Disney movies are often admired for their wholesome morals, but examining some classics a little closer shows that they have some strange messages. Children’s movies usually have positive messages, even though kids often learn more from brief interactions than extended narratives. Disney has always been lauded for teaching children to work hard for their dreams and to be kind to others, but not all their movies have such simplistic messages.
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There are plenty of Disney movies which have aged poorly, with outdated stereotypes and problematic characters. In some cases, older Disney movies also have questionable moral lessons that don’t hold up to scrutiny. What’s more surprising is that modern Disney movies have also been criticized for their strange messaging. Movies can help shape young minds, so it’s a little alarming to see some of the weird morals that Disney classics seem to offer.
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10 The Little Mermaid (1989)
Ariel Decides To Give Up Her Voice
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9/10 The Little Mermaid
Director Ron Clements , John Musker Release Date November 17, 1989 Cast Jodi Benson , Samuel E. Wright , Rene Auberjonois , Christopher Daniel Barnes , Pat Carroll , Jason Marin
The Little Mermaid isn’t even one of Disney’s oldest movies, but it has often been denigrated as outdated. The criticism is aimed at the scene in which Ariel decides to sign Ursula’s contract which gives her the chance to live as a human for a while in exchange for her voice. Ursula is one of the best Disney villains, so it makes sense that she would concoct such a fiendish plan. What’s more puzzling is the fact that The Little Mermaid seems to vindicate Ariel’s choice.
Related The Little Mermaid: The 25 Best Quotes
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Saying that Ariel gives up her voice to be with a man is a little too extreme, since Ariel professes her desire to be human long before she sees Eric. However, the idea that anyone should willfully give up their ability to communicate is troubling. The Little Mermaid could have ended by showing that this was a foolish choice from Ariel, but she actually starts getting close to Eric without her voice. It’s only when Ursula intervenes once more that things go south.
9 The Lion King (1994)
Simba Runs Away From His Problems
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The Lion King
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*Availability in US Director Roger Allers , Rob Minkoff Release Date June 24, 1994 Cast Matthew Broderick , Moira Kelly , Nathan Lane , Ernie Sabella , Robert Guillaume
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The Lion King could be the best movie of the 1990s Disney renaissance, and it has remained just as popular over the last 30 years. This hasn’t shielded it from criticism though, and some fans have taken issue with a perceived message in the story. After Scar kills Mufasa, Simba flees and ignores his past for years as he grows up alongside Timon and Pumbaa. People have seen Simba’s carefree life with his new friends as The Lion King‘s way of condoning his decision to run away.
People have seen Simba’s carefree life with his new friends as
The Lion King
‘s way of condoning his decision to run away.
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The Lion King is famously built on the structure of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and Hamlet is certainly not the kind of protagonist whose actions should be seen as heroic. It makes sense for Simba to flee when he does. He’s just a child when he sees his father die, so trying to enjoy himself in a different environment is a valid trauma response. Rafiki eventually advises Simba to face his past, but he seems to be happy and free before this. It’s a mixed message at best.
8 Beauty & The Beast (1991)
Beauty And The Beast’s Twisted Romance Has Often Been Questioned
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10/10 Beauty and the Beast
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*Availability in US Director Gary Trousdale , Kirk Wise Release Date November 21, 1991 Cast Paige O’Hara , Robby Benson , Angela Lansbury , Jerry Orbach , David Ogden Stiers , Bradley Pierce , Jesse Corti , Richard White
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Beauty and the Beast often comes under fire for the way it portrays its romance story, with some audiences fearing that it paints a disturbing picture of love and consent. Belle eventually grows to love the Beast after he saves her life and she starts to see a more delicate side to him, but their relationship starts when she takes her father’s place as his prisoner in the castle. This isn’t an equitable footing to start a relationship with.
It’s a little disturbing that
Beauty and the Beast
fails to address the abusive beginning of Belle and the Beast’s love story.
While allegations that Belle suffers from Stockholm syndrome go a little too far, it’s certainly a little disturbing that Beauty and the Beast fails to address the abusive beginning of Belle and the Beast’s love story. For young audiences, this could deliver a harmful message about love. Thankfully, the fantasy elements of the story and the gorgeous animation are usually enough to distract from the dark beginning to the story.
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7 Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Snow White’s Story Typifies The Helpless Nature Of Disney’s Early Princesses
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Director David Hand , Perce Pearce , William Cottrell , Larry Morey , Wilfred Jackson , Ben Sharpsteen Release Date December 21, 1937 Cast Adriana Caselotti , Roy Atwell , Pinto Colvig
Snow White was the first Disney princess way back in 1937, and her story highlights some of the harsh realities about Disney princesses that haven’t aged well. Since so many young girls idolize the princesses like Snow White, it’s a shame that some aspects of their stories send strange messages. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has the same problem as Sleeping Beauty, with a helpless female character being rescued by a man.
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Snow White
could teach young girls that they need men to protect them.
Snow White could teach young girls that they need men to protect them. This is something that the more recent Disney princess movies have noticeably pushed back against, with Moana and Elsa being much more active heroes. Snow White might also have a troubling message for young boys, as the prince wakes his princess with a kiss on the lips. Hopefully, no impressionable children would copy this idea.
6 Aladdin (1992)
Aladdin Starts His Relationship With Jasmine By Lying
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8/10 Aladdin
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*Availability in US Director Ron Clements , John Musker Release Date November 11, 1992 Cast Scott Weinger , Robin Williams , Linda Larkin , Jonathan Freeman , Frank Welker , Gilbert Gottfried , Brad Kane , Lea Salonga
Aladdin is another one of Disney’s beloved animated classics that offers a twisted view of romance. Once again, the joyful musical numbers and the creative art design allow it to get away with some questionable themes. In particular, the fact that Aladdin starts his relationship with Jasmine by lying to her about his wealth and his background is not a message that should be taken in by young audiences.
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Aladdin eventually spins its problematic message about romance into an uplifting one, as Jasmine proves that she loves Aladdin for who he is, not the riches that he appears to have. This might be too little too late, and it’s also dubious that Jasmine should forgive Aladdin for his deception so easily. Aladdin also has many positive messages for its audience, so it balances out.
5 Inside Out (2015)
Inside Out Uses Men’s Emotions As Jokes
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9/10 8.7/10 Inside Out
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*Availability in US Director Pete Docter Release Date June 19, 2015 Cast Lewis Black , Mindy Kaling , Phyllis Smith , Amy Poehler , Bill Hader , Richard Kind , Kaitlyn Dias
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Pixar’s Inside Out carries a very positive message about getting in touch with one’s emotions, but it has a flaw when it travels outside of Riley’s mind. Inside Out peers into different character’s minds, 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 be running the show inside her mother’s mind.
This plays into the old stereotype that men aren’t as emotionally intelligent as women, which can be harmful for a young audience.
Inside Out shows the emotions of its male characters as much less complex than its female characters. This divide is clearest when it comes to Riley’s parents. Her mother’s emotions are rational and cooperative, while her father’s emotions are simplistic and dismissive. This plays into the old stereotype that men aren’t as emotionally intelligent as women, which can be harmful for a young audience. It’s also interesting to see the genders of each of Riley’s emotions. Joy and Sadness are female, while Anger is male.
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4 Pocahontas (1995)
Pocahontas Has A Muddled Approach To History
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Pocahontas
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*Availability in US Director Mike Gabriel , Eric Goldberg Release Date June 16, 1995 Cast Irene Bedard , Mel Gibson , David Ogden Stiers , John Kassir , Russell Means , Christian Bale , Linda Hunt
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Pocahontas is the only Disney princess based on a historical figure, but the real-life version was nothing like she is in the movie. Pocahontas has often been criticized for the way it distorts the facts to present a sanitized version of history that’s more appropriate for younger audiences. It uses the historical conflict as a backdrop for a romance which was much darker in real life.
Pocahontas
has been condemned for being too generous to both the Powhatan people and the British settlers.
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Interestingly enough, Pocahontas has been condemned for being too generous to both the Powhatan people and the British settlers. This sends a false message about America’s colonial period that could teach children an erroneous version of history. The way that Pocahontas‘ love story triumphs over the political pressures of the time is also seen as insensitive. This is one Disney movie that is unlikely to get the live-action treatment any time soon.
3 The Aristocats (1970)
The Aristocats Ignores The Idea Of Stranger Danger
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3/10 The Aristocats
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*Availability in US Director Wolfgang Reitherman Release Date December 24, 1970 Cast Phil Harris , Eva Gabor , Sterling Holloway , Scatman Crothers , Dean Clark , Paul Winchell
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The Aristocats would probably be much more popular today if not for the movie’s racist caricature of an East Asian character. This is a dark mark against a movie which has plenty of trademark Disney charm in its other scenes. This isn’t the only part of The Aristocats which can be seen as questionable by modern standards, however. When Duchess finds herself and her kittens abandoned far from home, she turns to a nearby alley cat for help.
After some fun musical numbers and a touch of romance, it’s easy to see the benefits of trusting complete strangers from the rough side of town.
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O’Malley the alley cat sweeps Duchess and her kittens away on a raucous adventure through the streets of Paris which they never set foot in. After some fun musical numbers and a touch of romance, it’s easy to see the benefits of trusting complete strangers from the rough side of town. This probably isn’t the kind of message most parents would want to teach their children, but O’Malley and his gang make their derelict surroundings look like the ideal playground.
2 Wish (2023)
Wish Has A Contradictory Message
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7/10 3/10 Wish
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*Availability in US Director Chris Buck , Fawn Veerasunthorn Release Date November 22, 2023 Cast Ariana DeBose , Chris Pine , Alan Tudyk , Dee Bradley Baker , Frank Welker
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Wish was intended to be a big celebration for the centenary of Disney, but it turned out to be a rare critical and commercial flop for the studio. Wish is filled with Disney Easter eggs, and it boasts a distinctive animation style, yet critics and audiences took issue with the plot. It comes close to providing an uplifting message, but a couple of narrative missteps mean that the meaning of Wish gets slightly muddled.
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Wish seems to suggest that people need to take the initiative to make their own dreams come true without waiting for some nebulous power to grant their wishes. This would be a powerful moral if not for the fact that Star gives Asha a magic wand at the end. Considering that King Magnifico also began his work with the noble intention of helping people, there’s no reason why Asha won’t be corrupted by power in the same way he was.
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1 Raya & The Last Dragon (2021)
Raya Takes A Positive Message Too Far
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7/10 5.3/10 Raya and the Last Dragon
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*Availability in US Director Carlos López Estrada , Don Hall Release Date March 5, 2021 Cast Awkwafina , Kelly Marie Tran , Thalia Tran , Daniel Dae Kim , Alan Tudyk , Izaac Wang , Ross Butler , Patti Harrison , Gemma Chan , Sandra Oh , Benedict Wong , Lucille Soong
Raya and the Last Dragon offers the message that people should be more trusting, but it goes a little too far. Set in the fictional land of Kumandra, Raya and the Last Dragon draws parallels between the journey of its hero and the broader political situation. Kumandra has split into different tribes, each with a fierce distrust of one another. They need to learn to cooperate and coexist, just as Raya must learn to trust others.
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Raya repeatedly puts her trust in Namaari, and she repeatedly gets betrayed.
Ultimately, Raya and the Last Dragon gets a little heavy-handed with its execution. Raya repeatedly puts her trust in Namaari, and she repeatedly gets betrayed. At a certain point, it would be a more powerful and a more appropriate message for Raya and the Last Dragon to say that blind faith is foolish, and that self-preservation sometimes means saying no to others. Namaari’s eventual redemption seems a little random after so many missed opportunities.
Source: https://www.phonggdkrongpac.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment