Disney classic movies featured elements that were acceptable back in the day but certainly wouldn’t pass today’s scrutiny. Disney has been creating movies for over eight decades, and during that time, the studio has faced a lot of controversy over problematic storylines, racial stereotypes, and inaccurate historical representations. Today’s world is remarkably different from when some of the old Disney movies were created. Society now has different values and expectations of studios that were not taken seriously when some of the classic Disney movies were being released.
However, it is crucial to recognize that old Disney movies were a product of their time and often perpetuated harmful stereotypes and outdated ideals. It can be easy to dismiss some features of classic Disney movies as simply being there for entertainment. However, the impacts they can have on an impressionable audience are monumental. Some themes in old Disney movies, such as kissing a sleeping princess or naming a crow Jim, send the wrong message about consent and racial stereotypes, respectively. Disney has seemed to learn from its past mistakes, as they are now creating movies that are more inclusive.
10 The Hellfire Song
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame has one of the most impressive songs to be ever be featured in a Disney movie, “Hellfire.” Judge Frollo’s performance of the song that resembles a Roman Catholic Mass was simply a masterpiece. Even when it was released in 1996, Hellfire raised some eyebrows because of its religious undertones and the message the song was sending to its younger audience. Given that the song was about Judge Frollo’s lustful feelings towards Esmeralda and how she was to blame for them, in today’s world, that message would not be acceptable.
9 Mushu’s X-ray Vision
Mulan (1998)
Mushu is a character who was essential in adding humor to Mulan. With his over-the-top personality and scheming ways, it’s not surprising that the fast-talking dragon crossed a line. In one scene, when Mushu introduces himself to Mulan, he builds himself by saying that he is an awe-inspiring dragon with various powers. One of his powers is x-ray vision, which he demonstrates by looking at Mulan’s chest, which earns him a well-deserved slap. It’s a wonder why Disney thought putting such a scene in a children’s animation was acceptable.
8 Kissing A Sleeping Princess
Sleeping Beauty (1959), Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
The depiction of consent in Disney movies is another thing that wouldn’t be considered appropriate today. The idea that a princess is saved by a prince through true love’s kiss that is bestowed upon her when she is unconscious crosses a boundary. The prince kissing a sleeping princess as shown in Snow White and Sleeping Beauty portrays love in a way that is forced and not based on respect, understanding, or consent. Kissing a sleeping princess might initially seem romantic or even heroic, but there is something that is inherently wrong with it.
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7 Native American Stereotypes
Peter Pan (1953)
Peter Pan is one of the most beloved Disney classics, but its portrayal of Native Americans is something that would not be okay with today’s audience. In Peter Pan, a song about what makes the “Red Man” red features Native American stereotypes that are offensive. For instance, the caricatured dance moves and the gibberish language implied that the indigenous language made no sense. In today’s world, Disney would be forced to think twice before portraying Native Americans in such a stereotypical manner.
6 Anti-Black Stereotypes
Dumbo (1941), Fantasia (1949)
Disney has a long past of portraying black characters in a problematic way. Black characters are often depicted using cultural stereotypes which perpetuate harmful biases and misconceptions. For instance, Sunflower from Fantasia was drawn with very dark skin and big lips, which sends a message that that’s how black people look. Additionally, the crows from Dumbo caused some controversy because of the way they spoke and the fact that the leader of the crows was named Jim. Whether it was a coincidence that Jim’s name reminded people of the Jim Crow law or not, it still remains that Disney added to anti-black stereotypes.
5 The Siamese Cats
Lady and The Tramp (1955)
Ever since Disney started creating its movies, it seems there is no group that the studio has not offended in some way. In Lady and the Tramp, two villainous Siamese cats, Si and Am are featured in the movie to disrupt Lady’s life. The problem lies in how they were animated. The two cats have bucked teeth and slanted eyes, a negative stereotype of Asians. Lady and the Tramp isn’t the only movie Disney made a huge mistake when it came to Asian types. Shun Gon in The Aristocats had bucked teeth and sang in an Asian accent.
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4 Ariel Giving Up Her Entire Life For A Man
The Little Mermaid (1989)
At first glance, Ariel’s decision to leave her home and family behind to live happily ever after with the man she loves might seem romantic. However, this portrayal of Ariel as someone who has no ambition other than to marry a man she doesn’t even know would not fly today. The fact that Ariel left her entire life behind and is shown to have no purpose other than being with Prince Eric sends the wrong message to a young audience. These days, it’s essential to portray young women in a way that shows that they are their own people and don’t need Prince Charming for their lives to be fulfilling.
3 Stereotypes About The LGBTQ+ Community
The Lion King (1994), The Little Mermaid (1987), Hercules (1997)
Disney’s villains are a major part of what makes the movies entertaining. However, villains in Disney are often queer-coded. Disney, of course, does not claim some of the villains are part of the LGBTQ+ community, but some of their characteristics promote queer stereotypes. For instance, Scar is portrayed as being flamboyant, a characteristic that is associated with gay men. Ursula was purposely made to look like a drag queen, and Hade’s mannerisms and snark are reminiscent of a gay man.
The way Disney portrays its villains reaffirms the negative stereotypes that are associated with the LGBTQ+ community being “other.” Seeing as these villains are shown as evil, and they eventually die or end up alone, it drives the message home that queer people are evil. Disney might not have consciously meant to queer code its villains, but they still benefited from it. It’s worth noting that Disney’s portrayal of villains has evolved because of the way Maleficent and Cruella de Vil were shown in the retelling of their stories.
2 The Message That Problematic Men Can Be Fixed
Beauty And The Beast (1997)
Beauty and the Beast is often seen as a classic love story that shows that love can conquer all. However, the beloved animation has a dark message hidden under Belle and the Beast’s love story. The Beast was often bad-tempered and did not always treat Belle with the respect she deserved. Belle stayed despite this and believed the Beast could change. Granted, she did not always take his bad temper lying down, but the message it sent was that even if a man is problematic, there might still be a chance for him to change when, more often than not, that’s not always the case.
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1 Historical Inaccuracy
Song Of The South (1946)
Disney is infamous for inaccurately portraying some real-life events that impacted a lot of people. One such example is the way the slavery experience was made to look like it was different from what it really was in Song of the South. Song of the South was an adaptation of the Uncle Remus stories. The movie was heavily criticized for the way it showed the master and slave relationship being less cruel than it actually was. The misrepresentation of slavery is something that Disney would not get away with today. Additionally, Song of the South featured several Black stereotypes, including using traditional “black” songs.
