These tropes deserve a fresh start in all their glory!
'Home Alone'
We often discuss movie tropes that need to retire; however, we seldom appreciate the ones that somehow ended up positively shaping us. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why so many of them are almost extinct today.
So, in this article, let’s talk about the movie tropes that need to come back because they have our hearts.
1. Strong Man with Children
'Mr. Nanny'
Credit: New Line Cinema
I am not really talking about the “strong man becomes a father figure” trope, as seen in The Last of Us, where Joel, after losing his daughter, meets Ellie and the two develop a father-daughter relationship. That’s one trope that’s never going to retire, and I don’t mind.
I’m talking more along the lines of The Pacifier and Mr. Nanny.
A strong, lonely man is suddenly placed in charge of a group of kids. He’s got no experience with children whatsoever. Usually, these kids are eccentric, and the man is a softie inside, and it’s oddly satisfying to see innocent love melt down a cold, wounded heart.
I feel this movie trope neutralizes the toxic masculinity that’s often unnecessarily associated with a man with brute strength. Also, what’s cuter than a full-grown man goofing around with children?
2. Cop/Hero with a Sidekick Dog
'K-9'
Credit: Universal Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Why is man’s best friend suddenly missing from movies? I mean, they only get roles as extras in most films nowadays. From horror to drama, dogs have been reduced to house pets that either get killed in the first 10 minutes of the film, or their screentime depends on the length of sad montages.
What has happened to us? Once upon a time, movies featured the dog as the secondary character, the hero's main support system, and a prominent emotional anchor in the narrative.
Think movies like Turner & Hooch and K-9. Give us more animals on screen—cats, dogs, bunnies! Anything!
3. Kid versus Criminals
'Home Alone'
Credit: 20th Century Fox
Home Alone was my favorite growing up, and Kevin McCallister was the definition of cool for me back then.
A kid—or a group of kids—waging war against criminals and emerging victorious is so enjoyable to see. These movies lead us into the minds of young people through stories about growth, self-discovery, innocence, and love.
Movies like the Home Alone franchise, Spy Kids, and Cop Car will always have my heart.
4. Talking Baby Movies
'The Boss Baby' (2017)
Credit: Twentieth Century Fox.
The world would be an amazing place if babies were to rule it! Inherently funny, adventurous, risk-takers, bold, and never discriminating—I wish I could read their minds!
Amy Heckerling is the modern pioneer of this trope with her movie Look Who’s Talking (1989). How did this baby fever die?
In 2017, DreamWorks released The Boss Baby, which revived hopes for this trope and spawned an entire franchise, but sadly, it didn’t help much. Talking babies are everything that this cynical world needs!
5. Baby Escape Films
'Baby's Day Out'
Credit: 20th Century Fox
Along with talking-baby movies, another comedic subgenre that deserves a comeback is baby escape films.
Baby escape films revolve around a baby who somehow crawls out of the safety and care of their parents and winds up outside in the real world all on their own. Most of the time, these babies are not only navigating the world but also outsmarting kidnappers who are hot on their tail.
For instance, in Baby’s Day Out, an infant is kidnapped from his home by three men posing as baby photographers, who ultimately end up losing him in New York City!
Once on his own, the baby wanders all over the city looking for a pigeon that he saw in a book, while the three kidnappers try to get him back.
Both talking baby films and baby escape films allow us to see the world through an infant's eyes. These films feature excellent physical humor while highlighting funny irregularities in society.
I can’t help but question those who decided that baby movies are irrelevant.
Check out Three Men and a Baby, Baby Geniuses, and, of course, Baby’s Day Out (if you haven’t watched that one already).
'Mr. Nanny'
Credit: New Line Cinema
I am not really talking about the “strong man becomes a father figure” trope, as seen in The Last of Us, where Joel, after losing his daughter, meets Ellie and the two develop a father-daughter relationship. That’s one trope that’s never going to retire, and I don’t mind.
I’m talking more along the lines of The Pacifier and Mr. Nanny.
A strong, lonely man is suddenly placed in charge of a group of kids. He’s got no experience with children whatsoever. Usually, these kids are eccentric, and the man is a softie inside, and it’s oddly satisfying to see innocent love melt down a cold, wounded heart.
I feel this movie trope neutralizes the toxic masculinity that’s often unnecessarily associated with a man with brute strength. Also, what’s cuter than a full-grown man goofing around with children?
'K-9'
Credit: Universal Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Why is man’s best friend suddenly missing from movies? I mean, they only get roles as extras in most films nowadays. From horror to drama, dogs have been reduced to house pets that either get killed in the first 10 minutes of the film, or their screentime depends on the length of sad montages.
What has happened to us? Once upon a time, movies featured the dog as the secondary character, the hero's main support system, and a prominent emotional anchor in the narrative.
Think movies like Turner & Hooch and K-9. Give us more animals on screen—cats, dogs, bunnies! Anything!
'Home Alone'
Credit: 20th Century Fox
Home Alone was my favorite growing up, and Kevin McCallister was the definition of cool for me back then.
A kid—or a group of kids—waging war against criminals and emerging victorious is so enjoyable to see. These movies lead us into the minds of young people through stories about growth, self-discovery, innocence, and love.
Movies like the Home Alone franchise, Spy Kids, and Cop Car will always have my heart.
'The Boss Baby' (2017)
The world would be an amazing place if babies were to rule it! Inherently funny, adventurous, risk-takers, bold, and never discriminating—I wish I could read their minds!
Amy Heckerling is the modern pioneer of this trope with her movie Look Who’s Talking (1989). How did this baby fever die?
In 2017, DreamWorks released The Boss Baby, which revived hopes for this trope and spawned an entire franchise, but sadly, it didn’t help much. Talking babies are everything that this cynical world needs!
'Baby's Day Out'
Credit: 20th Century Fox
Along with talking-baby movies, another comedic subgenre that deserves a comeback is baby escape films.
Baby escape films revolve around a baby who somehow crawls out of the safety and care of their parents and winds up outside in the real world all on their own. Most of the time, these babies are not only navigating the world but also outsmarting kidnappers who are hot on their tail.
For instance, in Baby’s Day Out, an infant is kidnapped from his home by three men posing as baby photographers, who ultimately end up losing him in New York City!
Once on his own, the baby wanders all over the city looking for a pigeon that he saw in a book, while the three kidnappers try to get him back.
Both talking baby films and baby escape films allow us to see the world through an infant's eyes. These films feature excellent physical humor while highlighting funny irregularities in society.
I can’t help but question those who decided that baby movies are irrelevant.
Check out Three Men and a Baby, Baby Geniuses, and, of course, Baby’s Day Out (if you haven’t watched that one already).
Did we miss any? Let us know your favorite trope in the comments!