8 Beloved Movies That Are Actually Really Toxic

1. 50 First Dates (2004)

At first glance, Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore's 50 First Dates seems like a romantic story about persistent and unconditional love. But if we dig a little deeper, the plot becomes pretty unsettling.

Henry, a veterinarian, falls for Lucy, a woman with short-term memory loss, so she forgets everything after 24 hours. Rather than accepting the reality of her condition, Henry essentially launches a campaign to repeatedly manipulate Lucy into falling in love with him every single day.

What's portrayed as devotion is actually a one-sided and ethically murky relationship since Lucy can't consent or maintain autonomy. Plus, by the time she's married with a child, we're supposed to be happy, but can you imagine the daily trauma of waking up to a stranger in your bed and a child you don't remember having?

2. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

In While You Were Sleeping, Sandra Bullock plays a woman named Lucy, who lets a misunderstanding spiral into a full-blown charade.

She rescues her crush, Peter, from an oncoming train, and he winds up in a coma. Then, his family comes to believe that Lucy is his fiancée, and she doesn't correct them.

Instead, she moves into their lives and even falls for Peter's brother, all while still pretending to be engaged to the guy in a coma! It's another rom-com built on lies and manipulation, which modern audiences wouldn't find so charming.

3. Big (1988)

Big follows a 12-year-old boy named Josh, who magically wakes up in a 30-year-old man's body (played by Tom Hanks) and begins living a full adult life. This includes working at a New York City toy company and sleeping with a grown woman.

Even worse, when she eventually learns the truth, her reaction is disturbingly mild, and she still wants to be Josh when he's older. The movie plays this off as cute, but it's not; it's purely unsettling.

4. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Four Weddings and a Funeral features one of the most emotionally manipulative love interests in rom-com history. Carrie, played by Andie MacDowell, meets an Englishman named Charles at a wedding, and they spend one night together.

Then, Carrie breezes in and out of Charles' life at her convenience, strings him along, and even invites him to go wedding dress shopping before marrying another man. The real kicker? Carrie proceeds to show up again at Charles' wedding and derail it.

Her character is self-centered, yet her behavior is portrayed as romantic rather than toxic.

5. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Many view Dirty Dancing as a nostalgic coming-of-age story with iconic dance movies, but there's an unsettling age gap at the heart of the story. Baby (Jennifer Grey) is only a 17-year-old high school student; meanwhile, Johnny (Patrick Swayze) is a 25-year-old dance instructor surrounded by adults and nightlife.

In spite of the romantic framing, the relationship crosses serious boundaries. Johnny, whether he realizes it or not, is in a position of power over a teen, and today, such a setup wouldn't fly.

6. Serendipity (2001)

Serendipity relies on ideas of fate and destiny while glossing over the actual damage done by two adults who choose to blow up their lives (and their partners' lives) for the sake of chasing a decade-old romantic "what if."

John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale play Jonathan and Sara, two people in committed relationships who prioritize a fleeting memory over the people who care about them in the present. Serendipity treats infidelity and dishonesty as some whimsical acts of the universe when, in reality, two selfish people are just mistaking nostalgia for love.

7. Grease (1978)

Grease is usually remembered as a feel-good musical about teen love, but underneath the songs and dance numbers, there's still some toxic messaging.

Danny (John Travolta) consistently mistreats Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) by doing things like lying, cheating, and even forcing himself on her, yet he never faces any consequences. The worst part? It's Sandy who's expected to change and take on a "bad girl" persona to win his approval. Romanticizing that kind of dynamic doesn't set a good example, particularly for young viewers.

8. You've Got Mail (1998)

Last but not least is You've Got Mail, an online romance that seems more manipulative than anything in hindsight.

Joe, played by Tom Hanks, tries to destroy Kathleen's (Meg Ryan) business. However, once he realizes she's actually his anonymous online crush, he uses that knowledge to manipulate her emotions. He withholds the truth, plays both sides, and then swoops in at the end.

Nowadays, this would be known as catfishing, and it's not normally the kind of behavior that gets a romantic, happy ending.