Ernest Movies Taught Me EVERYTHING I Know About Life!

As a child, I found myself engrossed in the numerous Ernest movies more than the average kid might be expected to. From my early years of tuning into Ernest Scared Stupid on cable, to receiving Ernest Goes to Camp on VHS as a gift, and endlessly rewatching Ernest Rides Again after renting it from Blockbuster, I spent a considerable amount of time with the late Jim Varney’s beloved character.

The films significantly influenced my character, offering a wealth of valuable insights about friendship, valor, and relying on instincts – all while keeping me in fits of laughter. To put it another way, these movies taught me 32 essential life lessons, as expressed by Ernest: “Got that?

Heroes Come In All Shapes And Sizes (Various Ernest Movies)

In the unexpected role of a lifesaver, I found myself utterly captivated by Ernest in Kamp Kikakee, a camp that owes its day-saving heroics to this seemingly ordinary individual, as portrayed in “Ernest Goes To Camp.” But this was merely the first chapter in the tale of an unlikely hero. In another adventure titled “Ernest Scared Stupid,” Ernest stepped up yet again, bravely confronting those revolting trolls and shielding not just the children, but an entire Missouri town from the clutches of ancient evil.

Being Clumsy Isn’t Necessarily A Bad Thing (Various Ernest Movies)

Without a doubt, Ernest consistently portrays a rather uncoordinated and accident-prone figure across all his films. Yet, ironically, these mishaps often result in remarkable occurrences – beneficial for him and his companions at least. This characteristic of Ernest’s has always resonated with me, being somewhat clumsy myself.

There Really Isn’t An Easy Way Out (Ernest Goes To School)

In the movie “Ernest Goes to School“, our beloved janitor employs a mind-boosting gadget to ace his classes. But when this device breaks down, he resorts to traditional methods. Remarkably, he chooses to tackle the exams the challenging route. Moreover, Ernest manages to mend his bond with his schoolmates in the process.

If Something Looks Odd Or Dangerous, Leave It Alone (Ernest Scared Stupid)

In the franchise, it’s a recurring event that Ernest, known for his inquisitiveness, unwittingly unleashes trolls in the movie “Ernest Scared Stupid.” Despite rectifying the situation later, Ernest undeniably stirs up a great deal of turmoil in the town of Briarville, Missouri.

Never Lose Track Of Your Goals (Ernest Goes To Camp)

In “Ernest Goes to Camp”, Ernest yearns for the role of counselor at Kamp Kikakee, yet others perceive him only as an accident-prone maintenance man. The entire film follows his attempts to demonstrate his leadership potential to everyone at the camp and gain their trust.

No Force Is Stronger Than Belief (Various Ernest Movies)

Ernest consistently demonstrates that remarkable achievements can stem from unwavering faith. Just observe the miracles they pulled off in “Ernest Goes to Camp”, “Ernest Saves Christmas”, and “Ernest Goes to School”. In each of these films, he seems to bring about events, blending his tenacity with tireless effort.

We All Need A Loyal And Crafty Dog By Our Side (Various Ernest Movies)

Ernie’s beloved pet, Rimshot, is one of the most remarkable canine actors in film history. This legendary Jack Russell Terrier, who graced our screens in “Ernest Goes to Jail” and “Ernest Scared Stupid”, demonstrates that with a faithful and cunning companion like him, you can accomplish almost anything.

Need To Save Your Camp? Bring In The Turtles (Ernest Goes to Camp)

I’m not referring to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In fact, it would be impractical to use them as a means of defense against hostile miners and construction workers. However, the giant turtles portrayed as paratroopers in the movie “Ernest Goes to Camp” proved quite effective in saving Kamp Kikakee.

Milk Does The Body Good… And Kills Trolls (Ernest Scared Stupid)

Back in our school days, remember those “Drink Milk” posters hung around cafeterias? Instead of relying on those, they could have simply shown us “Ernest Scared Stupid”. Truth be told, Ernest and his crew utilize milk to weaken and conquer the trolls. I’m not pulling your leg here.

The Power Of Friendship Defeats All (Various Ernest Movies)

Ernest frequently befriends unconventional individuals such as outcast children, elderly Native Americans, kind-hearted witches, among others. More often than not, these friendships enable him to solve problems and achieve success. In essence, the importance of friendship transcends all obstacles.

Sometimes Cleverness Is Better Than Brains (Ernest Goes To Jail)

Even though he might not be the most intellectually gifted individual compared to others, or in the case of ‘Ernest Goes to Jail’, there’s no denying that Ernest is a cunning character. His wit often allows him to escape trouble and even gives him an edge over the antagonists on occasion.

Kindness Goes A Long Way (Ernest Scared Stupid)

In the movie “Ernest Scared Stupid“, kindness was the key to overcoming the trolls. It may seem odd, but a generous spirit can indeed be quite effective.

Family Is Incredibly Important (Various Ernest Movies)

Ernest’s diverse relatives, such as Auntie Nelda, Ace Worrell, and Astor Clement, frequently pitch in to aid the overburdened hero during his assorted escapades (and misadventures). In fact, recall the absurd scene towards the end of “Ernest Scared Stupid” where the entire family joins the festivities.

Singing To A Snapping Turtle Makes It Release Its Bite (Ernest Goes To Camp)

In the movie “Ernest Goes to Camp“, Pokey the turtle nips Ernest’s nose and refuses to let go until the campers start singing “Happy Together.” Additionally, his performance of “Gee I’m Glad It’s Raining” later in the film is one of the most memorable musical moments in a non-musical movie ever.

Don’t Trust Jake And Eddie’s Diabolical Culinary Concoctions (Ernest Goes To Camp)

Essentially, if you notice Jake and Eddie (Gailard Sartain and Daniel Butler) preparing something with their new device, swiftly move away, not just stroll. This advice is even more crucial when they’re making Eggs Erroneous. Yet, this peculiar machine proves useful during the final confrontation.

Don’t Let Success Get To Your Head (Slam Dunk Ernest)

In “Slam Dunk Ernest,” our protagonist obtains a pair of enchanted sneakers that turn him into an unbeatable basketball player on Clean Sweep. However, once he starts showing off his new abilities, Ernest transforms into the most detestable teammate, even as they achieve success together, much to the dismay of his fellow players.

Everyone Deserves A Second Chance (Ernest Goes to Camp)

Similar to Ernest, the Second Chancers in “Ernest Goes to Camp” step up to the challenge and manage to save the camp, despite initially appearing as a rowdy and delinquent group of youths. When others seem to lose hope and surrender, these resilient youngsters demonstrate that fighting for redemption is indeed a worthy cause.

Respect Your Elders (Various Ernest Movies)

In both “Ernest Goes to Camp” and “Ernest Scared Stupid”, it’s often the more experienced characters who step up to assist the protagonist in overcoming challenges, whether they’re dealing with a malicious mining corporation or a horde of trolls.

Courage Goes A Long Way (Ernest Goes To Camp)

In the movie “Ernest Goes to Camp,” Ernest and his companions, the Second Chancers, may lack muscles and wealth, but they possess an abundance of courage that drives them to take a stand for what’s right. Remarkably, they confront a corrupt mining company with just makeshift weapons (the turtles) and their unwavering bravery.

Don’t Let Your Failures Define You As A Person (Ernest Goes to School)

In “Ernest Goes to School,” the main character persistently strives to succeed in his exams, yet continually encounters difficulties. However, in the end, he manages to conquer the obstacles and remains undeterred by multiple setbacks.

Own Up To Your Mistakes (Ernest Scared Stupid)

In “Ernest Scared Stupid,” the main character’s blunders result in significant problems. Rather than concealing his errors, he acknowledges them and devises a strategy to protect the town, its inhabitants, and Rimshot from an imminent loss.

Trust Your Gut (Various Ernest Movies)

Ernest may not be the most intellectually gifted individual, yet he frequently relies on his intuition, which occasionally leads to impressive outcomes. Despite being less academically inclined or emotionally perceptive compared to others, he shares a common trait with many esteemed detectives – he trusts his instincts.

Nobody’s Perfect (Various Ernest Movies)

People who are acquainted with the “Ernest” films are aware that these ’80s and ’90s comedies don’t portray anyone as flawless. However, this is precisely what endears Ernest P. Worrell as a character. He’s not without his flaws, and he acknowledges them, which only enhances his charm.

Listen To Kids (Various Ernest Movies)

As a movie critic, I find the Ernest series echoes the value of cherishing our elders while also acknowledging the wisdom and potential in the younger generation. More often than not, these young characters are the unsung heroes, steering us through challenges when we least expect it. It’s essential to heed their advice and take their insights seriously.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words (Ernest Goes To Camp)

In the movie “Ernest Goes to Camp,” the bumbling protagonist doesn’t sway people through his speech, but rather, he wins them over through his deeds and enthusiastic spirit. It’s not that Jim Varney, the late actor, lacked eloquence, but his iconic character was one who demonstrated leadership by his actions.

Stay Out Of Poison Ivy… Or Risk Getting A Big Shot (Ernest Goes To Camp)

In the movie “Ernest Goes to Camp“, the camp caretaker often finds himself in poison ivy, despite knowing he’s allergic and even receiving large injections to alleviate its effects. However, he just can’t resist coming into contact with it.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine (Various Ernest Movies)

In uncertain situations, Ernest’s remarkable wit often proves useful and can even brighten someone’s day (if not outright rescue it).

You’re Never Too Old To Try Again (Ernest Goes To School)

In “Ernest Goes to School,” our amiable janitor finds himself needing to complete his final year of high school to keep his job… at an age beyond his 40s. Despite the shame and apprehension, Ernest realizes that it’s never too late for a second chance. Remarkably, his strategy pays off, and everything is resolved in a storyline strikingly reminiscent of “Billy Madison,” which was released the year after.

If It Looks Ancient, Don’t Touch It (Ernest Rides Again)

The less-often-remembered film titled “Ernest Rides Again” is a delight that deserves more recognition, as it’s quite entertaining. While it may not reach the heights of “Ernest Goes to Camp“, that’s quite difficult to achieve. In this installment, our bumbling hero has a habit of touching things he shouldn’t, and at one point, puts himself and his companions in grave danger during a precarious and delicate situation. Really, try to keep your hands off!

Never Give Up (Ernest Scared Stupid)

Following the townspeople mocking him for his troll warning, Ernest embarks on a mission to protect everyone from an ancient menace, including those who were about to dismiss him from the city. It’s a grueling struggle with its share of victories and defeats, but like John Cena, who has never been spotted at the same time or place as Ernest, he persists and triumphs over the spite to save the day.

Don’t Be Afraid To Improvise (Various Ernest Movies)

Ernest consistently manages to extricate himself from tricky and risky predicaments through improvisation. His strategies may vary in effectiveness, but his success rate is simply astonishing. Frankly, the stunts he performs in ‘Ernest Goes to Camp’ and ‘Ernest Goes to Jail’ are some of the funniest and most resourceful you’ll find in a family-friendly film series.

Be Careful With Your Flea Market Purchases (Ernest Goes To Africa)

In “Ernest Goes to Africa,” the main character, Ernest, accidentally purchases a set of stolen jewels at a flea market while attempting to win favor with his love interest. This seemingly innocuous action leads to a string of mishaps, serving as a cautionary tale about the potential perils of flea market shopping, dear Ernest.

2025-05-28 23:43