TL;DR: Anti-heroes are the new protagonists. From the sarcastic gloom of Wednesday to the chaotic energy of Deadpool & Wolverine, kids are gravitating toward characters who don't play by the rules. While these characters offer great lessons in complexity and nuance, they also require parents to be active "interpreters" of the "ends justify the means" logic.
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- Best for Young Kids: The Bad Guys, Despicable Me, Shrek.
- Best for Tweens: Wednesday, Loki, Nimona.
- Best for Teens: Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked, Venom.
We’ve moved past the era of the "caped crusader" who always does the right thing because it's the right thing. Today’s most popular characters are anti-heroes: protagonists who lack conventional heroic qualities like idealism, courage, or morality.
Think of it this way: a hero saves the cat because it’s the right thing to do. A villain kills the cat. An anti-hero saves the cat, but complains about it the whole time, maybe steals a saucer of milk on the way out, and only did it because the cat was blocking their view of the TV.
In a world where kids are constantly told to be perfect, follow the rules, and avoid being "cringe," anti-heroes are a massive breath of fresh air. They represent the messy reality of being human (or an ogre, or a Norse god).
If you’ve heard your kid call something "Ohio" (meaning weird or glitchy) or seen them lose their mind over a Skibidi Toilet meme, you know they have a high tolerance for the absurd and the unconventional. Anti-heroes fit perfectly into this vibe.
- Relatability: Kids feel the pressure of expectations. Seeing Wednesday Addams reject social norms is cathartic.
- Complexity: Even younger kids are starting to realize that people aren't just "good" or "bad." Anti-heroes provide a safe way to explore that gray area.
- Humor: Let’s be real—the "bad guys" usually get the best lines. Whether it’s the dry wit of Loki or the slapstick villainy in Despicable Me, it’s just more entertaining than a Boy Scout hero.
Ask our chatbot about why kids are obsessed with anti-heroes
Ages 5-9: The "Misunderstood" Villains
At this age, the anti-hero is usually a "bad guy" who learns to be good, or a character who is just grumpy on the outside.
- This is the gold standard for this age group. It follows a gang of animal outlaws who try to "go good" to avoid prison. It’s stylish, funny, and explicitly deals with the struggle of changing your reputation.
- Gru is the quintessential anti-hero for kids. He starts with a plan to steal the moon and ends up a devoted father. It’s a great entry point for talking about how our choices define us more than our "villain" aesthetic.
- The OG anti-hero. Shrek is rude, gross, and wants to be left alone, but he ends up being the hero by staying true to himself rather than fitting the "Prince Charming" mold.
Ages 10-13: The Edgy Rebels
Middle schoolers love a character who sticks it to the man. This is where the moral complexity starts to get a bit stickier.
- Wednesday is cold, manipulative, and borderline cruel to her peers, yet she’s the one solving the mystery. Parents should note that while she’s "cool," her lack of empathy is a major plot point, not just a personality quirk.
- The God of Mischief is a fan favorite for a reason. He’s charming, selfish, and constantly betraying people, but the show explores his deep-seated insecurities. It’s a fantastic study in whether a person can actually change.
- A shapeshifter who insists on being the "sidekick" to a villain. This movie is phenomenal for discussing identity and how society labels people as "monsters" just because they're different.
Check out our guide on the best shows for middle schoolers
Ages 14+: The Morally Gray Heavyweights
For teens, the stakes get higher, the violence increases, and the "hero" might do some truly questionable things.
- Heads up: This is a hard R. If your teen is watching this, they’re getting a face full of meta-commentary, extreme gore, and constant profanity. Deadpool is an anti-hero who knows he’s in a movie, which adds a layer of detachment that can be tricky for younger teens to process.
- The story of the Wicked Witch of the West before she was "wicked." It’s a masterclass in perspective—showing how the "villain" of one story is the hero of their own.
- An alien parasite that eats people but also helps save the world? It’s chaotic, but it resonates with the teen feeling of having an "inner monster" they’re trying to control.
The biggest risk with anti-heroes isn't that your kid will become a supervillain; it's that they’ll adopt the "being mean is cool" or "the rules don't apply to me" attitude without understanding the context.
The "Cool" Factor: In games like Grand Theft Auto, the anti-hero lifestyle is glorified through wealth and power. In shows like Wednesday, it’s glorified through wit and social dominance. Kids often mimic the aesthetic (the sarcasm, the rebellion) before they understand the character's internal struggle.
The "Ends Justify the Means" Trap: Anti-heroes often do bad things for "good" reasons. This is a high-level philosophical concept that 10-year-olds aren't always ready for. If Deadpool kills 20 people to save one person he loves, is he a hero? That’s a conversation you need to have.
You don't need to give a lecture. Just ask a few "No-BS" questions after the movie ends:
- "Do you think they were right to do that?" (Even if they saved the day, was the way they did it okay?)
- "If you treated your friends the way Wednesday treats hers, what would happen?" (Helps separate "cool on TV" from "real-life social consequences.")
- "Why do you think the 'villain' is acting this way?" (Encourages empathy and looking for the "why" behind bad behavior.)
- "Who was the actual hero of the story?" (Sometimes it’s the sidekick who kept the anti-hero in check.)
If your kid is deep into gaming, you can also look at how they play. In a game like Roblox or Minecraft, do they choose to be the "griefer" (the one who destroys things)? That’s a digital expression of the anti-hero urge.
Learn more about how to talk to your kids about difficult media themes
Anti-heroes are a reflection of our complicated world. They teach kids that you don't have to be perfect to be "good," and that everyone has a story that explains why they are the way they are.
As long as you're there to help them navigate the sarcasm and the "morally gray" choices, these characters can actually be better teachers than the old-school, perfect heroes. Just maybe keep the Deadpool viewing to the older crowd.
- Watch together: Pick a "safe" anti-hero movie like The Bad Guys for your next family movie night.
- Play together: Try a board game like Villainous where you actually play as the villains—it’s a great way to talk about motivation and strategy.
- Check the Score: Use Screenwise to check the WISE score for any new "edgy" show your kid asks to watch.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized anti-hero watch list for your family