Nothing ruins a family movie night quicker than an awkward scene. One second, you’re enjoying a film with your parents, and the next, you’re avoiding eye contact with your parents and wondering if you should escape to the bathroom. Whether the catalyst was a sexy scene, obscene humor, or revolting horror, most of us have been in that uncomfortable position. We asked the Bookstr team to give us movies and shows they refuse to watch with their parents to save themselves the discomfort.
No Spice!
One thing I would definitely never watch with my mom is Jane the Virgin. Despite the name of the show, the content is not overly sexual or graphic. However, sex is discussed in practically every episode in some way. Whether the grandma in the show is explaining it to a child, or two adults waiting until marriage are discussing it, it is overall an awkward thing to listen to with a parent.
Here’s a quick, awkward story. My sister, mom, and I all love Titanic, however, there is that one scene with Jack and Rose in the old antique car. As we were watching the movie together, this was my first time watching it, the scene started spicing up, and we all went silent. My mom fast-forwarded the scene so all we saw was a stop-motion preview of the picture playing on the TV. Once it was over, we continued watching like nothing happened, but the energy in the room was definitely awkward and uncomfortable for a little while.
— Nicole Vecchia, Social
I’d say Bridgerton, for sure! Every time a new season comes out, my friends and I plan a night in where we will make British-themed food and drinks to binge-watch the show at one of their places. I would be mortified to watch any of the steamy scenes with my parents around simply because they are my parents.
— Alysha Medina, Outreach
After enduring far too many awkward moments while watching movies with my parents (Ghost and Battle of the Sexes come to mind), I am an avid IMDb parents’ guide user. It’s meant to be used by parents for children, but in my case, it’s the opposite! It’s saved me from uncomfortable moments more times than I can remember. That being said, I would never watch anything too intimate like Normal People or Call Me by Your Name. I also don’t like us watching anything with extremely heavy topics, violence, or cursing, like Shameless, because I know they wouldn’t enjoy it. So, we stick to light rom-coms, action movies, and classics during movie night!
— Laura Marine, Editorial
No Odd or Obscene Humor!
Oh man, there are a lot. Definitely anything sexual: Sex Education is the most obvious one, but also Sinners (GREAT movie and everyone should watch it, but very horny lol) and either of Vivziepop’s shows. I would also not watch most anime with my parents just because it’s not their thing, but especially not Kakegurui (again, very horny), and while I love The Amazing Digital Circus, I think its particular brand of weirdness would not sit well with them. That said, I have watched Jo Koy’s comedy specials with my parents, and his jokes can get pretty gross — the one that sticks out to me involves something hormonal teenage boys do with their socks, and I’ll leave it at that.
— Phoebe Pineda, Editorial
My mom does not “get” anything low-brow, internet humor, or genre stuff (sci-fi/fantasy/horror), so we don’t share a lot of common interests when it comes to entertainment. She saw me wearing a shirt from Buzzfeed Unsolved a few years ago and asked about it. I explained the general premise — a skeptic and a believer investigate the paranormal and cold cases, hilarity ensues — so she asked to watch some. I showed her the “Goatman’s Bridge” episode, and she sat there in silence for half an hour as I cackled, looking at me like I had lost my noggin. If it’s not in the running for an Oscar or a Palme d’Or, she has no interest, so I’ve stopped trying.
— Cara Broel, Editorial & Outreach
A movie I will always rewatch when available, but probably never encourage my parents to join in on, would be Bottoms. It’s the definition of “camp,” and watching a 26-year-old Ayo Edebiri play a teenager pretending to be a former juvie inmate will never not make me laugh. While some of the sexual references (including the title itself) might deter me from watching it with my family, the real hurdle would be the shockingly violent final scene. I don’t think I could bear to witness my parents’ disgust as they try to understand why sprinklers full of pineapple juice could lead to such a ridiculous (but hilarious) ending—if you know, you know.
— Mandy Holliday, Social
A movie I would never watch with my parents is Neighbors. I love Zac Efron, but the dirty jokes, sex scenes, and crude humor even made me uncomfortable watching it with my cousin. There is no way that I could even sit in the same room as my parents with that movie on.
— Solenn Vincent, Social
No Profanity!
No hesitation Hazbin Hotel, I would not watch with my mom. The amount of swear words and sexual content just isn’t her thing. It’s not normally my thing either, but for some reason, I like Hazbin anyway.
— Kira Dancik, Outreach
Which movies and shows do you refuse to watch with your parents? Let us know on Facebook, Bluesky, Twitter/X, or Instagram!
Want to discover spicy novels releasing this year? Check out this article!
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