Gen Z has made a name as the most civically engaged generation in history. Did their favorite films from their formative years play a part?
Let’s Talk About Gen Z
Generation Z has made waves in the sociopolitical sphere with their unprecedented level of civic engagement. They are more active in politics and activism than any other generation has been at their age.
This up-and-coming force has been made possible by technological advancements, economic uncertainties, and significant social movements. Politically, Gen Z tends to lean more progressive compared to previous generations. They have a strong emphasis on issues like climate change, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic equality.
Economically, Gen Z has entered the workforce during a time of massive transformation. The gig economy, automation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the general hellscape that is the job market have all shaped their career perspectives.
They are naturals in the digital sphere, highly skilled in technology, and the most educated generation to date. Yet they face challenges such as student debt and housing affordability. Not to mention the staggering and ever-growing wealth gap that makes basic survival extremely difficult.
Socially, Gen Z values diversity and inclusivity. They are often at the forefront of advocating for social justice and systemic change through protesting.
The geopolitical landscape during Gen Z’s formative years has been…rough, to say the least. They witnessed the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Great Recession, an increase in mass violence, the rise of social media, and the polarized political climates all around the world.
So how do movies make their way into all of this?
The Power of The Pictures
Children’s movies have always been more than just entertainment. Similar to the fairytales that came before them, they often contain deeper messages and lessons that aim to teach young audiences about the ways of the world.
Naturally, themes that reflect societal issues are easy to create a story around and can shape the perspectives of young audiences, especially when these themes hit so close to home for so many of them.
In the spirit of reflecting on the past and thinking (panicking) about the state of the world, here are some children’s films from Gen Z’s formative years that may have played a significant role in their understanding of the world and their push for social and political change.
Screentime to Social Justice
With conversations about racism and systemic discrimination rising in the past few years, spearheaded by global movements like Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate, many people have been reflecting on the impact it’s had on them.
Also with issues, such as wealth inequality, housing crisises, inflation, and staggering corporate greed, young people in particular have been going through the ringer (please help). Unable to afford to move out of their parent’s house and worried about whether or not they’ll ever be able to retire, many Gen Z’ers have felt the effects of economic disparity (I’m not speaking from personal experience or anything–Idk why you guys would think that 🥲).
Let’s start with Shrek. He is love; he is life. A franchise ahead of its time. This satirical take on fairy tales that promotes acceptance took us on a wild ride when it premiered in 2001.
As Shrek once said “Ogres are like onions. Onions have layers.” The same rings true for the entire franchise. Shrek’s identity as an ogre causes people to have wildly inaccurate and unfavorable assumptions about him. When, in reality he is deeper than his appearance.
His story left us with the challenge to look past the superficial differences of others and push back on conventional notions of beauty, heroism, and class. Mix all of this with the unmatched pop culture references (the white bronco chase scene, hello?) and you have a children’s film that gives a surprisingly deep look at the social climate.
Next up is a film that I personally feel is criminally underrated– Robots. Talk about a heavy hitter. A young inventor from a working-class background who fights against a corrupt corporation that values profits over people…and you expect the kids to not rally behind that message?! Come on.
The movie shows the journey of humble beginnings to big dreams becoming reality and the importance of standing up against systemic oppression. It also gives us pop culture gems like Fender’s iconic “Hit Me Baby One More Time” dance number or the legend herself, Aunt Fanny. Between all of that, I honestly couldn’t tell you what was more revolutionary.
Newer to the list, but just as impactful, is Zootopia with its punchy commentary on racism and prejudice. Between a bunny cop who breaks glass ceilings and a city divided by species-based stereotypes of predator and prey, there is plenty of sociopolitical turmoil that is surprisingly similar to the real world.
Zootopia shows these issues in a fresh way (who doesn’t love talking animals) and advocates for unity in a diverse society. It also has some epic one-liners for the next generation of funny kids to download as their entire personality for at least a week straight (again, not speaking from experience).
Corporate Critiques in Cartoons
Gen Z is living on a burning planet. Oceans are rising, permafrost is melting, and it’s damn near a bajillion degrees in places it isn’t supposed to be. (The aliens need to pick me up, I can’t handle this heat). Rightly, the young generation is concerned about how their future is going to look. So it’s no surprise that Gen Z’s childhood films haven’t shied away from critiquing environmental degradation and the corporate greed that causes it.
First up we have WALL-E (and his cute little girlfriend EVE, of course. Can’t forget about my girl). This film presents a dystopian future where Earth is abandoned due to environmental destruction caused by rampant consumerism. Essentially, humans took more than they gave (what’s new?).
WALL-E, a small trash-collecting robot, embarks on a journey that shows the importance of conservation and sustainable living. The film critiques the consequences of unchecked corporate power and shows the need to protect the environment so that Earth doesn’t become a desolate, trash-filled wasteland.
Speaking of conservation–“I speak for the trees”….does that ring any bells? It should. The Lorax is another film about environmental conservation and the dangers of corporate greed that has worked its way onto the roster of iconic children’s films.
The greedy Once-ler destroys the environment, while the Lorax (with his epic mustache) speaks for the natural world. If all of that didn’t make the kids want to plant a tree and stop using plastic straws, I don’t know what did (the “save the turtles” movement, perhaps?).
Battles Against Big Brother
I’m not sure if The Hunger Games is technically a children’s movie, but I watched it as a child, so it counts. Besides, I think the fact that it’s children who are literally fighting for their lives on live TV (in the movie, not on the American news cycle–well…sometimes on the American news cycle) means that children can watch it unfold. It could certainly be worse; they could be living it.
Regardless, Katniss Everdeen’s rebellion against the oppressive Capitol symbolizes the fight for justice and personal freedom. Hot topics all around the world to be certain, especially nowadays.
Gen Z’s advocacy for sociopolitical justice and their teeny tiny aversion to authority figures makes the argument that The Hunger Games was one of the most impactful movies of their childhood. Besides, we all know it wasn’t the top dystopian story of the generation for nothing.
Another great pick is The Incredibles, which I wish more than anything would’ve been rated PG-13 so we could’ve delved deeper into the government conspiracy aspects. This story follows a family of superheroes forced to hide their powers by a government that fears them. Which can be seen as a commentary on the balance between security and individual rights.
One thing I really appreciate about this childhood film is that it pulls no punches about the grittiness of reality. Mrs. Incredible bluntly tells her children that the villains in the real world aren’t like the villains in their cartoons. She goes on to say that they won’t go easy on children and will kill if they get the chance.
A cruel reality, but one that is an important lesson for kids to learn. The only kid who actually might be immune to all the evils of the world is the bulletproof, fireproof, f*ck-ass bob rocking, Jack Jack (and he’s not even toilet trained).
The Impact
The cultural influence of TV and film on Gen Z runs deep. From their activism through memes to their unserious cinematic edits that poke fun at sociopolitical issues, I think it’s safe to say that Gen Z has taken note of the content and the delivery found in their childhood favorites.
Some people may say that film is purely entertainment and has little to no effect on the real world. I would disagree. Film allows us to imagine worlds beyond our own and makes us think about “what could be” instead of “what is.”
It isn’t crazy to think that many of those lessons could’ve stuck with Gen Z past their childhood. The unbridled imagination of childhood has the ability to overlap far into the big, scary adult world. (As a semi-newly minted adult, I can confirm).
Maybe in the future, childhood films will reflect more utopian ideals instead of dystopian ones. That would be a nice change of pace from how the world feels currently. Here’s to hoping the signs of the times signal better days ahead for the next generations.
