Hollywood delivers bundles of terror

Once upon a time when movies spotlighted a baby, the expectation always was, “How adorable!”

Doesn’t “Bundle of Joy” — a ’50s Debbie Reynolds comedy — say it all?

But that was then, and today is very different.

There is just no way that “The Boss Baby” can be called adorable, innocent or a bundle of joy.

This “Baby,” with the inimitable Alec Baldwin voicing the title character, should not be confused with the little seen 1997 animated film “Bad Baby,” in which a demanding infant makes life hell for mom and dad (Kathleen Turner and Jim Belushi).

“Boss Baby” begins in the pre-cellphone ’60s as a classic study of sibling rivalry. Tim, just 7, is an only child with an active imagination.

Spoiled and adored by mom and dad, Tim is horrified once his parents suggest a baby brother, and for selfish reasons: Why would they want to divide their parental focus when they have adorable me?

But the baby that comes through the front door, via taxi yet, isn’t exactly cuddly. He’s wearing a suit, carries a briefcase and he talks.

For Tim this adult in a child’s body with no name other than Baby is a serious threat to peace, happiness and bedtime storytelling.

Are scary babies a thing now? They weren’t always this bizarre, but animators have been ramping up the need for a timeout.

“South Park’s” Ike is super passive: “Don’t kick the baby!”

Boo from “Monsters, Inc.” (2001) could be strong and curious, but this tot still needed saving (despite becoming super brave by the end). She still rates as an early example of female empowerment.

Then there’s Jack-Jack in Pixar’s “The Incredibles” (2004), very normal, drooling and sweet — until his powers kicked in and he turned into a devilish fireball.

We can’t wait to see the next little sweetie in Hollywood’s nursery.