Kids Content That've Grown Up (To Some Extent)
In a world where people can now have access to and knowledge of things that weren't as easy to obtain prior to the advent of the internet, the supposed kid-targeted franchises of yesterday, aware of how their fans grow up and mature overtime, may end up either maturing with them or creating content specifically for that age group, while also still making content for their original target demographic. This can be seen with various reinventions of works such as some of the 2000s live-action shows from Nickelodeon, classic series from Cartoon Network, iconic toys from Mattel, and of course, the superheroes of DC and Marvel comics. This list showcases, as much as it can, the many works that've either firmly cemented their respective franchises as ones not truly suitable for younger viewers, or at least aged up enough to allow things that wouldn't have been imaginable previously, but still maintain some of their supposed original kid-appeal. As a warning, additional films, shows, and/or games from the same franchise may be included on this list if they're in relation to either continuing the trend of maturity set by a prior entry or if it's in relation to an installment meant for newer fans of very young age.
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- CreatorGenndy TartakovskyStarsPhil LaMarrMakoKevin Michael RichardsonA samurai, sent through time, fights to return home and save the world.Once rated TV-Y7-FV, now's been bumped up to a hardcore (mostly violence-wise) TV-14 rating for its long delayed final season.
- CreatorDan SchneiderStarsMiranda CosgroveJerry TrainorNathan KressA group of best friends creating a webcast while grappling with everyday problems and adventures.Original series given a TV-G rating, sequel series now has a hardcore (mostly language-driven) TV-PG rating.
Note: The show ended on an unsatisfying cliffhanger, so please keep this in mind if you wish to watch it regardless of that. - DirectorGreta GerwigStarsMargot RobbieRyan GoslingIssa RaeBarbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.Past DTV movies, specials and shows created almost strictly with kids in mind, this movie first truly mature entry in the whole franchise.
- DirectorRob LettermanStarsJack BlackDylan MinnetteOdeya RushA teenager teams up with the daughter of young-adult horror author R.L. Stine after the writer's imaginary demons are set free on the town of Madison, Delaware.First PG-rated entry in the entire franchise, complete with sprinkled doses of mild profanity throughout its runtime.
- DirectorJames BobinStarsIsabela MercedEugenio DerbezMichael PeñaTeenage explorer Dora leads her friends on an adventure to save her parents and solve the mystery behind a lost city of gold.Still made with kid-appeal in mind, but matured enough to the point that its gets away with mild profanity (i.e. "God") and crude toilet-based humor in the process.
- DirectorTim HillStarsTim HillClancy BrownBill FagerbakkeAfter SpongeBob's beloved pet snail Gary is snail-napped, he and Patrick embark on an epic adventure to the Lost City of Atlantic City to bring Gary home.First entry in the franchise where "language" is an officially given reason for its PG rating, complete with its titular character uttering the word "crappy" at one point.
- StarsSarah Michelle GellarLena HeadeyMark HamillThe war for Eternia begins again in what may be the final battle between He-Man and Skeletor. A new animated series from writer-director Kevin Smith.A self-aware continuation of the original 1983 series, this show both raises the stakes/violence that the original series never got/couldn't get away with, complete with TV-PG-friendly expletives such as "hell" and "damn" respectively.
- CreatorWellesley WildStarsJess HarnellTress MacNeilleRob PaulsenAn updated version of the 1990s animated series featuring a trio of wacky characters causing mayhem on the Warner Bros. studio lot.Despite essentially in denial of whether or not it was still a supposed "kids show," the series' regulation-free home of Hulu allowed it to more freely get away with things that its original predecessor on Fox Kids would've almost certainly prohibited, including having a character called "Jackass Monkey" appear in one of its last episodes.
- DirectorAkiva SchafferStarsAndy SambergJohn MulaneyKiKi LayneThirty years after their popular television show ended, chipmunks Chip and Dale live very different lives. When a cast member from the original series mysteriously disappears, the pair must reunite to save their friend.The first Mickey Mouse-related project outside of the Kingdom Hearts games to every contain any kind of vulgarity whatsoever (with the expletives in question being "god," and "hell" respectively), this continuation of the 1989 series had humor and references that might've not been possible if Disney had made this back in the 90s or 2000s.
- DirectorNelson ShinStarsOrson WellesRobert StackLeonard NimoyThe Autobots must stop a colossal planet consuming robot who goes after the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. At the same time, they must defend themselves against an all-out attack from the Decepticons.One of the first modern-day theatrically released PG-rated movies, the film notably has almost completely out of place uses of the expletives "damn" and "shit" respectively when compared to the 1984 series it is directly based off from.
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsCraig T. NelsonHolly HunterSarah VowellThe Incredibles family takes on a new mission which involves a change in family roles: Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) must manage the house while his wife Helen (Elastigirl) goes out to save the world.The first Pixar movie where "language" was an official factor in its PG rating, Incredibles 2 was the studio's very first movie with words such as "suck" and "damn" respectively, showcasing how even studios that had clean dialogue throughout previous ventures are acknowledging the changing of the times and what is becoming more acceptable to the general public.
- CreatorJared SternStarsMichael DouglasAdam DevineIlana GlazerAn animated series based on the popular Dr. Seuss story "Green Eggs and Ham."Believe it or not, despite its TV-Y7 rating and the source material it's adapted from, the show was able to somehow include at least two uses of "suck" throughout its second season, showcasing how even adaptations of franchises aimed at younger audiences are capable of including such material.
- DirectorAndy SurianoAnt WardStarsBen SchwartzOmar Benson MillerBrandon Mychal SmithWhen a mysterious stranger arrives from the future with a dire warning, Leo is forced to rise and lead his brothers, Raph, Donnie, and Mikey in a fight to save the world from a terrifying alien species.Also despite its TV-Y7 rating, this is the first fully animated TMNT production to ever use words like "god" and "badass" in any kind of capacity whatsoever, once again thanks to the regulation free environment provided by its streaming home (i.e. Netflix).
- CreatorAdam MutoPendleton WardStarsMadeleine MartinRoz RyanTom KennyFionna, her best friend Cake and the former Ice King, Simon Petrikov, embark on an adventure through the multiverse, dodging new threats and making self-discoveries along the way.Like Samurai Jack before it, Cartoon Network's iconic Adventure Time franchise breaks free of S&P regulations and goes on a path of more mature storytelling with stronger profanity like "piss," "damn," and "balls," and blood-induced violence graphic enough for it to be worthy of its TV-14 rating.
- DirectorCurt GedaStarsWill FriedleMark HamillKevin ConroyThe Joker is back with a vengeance, and Gotham's newest Dark Knight needs answers as he stands alone to face Gotham's most infamous Clown Prince of Crime.While more mature/adult DC content had existed for quite a while (primarily of the live action side of thing with the Superman films and programs, and Tim Burton's Batman movies), the eventual release of the uncut copy of this DCAU movie (and eventual replacement of its original altered version) resulted it in becoming the very first fully animated DC production to be given a PG-13 rating by the MPA (while it still limited its vulgarity to a few uses of "god.").
- CreatorTony GilroyStarsDiego LunaKyle SollerStellan SkarsgårdPrequel series to Star Wars' 'Rogue One'. In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero.While Star Wars has always had some levels of swearing throughout its history, and PG-13/TV-14 rated content from the franchise has existed since 2005, Andor was the very first Star Wars production to actually cater more to adults rather than children, which includes clear instances of off-screen sex, more realistic gun-like blasters, clear allusions to real-world protests and violence, and the very first use of "shit" in the franchise's history in the third episode respectively.
- DirectorMarc ForsterStarsEwan McGregorHayley AtwellBronte CarmichaelA working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.The very first Winnie the Pooh production to be given a PG rating, this film saw the iconic "silly old bear" see his bestest friend grow up just like this film's target audience with a story that included a brief glimpse of Christopher Robin in combat, discussions of leaving your childhood behind, and the franchise's very first bit of vulgarity in any kind of capacity (i.e. "God.").
- CreatorRoberto Aguirre-SacasaStarsLili ReinhartCamila MendesCole SprouseWhile navigating the troubled waters of romance, school and family, Archie and his gang become entangled in dark Riverdale mysteries.This now iconic adaptation of the Archie Andrews comics see him and his colleagues uncover murders, mysteries, and abnormal activity that involves FCC-friendly profanity like "damn" and "bitch," and an increasingly self-aware take on both its mystery tropes and comic book origins, all taking place "in a little town called Riverdale."
- DirectorCraig GillespieStarsEmma StoneEmma ThompsonJoel FryA live-action prequel feature film following a young Cruella de Vil.This alternate universe origin story of one of Disney's most devilish villains sees multiple deaths, deliberate PG-13-level arson, and an entire story about revenge of a woman that also involves brutally fatal outcomes.
- CreatorTim FederleStarsJoshua BassettJulia LesterFrankie A. RodriguezThe students from the school where the High School Musical films were shot stage a musical production based on the franchise.This original Disney+ launch title was able to take good advantage its fictional documentary framing device and use it to get away with things that Disney Channel almost certainly prohibited the original HSM trilogy from having, such as mild language such as "hell" and "damn," and even much stronger (albeit censored) expletives like "bitch" and "shit" respectively.
- CreatorElliott OwenStarsLaya DeLeon HayesMakana SayGunnar SizemorePo, the Dragon Master, faces his greatest challenge: teaching Kung Fu to rambunctious panda kids with mysterious chi powers. They journey together, fighting villains and becoming legends.While it was still made with kids in mind just like all the movies and series before it, The Paws of Destiny was actually able to get away with couple instances of vulgarity that Nickelodeon almost certainly prevented Legends of Awesomeness from having, specifically one use of the phrase "oh my god," and a couple uses of "crap" respectively.
- StarsSteve BlumGrey GriffinEric BauzaThe terrorist organization Cobra unleashes a new scheme to take over the world, and it's up to the G.I. Joe elite commandos to stop them.A direct sequel to a show infamous for being one of the earliest instances of "family-friendly firearms" being in place of weapons in kid-appealing content, this Adult Swim miniseries sees COBRA committing mass genocide, multiple blood-induced (TV-14 limits notwithstanding) deaths on both sides, mild swearing like "hell" and "damn," and actual use of realistic guns in combat instead of blasters respectively.
- DirectorRob LettermanStarsRyan ReynoldsJustice SmithKathryn NewtonIn a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective.Using a bit of the wisecrack and snakiness that made Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool films a massive success, Detective Pikachu also brings some PG-friendly cursing into the mix, making it the very first Pokemon production to ever include such dialogue, which includes expletives like "hell," "damn," and even one unfinished "s-bomb" respectively.
- DirectorDaisy von Scherler MayerStarsFrances McDormandNigel HawthorneHatty JonesHorrified at the prospect of her beloved school being sold, a young French girl uses her wit and craftiness to attempt to save it, making an unlikely new friend in the process.Admittedly almost solely just to ensure a more general audience-friendly PG rating, this 1998 film adaptation of the classic Ludwig Bemelmans books has at least two almost completely out of place uses of "damn" that were each uttered by some of the film's leading antagonists.
- CreatorDave FiloniStarsRosario DawsonDavid TennantNatasha Liu BordizzoAfter the fall of the Galactic Empire, former Jedi Ahsoka Tano investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.Like Andor before it, albeit with those that've grown up with Star Wars Rebels on Disney XD, Ahsoka rewards those that've given the show a chance with more sophisticated storytelling, on-screen stabbings, darker undertones, morally gray situations on both sides, and at least one use of "hell" in the show's 8th episode, making this the first Star Wars production with Ahsoka to have ever included such vulgarity since The Clone Wars.
- DirectorJeff RoweKyler SpearsStarsMicah AbbeyShamon Brown Jr.Nicolas CantuThe Turtle brothers work to earn the love of New York City while facing down an army of mutants.While the ROTTMNT finale movie listed above already introduced to TMNT the strongest profanity it'll ever have under current Nickelodeon leadership, Mutant Mayhem is the franchise's very first fully animated entry that was actually consistently profane from the start, with multiple uses of "hell" instead of "shell" puns from the 2003 and 2012 shows, "crap" instead of "crud," & some surprisingly graphic on-screen killings to go along with it.
- StarsAndrew MorgadoCherise BootheChris FriesAfter Neo Cortex, Dr. N. Tropy and Uka Uka were last stranded on a distant planet. After decades of fruitless attempts, the trio finally make their escape, ripping an Evil-Scientist-sized hole in the fabric of space-time in the process. Now all that stands between them and total dominion over the multiverse are two fuzzy marsupials from N. Sanity Island.After 20+ years of crudeness antics by PlayStation's unofficial Mario/Sonic-like mascot, It's About Time becomes the very first installment in the franchise's main flagship game series to ever express such crudeness through its dialogue, featuring words such as "kickass," "bastard," and even one use of "bollocks" respectively.
- DirectorJohn LeeStarsPaul ReubensJordan BlackDoug CoxA fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first holiday ever in this epic story of friendship and destiny.The late Paul Reuben's final outing as the iconic man child from the hit movies and show, Pee-Wee's Big Holiday delves into some more adult humor than the character's previous ventures ever did, with some breast-related humor, male strippers in pillow fights (This IS a Pee-Wee Herman movie after all) and even some uses of language such as the words "damn," and "badass" respectively.
- DirectorWalt DohrnTim HeitzStarsAnna KendrickJustin TimberlakeKenan ThompsonPoppy discovers that Branch was once part of the boy band 'BroZone' with his brothers, Floyd, John Dory, Spruce and Clay. When Floyd is kidnapped, Branch and Poppy embark on a journey to reunite his two other brothers and rescue Floyd.While it's most definitely still made with children in mind, Band Together completes this Trolls trilogy as, more or less, the edgiest one out of all of them, with one clear use of the phrase "good as hell" in one of its first songs, and even one censored "s-bomb" as well.
- CreatorStan LeeJack KirbyBeau DeMayoStarsCal DoddGeorge BuzaHolly ChouA band of mutants use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them; they're challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.A gift to the fans who grew up watching it on Fox Kids, this direct sequel to X-Men: The Animated Series takes advantage of its high budget and streaming environment to deliver an upgraded version of the iconic show, which involves a more cinematic (but still familiar) presentation, blood-filled violence and gore, and the inclusion of swear words like "damn" and "crap" respectively.
- CreatorRob LettermanNicholas StollerStarsZack MorrisIsa BrionesMiles McKenna"Goosebumps" is a horror series telling the story of a group of five high school students who unleash supernatural forces upon their town. Now, they must work together in order to save it."Scarier than you remember" is the tagline, and it's perfectly fitting, with a number of frights, violence, and swearing that surpass even their presence in the 2015 movie, with the cursing in question including things like "damn," "ass," and even "son of a bitch" at one point respectively.
- DirectorWill GluckStarsJames CordenFayssal BazziDomhnall GleesonA rabbit sneaks into a garden to steal food, and they get a new challenge with a new owner.A rather controversial instance of this when it first premiered, this reinvention of the iconic children's book character literally drops him into the present day with polarizing, yet overall acceptable (to critics at least) results that involved him engaging in some reckless behavior, a number of snarkiness amongst its characters, and even a quick use of "damn" in one of the songs played in the film respectively.
- CreatorBob KaneReimagining of the Batman mythology.*Quality guaranteed/Waiting for full premiere for exact details on content*
- CreatorAdi ShankarStarsNathaniel CurtisCaroline FordYves BigerelYear 1992. The United States has been renamed Eden, a technocracy dominated by corruption. Super soldier Dolph Laserhawk is locked up in the Supermaxx maximum security prison. He leads a team of rebels under the orders of a shady director.For Ubisoft's Rayman franchise. From swearing up a storm whenever he's not hosting his talk show, to getting high on cocaine and other subsequent TV-MA-worthy endeavours, this successful reimagining of Ubisoft's unofficial mascot does to the character what the N64 game, Conker's Very Bad Day was able to do with its titular protagonist back in 2001 when it was first released.
- StarsFrank WelkerQuinton FlynnJ.D. RothA teenager and his extended family investigate the supernatural and other mysteries around the world.Commissioned by Cartoon Network to attract a wider (but still young) audience, this modernized take of the classic Hanna-Barbara series sees the it take cues from other action shows produced at the time and conjures up something that possibly finally lives up to the franchise's potential, with the show even using the word "hell" at some point.