10 Disney Movies That Were Different As An Adult

Disney The films are some of the most well-known and beloved children’s films of all time, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their fair share of dark, emotionally resonant themes. However children are typically the studio’s target audience, many adults watch the projects whether with their own children or because they miss their childhood. However, when revisiting some of these films today, it’s shocking to see how many of them tackle such serious themes and deal with some of the harsh realities of aging and the losses we face.

Not all of these films are different when viewed as an adult because they are sad or tragic, but for the most part, that is the case. There are some Disney movies with strange messages. While the studio produces classics, that doesn’t mean all of its films have aged well. Despite that, All of these films connected viewers, young and old, for a reason, and push the boundaries in terms of the public’s perception of what children’s films can discuss. Grief, friendship, love, and commitment play important roles in the stories of these films.

10

Inside Out (2015)

Directed by Pete Docter

For any audience members who moved during their childhood, From the inside out will hit home. However, Pixar was smart to incorporate many other universal moments and experiences into the story, such as From the inside out connects with everyone. Feeling joy, sadness and all the other emotions in Riley’s head is something everyone goes through. Additionally, Learning that there can be no happiness in life without moments of pain is a difficult lesson, but that lesson is one that everyone learns.

However Inside Out 2 had a record-breaking box office and streaming streak, the original film should not be forgotten. While Inside Out 2 explored the pains of early adolescence and how real and immediate these problems are, From the inside outthe stakes are higher as there is a possibility that Riley will lose the ability to feel joy forever. The deterioration of her sense of self and the dysregulation she feels are painful but relatable parts of coming of age.

9

The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Directed by Ted Berman, Richard Rich and Art Stevens

The friendship between Tod and Cooper is a touching tribute to the love and acceptance in the first half of The Fox and the Houndbut their bonds are quickly tested. Nature versus nurture is an essential question in The Fox and the Houndas the duo grows up and learns that their roles in life are as enemies. Although they both overcome the pressure put on them to hate each other, at the end of The Fox and the Hound, it’s clear their childhood friendship will never be rediscovered.

As viewers grow into adulthood, this is a difficult reminder of the relationships and people that have faded due to time and circumstance. However The Fox and the Hound is considered part of Disney’s Dark Ages, It’s one of the positive aspects of the season, even if it lives up to its nickname. The happy endings to fairy tales that Disney was known for are nowhere to be found The Fox and the Houndeven as Tod and Cooper come to a reluctant acceptance of their situation and separation.

8

A Goofy Movie (1995)

Directed by Kevin Lima

It’s never easy for parents and children to connect, and it’s even harder when children reach adolescence. Adolescence is a time when everything in the world is embarrassing. This is the concept of A goofy moviea film that could easily be considered just another animated romp without much to say, but that would be selling the project short. Throughout the film, all Goofy wants is to spend time with his son, Max, and earn his approval, but Max struggles to let his father in and appreciate the time they spend together.

A goofy movie is a silly and comedic film, but it’s also surprisingly moving when revisited by an older viewer. It’s reminiscent of the time when the public took parents for granted and they didn’t realize how much their caregivers wanted to connect and bridge the gap between them. The pitfalls of adolescence are prominent and frustrating, but the viewer easily sympathizes with both Goofy and Max. Today, many audiences and critics have come to appreciate the script’s nuances.

7

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

Directed by Duwayne Dunham

One of Disney’s best live-action projects, the 1993 film Heading home is actually a remake of the 1953 film The incredible journeybut the updated film is considered the definitive version. There is no doubt that the majority of the public understands the weight and tragedy of losing a pet, and Heading home brings the animal perspective to life as a trio of pets race to find their family. Both an expression of unconditional love and the pain of coming of age, Heading home achieves a lot in its runtime.

Featuring iconic actors to voice the animals such as Michael J. Fox, Sally Field and Don Ameche, Heading home makes your emotional journey as compelling as that of humans. The extreme lengths animals go to to find their humans and get home are deeply moving and remind older audiences of a time in their lives when bonding with an animal was a key part of their development. With an uplifting ending, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey will make the audience cry with joy.

6

Brother Bear (2003)

Directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker

Joaquin Phoenix lends his voice to the role of Kenai, the young man transformed into a bear in Brother Bearan often forgotten part of Disney history. Although not perfect, Brother Bear engages and moves the audience visually, and the central relationship between Kenai and the young bear he befriends, Koda, unaware that he is responsible for the death of Koda’s mother. Koda and Kenai are brought together by their mutual loss, while Kenai is recovering from his brother’s death at the hands of a bear, leading him to attack Koda’s mother.

It’s an intense story, and although most of the narrative is a fun adventure through beautiful wild landscapes, Brother Bear it is defined by the pain that drives its characters. Kenai’s journey is even more powerful when seen as an adult, as he not only has to deal with the loss of his brother, but also the terrible acts he committed. It’s subtle character development, and witnessing the way Kenai realizes his new duty is to protect Koda connects deeply with older viewers.

5

Above (2009)

Directed by Pete Docter

One of Pixar’s most moving films, and that’s a high bar, Above brings the audience to tears in just the first fifteen minutes of the project. While it is deeply impactful to see Carl and his wife, Ellie, grow old together as children, the older audience feels the full weight of their time together and the loss of Carl when she passes away. This makes the relationship that builds between Carl and Russell even more moving, as their search for companionship and human connection defies generational gaps.

Above is an interesting film that takes an unexpected turn when Carl and Russell reach the sky and go to Paradise Falls, but even in its somewhat surreal story, there is a moving emotional core. As viewers grow older, they can identify with Carl much more than they did as children and reflect on how life wasn’t exactly how their younger selves thought. However, Carl’s journey is also a reminder that it’s never too late to start over and have an adventure.

4

Bambi (1942)

Directed by James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, David Hand, Graham Heid, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Norman Wright, Arthur Davis and Clyde Geronimi.

The tragic beginning Bambi is one of the most notorious introductions to any Disney film. However Bambi is often cited as a seminal and moving children’s classic, but it fails to capture how devastating the first few scenes are. Films like Bambi are part of the reason why Disney has gained a reputation for frequently killing off its protagonists’ parents. The fact that Bambi loses his mother early in his life is a traumatic moment, especially for a supposedly light story.

As one of the best Disney movies that isn’t about princesses, Bambi stands out when compared to the studio’s later works, especially the Disney Renaissance films. In 1942, Disney was producing surprisingly dark and serious content. Although Bambi He begins to make friends and build a pleasant life for himself, this does not change the fact that his early years are marked by the loss of his mother, which only becomes more evident in adulthood.

3

Big Hero 6 (2014)

Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams

In essence, Big Hero 6 is a film about healing from loss, and that overarching message becomes even clearer as we watch the story unfold later in life. However Hiro is a genius and a prodigy, that doesn’t change the fact that he is also a boy suffering from the loss of his brother, looking for some outlet to release his anger and devastation over what happened. As an adult, it’s easier to empathize with Hiro when he makes mistakes because his motivations are so clear and understandable.

Although it is packed in a colorful and dynamic visual world, Big Hero 6 It’s a serious film that doesn’t fail to put Hiro in intense situations as a child. Furthermore, the characterization of Baymax, his robot companion, is even more exciting as an adult. Still comical and enjoyable to watch, Baymax’s position as caretaker and his undeniable kindness are incredibly touching, and it’s easy to see why Hiro’s brother left him something that would fulfill that role in his place.

2

Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

Directed by Gábor Csupó

Josh Hutcherson and Anna Sophia-Robb deliver incredible performances for actors so early in their careers in Bridge to Terabithia. Based on the novel by Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia is known as one of the most devastating children’s films of all time, thanks to its tragic ending. Narrating the power of friendship and the importance of self-acceptance, Bridge to Terabithia embraces the promise and excitement of creating a magical world to escape to as a child.

While Bridge to Terabithia is undeniably sad, no matter how old the viewers are when they watch it, revisiting it as an adult provides a greater sense of perspective. Understanding the impact that loss has on children and the way it changes a person’s life gives older audiences an idea of ​​how incredible it is that the characters are able to overcome their circumstances and treat each other with kindness. Combining fantasy and coming-of-age elements, Bridge to Terabithia has become a timeless classic.

1

WALL-E (2008)

Directed by Andrew Stanton

Like all of Pixar’s best films, WALL-E takes an unexpected protagonist and makes him undeniably compelling and more human than many characters seen on screen. These emotional elements are a big part of why WALL-E has remained so culturally and artistically important. At once a love story and a blunt critique of the way humans are treating the planet, WALL-E is much more than a typical children’s film and asks the audience to think about the narrative.

Although he only says a few words during the entire runtime, WALL-E is one of the from Disney more compelling protagonists, making it doubly emotionally moving to watch him try to make sense of a world falling apart around him. Today, looking back WALL-E, his comments on consumerism and climate change are more relevant than ever. Although there is a dark element to the story, the hopeful and uplifting message at the end of the film helps encourage the audience to take action rather than be devastated.