10 Disney films with very strange messages

Disney films are often admired for their wholesome morals, but examining some classics a little closer shows that they contain some strange messages. Children’s films generally have positive messages, although children often learn more from brief interactions than from extended narratives. Disney has always been praised for teaching children to work hard for their dreams and to be kind to others, but not all of their films have such simplistic messages.

There are many Disney films that have aged poorly, with outdated stereotypes and problematic characters. In some cases, older Disney films also contain questionable moral lessons that don’t stand up to scrutiny. What’s more surprising is that modern Disney films have also been criticized for their strange messages. Movies can help shape young minds, so it’s a little alarming to see some of the strange customs that Disney classics seem to offer.

10

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Ariel decides to give up her voice

The Little Mermaid Nor is it one of Disney’s oldest films, but it has often been denigrated as outdated. The criticism is directed at the scene in which Ariel decides to sign Ursula’s contract that gives her the chance to live as a human for a while in exchange for her voice. Ursula is one of Disney’s best villains, so it makes sense that she would come up with such a diabolical plan. What is most intriguing is the fact that The Little Mermaid seems to justify Ariel’s choice.

To say that Ariel gives up her voice to be with a man is a bit extreme, as Ariel professes her desire to be human long before she sees Eric. However, the idea that anyone should voluntarily give up their ability to communicate is troubling. The Little Mermaid It could have ended by showing that this was Ariel’s foolish choice, but she actually starts to get closer to Eric without her voice. Only when Ursula intervenes once again do things go wrong.

9

The Lion King (1994)

Simba runs away from his problems

The Lion King could be the best film of Disney’s 1990s renaissance and has remained equally popular over the past 30 years. However, this did not protect him from criticism, and some fans questioned the perceived message of the story. After Scar kills Mufasa, Simba runs away and ignores his past for years as he grows up alongside Timon and Pumbaa. People saw Simba’s carefree life with his new friends as The Lion Kingthe way to tolerate your decision to run away.

The Lion King is famously built on the framework of William Shakespeare’s work Village, and Hamlet is certainly not the kind of protagonist whose actions should be seen as heroic. It makes sense that Simba would run away when he does. He’s just a kid when he sees his father die, so trying to have fun in a different environment is a valid trauma response. Rafiki eventually advises Simba to face his past, but he seems happy and free before then. It’s a mixed message at best.

8

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Beauty and the Beast’s Twisted Romance Has Often Been Questioned

Beauty and the beast is often criticized for the way it portrays their romance story, with some audiences fearing it paints a disturbing picture of love and consent. Belle eventually comes to love the Beast after he saves her life and she begins to see a softer side to him, but their relationship begins when she takes her father’s place as a prisoner in the castle. This is not an equitable basis for starting a relationship.

While claims that Belle suffers from Stockholm syndrome go too far, it’s certainly a little disturbing that Beauty and the beast fails to address the abusive beginning of Beauty and the Beast’s love story. For young audiences, this could send a harmful message about love. Fortunately, the story’s fantasy elements and gorgeous animation are usually enough to distract from the story’s dark beginning.

7

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Snow White’s story typifies the helpless nature of Disney’s first princesses

Snow White was Disney’s first princess in 1937, and her story highlights some of the harsh realities of Disney princesses who haven’t aged well. Since so many girls idolize princesses like Snow White, it’s a shame that some aspects of their stories send strange messages. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs have the same problem as Sleeping Beautywith a helpless female character being rescued by a man.

Snow White It could teach young women that they need men to protect them. This is something that Disney’s more recent princess films have noticeably resisted, with Moana and Elsa being much more active heroines. Snow White It May Also Have a Troubling Message for Boyswhile the prince wakes up his princess with a kiss on the mouth. Hopefully no impressionable children would copy this idea.

6

Aladdin (1992)

Aladdin begins his relationship with Jasmine by lying

Aladdin is another of Disney’s animated classics that offers a twisted take on romance. Once again, the upbeat musical numbers and creative art design allow for some questionable themes to escape. In particular, the fact that Aladdin begins his relationship with Jasmine by lying to her about his wealth and background is not a message that should be accepted by young audiences.

Aladdin eventually turns its problematic message about romance into an uplifting one, as Jasmine proves that she loves Aladdin for who he is, not the riches he appears to have. This may be too late, and it is also doubtful that Jasmine will forgive Aladdin for his deception so easily. Aladdin also has many positive messages for its audiencethen it balances itself.

5

Inside Out (2015)

Inside Out uses men’s emotions as jokes

by Pixar From the inside out carries a very positive message about getting in touch with emotions, but it has a flaw when it travels outside of Riley’s mind. From the inside out looks into the minds of different characters, and the subtle changes reveal a lot about who they are when compared to Riley. For example, while Joy is in charge in Riley’s mind, Sadness seems to run the show in her mother’s mind.

From the inside out shows the emotions of its male characters to be much less complex than those of its female characters. This division becomes clearer when it comes to Riley’s parents. The mother’s emotions are rational and cooperative, while the father’s emotions are simplistic and dismissive. This follows the old stereotype that men are not as emotionally intelligent as women, which can be harmful to young audiences. It’s also interesting to see the genders of each of Riley’s emotions. Joy and Sadness are feminine, while Anger is masculine.

4

Pocahontas (1995)

Pocahontas has a confusing approach to the story

Pocahontas is the only Disney princess based on a historical figure, but the real-life version was nothing like the one in the movie. Pocahontas has often been criticized for the way it distorts facts to present a sanitized version of history that is more appropriate for younger audiences. It uses the historical conflict as the backdrop for a much darker real-life romance.

Curiously, Pocahontas was condemned for being too generous to both the Powhatan people and the British colonists. This sends a false message about colonial America that could teach children the wrong version of history. The way that Pocahontas‘The love story that triumphs over the political pressures of the time is also seen as insensitive. This is one Disney film that probably won’t be getting the live-action treatment anytime soon.

3

The Aristocats (1970)

The Aristocats ignore the idea of ​​stranger danger

The Aristocats it would probably be much more popular today if it weren’t for the racist caricature of an East Asian character in the film. This is a dark mark against a film that has a lot of Disney-like charm in its other scenes. This is not the only part The Aristocats which may be seen as questionable by modern standards, however. When Duchess finds herself abandoned with her kittens far from home, she asks a nearby stray cat for help.

O’Malley, the stray cat, takes Duchess and her kittens on a raucous adventure through the streets of Paris they’ve never set foot on. After a few fun musical numbers and a touch of romance, it’s easy to see the benefits of trusting complete strangers. the difficult side of the city. This is probably not the kind of message most parents would want to teach their children.but O’Malley and his gang make the abandoned environment look like the ideal playground.

2

Desire (2023)

Wish has a contradictory message

To wish It was intended to be a grand celebration of Disney’s centennial, but it ended up being a rare critical and commercial failure for the studio. To wish is full of Disney Easter eggs and has a distinct animation style, but critics and audiences disagreed with the plot. This comes close to providing an uplifting message, but some narrative errors mean that the meaning of To wish it gets a little confusing.

To wish seems to suggest that people need to take the initiative to achieve their own dreams, without waiting for some nebulous power to fulfill their desires. This would be a powerful moral if it weren’t for the fact that Star gives Asha a magic wand at the end. Considering that the Magnificent King also began his work with the noble intention of helping people, there is no reason why Asha should not be corrupted by power in the same way that she was.

1

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Raya takes a positive message too far

Raya and the Last Dragon offers the message that people should trust more, but it goes too far. Set in the fictional land of Kumandra, Raya and the Last Dragon draws parallels between his hero’s journey and the broader political situation. Kumandra split into different tribes, each with a strong distrust of each other. They need to learn to cooperate and coexist, just as Raya needs to learn to trust others.

Ultimately, Raya and the Last Dragon gets a little heavy with its execution. Raya repeatedly places her trust in Namaari and is repeatedly betrayed. At some point, it would be a more powerful and more appropriate message for Raya and the Last Dragon saying that blind faith is foolish and that self-preservation sometimes means saying no to others. Namaari’s eventual redemption feels a little random after so many missed opportunities.