Why Characters Like Spider-Man Want to Stay Kids Forever
When you’re a kid, your greatest wish is to grow up and finally stay awake past your bedtime. Everything cool happens after 8 pm, right? Being an adult means you can eat candy every night for dinner, you never have to take baths, and you can watch cartoons all day long. In fact, the kid-version of being an adult sounds way more fun than actually being an adult...
However, there are some people who really want to embrace the “let’s be a kid forever” mentality. In honor of the upcoming Marvel Spider-Man: Far From Home film (check out the official trailer below), let’s see who else wants to leave responsibility behind and just stay a kid for a little bit.
1) Spider-Man: Far From Home
Peter Parker desperately wanted to “grow up” and be treated as an equal member of the superhero community. Nonetheless, after the events of Avengers: Endgame (pssst...we don’t want to give away any spoilers), Spidey is feeling a little more inclined to just enjoy being a kid for once. He heads on a European vacation with his best friend, Ned, and his crush, MJ, and he’s determined to leave behind his hero act in NYC. In fact — against Happy’s advice — Spider-Man even declines Nick Fury’s phone call. Gasp. Even we know that “you don’t ghost Nick Fury!”
Spidey eventually learns that Nick Fury, Maria Hill, and Mysterio desperately need his help to head into the Multiverse and fight the terrifying Elementals. Peter Parker is initially reluctant and asks, “there’s gotta be someone else you can use?” Even though he would probably rather — like any normal kid — eat gelato all day until his stomach hurts, Peter realizes that there is no ghosting on his responsibility as a hero. Or does he...? Dundundun. Find out if Spider-Man steps up or if he decides to stay a kid for a little bit longer when the newest Marvel film hits theaters on July 2nd.
2) The Lion King
Disney’s The Lion King is a story all about stepping up — even if only reluctantly at first — and taking on the responsibilities of being a king. Although young Simba must leave the Pride Lands under terrible circumstances, he is lucky enough to stumble upon an oasis and two new best friends, Timon and Pumbaa. The hilarious pair follow the motto of “Hakuna Matata” and fully believe that everyone should live with “no worries” for the rest of their days. A life of no rules and no responsibility, where you grub all day (literally), sleep away the hours, and sing away your worries? That sounds like a pretty great gig to us. Plus, you just know that you’d be able stay up past your bedtime and watch jungle cartoons with them all day too.
Even though Simba loves his worry-free life, he eventually recognizes that he must return home to the Pride Lands to help his family and reclaim his rightful place as king of the savannah. Even if Simba has to grow up though, he’ll always have his besties Timon and Pumbaa around to remind him how to have a little fun. Check out the newest Disney The Lion King Live-Action film in theaters on July 19th and learn to live worry free too.
3) Toy Story
Pixar’s Toy Story is the heartwarming animated series — all seen through the eyes of beloved toys — that not only shares what it means to be a kid, but also explores what it means to grow up. Even though the series highlights the joy and nostalgia associated with childhood, it is also tinged with a sense of sadness. Toy Story might just seem like it’s all fun and games, but it also touches on “growing pains” or the trials and tribulations of growing up. Woody must not only contend with Andy growing up, but he must also learn to navigate a world with new “favorite” toys like Buzz Lightyear or the quirky Forky character who debuts in the newest Toy Story 4 in theaters on June 21st. If only the toys could freeze time for a little bit, life would be so much easier!
But, there’s no denying that watching the films reminds audiences just how great it was to be a kid. You can’t help but want to go unpack your old Mr. Potato Head or Barbie from the attic and spend the afternoon lost in imagination. Playing with Mr. Potato Head sounds way better than doing adult activities like your taxes or fixing your broken sprinkler system, right?
4) Peter Pan
In Disney’s 1953 cartoon, Peter Pan, audiences are reintroduced to the OG “forever kid” in Peter Pan. The impish Peter is the symbol of perpetual childhood or the epitome of shirking all adult responsibility. Peter flies in to save Wendy, Michael, and John Darling from growing up by whisking them away to Never Land with him, the Lost Boys, and Tinker Bell.
Never Land is the ultimate adventure for any kid (even with villains like Hook and Mr. Smee) and it is a place that thrives on imagination; it is filled with pirates, mermaids, and fairy dust. Although Wendy and her brothers eventually get homesick and return to their parents, Peter Pan chooses to stay behind and live out his life as a young boy instead. He shares, “I’m warning you, once you’re grown up you can never come back.”
So, after Wendy grows up and becomes the adult contemplating buying 1% milk or 2% milk at the grocery store, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys will be zooming around Never Land having a good old time! How can we get our hands on some of that fairy dust?
Whether you’re more of a Peter Pan and you never want to grow up, or you’re just feeling a little more like Spidey and want a 2-week break from responsibility, everyone can appreciate the idea of getting to be a kid for a day. We may not be able to turn back time for you, but we can offer you a Fifth Sun t-shirt to add some more fun to your day! Grab a Spider-Man shirt and be in the front row seat for the new Spider-Man: Far From Home movie. You can even act like a kid at the theater and eat all the Twizzlers too.
