10 Incredible Movies That Simply Wouldn’t Work Today

Throughout the history of cinema, there have been many fantastic movies that just could not be made today. Movies always reflect the era in which they were produced, and this is why it’s not always fair to dismiss older films just because they cannot live up to the progressive values of modern times. It’s important to watch old films with a critical eye and know that just because something does not live up to the politically correct era of today, that doesn’t mean it’s totally without worth or should be cast into obscurity.

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Many of the best films ever made have issues when it comes to their depiction of gender, politics, or racial topics, and viewers should watch them with the knowledge that as times change, social conventions of acceptability are modernized. This is a sign of society moving toward more progressive and forward-thinking viewpoints, which highlight the advances that have been made in terms of inclusivity and minority representation. Just because these films couldn’t be made in the same way today, that doesn’t mean viewers can’t go back and enjoy them with a critical eye.

10 Tropic Thunder (2008)

Robert Downey Jr.’s controversial use of blackface wouldn’t sit right with audiences today

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10 8.3/10 Tropic Thunder RComedyActionWar

Written and directed by Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder follows a group of bumbling actors attempting to make a Vietnam War film, who find themselves dropped into a real-life warzone when they are abandoned in the middle of the jungle they are shooting the film in. Stiller also stars in the film, with an ensemble cast that includes Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., and Jay Baruchel. 

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*Availability in US Release Date August 13, 2008 Runtime 107 minutes Cast Ben Stiller , Robert Downey Jr. , Matthew McConaughey , Tom Cruise , Jack Black Director Ben Stiller Writers Justin Theroux , Etan Cohen , Ben Stiller Budget $92 million Studio(s) DreamWorks Distribution Distributor(s) DreamWorks Distribution , Paramount Pictures Expand

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Ben Stiller’s satirical action movie Tropic Thunder has remained one of the greatest comedies of the 2000s, yet it’s hard to imagine it being made today. This was down primarily to Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Kirk Lazarus, utilizing blackface through a controversial “pigmentation alteration” surgery. As a five-time Academy Award winner, Lazarus’s extreme method acting practices made him a legendary actor in the world of Tropic Thunder and was a hilarious jab at real-world actors who go to extreme lengths to commit to their roles.

Stiller himself doubts Tropic Thunder could be made today (via Collider), as he said the current climate means that “edgier comedy is just harder to do,” and that even though having Downey play an African American was “dicey” back then, he felt they could get away with it because it was clear who the joke was on. While it would be tough to get away with the humor in Tropic Thunder today, the sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia had a similar premise when Rob McElhenney controversially used blackface to play Murtaugh in a fake Lethal Weapon sequel, so it’s not impossible.

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9 Blazing Saddles (1974)

The use of racial slurs makes Blazing Saddles uncomfortable in the modern age

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10 9.6/10 Blazing Saddles RComedyWestern

Written and directed by Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles stars Cleavon Little as Bart, a black sheriff appointed in a small frontier town by Hedley Lamarr, a railroad man who believes Bart’s appointment will destabilize the town enough to drive everyone out and allow him to build a new railroad line through it. Instead, with the help of gunslinger Jim the Waco Kid, Bart works to thwart Lamarr’s schemes. Gene Wilder and Harvey Korman star alongside Little.  

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*Availability in US Release Date February 7, 1974 Runtime 93 minutes Cast Cleavon Little , gene wilder , Slim Pickens , Harvey Korman , Madeline Kahn , Mel Brooks Director Mel Brooks Writers Mel Brooks , Norman Steinberg , Andrew Bergman , Richard Pryor , Alan Uger Budget $2.6 million Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand

Blazing Saddles is one of the most frequently spoken examples of movies that couldn’t be made today, and that’s for good reason. While it’s impossible to deny the trailblazing nature of this film, which ridiculed racism and highlighted prejudices within the Western genre and Hollywood in general, the extensive use of slurs makes Blazing Saddles feel highly uncomfortable. The language in Blazing Saddles had a purpose, but if somebody tried to remake this classic in the 21st century, they would have to modernize how they got this message across.

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The over-the-top depiction of stereotypes relating to Black characters, Native Americans, and Chinese laborers is also out of step with modern representations and would need to be a far more nuanced portrayal to work today. Blazing Saddles was a satire aimed at the time and place it was produced, so it makes sense that standards have changed in the years since. With considerations for evolving conversations around issues of race, for a modern take on Blazing Saddles to have the same kind of cultural impact on the movie industry today, it would need to do things a lot differently.

8 Léon: The Professional (1994)

The sexualization of child actor Natalie Portman feels totally out of step with modern times

leon poster

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Léon: The Professional pg-13ActionDramaCrime

Directed by Luc Besson, the 1994 thriller Leon: The Professional tells the story of professional hitman Leon (Jean Reno), who forms a bond with young girl Mathilda (Natalie Portman) after taking her as a protégée after corrupt DEA agent Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman) kills her family.

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*Availability in US Release Date September 14, 1994 Runtime 110 Minutes Main Genre Action Cast Jean Reno , Natalie Portman , Gary Oldman , Danny Aiello , Peter Appel , Randolph Scott , Michael Badalucco , Ellen Greene Director Luc Besson Writers Luc Besson Budget $16 million Studio(s) Columbia Pictures Distributor(s) Columbia Pictures Expand
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While Léon: The Professional was an acclaimed action movie that perfectly encapsulated writer and director Luc Besson’s signature style, the way it depicted Natalie Portman’s character just feels rather icky today. Portman was just 12 years old when she played Mathilda Lando in Léon, and its story about her unusual relationship with an older hitman pushed things into uncomfortable territory. It’s hard to deny Léon’s status as a classic thriller, but a film that borders on the exploitation and sexualization of a child actor in this way just couldn’t be made today.

Portman herself has expressed her “complicated” feelings toward Léon: The Professional (via Vanity Fair) and said that even though “it gave me my career,” she agrees that it definitely has some “cringey” aspects to it. These uncomfortable aspects of Léon were reinforced by the fact that Besson’s then wife was just 16 years old while the movie was being filmed. As an engaging film that’s bursting with style, the divisive nature of Léon’s controversial central relationship means it’s unlikely it would be made today.

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7 The Searchers (1956)

The depiction of Native Americans in The Searchers feels problematic today

the searchers poster

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8.3/10 The Searchers pg-13WesternDrama

The Searchers is a 1956 Western drama starring John Wayne. Wayne stars as Ethan Edwards, who goes searching for his missing niece after his brother’s family is killed by the Comanche tribe. Helmed by director John Ford, The Searchers is now considered one of the greatest American Westerns ever made.

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*Availability in US Release Date March 13, 1956 Runtime 119minutes Cast John Wayne Director John Ford Writers John Ford Budget $3.75million Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand

While John Ford’s classic Western The Searchers was an undeniable masterpiece of its genre, it’s impossible not to notice its controversial depiction of Native Americans and indigenous cultures. Although this was one of the first films that attempted to address the brutality white settlers directed at Indigenous people in America, it was still a product of its time and lacked the nuanced depiction of today’s media. With outdated stereotypes that showcased simplistic barbarity, there are aspects of The Searchers that can’t be viewed as anything but downright racist.

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However, it’s not fair to judge The Searchers so harshly, as all Western movies from this time had problematic racial depictions, and it was only in revisionist Westerns of later decades that these faults were more thoroughly explored. Ford even admitted in a 1964 interview (via Studlar & Bernstein) that there was “merit to the charge that the Indian hasn’t been portrayed accurately or fairly” in Western movies from his era. This realization was seen in the way his later movies, such as The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, unpacked the myth of the Old West.

6 American Beauty (1999)

The central plot about an older man lusting after his teenage daughter’s friend feels inappropriate

American Beauty (1999)

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American Beauty RDrama

American Beauty, released in 1999, is a drama film directed by Sam Mendes. It follows the life of Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, a disillusioned suburban father undergoing a profound midlife crisis. Annette Bening co-stars as his ambitious wife, Carolyn. The film explores themes of beauty, desire, and existential ennui within the confines of American suburbia.

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*Availability in US Release Date September 15, 1999 Runtime 122 minutes Main Genre Drama Cast Kevin Spacey , Annette Bening , Thora Birch , Wes Bentley , Mena Suvari , Peter Gallagher , Allison Janney , Chris Cooper Director Sam Mendes Writers Alan Ball Budget $15 Million Studio(s) Jinks/Cohen Company Distributor(s) DreamWorks Pictures Expand
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American Beauty gained universal acclaim in 1999 and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sam Mendes, Best Actor for Kevin Spacey, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. As a glimpse into the cultural ennui of suburbia at the dawn of the millennium, its provocative, funny, and thoughtful exploration of class crisis struck a chord with viewers at the time. However, changing social norms and attitudes mean American Beauty just doesn’t hold up in the same way today, particularly in the wake of sexual abuse allegations against Spacey.

The central story of American Beauty revolves around Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) fantasizing about his teenage daughter’s friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). While the film does criticize this behavior, the real-world charges against Spacey for grooming and abusing young men cast a dark shadow over the themes of American Beauty. It’s hard to think of another film whose reputation has taken as big a battering as American Beauty, and while it’s still a fascinating snapshot into the time out of which it was produced, its dark associations make it a tough rewatch.

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5 The Crying Game (1992)

The depiction of the transgender character is out of step with modern representation standards

The Crying Game Film Poster

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The Crying Game RDramaCrimeThriller

The Crying Game is a drama-thriller directed by Neil Jordan. The film follows Fergus, an Irish Republican Army member, who becomes entwined in a complex relationship with the girlfriend of a kidnapped British soldier. Starring Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson, and Forest Whitaker, the narrative explores themes of identity, loyalty, and transformation amidst the backdrop of political turmoil.

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*Availability in US Release Date November 27, 1992 Runtime 112 Minutes Main Genre Drama Cast Stephen Rea , Miranda Richardson , Jaye Davidson , Forest Whitaker , Adrian Dunbar , Breffni McKenna , Joe Savino , Birdy Sweeney Director Neil Jordan Writers Neil Jordan Expand

Neil Jordan’s 1992 crime thriller The Crying Game was a powerful exploration of race, sex, nationality, and sexuality against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. With Stephen Rea as Fergus, a member of the IRA who enters an unexpected romantic relationship with the lover of a British soldier, The Crying Game was a bold, twist-filled exploration of marginalized people that questioned the cultural sensitivities of the time. The shocking revelation that Fergus’s seeming cis-gendered love interest was actually transgender was a development that pushed viewers out of their comfort zone.

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While the intentions of The Crying Game were admirable, it also reinforced stereotypical portrayals of transgender characters, and the twist revelation of their gender identity could come across as exploitative. Add to this that the transgender character was portrayed by the cis man Jaye Davidson, and it’s clear this was a film made before those of non-traditional gender identities were commonly being cast in major movies. While The Crying Game was a trailblazing film for its time, a modern remake would need to be a lot more nuanced in its portrayal of transgender issues.

4 Manhattan (1979)

Woody Allen’s character’s relationship with a 17-year-old girl feels problematic today

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10/10 Manhattan RComedyDramaRomance

Manhattan, directed by Woody Allen, is a romantic comedy-drama that explores the complexities of relationships against the backdrop of New York City. Starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, and Mariel Hemingway, the film delves into themes of love, infidelity, and the search for happiness in urban life. Shot in black and white, it’s noted for its iconic imagery and a score featuring Gershwin’s music.

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*Availability in US Release Date April 25, 1979 Runtime 96 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Cast Woody Allen , Diane Keaton , Mariel Hemingway , Michael Murphy , Meryl Streep , Anne Byrne Hoffman , Karen Ludwig , Michael O’Donoghue Director Woody Allen Writers Woody Allen , Marshall Brickman Expand
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Along with Annie Hall, Manhattan best represents Woody Allen’s unique sense of humor, as its exploration of modern romance and urban life made it a classic of its era. However, looking back on Manhattan, it’s hard not to be struck by its many problematic elements. The most glaring issue when viewed through a contemporary lens was Allen’s character of Isaac Davis dating the 17-year-old Tracy, played by Mariel Hemingway in an Academy Award-nominated performance.

While Manhattan does address the power imbalance at the heart of Isaac and Tracey’s relationship, it received much more scrutiny in the 2010s following the renewed allegations of sexual assault against Allen by his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow (via Vanity Fair.) Although there have always been significant age discrepancies between older actors paired with much younger actresses, it would feel jarring today if this big of a relationship gap were depicted in a movie as anything other than problematic and predatory.

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3 White Chicks (2004)

The gender and racial insensitivity of White Chicks would receive far more criticism today

White Chicks - Poster

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8/10 White Chicks PG-13ComedyCrime

White Chicks is a comedy film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans. Released in 2004, the story follows FBI agents Kevin and Marcus Copeland, played by Shawn and Marlon Wayans, who go undercover as white women to protect socialite heirs from a kidnapping plot. The film notably combines elements of crime investigation and humorous identity swaps, focusing on the agents’ comedic challenges while disguised in their new roles.

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*Availability in US Release Date June 23, 2004 Runtime 109 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Cast Marlon Wayans , Shawn Wayans , Busy Philipps , Maitland Ward , Jaime King , Frankie Faison , Lochlyn Munro , John Heard Director Keenen Ivory Wayans Writers Keenen Ivory Wayans , Shawn Wayans , Marlon Wayans , Andrew McElfresh , Michael Anthony Snowden , Xavier Cook Expand

While the idea of white actors using blackface for the purposes of comedy was already considered incredibly problematic in 2004, the same cannot be said for the reverse. This was the entire premise of White Chicks, the buddy cop comedy that saw Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans play FBI agents who go undercover as ditzy white women to investigate a plot around kidnapped rich socialites. While White Chicks was a hit at the box office at the time, it’s difficult to imagine any filmmaker attempting to make this movie today.

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Not only does the use of whiteface in White Chicks bring up important questions around the appropriateness of this type of racial representation, but the Wayans brothers’ crossdressing could also be seen as insensitive toward transgender communities. While White Chicks was a comedy, and it’s sometimes acceptable to push social boundaries, this movie did not add anything meaningful to the discussion of these issues and lacked the nuance needed to get away with this kind of subversive portrayal today.

2 Mrs. Doubtfire (1994)

Despite its beloved reputation, the story was truly unsettling

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7/10 Mrs. Doubtfire PG-13DramaFamilyComedy

Starring Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard, Mrs. Doubtfire follows a struggling actor going through a divorce who, at the prospect of never being able to see his children again, poses as an elderly British nanny in order to spend time with him, fooling them and his ex-wife in the process. As Mrs. Doubtfire becomes more and more important to the family, Daniel begins to struggle with keeping his secret, and the toll it continues to have on his relationship with his family outside of the character. Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, and Harvey Fierstein also star. 

Release Date November 24, 1993 Runtime 125 minutes Cast Pierce Brosnan , Mara Wilson , Robin Williams , Sally Field , Matthew Lawrence Director Chris Columbus Writers Leslie Dixon , Randi Mayem Singer Budget $25 million Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Expand

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On paper, the concept of Mrs. Doubtfire feels absolutely ridiculous as a divorced father dresses up as an elderly housekeeper to infiltrate the lives of his ex-wife and spend time with his children. This almost feels like it could be describing the plot of a horror movie if not for Robin Williams’s hilarious performance and intense commitment to the role. While one of the biggest reasons Mrs. Doubtfire couldn’t be made today is because Williams is no longer around to play the part, many other factors mean it just doesn’t work when viewed through a modern lens.

The central issue was Williams’ crossdressing as Mrs. Doubtfire, which brings up issues around gender identity and whether it’s appropriate to impersonate women for the sake of comedy. Mrs. Doubtfire also addressed divorce in a manner that feels wholly problematic as Williams manipulated the situation for his own gain and even gaslit his wife and children into believing he truly was an elderly nanny. Although Mrs. Doubtfire still boasts plenty of laughs today, a remake would have to take into account the current discussion around gender identity to truly work.

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1 Gone With The Wind (1939)

The portrayal of slavery, racism, and the Civil War feels totally dated

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9.5/10 Gone With the Wind pg-13DramaDocumentaryRomanceWar

Based on Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel, Gone With the Wind follows Scarlett O’Hara, the daughter of a plantation owner in the American South during the Civil War. Through the hardships of the war and the Reconstruction Era, Scarlett’s intense romantic life is documented, particularly her relationship with two different men Ashley Wilkes and Rhett Butler. Vivien Leigh stars as Scarlett, with Clark Gable as Rhett. 

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*Availability in US Release Date December 15, 1939 Runtime 238 minutes Cast Thomas Mitchell , Barbara O’Neil , Vivien Leigh , Evelyn Keyes , Ann Rutherford , George Reeves , Hattie McDaniel Director Victor Fleming , George Cukor , Sam Wood Writers Margaret Mitchell , Sidney Howard , Oliver H.P. Garrett , Ben Hecht , Jo Swerling , John Van Druten Budget $3.85 million Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer , Warner Bros. Pictures Expand

The epic romance Gone with the Wind was one of the most successful movies of all time and has gained a place in popular culture as a true classic. However, looking back on it today, it’s shocking how Gone with the Wind glorified slavery and the Lost Cause of the Confederacy myth. While it’s still possible to praise Gone with the Wind for its technical achievements and powerful storytelling, it truly was a product of its time, and there’s no way a film with this kind of viewpoint would be released today.

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While Gone with the Wind was notable for its problematic depiction of race, it also led to the first Academy Award win for an African American, as Hattie McDaniel earned the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Mammy. This juxtaposition between content and result made Gone with the Wind a fascinating document of its time. While Gone with the Wind still holds an important place in popular culture, it’s far from politically correct when viewed through a modern lens.

Source: Collider, Vanity Fair, Studlar & Bernstein, Vanity Fair

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