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32 Issues You Might Have If You’re A Kid In A ’90s Movie

Childhood is pretty hard in the real world, but in the realm of ‘90s movies it seems like a bunch of unique scenarios could crop up. From the mundane to the far flung, if you’re a ’90s movie kid, these are some of the scenarios you’re more than likely going to have to face. So grab a juice box, and prepare accordingly through the contents of this list.

Lindsey Lohan in The Parent Trap.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)</span>

You Might Have A Secret Twin

Whether your parents separated when you were young, like in the The Parent Trap remake, or you just stumble upon your doppelganger straight out of the It Takes Two playbook, you might have a secret twin. Though you may not necessarily need to be a kid to learn a secret Parent Trap style connection actually exists in your life.

Anjelica Huston in The Witches

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Warner Bros.)</span>

If There Are Witches Around, They May Try To Eat You

Look, witches aren’t all bad, and deserve much more respect than they’re given. But if they happen to cook up magic potions like those wicked magic users from The Witches and Hocus Pocus, they might be plotting to have you for dinner. So just be sure you have an adult you know and trust to fall back on, in case things get dangerous.

The main cast of The Mighty Ducks.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Buena Vista Pictures)</span>

Sports Will Bond You To Some Of Your Best Friends

You don’t even need to be good at sports to learn that sports like baseball, hockey, or any other athletic competition are good bonding exercises. Be it childhood experiences playing like The Sandlot and The Mighty Ducks series, or even the supernatural luck for your favorite team like that of Angels in the Outfield, sports can lead to some pretty great relationships.

John Larroquette freaking out in the Rich family vault in Richie Rich.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Warner Bros.)</span>

Greedy Grownups Are The Ultimate Villains

Are you attached to a very special animal? Do you happen to be the heir to a massive fortune, with every convenience in life? Is a creep trying to turn your summer camp into a factory for skinny winners? Congratulations: you’ve learned through films like Gordy, Richie Rich, and Heavyweights that greedy adults are the ultimate heels; and you have permission to show them what for.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Pollack yelling in the basement in House Arrest.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Rysher Entertainment)</span>

If You’re Without Adult Supervision For Too Long, Chaos Will Undoubtedly Ensue

In this overall scenario, you are a child of the ‘90s. As such, you’re still learning life lessons, and need some adult supervision to make sure that helpful knowledge really sinks in. If you lack that sort of oversight, then you’ll probably find yourself in chaotic situations like those in Home Alone, House Arrest, and Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead.

A crazed Ben Stiller stands on stage in Heavyweights.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Walt Disney Pictures)</span>

If You Try To Tell Your Parents What’s Going On, They Won’t Get The Message Or They Won’t Believe You

Parents love to think that you ‘90s movie kids are too young to really know the score. In their eyes, Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller) of Heavyweights only has your best interests at heart. Or in the remake of Miracle on 34th Street, that gentleman that looks like Sir Richard Attenborough couldn’t really be Santa, could he? Don’t let that stop you from spreading the truth. 

Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Disney / Fox)</span>

When The Adults Fail To Take Down The Bad Guy, You Will Just Have To Do It Yourself 

This is your house! You have to defend it with some of the best booby traps of Home Alone when adults fail to stop villains. This lesson seems especially important in John Hughes movies, as even Dennis The Menace and Baby’s Day Out saw kids foil those that would do them harm. 

The crew huddled around in Jumanji

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)</span>

You’ll Probably Realize The Adults Are Going Throuhg Their Own Stuff Too

Childhood in a ‘90s movie may seem like it’s rough on us kids, but sometimes the adults are going through some troubles themselves. For every pee-wee football war like the one in Little Giants, there’s a pair of brothers (Rick Moranis and Ed O’Neill) settling a sibling grudge on the gridiron. Or if you’re Bonnie Hunt and Robin Williams in Jumanji, decades of mysterious circumstances come to a head when a magic board game threatens to eat you alive.

Christina Applegate looks intimidated by paperwork in Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Warner Bros.)</span>

That Big Lie WILL Catch Up With You

Secrets secrets are no fun, unless we’re all a part of them. Which means that scenarios such as Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead and Camp Nowhere, where a whole bunch of kids are keeping a gigantic secret/lie of omission to run wild, are just waiting to fall apart. That big lie will catch up to you, and the consequences might not be pretty.

Genie in Aladdin

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Disney)</span>

If Robin Williams Is Around, Things Could Get Out Of Hand Quickly

Oh Robin Williams: patron saint of ‘90s family movies, and a comedic actor who had an amazing dramatic side. If he’s appearing in your ‘90s movie, things could get out of hand really quickly. Especially if you’re in a magical situation like Ferngully: The Last Rainforest or Aladdin where his chaotic wisdom could lead to even more danger.

Arnold Schwarzenegger seated on motorcycle in Terminator 2: Judgement Day

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Tri-Star Pictures)</span>

Sometimes Your Protector Is a Person You Least Expect

Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) have one big thing in common: they weren’t meant to protect children. Yet in Jurassic Park and Terminator 2: Judgment Day respectively, both of these authority figures went from least likely protectors to MVPs in keeping kids alive in situations involving dinosaurs and artificial intelligence.  

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cast

<span class="credit">(Image credit: New Line Cinema)</span>

Martial Art Skills Will Prove To Be Extremely Useful

‘90s movies loved to mix kung fu with the youth of tomorrow. If you happened to be born and raised in martial arts like in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Three Ninjas, and Surf Ninjas, then you can practically do anything. So long as it’s trying to foil evil crime lords or dictators. This won’t get you an A on your math test.

Bette Midler holding Book with a wicked smile in Hocus Pocus.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Disney)</span>

Magic Could Get You Into, And Possibly Out Of, Messes

Magic can open doors you normally wouldn’t be able to walk through as a ‘90s movie kid. Those doors open both ways though, as you could find yourself trying to find yourself in the ultimate mom swap in Trading Mom, or you might accidentally release the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus.

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Last Action Hero

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Sony)</span>

Another World Is Hiding in Plain Sight

You never know what sort of excitement lurks out in the world, even if you’re a pretty open minded person. Secret societies like that of The Borrowers, or magical movie tickets like the one that sends Danny Madigan (Austin O’Brien) into the crazy world of Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s favorite role) in The Last Action Hero can turn things on their head at a moment’s notice. Just remember: in our world, the bad guys can win.

Arnold Schwarzenegger looks worried on the phone in Jingle All The Way.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)</span>

Your Parents Work Too Much

If you’re a ‘90s kid, you may find that your parents work way too hard. This is especially true around the holidays, as both Jingle All The Way and The Santa Clause start off with dads who are a little too focused on their number 1 customers and not their kids. And that’s a decision that comes back to bite the parents, rather than the kids.

Laura Dern, Ariana Richards, and Joseph Mazzello stand relieved in Jurassic Park.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Universal)</span>

Those Niche Hobbies Of Yours Are Just Waiting To Pay Off

Are you really good at Nintendo games, or happen to fancy yourself a hacker with a Linux system? Well don’t worry, all the jokes and frustration adults and fellow children have because of that fact are going to pay off. At least, that would be the case if you happen to inhabit the respective worlds of The Wizard or Jurassic Park.

Jim Carrey kneels as he talks to his son in Liar Liar.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Universal)</span>

Be VERY Careful What You Wish For

Big ticket wishes can lead to some serious consequences. As if Aladdin wasn’t enough of a lesson in being very careful what you wish for, movies like Liar Liar and A Simple Wish further proved that the best intentions mean nothing when chaos magic is in the air. So word those wishes carefully.

Willy in Free Willy

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Warner Bros.)</span>

Animal Conservation Is A Dangerous Cause

Whales, geese, and polar bears all need the protection of humanity. ‘90s movie throwbacks like Free Willy, Fly Away Home, and Alaska all prove that point rather well. Usually saving these creatures is a result of trying to strengthen or find a family bond that’s been lacking. Which is probably why some of these movie kids never realized just how serious things were until it was too late.

Ed O'Neill in Dutch

<span class="credit">(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)</span>

Awkward Family Road Trips Can Be Quite The Bonding Experience

Whether your parents are separated like Ethan Embry’s are in the underrated Dutch, or if your dad is a Disney legend trying to get to know you through A Goofy Movie, road trips are pretty powerful stuff. One moment you could be bickering over not seeing eye to eye, and the next you’re realizing you’re more alike than you thought. 

Macaulay Culkin wearing an evil smile outdoors in The Good Son.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)</span>

There’s That One Kid Who Always Has To Be Trouble

In some cases, you can’t even trust your fellow kids in a ‘90s movie. And I’m not just talking about run of the mill bullies either. Both Macaulay Culkin in The Good Son and Michael Oliver in Problem Child proved this point, as they were those kids who always had to be trouble. At least with Problem Child’s Junior, you didn’t have to worry about potential death or psychological scarring.

Tim Curry stands with his pirates in Muppet Treasure Island.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Walt Disney Pictures)</span>

Treasure Always Equals Danger

If your uncle happens to be hunting for treasure, like in Ducktales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp, it’s guaranteed that someone else is going to hunt him, and the rest of his family, for that treasure. Or if you’re a youngster on the high seas like the human protagonist in Muppet Treasure Island, you might run afoul of legendary pirates like Blackbeard (Tim Curry). Either way, treasure equals danger.

Dunston in Dunston Checks In

<span class="credit">(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)</span>

Watch Your New Animal Friends Closely

Animals can be cute, but they can also be quite devious. While Dunston Checks In and Monkey Trouble saw some primates schooled in the art of thievery, who’s to say a cat, dog, or any other animal isn’t able to get you into quick trouble with sticky fingers? 

Melissa Joan Hart looking at a book with a shocked expression in Sabrina The Teenage Witch.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Showtime Networks)</span>

Your Teen Years Might Come With Some Magical Powers

When you become a teenager, you start to go through changes in life. For the protagonists in both Halloweentown and the original TV movie for Sabrina the Teenage Witch, that means a certain age brings certain powers. Try to resist the urge to use them for simple whims, and instead fight for good. 

Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman in Hook

<span class="credit">(Image credit: TriStar Pictures)</span>

Your Parents’ Past Might Include Enemies Who Try To Kidnap/Harm You

Your parents may not have told you everything about their pasts, which in some situations could be harmful to your health. Either you’d wind up like the Banning kids in Hook, who were kidnapped by the titular villain (Dustin Hoffman), or you might find yourself in a life or death scenario like in Kindergarten Cop, where your teacher (Arnold Schwarzenegger) has to defend you from your dad.

Brian Bonsall and Miguel Ferrer talking in a parking lot in Blank Check.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Walt Disney Pictures)</span>

If You’re Not Careful, You Might Become A Part Of A Major Financial Crime

Money laundering: it’s something a kid probably doesn’t even think about. But for the kids in Blank Check and Bushwacked, minding their business led to massive amounts of cash, and a ton of trouble. 

Rick Moranis with a magnifying glass

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Walt Disney Pictures)</span>

Shrinking Can Sometimes Lead to Learning a Valuable Lesson

Sometimes, if you want to see the big picture, you’ve got to shrink your worldview. Or if you’re a character in Ferngully: The Last Rainforest or Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, you’ll literally shrink down to the size of a bug to learn more about the world around you. The experience is transformative, provided you survive.

Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire

<span class="credit">(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)</span>

If Robin Williams Is Around, You’re About To Learn Some Important Life Lessons

The best Robin Williams movies are a double sided coin of morality. On one side, he can totally throw the world into chaos, and that definitely happens in both Mrs. Doubtfire and Hook. But at the same time, you could learn some important lessons about being a family, and knowing to appreciate the ones you love, no matter the situation.

Commando Elite from Small Soldiers

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Dreamworks)</span>

It’s Important to Play Nice With Your Toys

Toys can be a lot of fun, but if you happen to play with them the wrong way, you could find yourself learning the lesson that Toy Story bully Sid took away from a staged haunting of the playground variety. Or, if you’re in situation like Small Soldiers, you need to know which toys to trust and which ones to fight. 

Hulk Hogan in Mr. Nanny

<span class="credit">(Image credit: New Line Cinema)</span>

Random Computer Chips are Almost Never a Good Thing

How did so many ‘90s kids wind up in households with defence-grade computer chips? That same macguffin created the villainous commando elite in Small Soldiers, and was also the object of enemy action in both Home Alone 3 and Mr. Nanny. So if you hear anything about a new top secret piece of hardware in your house, run! Unless, of course, you’ve got a nanny like Hulk Hogan; in which case, you’re probably good.

Rachael Leigh Cook in She's All That

<span class="credit">(Image credit: Miramax)</span>

Makeovers Can Fix Anything… Except the Truth

You could be thinking that the dreamy kid at school wants to give you a makeover out of the goodness of their heart. Or you might be trying to engage in that classic rom-com trope of making that special someone jealous enough to want you in their life. If you’ve watched She’s All That and Drive Me Crazy, you know that not even taking off your glasses can fix the fact that the person you love is standing right in front of you.

Daniel Stern makes a weird face in the locker room in Rookie of the Year.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)</span>

Baseball is a Very Strange Sport

‘90s baseball was wild, and I’m not just saying that because of the infamous players strike of ‘94-’95. Through the divine intervention of Angels in the Outfield, a miraculous injury turning a kid pitcher (Thomas Ian Nicholas) into Rookie of the Year, or a 12-year old inheriting his own major league ball club in Little Big League, it all added up to one big message: baseball is a very strange sport. 

Macaulay Culkin examines his animated hands in The Pagemaster.

<span class="credit">(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)</span>

Becoming an Animated Character is More Dangerous Than You Think

Who doesn’t want to be a a cartoon character as a kid? Well, for starters, the kids at the center of Rock-a-Doodle and the underrated The Pagemaster, who landed themselves into seriously scary trouble the moment they went to ink and paint. Everything has the potential to look horrific in those watercolors, especially in the hands of the legendary Don Bluth. 

Well ‘90s kids, I do hope you’ve found this list informative, and those juice boxes refreshing. So if you ever feel life is too boring, or that your family just doesn’t understand you, take a moment. Look at the world around you, and be very careful with your next move. You just might be set up to take a dangerous journey where any of these points of order may come in handy.

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