Most parents allow themselves certain fibs to tell their children: Yes, sweetheart, there is a Santa Claus. Your 14-year-old dog Rusty is enjoying his golden years, scampering around a farm. Animated movies were made just for you.
That last lie is in heavy rotation this summer with the release of "Inside Out," a blockbuster that's for the ages and works for all ages. Children may leave the film, which takes place inside a little girl's evolving brain, pining for a toy replica of Bing Bong the elephant-cat, while their folks will wonder why their college psychology classes weren't nearly this thought-provoking.
But "Inside Out" isn't the first animated movie to talk to grown-ups on a whole other level. Here are 10 classics (including the new Pixar film) well worth re-watching after putting the young'n's to bed.
"Inside Out" (2015)
Why kids think it's for them: The journey by Joy and Sadness across the cranium plays out like a Disney World ride — but without the long lines.
Why it's really for grown-ups: The overall theme — all emotions are vital, even the scary ones — could easily be a lost chapter from a Sigmund Freud journal.
Adult language: "Crying helps me slow down and obsess over the weight of life's problems." – Sadness
"The Iron Giant" (1999)
Why kids think it's for them: Who wouldn't want to hang out with the Transformers' lovable granddaddy?
Why it's really for grown-ups: This story about fear and paranoia in the 1950s reminds us that the Cold War can still give us the chills.
