Aladdin gave viewers a whole new world of entertainment when it flew into theaters in 1992. While the musical fantasy was a box office success, it was also a huge critical success. That being said, not every part of the film made total sense. We’re here to look closer at some of the plot holes and unexplained details now. Yes, we’re fully prepared to get nitpicky. Though Aladdin is a fictional story and the creators could do whatever they wanted with it, what’s the fun in skipping over the little inconsistencies?
It’s also worth noting that we will be focusing exclusively on the animated Aladdin, so even if a plot hole was cleared up in the live-action adaption, it might still appear here. With the logistics out of the way, it’s time to head to the streets of Agrabah; Here are 10 things that don’t make sense about Aladdin.
Where Did Jafar’s Powers Come From?
![Disney: 10 Things That Don’t Make Sense About Aladdin (1992)](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Jafar-2.jpg)
Though knowing where Jafar got his powers from isn’t absolutely necessary to Aladdin‘s story, the context would have been helpful. After all, Jafar is incredibly crafty and probably didn’t end up with a magical scepter overnight.
Additionally, toward the beginning of the film, we see Jafar bring a man to the Cave of Wonders, where he learns that he needs to present someone who is a “diamond in the rough” in order to enter. The movie doesn’t explain how Jafar found this man or how he knows about the cave. Really, we don’t know much about Jafar’s background at all.
Why Have The Guards Never Captured Aladdin?
First off, it’s incredibly intense to try to kill someone with a knife for stealing food, and even Aladdin himself realizes it’s crazy. Secondly, why have they not caught him before? Some women in the marketplace recognize Aladdin and imply that he steals things on the daily. You’d think that the guards would have figured out how to arrest him by now.
How Did Jasmine Sneak Into The Streets?
Wishing to taste a bit of freedom, Jasmine disguises herself as a commoner and sneaks into the marketplace. However, it’s a wonder that she managed to do so without anyone realizing it.
Her castle should be heavily guarded. Can the princess just up and leave like that? Additionally, the guards instantly recognize Jasmine when she pulls down her hood in the streets. Was her face not enough for them?
How Did Abu Steal The Magic Lamp?
![Aladdin Disney Lamp](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Aladdin-Disney-Lamp.jpg)
Abu gets into trouble inside the Cave of Wonders, causing the mouth of the cavern to close shut. Though Aladdin almost escapes, Jafar throws him into the closing pit right after he stows the magic lamp in his cape. As Jafar begins to villainously laugh, however, he realizes that the lamp is missing.
It is revealed that Abu nabbed the lamp right before he and Aladdin became entrapped. However, we never see Abu do this. It’s as if it randomly fell into his possession.
Why Was There Urgency To Jasmine’s Marriage?
![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Jasmine-and-Rajah-from-Aladdin-1992-e1574197739619.jpg)
This early scene has the Sultan confronting Jasmine with the news that she must choose a suitor within three days. She’s frustrated by the prospect, wishing to instead marry out of true love.
While the law requires Jasmine to marry a prince, the movie never explains why there’s such urgency to her marriage. What will happen if she’s not married within the defined time period? Though the Sultan adds that he wants to live to see her wed, it’s not like he’s going to die on a schedule. The time element is never explained.
Jafar’s Staff Was Inconsistent
![Jafar and the Sultan from Disney's Aladdin](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jafar-Aladdin-Hypnotize-e1585242918422.jpg)
Though Jafar doesn’t become the most powerful sorcerer in the world until later in the film, he is well acquainted with magic. One of his most prominent skills is hypnotism, which he completes by having his enemies stare into the serpent head of his staff. What’s confusing is how sometimes the Sultan unexplainably breaks out of the hypnotism at certain points, but at other times, he doesn’t. For example, when Jafar suggests that he marry Jasmine, the Sultan breaks away and claims that he is too old, only to soon be locked into hypnosis again.
Side note: Jasmine should have realized a lot earlier that her father was being hypnotized. It’s only when Aladdin points it out that Jafar gets in trouble for his manipulation.
How Did They Get Around The World In One Night?
![Aladdin and Jasmine on their magic carpet ride](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Aladdin-Jasmine-magic-carpet-ride.jpg)
The sequence featuring “A Whole New World” is gorgeous, however, it’s hard to believe the magic carpet was fast enough to literally take Aladdin and Jasmine across the world in one night.
They fly over locations including the Egyptian pyramids, the Roman temples, and the Great Wall of China. While the couple could have completed a nice cruise over Agrabah, they shouldn’t have been able to travel hundreds of miles across the globe.
Why Couldn’t The Genie Just Help Aladdin When He Was Drowning?
![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Aladdin-Drowning-e1585242887247.jpg)
Seconds after Aladdin finishes his sweet carpet ride, the castle guards tie him up and throw him in the water to drown. Aladdin struggles but quickly becomes unconscious. Genie notices that his master is in trouble and tries to get him to rub the lamp and make a wish to be rescued. He takes Aladdin’s head-nod as confirmation and saves him.
There are two problems with this scenario; One, Aladdin never said “I wish,” so did Genie’s gesture actually count as a wish? Two, Genie rescued Aladdin from the Cave of Wonders without him ever making a formalized wish. Why could he not have done the same in this scenario out of the kindness of his heart?
How Did All The Magic Undo Itself?
![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Aladdin-Ending-e1585242901591.jpg)
The climax of the film wraps up with Jafar wishing to become a powerful genie. This wish backfires, however, as it causes him to become trapped inside of a lamp.
When this happens, all the wrath Jafar created prior to this event instantly goes away. The sky gets lighter, everyone gets their original clothing back, and no one is in chains. However, Aladdin’s prince title remains stripped away. Why would Jafar’s final wish undo some things but not all things? How does the land instantly restore itself?
Why Didn’t The Sultan Change The Law Earlier?
![Sultan from Aladdin smiling](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sultan-from-Aladdin.jpg)
At the end of Aladdin, the Sultan decides to revoke the law that forces Agrabah’s princess to marry a prince. He instead makes a new rule; Jasmine can marry whomever she wants.
The Sultan could see that Jasmine wasn’t happy with the idea of marriage early in the film, so what took him so long to change it? And though he is the ruler and can technically do whatever he wants, is it actually a good idea? What about political alliances? Won’t abolishing a multi-century law make the neighboring kingdoms angry? Apparently true love triumphs all.