Dark Childhood Shows: The fun, whimsical and lighthearted TV shows from our childhood make us look back fondly to a time that once was full of happiness and fun. We watched these shows for hours, without a care in the world, losing ourselves in the beauty of the magical world. However, as adulthood hits and we rewatch these shows for a sliver of the magic, we are confronted by the reality of what these shows are – beneath the colour animations and quirky characters, these shows tackled themes of mortality, trauma and existential dread that show them in a newer light.
Dark Childhood Shows on Rewatching
Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999–2002)
On the surface, Courage was a funny little dog, wise beyond his years, and only interested in keeping Muriel and Eustace alive from various amusing threats in the middle of nowhere. However, as adults, this is one of those dark kids shows that was pure nightmare fuel. From grotesque villains and dangerous monsters straight out of a nightmare to themes of isolation and helplessness, the series was surprisingly dark and twisted. Although as children we never seemed to understand the circumstances and the consequences of the situations, as adults, they feel relatable in many ways… or just plain creepy. The Demon in the Mattress, yeah, I am looking at you!
The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1988–1991)
Pooh and his motley crew were and still are a hugely popular show that entertained hundreds of children. However, when you look back on the show, you can clearly see the underlying mental health themes just below the surface that add a twinge of sadness to the characters. Each character can be read as a personification of a psychological struggle: Eeyore with depression, Piglet with anxiety, Tigger with hyperactivity, and even Pooh with disordered eating. As adults, we find these traits more relatable and less amusing or quirky and subtly point to how fragile human beings are.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)
Avatar was an extremely fun and entertaining martial arts fantasy adventure series that kids loved to watch and rewatch. However, there’s much more darkness amid this fun kids’ show than we could’ve ever imagined, including genocide, colonisation, child soldiers, and moral ambiguity in war. Zuko’s redemption arc, Iroh’s grief for his late son, and the Fire Nation’s oppressive rule make the show much more layered than the average children’s series. While kids will have a swell time with the cool action sequences, adults who rewatch the show will find themselves having a completely different experience. It’s a great example of cartoons with hidden meanings, leaving adults shocked.
Pokémon (1997–Present)
Ash and Pikachu’s cheerful adventure was a household staple in the early 2000s, but a closer look might reveal darker implications. The entire concept of capturing wild animals and making them battle for sport until exhaustion is not only a terrible and heartbreaking thought, but it can also feel extremely close to home at times. For example, Cubone wearing its dead mother’s skull on its head and crying, thinking of her, is nothing but heartbreaking and surprisingly morbid for a kids’ show. And although it’s still a colourful adventure, a little scratch beneath the surface brings out unsettling undertones that can change the show forever!
Thomas & Friends (1984–2021)
This cheerful British series might feel harmless and enjoyable, but a closer re-examination takes us on a dark, heartbreaking journey that will leave adults heartbroken. Engines are punished harshly for disobedience, sometimes bricked up in tunnels or banished in a cruel twist of fate. The weirdly authoritarian and dystopian sense of control and the strictness with which Sir Topham Hatt controls his engines will make any adult uncomfortable. Episodes such as Henry being bricked inside a tunnel or Scruffy being torn apart are sad and borderline abusive and will leave viewers uncomfortable.
Children’s shows carry moral lessons or are cautionary tales that can teach kids a lot of things. However, as adults, we understand the implications of these situations that bring out the cruelty that is sometimes shown. What we once thought of as quirky cartoons reflects real fears, traumas, and societal critiques in adulthood.
Which of these shows left you traumatised as an adult? Let us know in the comments below!
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