), & “Tarzan” (1999)
Buckle up, there’s a lot to go over. In “Frozen,” Flynn and Rapunzel make a cameo attending Elsa’s coronation. What if that was more than a friendly gesture? A theory once apparently confirmed by co-director/writer Jennifer Lee was that Elsa and Anna’s parents died at sea going to a wedding, though the sequel discounts that. Still, considering that version of events, it could’ve been the “Tangled” couple’s nuptials. There’s more, though. The ship that Anna and Elsa’s parents were on? That could be the one Ariel explores at the start of “The Little Mermaid.” And, since the parents’ bodies were never found, rumor has it they washed ashore and gave birth to a baby boy — Tarzan. Talk about being “Part of Your World.”
#40: Dexter’s Family Are Clones
“Dexter's Laboratory” (1996-2003)
The most unbelievable part of Dexter’s childhood isn’t his out-of-this-world experiments. It’s that his parents never catch him in the act; especially considering Dee Dee isn’t exactly “stealthy.” It’s all completely far-fetched. In fact, it’s so far-fetched, that some have begun to wonder if Dexter’s parents are actually experiments, too. The show’s closing theme song alludes to Dee Dee making one of Dexter’s inventions go boom. That’s a bit specific, don’t you think? What if Dee Dee’s curiosity cost her family their lives, and blaming himself, Dexter created exact copies of them? He’s made clones before, and it would explain why his family is unfazed by just about everything.
#39: Wolverine's Yellow Suit
“X-Men: The Animated Series” (1992-97)
When you think of the cuddliest members of the “X-Men,” Logan with his adamantium claws probably isn’t topping the list. But, this one detail completely reframes all of Wolverine’s actions. As this comic tidbit explains, when Logan storms into a fight, his classic blue-and-yellow suit isn’t just a bold style choice. He intentionally wears bright colors in order to stand out more on the battlefield. The more focus there is on him, the less of a chance one of his teammates gets hurt. It’s a silent bit of character insight that makes you realize, even when he claims otherwise, that Wolverine has always been a team player.
#38: Calhoun Killed Her Fiancé
“Wreck-It Ralph” (2012)
For the most part, Cy-Bugs become what they eat. Literally. However, that leads to a whole lot of grim implications, particularly for Sergeant Calhoun. Her entire character motivation hinges upon the fact that her fiancé was devoured by a bug at their wedding. In return, she understandably shot the critter to bits. But, if Turbo’s future transformation is any indication, being eaten by a Cy-Bug isn’t fatal. Sure, you grow a few extra legs, but you maintain your own free will. All that points to the idea that Calhoun is the only one responsible for her current single status. No wonder she’s full of so much rage.
#37: Frankie Is Imaginary
“Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends” (2004-09)
Anyone with eyes can tell Frankie and Madame Foster look alike in ways that go far beyond mere familial resemblance. But, maybe that was intentional. Madame Foster did always wish she was young enough to continue taking care of the home. And, lo and behold, Frankie does just that, all the while sporting an outfit extremely reminiscent of her grandmother. They take care of a foster home for imaginary friends, so it’s not too out there to assume that Madame Foster’s lives there, too. For what it’s worth, series creator Craig McCracken has publicly refuted this claim. But, the evidence is pretty damning either way.
#36: Kristoff Is Wearing Sven’s Dead Mom
“Frozen” (2013)
How did a boy and a reindeer become friends? Some eager Disney fans sought to answer that, but unfortunately, what they found wasn’t merry or bright. As audiences learn, Kristoff was raised in the woods by trolls. There would’ve been slim pickings for fashion, and coats are practically a must-have to protect any child from the cold. Since current-day Kristoff wears a jacket made of reindeer clippings, the natural conclusion is that he and his fixer-upper parents took it from Sven’s mother. At the very least, Sven got a new parental figure out of it. But, that doesn’t make it any less haunting.
#35: Comatose Danny
“Danny Phantom” (2004-07)
Danny Fenton got his ghostly powers by walking through a malfunctioning portal. Or, so he thinks. This hypothesis asks, what if Danny never actually woke up from the accident? Yes, this is another age-old “it was all a coma” theory. But, this one actually has some good points behind it. Each of Danny’s villains could be interpreted as a figment of his repressed psyche. None more so than his parents, who’s quest to capture ghosts could be seen as a metaphor for keeping Danny on life support. Need more convincing? How about the fact that Danny is literally half-human, half-ghost? In hindsight, it feels a bit on the nose.
#34: Black Death
“Monster's, Inc.” (2001)
The monsters do most of the actual scaring around here, but the kids’ fear is very much mutual. Look no further than Sulley himself. Just the mere presence of Boo has him practically showering in disinfectant. It begs the question, what do these burly monsters have to be so afraid of? Well, a popular Reddit theory argues that, maybe, the monsters entered the wrong kid’s room during the Bubonic Plague. If they unknowingly brought the lethal virus back with them, then it makes sense why monsters are so frightened of interacting with humans again. Although, to be fair, Roz and her team seem pretty well-equipped for another breakout.
#33: Kim Was Genetically Altered
“Kim Possible” (2002-07)
Kim’s your basic, average girl. Or, so says the theme song. But, we don’t know many teenagers who can kick butt like she can. No matter how much training she went through, it’s still strange that a young girl could take on genetically-modified supervillains. Unless, of course, Kim had been genetically enhanced, too. Look at it this way: both her parents are geniuses, her younger brothers are already inventors, and she’s a secret spy. There’s gotta be something in the water at their house, that’s all we’re saying. At the very least, Kim’s frequent exposure to all of Shego’s energy blasts can’t help matters, either.
#32: Simba Causes the Drought
“The Lion King” (1994)
Look, as much as we’d like to blame Scar for Pride Rock’s decline, not even he can control the weather. But, if this theory is to be believed, Simba can. He sees firsthand that the past kings of Pride Rock take the form of clouds in the sky, AKA the rainwater that feeds the valley. It perfectly ties into the movie’s message about lineage and the circle of life. Since Simba is the rightful heir, the former kings follow him on his journey with Timon and Pumbaa. Later, once Simba returns to Pride Rock to reclaim his crown, the rain follows him. Coincidence? We think not.
#31: The Powerpuff Girls Are One Person
“The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005)
Meet Brenda. She’s your typical, superhero girl. The only issue? Her brother ridicules her constantly, and eventually, it becomes too much to endure. Brenda fractures into three different versions of herself: Blossom, who she wanted to be; Bubbles, her innocent side; and Buttercup, who represents her mean streak. The older brother becomes Mojo Jojo. That’s the gist of the widely-circulated “Brenda Theory,” a fan idea so widespread, they even gave the rumored girl a name. While Brenda herself hasn’t ever appeared in canon, we can’t deny that the girls do act like three sides of the same coin. Maybe they were actually made with sugar, spice, and a brother who wasn’t nice.
#30: The Cars Overthrew Mankind
“Cars” (2006)
There’s no tinfoil hats here. Instead, this suspicion comes straight from the “Cars” creative director himself, Jay Ward. While he clarifies that none of his ideas are Pixar-approved, he’s still personally addressed a few long-standing questions about the film. Like, why do the cars have doors if there’s no people to use them? His answer is pretty cut and dry: they were for humans. But, one day, the cars didn’t need people anymore, so they got rid of them. Ward likened it to the current evolution of real-life, self-driving vehicles. If they ever gain sentience, we may be looking at an all-too-real live-action remake of “Cars.”
#29: All the Simpsons Are Geniuses
“The Simpsons” (1989-)
It’s no small secret that this family is better known for their hijinks than their brains. But, as much as it may pain Lisa to admit, she isn’t the only bright member of the Simpsons. In fact, she may not even be the smartest. An episode in Season 12 confirms that, were it not for a crayon in Homer’s brain, he’d be a bonafide genius. Apparently, he passed that on to kids, too. All of them. Case in point, Bart crafts some pretty intricate pranks, and Maggie canonically has a higher IQ than Lisa. For all the trouble the Simpsons get into, it’s clear that they’re a whole lot wiser than they let on.
#28: Syndrome Is Mr. Incredible's Son
“The Incredibles” (2004)
In a world with no shortage of superheroes, why does Buddy fixate on Mr. Incredible? Well, the answer may lie in their looks. Buddy and Bob Parr do have a passing resemblance, especially in their jaw shape. Maybe, unbeknownst to Mr. Incredible, their connection runs blood-deep. While Bob is a family man nowadays, he and Helen were often stretched to their limits, pun fully intended. An affair or a one-night stand is not out of the realm of possibility. Plus, remember how Syndrome takes a surprising amount of interest in Mr. Incredible’s family? Yeah, his actions practically scream red-headed stepchild. He’s already got the red hair, too.
#27: Phineas & Ferb Don't Exist
“Phineas and Ferb” (2007-15; 2024-)
Fair warning: after hearing this, you may not be able to see “Phineas and Ferb” the same way ever again. Still here? Good. Ever notice how Candace almost never busts her brothers? Well, it’s become such a running gag, that many are starting to side with her parents. Maybe she’s just imagining it all. The prevalent rumor is that Candace’s brothers are a desperate ploy for attention that she conveniently shoves all her trauma onto. It sounds a bit odd, but keep in mind, this is a girl who semi-frequently hallucinates a talking zebra named Kevin. Compared to that, imagining two tech-savvy brothers is nothing.
#26: Ellie’s Infertility
“Up” (2009)
As if this opening scene isn’t heartbreaking enough, some eagle-eyed viewers discovered something that might make it even worse. On paper, Carl and Ellie meet, renovate their home, lose their baby, and that’s that. However, using Carl’s age as a ruler, it’s safe to assume their house was constructed before people knew about the dangers of lead paint. The prolonged exposure from a renovation would probably cause lead poisoning. Occasionally, that can lead to infertility, too. While there’s no way of knowing if this is true for Ellie, it’s the closest thing to an explanation “Up” offers. Either way, it explains why Carl takes so long to warm up to Russell.
#25: Avoiding the Draft
“Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” (1969-78)
These meddling kids never seem to settle down in one place for more than a single episode. They don’t appear to be going anywhere in particular, either. So, why waste all the gas? Thankfully, this is a mystery you don’t need a Scooby Snack to solve. The long-rumored answer lies in the political climate the series debuted in. See, the first iteration of Mystery Inc. hit screens in 1969, right at the height of the Vietnam War. The gang could’ve been avoiding the draft, and had to keep moving to stay ahead of the authorities. It would also explain why there’s so much crime in the world. Although, the monster costumes are still a mystery.
#24: Wile E. Coyote Is in Hell
“Looney Tunes” franchise (1930-)
Picture this: you’re trapped in a desolate wasteland, constantly taunted with your wildest dreams, but they’re always just out of reach. Oh, and all the while, an annoying pest keeps laughing at you when you fail. Doesn’t sound too nice, does it? Well, that’s been Wile E. Coyote’s life for the better part of a century. Ever since his looney debut, he’s been humiliated, tormented, laughed at, and just about everything in between. All things considered, if this isn’t some form of toon Hell, we don’t know what is. At this point, the only question remaining is what Wile E. did to deserve this.
#23: Peter Pan Is a Cold-Blooded Killer
“Peter Pan” (1953)
Apparently, there’s a very simple reason why kids don’t grow up in Neverland: Peter kills them before they have a chance to. It’s hard to believe, but the original novel, “Peter and Wendy,” heavily implies that Peter has had to put some of the Lost Boys six feet deep. Even though it’s not overt, the implication alone is enough to turn the film adaptation into a straight up horror film. After all, what was Peter planning to do with Wendy and the others once they grew up? Thankfully, we never have to see. But, still, this is enough to prove that Neverland is full of more than just faith, trust, and pixie dust.
#22: Mr. Krabs Plans to Use His Daughter for Krabby Patties
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
If there’s one thing in the world Mr. Krabs loves more than anything else, it’s money. So, it’s very suspicious that he puts up with Pearl’s spending habits. Actually, it’s weird that his daughter is a whale in the first place. Throw in the fact that Pearl’s mom is nowhere to be seen, and the theory starts to write itself. Maybe, all this time, the secret to the Krabby Patty formula has been whale meat? Their carcasses leave enough behind to feed entire ecosystems, and in Mr. Krabs’s case, he has a second serving ready to go whenever he runs out. Yeah, remind us never to eat at the Krusty Krab ever again.
#21: Allegory for Substance Use Disorder
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)
Sleepy, Happy, Doc, Dopey, Sneezy, Bashful, and Grumpy. They’re the seven dwarfs. But, as it turns out, each of those emotions also represent a different stage of cocaine misuse and withdrawal. That’s right, there’s a lot of compelling evidence to suggest that “Snow White” is a thinly veiled analogy for drug use. It’s not just with the dwarfs, either. Little things like the setting and character designs all lend credence to this idea. Heck, the main character’s name is “Snow White.” Classic fairy tail or not, once you see the signs, you’ll never be able to unsee them. As they say, one bad apple and all that.
#20: Economic Depression
“Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” (1969-78)
Perhaps it wasn’t just the monsters that Mystery Incorporated had to be afraid of. According to one theory, the original “Scooby-Doo” series was actually set during a time when the economy had gone bust. Things were so dire that even well-known individuals, like celebrities, intellectuals and so forth, became criminals to survive the desperate financial climate, all while dressing up as creatures so that the blame wouldn’t be put on them. It might sound like a stretch, but you gotta admit there were a lot of abandoned buildings and downtrodden areas on that show. Sign of the times…?
#19: Claw Is Gadget
“Inspector Gadget” (1983-86)
This fan theory is a shot to the heart of this light-hearted cartoon about everyone’s favorite robotic detective. The theory in question states that Dr. Claw is actually the real, or at least, the original, Inspector Gadget, who supposedly died via an explosion. His genius niece Penny then created a robotic replica out of grief. This would explain why Claw pretty much always escapes from the villain’s clutches unscathed: he wouldn’t want to actually harm his own niece and only wants to destroy his mechanical replacement. It also explains why we never actually see Dr. Claw’s face.
#18: Bill Dauterive Is Bobby Hill’s Father
“King of the Hill” (1997-2009)
It’s fair to say that not all children turn out like their parents, whether it’s in appearance or personality. But when it comes to Hank and Bobby, the difference is like night and day. Along with how dissimilar they are, fans of the show have pointed out that there are hints that Bill might actually be Bobby’s biological father. You’ve got the physical likeness and the fact that the two spend so much time together bonding. Not to mention the little fact that Hank has a rather narrow urethra, which the Hills were originally told meant they could never have children. Damn, Hank, you may be the king, but from the sounds of it… someone got with your queen.
#17. The Flintstones Live in the Future
“The Flintstones” (1960-66)
If you thought Bedrock’s favorite family was kicking it back in the Stone Age, then this theory will make you think again. Evidence for this one comes from the 1978 TV movie “The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones,” where a malfunction with a time machine leads two of animation’s most beloved families to share the screen. How does this support the theory? Well, the time machine was created by Elroy Jetson to bring his family to the FUTURE (that is, further in time than the future in which they already live). But what if the machine actually worked? We know the Jetsons live in the sky, and perhaps they’re doing that to avoid the nuclear wasteland below that’s been brewing into another stone age. That means the Flintstones is actually set in a post-apocalyptic future, instead of thousands of years in the past.
#16. Nazi Propaganda
“Tom and Jerry” franchise (1940-)
You know the drill, Tom Cat tries his best to take out his mousey nemesis Jerry with all manner of nefarious and ill-conceived ideas. But were you aware that these two are the physical representation of countries? That’s right, someone out there posted a theory that states Tom and Jerry represent the Tommies and Jerries, aka the British and the Germans, during the early years of WWII. So if you put that into context, we’ve been watching Nazi Germany outdo the Brits with their “superior” intelligence all these years. Creepy.
#15. Peach Creek Is Purgatory
“Ed, Edd n Eddy” (1999-2009)
Did you ever wonder why we never saw Ed, Edd n Eddy’s parents and why they were perpetually stuck in the cul-de-sac? Well, this theory says it’s because they’re all stuck in Purgatory. No, we are not kidding. Each character apparently died as a child at different points in time, and now remains confined to their suburban afterlife. For example, Rolf spends most of his time with farm animals because he died in 1903. Eddy is so obsessed with money and wealth because he died during the Great Depression, and Ed loves comic books so much because he died right as their popularity soared… near the end of the Second World War.
#14. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
“Donald Duck” franchise (1934-)
It’s no secret that Donald doesn’t exactly have the best temperament and that he goes on the odd rant every now and again. While most of us just find it funny and associate it with his character, some have claimed that his escalating rage is a result of his PTSD. How did he get such a thing? Well, as a Second World War paratrooper, poor old Donald was used for plenty of military propaganda back in the day, with one cartoon showing him fighting against the Japanese by himself. That’s bound to drive anyone over the edge.
#13. Charlie Brown Is Dying of Cancer
“Peanuts” franchise (1947-)
You thought Charlie Brown was just an unlucky kid who happened to have a receding hairline? Actually, according to this theory, he’s got terminal cancer. Not horrifically dark enough for you? The reason he always seems so down, and life doesn’t seem to give him a break, is that his adventures and entire life are all an illusion – in other words, nothing but a dream created out of sadness for his brief existence. Each of his failures is just his own misery manifesting itself. Try to watch any Charlie special now without feeling hollow inside!
#12.Shared Universe
“Samurai Jack” (2001-04; 2017)
Crossovers are nothing new, and if fans even get a whiff that some of their favorite cartoons are entangled in some subtle or overt way, you can be sure they’ll find “evidence” of it. Given the history of Cartoon Network’s properties making random cameos between shows, it’s no surprise people latched onto this particular theory – which is that, apparently everyone’s favorite time traveling samurai was roaming around the post-apocalyptic but past version of Townsville this whole time. Given the identical landmarks seen throughout some episodes, the idea certainly has some merit. Meanwhile, there are others who insist that Jack and Professor Utonium are the same person. Ah man, time travel makes our heads spin.
#11.WALL-E Doomed the Earth
“WALL-E” (2008)
WALL-E’s a lovesick robot that travels the stars to be with the one he loves and has a voice that just makes you want to pinch his metallic cheeks. Well, what you didn’t know about him is that this little guy actually doomed the planet! Didn’t you wonder why the planet was covered in garbage at the beginning of the Pixar flick? That’s because, according to this theory, WALL-E destroyed all of the other robots, took what he needed from their bodies to fix himself up, kept certain items of trash to decorate his home instead of compacting them and left the robo-corpses of his fellow brethren scattered across the wasteland that was once Earth. Thanks Wall-E!
#10. Mr. Crocker’s Advances
“The Fairly OddParents” (2001-06; 2008-17)
Brace yourself, people, because this one is bleak. Some fans theorize that Cosmo and Wanda could actually just be metaphors for antidepressants. Well, this theory takes things a step further by stating that they are delusions of Timmy Turner’s actual deceased godparents. He imagines them watching over him and granting his wishes all in a bid to keep himself happy, since his real parents don’t care about him, he has one heck of a volatile babysitter… and Mr. Crocker’s scheme to capture his fairy godparents is in reality just him making sexual advances on Timmy. Yeesh.
#9. Winnie & Friends’ Mental Disorders
“Winnie the Pooh” franchise (1966-)
The classic tales of Pooh Bear and his friends are beloved by children and adults everywhere. This makes things especially lovely considering this theory in which the timeless characters have each been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. We are not joking. It goes like this: Pooh is impulsive with obsessive fixations, Piglet has general anxiety, Tigger has ADHD, Owl is dyslexic, Rabbit has OCD, and not surprisingly, Eeyore is a major depressive. We could have seen the Eeyore one coming, but does this maybe mean Christopher Robin is their therapist?
#8. Pinky Is the Genius
“Pinky and the Brain” (1995-99)
How can one of cartoon’s most lovable idiots possibly be smarter than the megalomaniacal mouse who dreams of taking over the world? Well, what if the Brain is so loco in the head that all his thoughts of world domination are the result of madness? The pair’s endeavors could be nothing more than delusions in his oversized head. But even if they aren’t, you only need to look a little more closely to see that more often than not, it’s Pinky’s observations and comments that make the most logical sense compared to the Brain’s ramblings. One is a genius, the other’s insane, but which is which?
#7: The Pokémon War
“Pokémon” (1997-)
For an anime about fighting pocket monsters, there doesn’t really seem to be any horrifically mature content in “Pokémon,” at least as far as the original season is concerned. Or is there? According to this theory, the amount of Gym Leaders and organized crime, plus the fact that Ash and Gary are both missing parents is because they are the generation born after a terrible war fought with Pokémon. While this creepypasta may seem more concrete with the video games, it does raise some interesting points. Where is Ash’s dad anyway?
#6: Timmy’s on Anti-Depressants
“The Fairly OddParents” (2001-06; 2008-17)
Here comes another kick to the childhood! While you may have thought that Timmy Turner was a lucky little boy with fairy godparents that could grant his every wish, what you were actually seeing was a metaphor for Timmy taking anti-depressants to ensure he made it through the day. How does this make sense? Well, this theory states that this scenario’s possible because the godparents only appear when Timmy’s life starts to take a tumble, but they aren’t around when he doesn’t need them. On top of this, too much use of their ‘magic’ is shown to have disastrous results on Timmy personally. But hey, at least it’s better than the alternative theory that they are just being imagined by a sexually abused boy. Yeah, we’re not going anywhere near that one.
#5. Comatose Ash
“Pokémon” franchise (1997-)
A lot of entries on this list involve the fantastical elements of their respective shows being nothing more than figments of the imagination. Well, this one deals with an entire world being made up in the mind of a comatose Ash Ketchum. One theorist makes the point that the tone of “Pokémon” became much lighter after Ash was struck by lightning in an earlier episode. Ever since then, Team Rocket became less menacing and the ten year old can somehow traverse freely in the world without consequence. The fact that there are multiple Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys, plus countless other examples, seems to support the idea that his dream to become a Pokémon Master may actually just be a dream after all.
#4.The Seven Deadly Sins
“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)
Who woulda guessed that Bikini Bottom’s most iconic residents would actually represent something as dark as the seven sins? It’s not all that crazy when you think about it. SpongeBob has a lust for life – while Pearl is obsessed with males, Mr. Krabs is the greediest thing under the sea, Sandy takes great pride in her work, Patrick bests everyone when it comes to sloth, both Gary and Mrs. Puff have been shown to be quite gluttonous, Plankton is obviously envious of the Krusty Krab’s success, and Squidward… well, we all know how wrathful SpongeBob makes him. Turns out this show attracts weird theories, since there’s another one that suggests these seven represent narcotics.
#3.All in Angelica’s Imagination
“Rugrats” (1991-2004)
Speaking of dreams, in this fan theory, it turns out all those adorable babies on “Rugrats” were nothing more than projections of a three-year-old’s psychological breakdown. We all thought Angelica was just moody because of her age and spoiled upbringing, but here, it’s said that her attitude is actually due to the traumatic events of the Rugrats’ deaths. Yep, apparently Chuckie died with his mother in a crash, which is why his father is always overly worried about him, and Tommy was stillborn, which is why Uncle Stu is constantly making toys – i.e. for the son he never had. As for the DeVille twins, they were just a projection of an aborted baby, so Angelica projected them as identical twins since the gender remained unknown.
#2. There Are No Monsters
“Courage the Cowardly Dog” (1999-2002)
Despite his timid nature in the face of the supernatural horrors going on in the middle of nowhere, Courage never fails to protect his owners from the many monsters and psychopaths that seem to come their way. This would be all fine and dandy, except what if they’re not all as scary as he thinks they are? Given that he’s just a dog and the world probably looks a lot different to him, the entire show could be nothing more than Courage’s canine perception tricking him into thinking he and his humans are in danger, when the truth is all those monsters he thinks he’s seeing are just people. But tbh, we’re not sure if that’s uplifting or even more depressing.
#1. Allegory for the Holocaust
“Toy Story 3” (2010)
There was no doubt that the third installment of the “Toy Story” franchise was definitely the darkest. However, we bet that you wouldn’t have guessed that the Oscar-winning computer-animated movie also seems to have some unsettling parallels to the Holocaust. First off, the toys are forced to leave their home and then find themselves at Sunnyside Daycare, where they are imprisoned and routinely mistreated and injured. Near the film’s climax, there is a scene that looks like they’re all about to perish in an incinerator together. If you replace a few of those key characters and locations with some of the victims and perpetrators of World War Two, there’s definitely a disturbing similarity.
