13 Disney films which are offensive according to today's standards

They can be classics, but in some respects, they have not aged well.


Although they are timeless in some respects, in others, Disney movies are - often unfortunately - the products of their time. As the company progresses and the internet and social media have enabled more marginalized voices to be heard, certain songs, scenarios and Disney films were criticized to be problematic or even downright racist. With the launch of its Disney + streaming service a few years ago, the company tried to count with this story and prepare viewers by putting content warnings on some of its most culturally dated films. But they do not take into account all complaints from modern audiences. Read the rest for 13 Disney films which may have been more acceptable when they were published but are largely considered offensive according to today's standards.

In relation: 6 Disney movies that you can't watch anywhere now .

1
Peter Pan (1953)

still from peter pan
Walt Disney Studios movies

Disney does not deny racism Peter Pan . In fact, when Disney + launched, Peter Pan was one of a handful of films that included a sensitivity warning: "This program is presented as created originally. It can contain obsolete cultural representations "The offensive representation of an Amerindian tribe is not unique to the Disney film either - it comes from the original play and the novel by J.M. Barrie . But as Smithsonian Magazine Notes: "The 1953 Disney film doubled on racial stereotypes ; One of the songs in the film is "What Made The Red Man Red".

2
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Still from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Walt Disney productions

A live version of the first Disney feature film of all time, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , stars Rachel Zegler And should be released in 2024, but not everyone is happy. In an interview in 2022 with Marc Maron , actor Peter Dinklage , better known to play Tyrion Lannister on Game Of Thrones ,, criticized Disney to redo a film that many believe offensive for small people.

"They were very proud to throw a Latin actress as a Snow White, but you always tell the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs "He said, as Indiewire reported." Take a step back and look at what you do there. It makes no sense. You are progressive in a way, but you always do this History [Expletive] Back on seven dwarfs living together in a cave. I did nothing to advance the cause of my soap box? I suppose that I am not strong enough. "

The original was also Criticized for the "True Love's Kiss" With which the prince wakes up in snow, because she is obviously unable to consent.

In relation: 7 Hit 'from the 70s offensive songs according to today's standards .

3
Dumbo (1941)

still from dumbo
Walt Disney Studios movies

As Peter Pan ,, Dumbo is one of the classic Disney films to obtain a content warning on Disney +. The most controversial moment of the film arrives when the holder elephant meets a group of crows. "Black birds are illustrated using African-American stereotypes of time, with models of jive type speeches and jazzy-gosted songs sung in harmony, "like the Washington Post Remarks. "The main bird, named Jim Crow, was expressed by the white actor Cliff Edwards , which engages in the vocal equivalent of Blackface. ""

4
Alladdin (1992)

still from aladdin
Walt Disney Studios movies

There is no sensitivity warning attached to Alladdin On Disney +, but that does not mean that the film has not been criticized for racism in the past. Shortly after its release in 1992, Alladdin was called for negative and The detrimental representations of Arab culture . Disney has actually changed two lines in the film for its home video release after pressure from the American-Arab anti-discrimination committee.

5
Southern song (1946)

still from song of the south
Walt Disney Studios movies

A film that you will not find on the Disney streaming service - or everywhere else, besides - is Southern song , easily the most notorious film that the studio has ever made. THE Film racism Was well documented, which is why Disney is mainly trying to claim that the film does not exist, apart from the lasting popularity of its most famous song, "Zip-a-dee-Doo-Dah".

In the light of 2020 Protests by Black Lives Matter And the cultural calculation that followed on racism, however, Disney fans suggested a Complete replacing of the Splash Ride mountain , which presented characters of Southern song . Powers, which agreed, and the journey then closed its doors to obtain a facelift. Bayou de Tiana adventure , on the theme of Disney film in 2009, The princess and the Frog Would be ready for runners next year.

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6
The beauty and the Beast (1991)

Still from Beauty and the Beast
Photos of Walt Disney

Although everyone does not agree that the love story between Belle and the cursed prince is problematic, some have affirmed that The beauty and the Beast In fact glorify Stockholm syndrome. After all, Belle falls only for the beast after having locked it in her enchanted castle and separates her from her beloved father.

In a room for Vox, Constance Grady explained that the version of the Disney fairy tale adapted for one of its most famous animated films was written by the 18th century Frenchwoman Jeanne-Marie Leprince of Beaumont for young girls, and that "his lesson is that Arranged weddings are not as frightening As you can think "- a lesson that was much more relevant to its audience than for most viewers today.

However, it is not surprising that the public in 2023 finds uncomfortable that the beast kidnaps essentially beautiful and that it, because it is kind, learns to love it. "The dynamics of power that Beaumont The beauty and the Beast Works to make an harmless and even attractive look, to today's readers, such as the configuration of a situation grouped together with misfortune, even abuse, "wrote Grady.

7
The jungle Book (1967)

still from the jungle book
Walt Disney Studios movies

Another film with content warning on Disney + is The jungle Book , a film whose racist story goes back to the novel on which it is based by Rudyard Kipling . The main problem here is the racial representation of King Louie, which is clearly different from that of one of the other anthropomorphic animals exposed. As Atlantic Note: "Walt Disney studio in the mid -1960s seemed to have been unconscious of the idea that anyone Be offering of the character of King Louie , an orangutan speaking Jive who sang in Mowgli about "wanting [ING] to be like you". »»

8
ARISTOCATS (1970)

still from the aristocats
Walt Disney Studios movies

ARISTOCATS wins a Disney + sensitivity warning for its inclusion of a Siamese cat who speaks in a Offensive stereotypical accent Asia in the East . The cat, which is drawn like a racist caricature, sings Chinese food.

In relation: 7 Disney attractions that you will never drive again .

9
the Lady and the Tramp (1955)

still from lady and the tramp
Walt Disney Studios movies

A bit like ARISTOCATS ,, the Lady and the Tramp Includes Siamese cats with similar racist images and stereotypical accents. But in this case, the Cats get an entire song: "The Siamese Cat Song". Although the number is included in the film as it appears on Disney +, as well as the sensitivity warning, the live adaptation of the streaming platform of the Lady and the Tramp Cut the racist song entirely. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

10
Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Still from Alice in Wonderland
Walt Disney productions

From Lewis Carroll A novel was published in 1865, people interpreted Alice's journey to Wonderland as a drug allegory. And Disney animated adaptation of 1951 of Alice in Wonderland He is certainly looking at psychedelic imagery associated with substances, whether intentionally or not. Alice takes pills, drinks drinks and takes a mushroom snack, all of which distorts her perspective or change the world around her. There is also the Caterpillar Nargage smoker , to whom Alice admits that she "is not [she] self". Although they are not necessarily offensive, some parents may consider it a little too frightening or suggestive for their young children.

11
Pocahontas (1995)

still from pocahontas
Walt Disney Studios movies

Not everyone believes Pocahontas is racist, and the representation of Amerindian culture is certainly more respectful than everything in Peter Pan . But the film disinfects and romance the most complicated real story of Pocahontas And John Smith . And while the song "Savages" is clearly designed to overthrow the negative stereotypes of the Amerindians, it is filled with violent and offensive language and imaging which undermine its progressive intentions.

12
Fantasy (1940)

still from fantasia
Walt Disney Studios movies

At one point, Fantasy Offered one of the clearest and most regrettable cases of racist images in a Disney film: Sunflower, a dark skin centaurette that takes care of other Centaurs with clear skin. However, despite a content warning on Disney +, the character in question (with other similar racist images) was edited Fantasy decades ago.

In relation: 35 Disney facts that will bring out your inner child .

13
The little Mermaid (1989)

still from the little mermaid
Walt Disney Studios movies

You will not find a warning attached to The little Mermaid On Disney +, but the film has courted the controversy in the past. While some were offended to the stereotypical Jamaican accent of Sebastian, a greater discord is a photo of the Duke of the soul, a black fish which is represented in a way that looks like historical racist imaging , in "Under the Sea".


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