10 Disney Movie Heroes That Do Something Terrible

For many decades, Disney movies have been dazzling their audiences with their lovable characters, charming stories, and positive, uplifting messages. While each of these films is delightfully unique, many of them do share a handful of similarities. One such similarity is, of course, the inclusion of a hero (or heroes) for the viewers to root for. These heroic characters are often meant to provide a positive role model for impressionable young viewers, giving them an example of how they should strive to act in their own lives.

However, when taking a look back years later, it becomes increasingly apparent that some of these protagonists actually do some rather questionable things over the course of their films, even bordering on the Disney villains being morally superior to the heroes. Even though most of them go on to learn their lessons, the fact that they performed these actions at all begins to call into question just how “heroic” they really are, blurring the line between Disney movie heroes and villains. They may not be the clear villains of their respective stories, but these unconventional Disney heroes definitely did some surprisingly terrible things in their movies.

10

Simba Refused To Help Nala

The Lion King (1994)

It is no major secret why The Lion King went on to become one of Disney’s most successful animated movies of all time. The film effectively manages to convey a mature, emotional story while also maintaining a fun, family-friendly feeling through its lively music and stunning visuals. When looking back on the film, however, the protagonist, Simba, does do some things that call his heroism into question. The most notable example comes late in the film, when he angrily refuses Nala’s pleas for him to return home and help save Pride Rock.

Nala made it very clear to Simba that Pride Rock had fallen into a dismal state, and that all the friends and family he had grown up with were suffering. Despite understanding this, Simba still chose to cast her aside, instead opting to continue living his worry-free life with Timon and Pumbaa. Although he was later convinced to return home, Simba’s initial reaction to Nala’s request is undeniably selfish, particularly for someone who (as the rightful king) had an obligation to help the animals of Pride Rock.

9

The Beast Kept Belle As His Prisoner

Beauty And The Beast (1991)

People remember Beauty and the Beast as a heartwarming love story, one that emphasizes the importance of loving who a person is on the inside, rather than how they appear on the outside. While this is certainly an excellent message to present to young viewers, some of the specific details of the love story are a bit more unnerving. After all, the titular pair only fall in love after the Beast decides to keep Belle prisoner in his castle, despite knowing that she was not guilty of anything herself.

Mulan in Mulan and Prince Adam in Aladdin

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Looking back on it, the love story between Belle and the Beast definitely seems a bit less than proper. Although it was good of Belle to look past his fearsome appearance, she (and the rest of the characters) did seem to forget about the fact that the Beast was unfairly imprisoning her rather quickly. The idea that doing something like this could spark a romance feels like a pretty questionable message to be sending to young audiences.

8

Judy Discriminated Against Nick And The Other Predators

Zootopia (2016)

The 2016 animated film, Zootopia, is definitely one of Disney’s most topical films in recent memory. Set in a world entirely populated by animals, Zootopia offers a compelling commentary about society and the divisions that can form between different groups of people. While the film predominantly presents a positive, inclusive message, its protagonist, Judy, does say some things that are bound to raise a few eyebrows. During a press conference, Judy calls attention to how only predators had been committing crimes in the film, even showing hesitation towards her friend Nick, a fox.

Given that Zootopia can largely be seen as an allegory for modern society, it is very easy to interpret Judy’s words as a vocalization of racism. Judy was openly expressing the idea that only a certain category of individuals in Zootopia would be capable of performing the vicious attacks, due to the nature of their DNA. While she later attempted to clarify what she meant, the damage was already done, as she had inspired countless people to start acting with prejudice toward predators. Judy’s actions in Zootopia prove just how dangerous words can be.

7

Flynn Rider Stole A Priceless Crown

Tangled (2010)

Near the beginning of Tangled, one of the main characters is shown successfully stealing something. However, this is not an act that could be seen as noble, like Aladdin stealing a loaf of bread to feed some starving children. Rather, Tangled begins with Flynn Rider stealing a priceless crown from the castle, planning on using it for nothing except personal gain. Flynn later ends up realizing the poorness of his decisions and changing his ways, but not until well after the dangerous crime was already committed.

It was an interesting choice for Tangled to begin by highlighting the criminal acts of one of its main characters. Not only does the film call attention to Flynn’s illegal actions, but it also encourages the audience to root for him to succeed and escape. This does give the character plenty of room to grow and mature as the film progresses, but it does introduce him on a rather questionable note. Flynn does grow into a hero, but he never faces any real consequences for his actions.

6

Baloo Tells Mowgli He Can Stay In The Jungle

The Jungle Book (1967)

Even in a film full of fun, colorful characters, Baloo has stood out as a fan-favorite from The Jungle Book for many years. The lovable bear is known for his laid-back, care-free approach to life, and for introducing the world to the catchy tune, “The Bare Necessities.” However, the attitude that made him so lovable may actually have been quite a terrible thing to impart to Mowgli, the human child who had been living in the woods. In direct contrast with the efforts of Bagheera, Baloo happily tells Mowgli that he can live among the animals in the jungle forever.

This was a terrible thing for Baloo to tell Mowgli. For one, Baloo had become a real role model to the child, so Mowgli was bound to wholeheartedly trust whatever he said. Continuing to live in the jungle would be impossible for Mowgli, though, as he was constantly being hunted by the deadly tiger, Shere Khan. Allowing Mowgli to stay in the jungle was doing little more than keeping him in immediate danger. If Baloo truly cared for Mowgli, he should never have created this unrealistic expectation.

5

Tinker Bell Tried To Kill Wendy

Peter Pan (1953)

Since her appearance in the 1953 animated classic, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell has become one of the most iconic characters in Disney history. Many people seem to forget, though, that many of her actions in the film were actually quite terrible. Much of what Tinker Bell does in Peter Pan is driven by her jealousy of Wendy, which is present from the moment the character is introduced. When the characters first arrive in Neverland, the seemingly innocent fairy attempts to have Wendy killed by instructing the Lost Boys to shoot her out of the sky.

Many Disney heroes have performed some rather terrible acts, but few have been so openly nefarious as to attempt to kill another main character. When watching the film today, it almost feels strange that the character went on to become so beloved. This attempt to kill Wendy isn’t even the only wicked action performed by Tinker Bell. For the most part, the other characters seem largely unperturbed by this, though, appearing to forget about everything once Captain Hook arrives and poses a greater threat.

4

Maui Stole The Heart Of Te Fiti

Moana (2016)

When it comes down to it, the entire plot of Disney’s 2016 instant classic, Moana, is actually set in motion by a single terrible action by one of the film’s heroes. In the introduction of the film, it is revealed that the shape-shifting demigod Maui used his powers to steal the heart of Te Fiti, the nature goddess, many years ago. At the time Moana takes place, the world is beginning to be ravaged by the consequences of this poor decision, with the surrounding areas becoming increasingly devoid of life.

His charisma and ultimate heroism may lead the audience to root for Maui, but one should remember that all the bad events of the film are essentially caused by his past actions. His greed and desire to be loved by humanity led him to steal the life force of a goddess, turning her into a violent, vengeful being in the process. Maui may be regarded as a hero by the end of Moana, but one could definitely make the argument that stealing the heart of Te Fiti was just about the most villainous thing done in the film.

3

Elsa Froze All Of Arendelle

Frozen (2013)

As soon as Frozen was released in 2013, Elsa became one of the most iconic characters to come out of a Disney movie in a long time. She quickly became a fan-favorite character to many, thanks to her strong personality, complex story, and stunning voice provided by Idina Menzel. However, Elsa’s story did not conclude without her performing some rather awful actions. After fleeing the kingdom of Arendelle on her coronation day, her inability to control her magical powers resulted in her inadvertently leaving the kingdom in a permanent state of winter.

Frozen doesn’t dive too deeply into how this unforeseen winter impacted the residents of Arendelle, but one can infer that it definitely made things quite a bit worse for a lot of people. The persistently freezing weather likely affected practically every aspect of life, including forcing many people to suffer as they struggled to endure the cold. Elsa may have learned to control her powers by the end of the film, but it doesn’t erase the damage she dealt to Arendelle.

2

The Whole Madrigal Family Shunned Bruno

Encanto (2021)

One of the most successful Disney films in recent years is undoubtedly Encanto. This Oscar-winning 2021 film tells the story of the Madrigals, a Colombian family in which (almost) every person possesses some form of magical gift that they use to help their community. The family does not treat each one of its members equally, though. For having a gift they viewed as unwanted and potentially dangerous, the Madrigal family shunned Bruno in Encanto, prompting him to secretly live inside the walls of their house for many years, feeling unwelcome but unable to fully leave.

The protagonist, Mirabel, ultimately triumphs in reuniting the family, but it is hard for many viewers to fully move past what had happened. Bruno had been so heavily vilified by his own family for ten full years, having to live on small scraps of food and having only rats as friends. When the audience finally gets to actually see the character, it is revealed that he is nothing more than a kind man with an unusual gift (not the monster the Madrigals described him as), making the situation even more heartbreaking.

1

Aladdin Lied To Make Jasmine Fall In Love With Him

Aladdin (1992)

Aladdin may have been a diamond in the rough at heart, but he did make some dubious choices driven by his love for Princess Jasmine. Instead of merely returning to her and explaining the full truth about himself, Aladdin used one of his wishes to turn himself into a prince, making him appear not as Aladdin, but as an extravagant, wealthy ruler. He had many opportunities to come clean, but instead continued to deceive Jasmine as a means of earning her affection.

He does eventually explain what had happened, but Aladdin spends a significant part of the film lying about who he is. This is never a good thing to do, but it is even worse when done with the goal of getting someone to fall in love with you. Looking back on the film, the way Aladdin approaches his potential relationship with Jasmine feels creepy and manipulative, certainly not traits one would hope to see in a movie’s hero.

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