Classic Hollywood is a timeless and most beloved time period. There are numerous works of unbridled creativity under its umbrella, but the thing about unrestricted creativity is that it may not always be politically sensitive. Here are 20 Hollywood classics that would get canceled today.
Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone is an absolute hoot of a movie. It’s a hilarious and sweet movie the whole family can sit down to. However, its entire plot is dependent on inexcusable parental neglect that would not be tolerated today. I can imagine this movie inspiring forums and campaigns about responsible parenthood.
American Pie (1999)
Never has there been a more collective cracking down on misogyny and incel culture than today. American Pie greatly encourages the objectification of women to a very questionable degree. It would not survive the backlash in today’s climate. Many a petition would probably be hastily signed to ban it.
Mean Girls (2004)
Producing a film like Mean Girls in a time when body positivity is a big deal would be tone-deaf, at best. Mean Girls belongs to a class of movies that tends to encourage an unhealthy self-image in young people, pushing them to harmful practices.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
The most apparent thing in Ace Ventura that would immediately get canceled is its untamed humor. Pet Detective repeatedly demonstrates an offensive attitude toward sensitive issues, one of which is sexuality. That’s definitely not going to be tolerated among numerous audiences.
American Beauty (1999)
This features an inappropriate relationship between the protagonist and his daughter’s friend. While it stayed within gray areas, it’s difficult to see how such a plot would survive. Part of the movie’s nuances that made it attractive at the time of its release would also be its demise today.
Rush Hour (1998)
Racial slurs? Offhandedly delivered humor? Sounds like a recipe for outrage. Detectives Lee and Carter, a very unlikely pair, have to work together to rescue a Chinese diplomat’s daughter who’s been kidnapped. A classic, but it might be a bit difficult to get fans on board if this had been released today.
Gone with the Wind (1939)
Did you know that in 2020, Gone with the Wind was removed from HBO Max for a time? It’s a classic alright, but an extremely controversial one. Its themes and portrayal of slavery have been said to be very offensive to Black audiences.
Léon: The Professional (1994)
When the lead in a movie expresses displeasure about the role played, it says a lot. Léon: The Professional is based on an inappropriate dynamic between Léon and a young girl played by Natalie Portman, who has since communicated discomfort with the role.
The Searchers (1956)
Members of Ethan Edwards’s family have been killed, and some abducted by Native Americans. He embarks on a mission to save the remaining members of his family. The Searchers portrays the Native Americans in a tainted light that’s offensive to their history and plight.
Kids (1995)
A young boy goes around having sex with virgins and spreading AIDS? There are a lot of things wrong with this that would inspire a mob and pitchfork reaction. Classic Hollywood is populated by intricate and complex plots that would be suffocated on arrival in these times.
True Lies (1994)
Classic Hollywood has a pattern of encouraging stereotypes and perpetuating racial profiling. A common example of this is the constant portrayal of Arabians as terrorists, killers, or dangerous religious zealots.
Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
Revenge of the Nerds is what you get when youthful angst is taken too far. Its excessiveness in its portrayal of youthful exuberance is problematic in the most extreme way possible, with certain actions by the main characters being serious offenses punishable by law.
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Blazing Saddles is yet another classic with humor that thrived on its exploitation of racial slurs and offensive comedy. While this was once acceptable and rampant, the opposite is the case today. Hollywood has rearranged its comedy tropes to suit the prevailing climate.
Lolita (1962)
Like numerous classic titles, this film explores sensitive themes in complex and divisive ways. In Lolita, a professor named Humbert develops a lustful desire for his young stepdaughter and grooms her. The movie was very widely known for its controversy, even in its own time.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
This Stanley Kubrick title is dark, twisted, and violent in a stark way that’s now intolerable. When it was released, it was banned in a number of locations. If released in 2023, one can justifiably expect a widespread and unanimous cancellation of the movie.
Trading Places (1983)
Trading Places depicts misogynist and sexist tendencies. It would be a feat if the movie even made it to the pictures if produced in today’s prevalent climate. It’s a title that’s relegated to the only period that could have tolerated it.
Gremlins (1984)
When you consider the fact that Gremlins is a kids’ movie, it becomes hard to reconcile the dark atmosphere to its intended audience. If made to go through today’s level of censorship of children’s cinema, Gremlins would have never been allowed time of day.
Soul Man (1986)
Here we go once again with the blackface. Need I really explain how blackface inspires a special kind of anger among audiences? There’s a reason it has been completely abolished in movies today. Soul Man would have been torn apart if made in this era.
Sixteen Candles (1984)
Where do I start with this? Homophobic slurs, misogynistic displays by the characters, racist remarks and actions, and an overall perpetration of a problematic sexual culture. Yeah, this one is chock-full of fodder for cancel culture.
Airplane! (1980)
In its humor, Airplane! makes light of sensitive issues. Back in the day, this would be seen as divisive and only a little more than mildly problematic. However, in 2023, it would be the spark that starts the flame that would eventually burn down the chances of the movie’s success.
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