Disney movies have come a long way.
Having been around for nearly 100 years, many of us grew up watching classic Disney films without batting an eye.
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Fortunately, nowadays society has very different standards as far as what’s acceptable, what’s appropriate, and what’s just plain offensive. Parents are now thinking twice about sharing beloved titles like, Dumbo , Peter Pan , and Bambi with their kids .
Disney movies have been around since 1928, and so naturally, their earlier films are not only dated, but also problematic.
And it’s not just Disney.
There is a long list of movies and TV shows with subject matter that today’s viewers are looking back on and cringing at.
Even Disney+ has made some adjustments, placing restrictions on titles including “Dumbo” and “Peter Pan.”
The films are still available, but there is an attached disclaimer that reads: “This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it, and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together. Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.”
Older movies are now being re-examined by cancel culture, and not everyone is making the cut.
And with that, many parents are now opting to keep their impressionable children from watching the ones that may no longer hold up.
For starters, “Beauty and the Beast.”
It has been speculated that Belle falling in love with her captor is actually an example of Stockholm Syndrome.
Understandably, parents don’t want their little ones to think that feeling sympathy and affection toward someone holding you hostage is ok.
Next up, “The Aristocats.”
Unfortunately, The Aristocats displayed blatant racism as well.
The Siamese cat in the movie was unabashedly mocking numerous Asian cultures — using chopsticks to play the piano.
Understandably, many parents don’t want their children seeing and potentially repeating that.
“Peter Pan,” also made the list.
On top of Peter Pan flying into Wendy’s room in the middle of the night to coerce her into going to “Neverland,” there are also numerous offensive depictions of Indigenous people, racial slurs, and mocking.
Parents have a lot to say about “Snow White.”
Granted, this was one of Disney’s very first films, in retrospect, it’s surprisingly dark.
Themes like murder and extreme vanity aren’t exactly child-friendly — not to mention Snow White shacking up with and cooking and cleaning for seven strange men.
“Pocahontas.”
In case you didn’t know, Pocahontas is based on a true story — a brutal one at that. While Disney did manage to lighten the mood, many find the heroic, charming, and likable depiction of John Smith to be offensive.
“Bambi.”
The notorious killing of Bambi’s mother is one that still haunts many of us. So, parents are now choosing not to subject their children to the same thing.
Many think that their young ones aren’t ready to be exposed to the idea of a parent dying, and that the scene is too traumatic for children under a certain age.
“Fantasia”.
There are a few reasons why parents today are hesitant to show their children Disney’s classic Fantasia .
Disney actually removed a highly controversial scene in updated editions from The Pastoral Symphony segment which depicted a Black centaur as a servant to a caucasian centaur.
As well, many parents consider The Night On Bald Mountain segment too terrifying for children since it shows various demons and gargoyles.
“The Jungle Book.”
The Jungle Book is another classic Disney movie that is now accompanied by a content warning on Disney+. The character King Louie has long been considered an offensive caricature of African American people and their culture.
“The Little Mermaid.”
Many parents today have a hard time looking past the fact that Ariel is only 16-years-old in The Little Mermaid . What’s even harder to look past is how she essentially gives up her whole life for a guy she barely knows. The movie definitely raises a few eyebrows by today’s standards.
“Toy Story 3.”
Toy Story 3 earned a lot of praise and even won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2011, but many parents won’t show the movie to their kids — at least not kids who are very young.
The incinerator scene is considered by many to be too traumatic for young viewers. Then, there are some of the creepy supporting characters like the broken baby doll and the screaming surveillance monkey that give everyone the heebie-jeebies.
And last but not least, “Dumbo.”
Dumbo was released back in 1941, when racial segregation was sadly, extremely prevalent and reinforced by Jim Crow laws.
In the film, one of the birds is named Jim Crow. To add insult to injury, one of the songs from the movie, “The Song of the Roustabouts,” mocks Black workers.
