Disney has revisited the Aladdin series many times throughout the years. Before the 2019 remake came two sequels to the original film, one of which was the pilot for the television series. Though Disney gained huge success from Aladdin, they didn’t create the series.
Aladdin is based on the folk tale Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp. While there are similarities between the two, there are also many differences. Some things from the original were cut, and some things not in the original were added to the film. Here are ten of the most glaring differences between Disney’s Aladdin and the folk tale.
The Setting
Disney’sAladdin takes place in Agrabah, which is in the Middle East. However, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp is set in China, which is in the Far East. There are many possible reasons as to why Disney decided to change the setting.
One possible reason is that the original story has numerous references to Middle Eastern culture. For example, there isn’t an emperor in the folk tale, but a sultan. Additionally, several of the characters have Middle Eastern names.
Aladdin’s Childhood
The Disney film begins with Aladdin already being an adult. While the film doesn’t delve into Aladdin’s childhood much, the folk tale describes what his life was like as a kid.
In the folk tale, Aladdin was just as mischievous as a kid as he is as an adult. The main difference is he had his mother and father along with him. He’d sometimes work in a shop with his father, but he often snuck away to play with other little kids.
Aladdin’s Mom
Both of Aladdin’s parents are absent from the Disney movie but present in the folk tale. However, Aladdin’s mom had a much bigger role in the story.
Aladdin’s mother arranged for him to meet the princess, and it was also her who released the Genie from his lamp. One can only imagine how the Disney movies would’ve turned out if Aladdin had his mom by his side.
Abu
Disney movies are known for having lovable animal sidekicks. Rapunzel has Pascal, Mulan has Mushu, and Aladdin has Abu. Aladdin and Abu went through thick and thin in the Disney film. Though they have a strong friendship, it only exists in the Disney version.
In Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, Aladdin didn’t have too many friends outside of his mom. Since his mom isn’t in the Disney film, it was important for Abu to be someone Aladdin can talk to.
Magic Carpet
Another addition Disney made to the Aladdin story is the Magic Carpet. Carpet quickly became one of Aladdin’s most trusted companions, but he doesn’t appear in the original folk tale.
It’s a good thing Disney gave Aladdin friends with Abu and Carpet. Being on his own for so long, Aladdin needed all the friends he could get.
The Genie
The
Genie is often regarded as one of Robin Williams’s best characters. He’s unique, funny, and charming in all the right ways. However, Genie in the Disney film is vastly different compared to the one from the folk tale.
In Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, Genie doesn’t have much of a personality like his Disney counterpart. Instead of making jokes, he simply asks for a wish to grant, grants it, and then disappears.
The Number Of Genies
Genie can make as many forms of himself as he needs to. While he could duplicate himself, there was always just one base Genie in the Disney version.
In Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, there are two different Genies, but they both act the same. One of them comes from the lamp Aladdin’s mother rubs, while the other comes from a magic ring that Aladdin was given.
Jasmine
In both versions of the Aladdin story, Aladdin marries the sultan’s daughter. Though they’re both princesses, there are more differences between them than there are similarities.
Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin is smart, confident, and independent. The princess in Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp is Buddir al Buddoor. Jasmine takes her time learning to love Aladdin, but Aladdin simply wishes to be able to marry Buddir al Buddoor.
Jafar
There is an evil sorcerer in both Aladdin stories, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end. In the Disney movie, Jafar works for the Sultan as the Royal Vizier.
Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp‘s sorcerer is from Africa. He doesn’t have his companion Iago, and he isn’t even named in the story. He also pretends to be Aladdin’s uncle to get closer to him.
How Aladdin Beats Jafar
Good always wins over evil in the Aladdin stories, but how the victory is achieved differs greatly. In the Disney movie, Aladdin tricks Jafar into getting trapped into the Genie’s lamp.
In Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, Aladdin and his wife trick the magician into having a drugged drink, which kills him instantly. Considering Disney’s brand, it’s understandable why they made the change.
