15 Hilarious Adult Jokes In Cartoons We Didn't Catch On As Kids - A Nostalgic Look At Our Childhood Cartoons

Cartoons are for grownups too.

Damjan

• Published in Cartoons / Anime
• February 9, 2023

Cartoons are famously fun for kids and adults alike! It's no surprise that the producers of our favorite cartoons sneak in a few adult-themed jokes here and there, leaving us with a good chuckle - even if we didn't get the joke at the time!

Who can forget those classic Simpsons and Ren and Stimpy moments that had our parents in stitches while we were left scratching our heads? Now that we're older, we can better appreciate this clever humor that was always there! If you thought that cartoons were just for kids, think again!

Cartoons are often made for kids but by adults. This means that sometimes, jokes or references that only adults can understand can slip through the cracks and into the cartoon.

This makes the cartoon interesting for both kids and their parents. Even our beloved childhood shows and movies had some jokes that sailed straight over the heads of young viewers and landed in the hearts of adult viewers.

From SpongeBob SquarePants watching sea anemone porn to some not-so-subtle jokes, there were plenty of adult jokes that we may have missed. Let's take a stroll down memory lane and take a look at 15 of these jokes that we may have missed.

1. Wreck-It Ralph

It's surprising that a cartoon created for children would contain a reference to 'Mortal Kombat.'

2. Zootopia

In Zootopia, a small advertisement is displayed for bunnies that reads, “Get yourself fixed.” This indicates that having too many offspring is a problem faced by citizens of Judy's world.

3. Animaniacs

When Jakko requests it, Dot embarks on a mission to search for the pop superstar Prince. She is attempting to find his fingerprints; thus the pun "Finger 'Prince', get it?"

4. Spongebob

The internet is home to many funny jokes, but the last and most famous one is when Spongebob was discovered watching anemone porn. Quickly changing the channel to a sports program, Spongebob managed to avoid any embarrassing consequences.

5. Cars

When Lightning McQueen was approached by two female Mazda cars, he was literally being flashed. The cars declared themselves to be his biggest admirers and showed off their pop-up headlights.

6. Justice League

Hawkgirl had a bit of fun at The Flash's expense when she made a comment about his love life. She said, "The fastest man alive," in a teasing manner, showing her wit and humor.

7. The New Batman Adventures

Harley Quinn asks the Joker, “Don’t you want to rev up your Harley?” Vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom vroom. She was not referring to a motorcycle. Unfortunately, The Joker has no interest in taking a spin on the Harley.

8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

At the conclusion of the movie, Marauder's Map, which shows the locations of all students attending the school, features two mischievous entries. It makes one ponder what those two were up to in the room.

9. The Amazing World of Gumball

The poor, diminutive balloon was lamenting the fact that he was unable to inflate himself. Fortunately, Gumball came to his rescue and blew him up in a restroom.

10. The Flintstones

When Fred and Barney go to the costume store, Fred said to Barney that he only required an extra head in order to appear taller. Barney then asked, “What do I need three of them for?”

11. The Road to EI Dorado

In one scene, Chel and Tulio appear to be sharing a romantic moment off-camera, as she emerges from his waist. It is possible that they are expressing their love for one another in this moment.

12. The Spectacular Spider-Man

As soon as Spider-Man shoots a web from his web shooter and ensnares Black Cat's hand, she teases him in a flirty manner, saying, "You better not let your goop get in my hair!"

13. Toy Story 3

It appears that this film will be exploring the Holocaust if you observe the various connections and pay close attention. The maltreatment of the toys in the daycare is similar to the maltreatment of prisoners in concentration camps, so one can only imagine the plight of the bad bear.

14. Beauty and the Beast

Sad, but true...

15. Shrek

In a memorable scene, Lord Farquaad meets with his own reflection and sits, uncovered, beneath his bed sheets. He pleads with the mirror, who appears obviously disgusted, to show him the women he desires. His brief glimpse beneath the covers suggests he may be aroused.

Despite the age gap, cartoons are still made for entertaining all viewers. Many cartoons, such as The Simpsons and Family Guy, contain jokes that only adults can fully understand.

This is because the writers and animators are adults themselves and may not be aware of how younger viewers could interpret their jokes. It is important to remember that cartoons are not only intended for children.

Adults can appreciate them, too and may even be more likely to understand the jokes that are meant for an older audience. That being said, it is important to be mindful of the content and be aware of how it could be interpreted by children.

Damjan