Despite what many believe,these movies and TV shows are set in a different era than the one you think they are.The best period pieces moviesof all time stand out because it’s clear when they are set in, but for some cinematic and TV titles, it isn’t as obvious. It’s not uncommon for certain directors or writers to play around with settings, and sometimes, they leave the time period of their projects vague on purpose.
Many of these titles are confusing setting-wise because of popular culture, and they’re often associated with the era they were released in, rather than when the story’s events actually take place. While these movies and TV shows are still amazingly entertaining and worth watching, you might be mistaken about which year or decade they’re set in.
Grease
Cast
In this film adaptation of the iconic stage musical, good girl Sandy Olsson and greaser Danny Zuko fall in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they’re now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance despite belonging to different social cliques?
Greaseis an iconic title in the world of cinema and is considered one ofthe best feel-good ‘80s movies of all time.What’s interesting, though, is thatGreaseis technically a ‘70s film. However, because of the movie’s release in 1978, it became associated more with the next decade. On top of that,Greaseis actually set in the 1950s.
There are details throughoutGreasethat stay true to the era, such as the diner scenes, Sandy’s earlier outfits, and the casting of 1950s singing star Frankie Avalon as Teen Angel. However,there are other elements ofGreasethat are associated with other periods.
For example,Sandy’s perm and legendary slick-leather catsuit at the end of the movie is more of a ‘70s style,and there are pieces of technology in the background of scenes that are from decades ahead. Despite these historical errors,Greaseis an enjoyable yet cheesy film. As a huge hit in popular culture, though, many associate it with the 1980s, and because the setting isn’t an integral part ofGrease’s narrative, it’s easy to forget it’s a 1950s movie.
Sex Education
Sex Education is a comedic-drama series that follows various students, parents, and staff of Moordale Secondary School and their awkward sexual dilemmas. The series primarily focuses on student Otis Milburn with a dour outlook on sex due to his mother’s occupation as a sex therapist who has several affairs with zero attachments. Seeing an opportunity to capitalize on his second-hand knowledge and ambivalence to sex, Otis and his friend Eric set up an in-school clinic to advise other students with sexual issues. This clinic becomes compromised when Otis begins to have feelings for one of his clients.
Sex Educationgrabs the attention of many for several reasons, but one thing that stands out to viewers is how ambiguous the time period setting is.The visuals in the earlier seasons of the show make it seem like the 1980s. Nobody seems to have a personal telephone, and the bold patterns and colors of the characters’ outfits scream the ‘80s, too. In fact, there’s even a moment when a sexual health informational video from the ‘80s is played. Despite this,Sex Educationis actually set in the 2020s.
Although people like Abbi and Roman, two trans characters who join the show in season 4, existed in the ‘80s, viewers wouldn’t likely see them so prominently displayed ifSex Educationhad been set that far in the past.
TheSex Educationtimelineis a little vague, but it only spans a few years. However, the later implementations of newer technologies and the introduction of more diverse characters bring audiences into the present. Although people like Abbi and Roman, two trans characters who join the show in season 4, existed in the ‘80s, viewers wouldn’t likely see them so prominently displayed ifSex Educationhad been set that far in the past.Sex Educationalso takes a lot of inspiration fromthe movies of John Waters, though, which explains why the show looks this way.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Based on the Archie comic series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a Netflix supernatural horror series that follows Sabrina Spellman, a young half-witch, half-human that is coming into her powers in her teenage years. To protect her friends, family, and the world itself, Sabrina will have to harness her powers and ignore the calls from her darker side to embrace her evil potential fully and instead use her powers for good. Despite the series cancellation in 2020, the show’s story was continued in The Occult World of Sabrina, a comic book serial.You can buy the seasons for just $9.99 for Prime Day.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrinais another TV show that is set during an ambiguous time period. It’s easy to get confused about whenChilling Adventures of Sabrinais set, especially as it has such a dark and eerie atmosphere in general, although this makes sense for this Netflix adaptation of the Archie comic book series of the same name, and the ‘90s sitcomSabrina the Teenage Witch.Chilling Adventures of Sabrinafeels modern in the interactions between characters, especially in the language they use, and the occasional appearance of a cell phone.
At the same time,Chilling Adventures of Sabrinaalso features many elements of the 1960s.A lot of the other technology, vehicles, and fashions inChilling Adventures of Sabrinafeel very ‘60s. Zelda and Hilda’s TV sets are clearly from the ‘60s, but weirdly, the characters refer to movies from the ‘50s as being out of date. However, the show is actually set from 2014 to 2015. This is proved in the very first episode, which shows the date Tuesday, October 28, and excluding this year, the last time October 28 landed on a Tuesday was in 2014.
Riverdale
A darker take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends from the Archie Comics series, Riverdale is a CW supernatural mystery series that sees the group trying to illuminate the truth surrounding various strange occurrences and murders in the titular town. When a teenage girl is found dead in the once-quiet town, the event starts a series of ever-growing mysteries that ultimately lead to darker secrets in the town’s history. Led by Archie, the Riverdale gang will attempt to navigate their new normal while dealing with all of the drama that comes with being high school teenagers.
AlthoughRiverdale’s endingactually sends the characters to the 1950s, the show is primarily set across the 2010s and 2020s.Before season 7,Riverdalestrangely mixes elements of several different eras. For example, the characters typically use modern-day slang and their dialects are accurate for the current era, but then there are a lot of old classic cars from the ‘60s and beyond, too.Riverdale’s fashion sense is rather random as well. Jughead dresses like it’s the ‘90s, whereas Betty often looks like she’s stepped out of the ‘40s or ‘50s.
Any moments that include someone wearing a uniform is worth noting, too.The high school’s football team uniform is rather dated, and the employees of Riverdale General Hospital are dressed like it’s the 1950s. However,Riverdale’s storylines do acknowledge the blend of time periods, like when the Twilight Drive-In is knocked down because times are changing. Perhaps the decision to styleRiverdalethis way is an attempt at foreshadowing the finale, but it’s unlikely, although it’s an interesting thought to ponder.
The Incredibles
The Incredibles follows the retired superhero Bob Parr, now an insurance adjuster living in suburbia with his family. When a mysterious assignment surfaces, he is called back into action alongside his family, leading them to confront hidden dangers.
The Incrediblesis a brilliant family movie, but because the story of the superhero Parr family is so engaging, it’s easy to forget that it isn’t set in 2004, the same year of the film’s release. However, there are plenty of signs that the movie is actually set in the 1960s. For example,the black and white news reports of Bob and Helen before their kids are born is very ‘60s,but it’s not uncommon for audiences to assumeThe Incrediblesis simply highlighting the time between Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl in their prime and after their retirement.
The family does have a VHS player, however, a piece of technology that originates from the ‘70s.
Violet and Dash seem like 00’s children, but if you pay close attention, you’ll realize that they don’t have cell phones or even a home computer.The family does have a VHS player, however, a piece of technology that originates from the ‘70s. The clothing choices of the whole family aren’t necessarily associated with a particular time period, but they look more modern than something from the ‘60s, too. Even thoughBob’s newspaper setsThe Incrediblesin 1962, the fact the superheroes can access secret and powerful technology makes many forget which time period they’re watching.
Freaks and Geeks
Judd Apatow’s Freaks and Geeks is a comedy-drama series centered around several now-popular stars in their first-ever appearances as outcast teenagers dealing with the “hilarious unfairness of teen life.” The friend groups are split into “freaks” and “geeks,” each with their own quirks that resonate with teens today as they try to find their place in the socially complex world of high school.
There isn’t a major difference between when audiences believeFreaks and Geeksis set and what year the events actually happen in, but it’s still a common misconception for many.Theunderrated ‘90s TV show is now a cult classic, and although there are nods to the early 1980s inFreaks and Geeks, audiences’ memories of it typically associate the show with the late 1990s. However, some contradictions often confuse many. For example, several extras have bowl-cut hairstyles, a staple of the ‘90s.
Some of the lesser-visited locations in the show are far too modern for the ‘80s as well, such as the diner in the episode “Girlfriends and Boyfriends.”There are pop-culture references that are ahead of their time, too, like Nick eating Fruit Roll-Ups and Sam dressing up as Luke Skywalker. It’s a shameFreaks and Geekswas canceled after season 1, and I like to think that later installments of the show would have dedicated more time to fixing these little details.
Ratatouille
Ratatouille follows Remy, a culinary-inclined rat living in Paris, who dreams of becoming a chef. Despite societal obstacles, he finds an opportunity to prove his talents when he ends up beneath a prestigious restaurant, allowing his sophisticated palate to assist in creating extraordinary dishes.
Ratatouilleappears to be a mix of different time periods, but it’s a unique title in this context, as it’s one that is actually set around the same time as the film’s release.The fantastic 2007 Pixar movieinitially appears to be set at some point in the ‘50s or ‘60s. The cars on the Parisian streets, the fashion of the various background characters, and the black-and-white TV sets support this, as does the lack of more modern technology like cell phones or iPods. However, there are other details that proveRatatouilleisn’t set at this time.
For example, paternity testing is hinted at through Chef Gusteau failing to acknowledge his child, but this type of DNA analysis didn’t come around until the ‘90s. Gusteau’s will is also dated to 2004 and had been written two years prior, which impliesRatatouilleis set in 2006, although it isn’t completely clear.Ratatouilleis fueled by a passion for food, a feel-good lead character, and an overall endearing plot, but the movie’s ambiguous setting doesn’t make it any less enjoyable to watch.
