17 Most Awkward Movies To Watch With Your Parents
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We’ve all been there: you sit down for a cozy movie night with your folks, popcorn in hand, only to realize you’ve picked a film that’s just a tad too… well, awkward. Some movies aren’t meant for family viewing – whether it’s steamy scenes, uncomfortable humor, or just plain awkward moments.
You might want to avoid these toe-curling, cringe-inducing movies during your next family movie night. Viewer discretion is advised!
American Pie (1999)
Directed by Paul Weitz and written by Adam Herz, the film follows a group of high school friends who are determined to lose their virg!nity before graduation. Who can forget the infamous apple pie scene? Jason Biggs’s Jim Levenstein takes “warm apple pie” to a new level.
American Pie doesn’t shy away from touching upon themes like puberty, s3xual curiosity, and peer pressure. Its R rating for strong s3xual content, language, drinking, and crude humor underscores why it might be best enjoyed away from the parental gaze.
Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
Fifty Shades of Grey, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and based on the novel by E.L. James, is a steamy drama that explores the risqué relationship between college graduate Anastasia Steele and the enigmatic billionaire Christian Grey.
One of the most iconic and awkward scenes involves Christian introducing Anastasia to his “Red Room of Pain,” a private space filled with an array of subjection (Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadism, and Masochism) equipment. Fifty Shades of Grey was rated 18 for “frequent strong s3x and nud!ty, along with strong language.”
Black Swan (2010)
“Black Swan,” a psychological thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky, revolves around Nina Sayers (played by Natalie Portman), a ballerina whose obsession with perfection leads her down a dark and disturbing path.
The film explores complicated themes of mental illness, with Nina experiencing hallucinations and severe psychological distress. Her interactions with her domineering mother (played by Barbara Hershey) add another layer of discomfort, as the relationship borders on dysfunctional, highlighting overbearing parental control and emotional manipulation.
Borat (2006)
Directed by Larry Charles and starring Sacha Baron Cohen, this satirical mockumentary follows the eccentric Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev as he travels across the United States to make a documentary about American culture.
The naked wrestling scene between Borat and his producer, Azamat Bagatov, which involves full-frontal nud!ty and unsettling physical comedy, is a moment that elicits gasps and averts gazes. The film has been discussed extensively in academic circles and by cultural critics for its bold portrayal of racism, s3xism, and xenophobia, often holding a mirror to societal issues.
Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, this film is a critically acclaimed French film celebrated for its raw and evocative portrayal of a young woman’s journey of self-discovery and romantic entanglement. The film features several extended and graphic s3x scenes between the two female protagonists, Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos) and Emma (Léa Seydoux).
It delves into the protagonists’ struggles with identity and societal acceptance, reflecting broader LGBTQ+ issues that might provoke differing viewpoints between generations. Despite its critical success, the film had a limited release in the U.S., which often correlates with its challenging content.
Call Me by Your Name (2017)
“Call Me by Your Name” is a critically acclaimed drama that details the blossoming romance between 17-year-old Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and his father’s 24-year-old assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer), during a summer in 1980s Italy.
Directed by Luca Guadagnino and based on André Aciman’s novel of the same name, the film’s exploration of youthful desire and sexual awakening is beautifully rendered and highly intimate. The much-discussed “peach scene,” where Elio experiments with a piece of fruit in an act of s3xual curiosity, is particularly graphic and can be pretty jarring if viewed with older family members.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the infamous stockbroker Jordan Belfort, the movie delves deep into the hedonistic and often illegal antics of Wall Street’s high-flyers during the 1990s. The film’s frequent depictions of drug use, s3xual escapades, and lavish lifestyles can create countless uncomfortable moments.
In fact, The Wolf of Wall Street holds the record for the most instances of the f-word in a feature film, with a staggering 506 uses. The office o*gy scene also leaves very little to the imagination.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut,” revolves around Dr. Bill Harford (played by Tom Cruise), who embarks on a surreal and s3xually charged journey after his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) confesses her fantasies about another man. The movie tackles themes of marital fidel!ty, s3xual jealousy, and the exploration of hidden desires.
The atmosphere of voy3urism and surreal erot!cism (especially during the secretive masked ball) is intense and can be highly uncomfortable when viewed in a family environment.
Basic Instinct (1992)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven, this neo-noir thriller is infamous for its explicit content and provocative themes. The plot revolves around a brutal murder investigation, where the prime suspect is a manipulative and s3xually aggressive crime novelist.
The infamous interrogation scene, where Sharon Stone’s character, Catherine Tramell, sits in a police station, crossing and uncrossing her legs in a revealing manner, has become a cultural touchstone for its audacious display of s3xuality and brazen disregard for modesty. The movie discusses bis3xual!ty, sadomasoch!st!c subtext, and mentally intricate plot twists.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Based on Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novel, the film, directed by David Fincher, explores dark themes such as s3xual violence, corruption, and revenge. The film includes a harrowing rap3 scene involving Lisbeth Salander, portrayed by Rooney Mara, that is both explicit and brutal.
Additionally, the movie doesn’t shy away from exploring themes of inc3st, murder, and psychological trauma. These heavy subjects are presented raw and unfiltered, which can lead to uncomfortable silences and awkward glances.
Spring Breakers (2012)
Starring Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine, this 2012 release directed by Harmony Korine follows a group of college girls who find themselves entangled in a world of crime and chaos during their spring break vacation.
“Spring Breakers” is rampant with scenes of nud!ty, drug use, and s3xual escapades. Imagine trying to sit through the infamous thr33some scene featuring James Franco without wanting to crawl under a rock—not a family-friendly moment. The girls’ transformation from innocent students to armed robbers starkly portrays moral ambiguity.
Love (2015)
Love, Directed by the provocateur Gaspar Noé, delves into the volatile relationship between Murphy and Electra, exploring themes of love and passion. The film includes several scenes of non-simulated s3x that span over half its 135-minute runtime.
The 3D s3x scene screams, “Do not watch with parents. It aims to make viewers feel like they are part of the action—perhaps too much, especially in a family setting.
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
From heroin to diet pills, the film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, delves into the lives of four individuals spiraling out of control. The themes of addiction, desperation, and personal decay are intense, leaving little room for casual viewing.
Witnessing the characters’ mental and physical decline is incredibly uncomfortable. Jared Leto’s infected arm, Ellen Burstyn’s hallucinations, and Marlon Wayans’ incarceration scenes are grim, to say the least. Topics such as exploitation, body image issues, and mental illness are front and center, making family discussions afterward more awkward than enlightening.
Nymphomaniac (2013)
The movie explores the complex journey of a woman grappling with nymphoman!a, and it spares no detail in depicting her struggles. From candid s3x scenes to raw discussions about addiction and therapy, there’s plenty to make you squirm if you’re sitting next to Mom and Dad.
In a sequence, she attempts to ‘cure’ herself by engaging with multiple partners in a single night. This scene is explicit and leaves little to the imagination. Beyond s3x, the movie tackles the broader issue of addiction, with heavy scenes that parallel drug dependency and mental health challenges.
Showgirls (1995)
This 1995 cult classic, directed by Paul Verhoeven, is notorious for its bold approach to themes of s3x, power, and ambition within the Las Vegas strip club scene. Right from the get-go, the movie dives into the world of exotic dance, replete with nud!ty and racy performances that push the boundaries of comfort.
And who could forget the pool scene? Nomi’s sensual, gravity-defying movement in the water opposite Kyle MacLachlan’s character is an indelible spectacle of awkwardness. It’s a raw portrayal of how far someone might go (exploitation, manipulation, and the darker side of ambition) to achieve success.
Team America: World Police (2004)
Directed by Trey Parker, co-creator of South Park, this 2004 puppet-driven satire takes no prisoners when it comes to humor, skewering everything from Hollywood elites to global politics. The movie doesn’t shy away from graphic content, including a notorious puppet s3x scene that, while intended to be humorous, pushes the envelope on just about every level.
Limbs are blown off, guts are spilled, and nothing is too gruesome for these puppets. The tone shifts from vulgar humor to brutal critiques, making for a rollercoaster of a viewing experience that’s not family-friendly.
The Hangover (2009)
This 2009 comedy smash hit, directed by Todd Phillips, follows a wild bachelor party that goes epically wrong in Las Vegas. With its raunchy humor, explicit antics, and outlandish plot twists, The Hangover is a laugh riot—just maybe not the best choice for family movie night.
As hilarious as it is bizarre, Mike Tyson’s appearance involves a mix of violence and inappropriate humor. Tyson air-drumming to Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight” while threatening the gang is classic but potentially uncomfortable viewing. The final credits roll with a photo reel of explicit, outrageous photos documenting the group’s wild night.
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