Spanning all the way back to 1937, Disney has produced many beautifully-crafted and unforgettable animated movies, that were deeply important in countless fans’ childhoods. The animation was simply beautiful, the tales were heartwarming, and each Disney classic is a classic for a reason that left a mark on fans forever. Everyone has a favorite Disney movie, and due to the theme parks the characters from these films loom large in the public imagination.
However, Disney’s wide array of classic movies don’t come without their fair share of deep controversy, with many problematic themes running rampant in these beloved flicks. In many ways, part of the boom in live-action remakes of Disney films stems from the fact that the studio needs to clean up the image surrounding these classic films. So with that in mind, here are the most problematic classic Disney animated movies.
Update December 14, 2023: This article has been updated with even more problematic Disney animated films and with updated material.
9 Cinderella (1950)
Based on the celebrated fairy tale of the same name, Cinderella famously tells the story of the beautiful, eponymous character who after the devastating loss of her father is left in the care of her cruel and jealous stepmother Lady Tremaine and stepsisters. After being stuck in servitude, Cinderella's fantastical fairy godmother appears to her and helps her become the belle of the ball, as she falls in love with the handsome Prince Charming.
Why It's Problematic
The first, and perhaps the best; Cinderella comes with many problematic themes. When asked "what about Cinderella is problematic?", many may point out the slavery and mistreatment that Cinderellais forced to endure at the hands of her evil stepmother and stepsisters. However, the real problematic theme is when Cinderella lies to the prince about who she is, which is a lesson that kids should not be taught. But the worst part of all was that this lie worked, and she eventually got the Prince that she wanted. Not a good lesson, Disney.
8 The Aristocats (1970)
The Aristocats
- Release Date
- December 24, 1970
- Director
- Wolfgang Reitherman
- Cast
- Phil Harris , Eva Gabor , Sterling Holloway , Scatman Crothers , Dean Clark , Paul Winchell
- Rating
- G
An underrated entry in Disney's illustrious catalog, The Aristocats takes place in 1910 Paris and follows the elegant feline Duchess and her three rambunctious kittens as they embark on a journey to make it back home and inherit their fortune after being abandoned in the countryside by a scheming butler. Duchess and her babies Marie, Berlioz, and Toulouse meet the smooth-talking alley cat O'Malley, who helps them on their quest to return to Paris, falling in love with the refined mother along the way.
Why It's Problematic
A massive critical and commercial success upon its release, The Aristocats has come under fire in recent years due to its depiction of the Siamese cat Shun Gon, with many feeling he was a racist caricature of East Asian people. The feline has exaggerated stereotypical characteristics like buck teeth and slanted eyes and even plays the piano with chopsticks and sings in broken English. Some of the lyrics included in the film also openly mock Chinese culture and language, causing Disney+ to limit the animated musical to viewers at least 7 years of age.
7 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
A heartfelt and moving love story between a sophisticated Cocker Spaniel and a charismatic homeless mutt, Lady and the Tramp is a timeless classic tale that chronicled the canines' wholesome love story that famously featured them sharing a delicious plate of spaghetti to the tune of "Bella Notte." It is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated pictures of all time and even landed on AFI's list of "100 Greatest Love Stories of All Time".
Why It's Problematic
Similar to the controversy surrounding The Aristocats, Lady and the Tramp also featured insensitive racial stereotypes by including two Siamese cats named Si and Am who's animation not only has major ethnic caricatures but the pair also sings the highly-offensive song "The Siamese Cat Song," a racist parody that is also performed in broken English. Released two years after the end of the Korean War, Lady and the Tramp is believed to have perpetuated anti-Asian propaganda, making the inclusion of the Siamese antagonists all the more troublesome.
6 Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Centering on the lovely Princess Aurora as she is hidden away deep within a forest with three kindly fairies after being cursed by the nefarious Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty was one of Disney's most artistically-lauded pictures and features the innocent heroine as she falls into a deep slumber after pricking her finger on a spinning wheel, with only true love's kiss being able to awaken her.
Why It's Problematic
Sleeping Beauty is another movie that doesn’t take a lot of analysis to determine why it is so controversial, and it's because of one scene in particular. Everyone knows that kissing someone or sexually interacting with someone without their consent or while they are unconscious is wrong and downright illegal, at least that's the hope here, yet Disney thinks it's a cute and romantic moment, that true love's kiss will end a horrific and deadly curse.
5 Dumbo (1941)
Ridiculed and ostracized for his big ears, the lovable and kind circus elephant Dumbo is able to fly with the help of his giant ears, a talent he utilizes to headline a wondrous act that finally earns him the adoration of his peers and curious observers. Featuring a wholesome friendship between the spunky main character and his mouse companion Timothy, the film won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and introduced audiences to the heartwarming tune "Baby Mine."
Why It's Problematic
Dumbo is just one of many Disney movies that depict some incredibly racist themes, as well as Dumbo getting drunk and going on a psychedelic trip. The scene in question was the moment with the singing crows that can’t help but feel like a tribute to racist minstrel shows that insensitively featured white actors in blackface. Likewise, the leader of the Singing Crows was even called Jim Crow, a horrific reference to the history of racism in America.
4 Snow White and The Seven Dwarves (1937)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Release Date
- February 4, 1938
- Director
- David Hand
- Cast
- Roy Atwell , Stuart Buchanan , Adriana Caselotti , Zeke Clements , Eddie Collins , Pinto Colvig
- Rating
- G
Disney's first full-length animated feature, the acclaimed '30s classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale that focuses on the fair princess with "hair as black as ebony, lips as red as the rose, skin as white as snow" who garners the wrath of her envious wicked stepmother as she vies to be the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. After fleeing into the woods and being taken in by seven quirky dwarfs, Snow White is poisoned by an apple and can only awaken by the kiss from a prince.
Why It's Problematic
Much like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White portrays a lot of problematic issues around consent. However, to make matters worse, Snow White is actually only 14 in the movie. Not only does Snow White hold many issues surrounding consent, but also an uncomfortable controversy surrounding underage marriage and underage sexual interactions. Once audiences realize that Snow White is only 14, they likely won’t be able to watch Snow White the same way again. This is one element the upcoming remake will likely avoid.
3 Pinocchio (1940)
Pinocchio
- Release Date
- February 23, 1940
- Director
- Hamilton Luske , Ben Sharpsteen
- Cast
- Mel Blanc , Don Brodie , Walter Catlett , Marion Darlington , Frankie Darro , Cliff Edwards
- Rating
- G
After the kindly toymaker, Geppetto creates the titular wooden puppet, a compassionate blue fairy brings the toy to life in the groundbreaking animated fantasy Pinocchio. On his valiant mission to become a real boy, the spirited and determined Pinocchio is aided by his conscience, Jiminy Cricket, and embarks on a quest to prove that he can be "brave, truthful, and unselfish", though hurdles and hiccups naturally arise.
Why It's Problematic
Pinocchio is by far one of the darkest classic Disney tales there has ever been, but no one really talks about it. The problematic themes on display are as clear as day, and yet parents still allow their children to watch it. Famously, Pinocchio depicts many uncomfortable acts of child abuse and child trafficking. While Pleasure Island is supposed to be a warning against excesses like drinking and smoking, it can't help but feel weirdly indulgent. Beneath that is a horrific portrayal of child trafficking and abuse that eventually sees the young children turned into donkeys to spend the rest of their lives working in a mine.
2 Peter Pan (1953)
Based on the J.M. Barrie legendary story about a mischievous boy who never grows up, Peter Pan follows the courageous, magical character and Lost Boys leader as he takes Wendy Darling and her two younger brothers on a wondrous adventure to Never Land, where they cross paths with the ruthless pirate Captain Hook and his trusted sidekick Mr. Smee. As the misfit group takes on Peter's archnemesis, all the excitement causes Wendy to appreciate the life she has waiting for her in London.
Why It's Problematic
Depicting harmful and offensive stereotypes within their animated pictures appeared to be a recurring theme in many Disney films of the twentieth century, and Peter Pan was no exception. The way the juggernaut studio handled the way they portrayed Native Americans was absolutely deplorable, making a mockery of the Native culture and making caricatures out of them, with the movie even referring to them as "redskins." Peter Pan appropriates Native American culture and its imagery, with many of the characters speaking in an indecipherable language and shamefully depicting exaggerated tropes.
1 The Little Mermaid (1989)
The Renaissance-era Disney film The Little Mermaid comes with many problematic themes, including underage marriage, sexism, and sexualization being key negative messaging that sadly surrounds this classic tale. Most may not realize that Ariel is actually only 16, so when Prince Eric marries Ariel, he is actually uncomfortably marrying a 16-year-old, which most people are unaware of. What's with classic Disney’s obsession with underage Princesses?
Why It's Problematic
The Little Mermaid's final sins come with its display of systematic sexism and misogyny, as King Triton is the epitome of toxic masculinity, portraying a stereotypical “buff” and insensitive man who instead uses irrational acts of violence to assert himself and work through his frustrations. Again, Triton constantly belittles Ariel and lashes out at her, which is forgiven and forgotten, just because he allows his 16-year-old daughter to marry a prince, giving off a toxic message that this is forgivable behavior.
All the films included on this list are available for streaming on Disney+.
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