Top 10 TV Shows We All Watched Because We Weren't Allowed

Top 10 TV Shows We All Watched Because We Weren’t Allowed

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten shows parents deemed too scary, too raunchy, or just too stupid for our young eyes, and why that made us want to watch them even more.

#10: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

This supernatural series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar was all the rage at its peak in the 1990s, attracting a loyal fanbase that still persists today. Part teen drama, part “monster of the week” action thriller, this show had everything. Perhaps even too much, for some parents. The show was pretty universally deemed inappropriate for young children, both for the adult romantic themes in later seasons and for its potentially frightening storylines. At the same time, the series featured strong female characters and relevant moral dilemmas for teens. So, it probably wasn’t the worst thing to sneak a few episodes here and there.

#9: “SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)

Since he first arrived on Nickelodeon in 1999, SpongeBob has been one of the most enduring and beloved children’s characters in recent history. The show has now been immensely popular with multiple generations of children, which has left many parents wondering what is so mesmerizing about that yellow sponge. Some banned the show altogether, fearing that “SpongeBob” might negatively affect their child’s cognitive development. This fear was made worse by a 2011 study at the University of Virginia, which found that kids performed worse on cognitive tests after watching nine minutes of “SpongeBob”. While the series is still polarizing to this day, “SpongeBob” has become a cultural cornerstone that many of us look back on fondly.

#8: “Robot Chicken” (2005-22)

Back in the days before streaming was king, that moment late at night when Cartoon Network switched over to Adult Swim resulted in a lot of kids exposed to shows they probably shouldn’t have been watching. One of these was “Robot Chicken”, a stop-motion sketch comedy show that satirized everything pop culture. The show is definitely aimed at a mature audience, with frequent themes of sex and violence. At the same time, the use of toys as stop-motion figures gives the show a youthful, childlike feel. Kind of like your worldly older cousin came over and raided your toy chest. Though the series stopped making full seasons after season 11 ended in 2022, occasional specials are still being created and released.

#7: “Tales from the Crypt” (1989-96)

This horror anthology series featured stories from the old EC Comics of the 1950s, all hosted by the most genuinely terrifying puppet you’ve ever seen in your life. Understandably, plenty of parents did not want to deal with the nightmares that this show could easily cause. But for young horror lovers, the wise-cracking Crypt Keeper was intriguing enough to see what else this show had to offer. As an HBO show, “Tales from the Crypt” was able to be far more graphic than other horror series, especially those aimed at younger audiences. It was truly terrifying but also incredibly well-made and highly acclaimed by critics.

#6: “Beavis and Butt-Head” (1993-97; 2011; 2022-23; 2025-)

This show is the brain-child of Mike Judge, the king of subtle but scathing social satire. On the surface level, this show seemed so crude and stupid that it would surely degrade the intelligence and morality of any young person watching. Others defended the show, alleging that the social commentary accurately captured the unique challenges facing the young men of Beavis and Butt-Head’s generation. Trey Parker and Matt Stone even named the series as an influence for “South Park”. Still, the negative attention the show received caused it to be moved to a later time slot to keep younger viewers away, complete with a disclaimer that explicitly stated “don’t try this at home.”

#5: “The Ren and Stimpy Show” (1991-96)

Toeing the line between kids’ cartoon and adult animated series is “Ren and Stimpy,” the ultimate 90s Nicktoon. Following a hot-headed chihuahua and a dimwitted cat on absurdist, zany adventures, the show’s surreal animation could be borderline grotesque. Despite airing on a kids channel, the show often featured references to smoking, alcohol, sex, and violence. This made the show an easy “no way” for many parents, not amused by the duo and their bawdy antics. Though the original series tried to lean more kid-friendly, as the name implies, the 2003 reboot “Ren & Stimpy ‘Adult Party Cartoon’” was strictly for adults.

#4: “Unsolved Mysteries” (1987-99; 2001-02; 2007-10; 2020-)

This enduring docuseries has captivated audiences for generations, with multiple revivals to keep up with the seemingly never-ending demand. “Unsolved Mysteries” gives exactly as the title promises, showcasing re-enactments of cold cases, conspiracy theories, and unexplained paranormal phenomena. Just as the words “based on a true story” make horror movies all the more chilling, “Unsolved Mysteries” is made scarier by the fact that it’s allegedly rooted in reality. For the young viewer, this is completely compelling and also total nightmare fuel. It’s completely fair that some parents wanted to shelter their kids from this show that could unnerve even some adults.

#3: “The Simpsons” (1989-)

This animated sitcom is a cultural juggernaut, once named the best television series of the 20th century by Time magazine. The series is so pervasive in pop culture it’s almost impossible to avoid, although some parents have certainly tried. Many parents view Bart’s disrespect for authority and apathy towards his education as setting a bad example for young viewers. Other than Bart, the series also occasionally features some more mature themes parents aren’t comfortable exposing their kids to. At the same time, storylines revolving around Bart and Lisa often depict challenges that are relatable to kids, making it even harder for young fans to resist watching in secret.

#2: “Skins” (2007-13)

This British teen drama walked so “Euphoria” could run. Centered around a group of teenagers dealing with all the many challenges of adolescence, the show often dealt with complex issues like mental illness, sexuality, and dysfunctional relationships. Some have criticized the show as romanticizing some of the issues it portrays. This critique, combined with the show’s often graphic nature, pretty much guaranteed most parents wouldn’t want their kids watching it. Despite this, “Skins” has demonstrated enduring popularity among young viewers. Especially since the rise of social media, the show has been frequently discussed on platforms like Tumblr and TikTok. “Skins”’s willingness to go where other teen shows won’t makes it stand out in a way that is incredibly appealing to adolescent audiences.

#1: “South Park” (1997-)

Although an animated series centered on four young boys in Colorado might seem like a perfectly appropriate show for children, “South Park” is anything but kid-friendly. Profanity, toilet humor, and satire that doesn’t shy away from being offensive are all commonly found on this long-running series. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have even explicitly stated “South Park” is not suitable for young children, but that didn’t stop young children in the UK from voting Cartman their favorite personality in 1999. Vulgar, violent, and completely politically incorrect, this series is totally inappropriate and at the same time totally irresistible.

Were you banned from watching these shows or any others growing up? Let us know in the comments!