Disney animated films are touted as being some of the most magical movies to grace the silver screen. But how often does Disney use magic to mask some pretty creepy situations? Here are 10 unsettling movie plotlines and scenes that we don’t stop to think about because, well, it’s Disney:
- The townspeople plan to use brute force on Belle’s father –The townspeople vividly throw Maurice onto the street when he runs into the pub, and he is known as the “wacky old coot.” So much for kindness. Maybe that explains how when Gaston gathers the townspeople for Maurice’s public eviction to the sanitarium, they already have their torches and pitchforks ready? They don’t even decide to go after the Beast until Belle whips out the magic mirror.
- Aladdin and Jasmine both encounter opportunities to get their hand chopped off – Remember when Jasmine gave the apple to the child? She was almost maimed by the street vendor! It’s also very cringe worthy when peddler Jafar is holding Aladdin by his wrist and pulls out that dagger. Pretty scary, Disney. But you’ve got to hand it to them.
- Louis the alligator jumps on board the riverboat to play trumpet – Wouldn’t you be terrified if a gigantic reptilian creature with anthropomorphic qualities, including having enough dexterity to successfully play a musical instrument, jumped on board a riverboat while you were enjoying the live brass band? And can alligators really smile?
Dumbo and Timothy are extremely wasted– The beloved classic, Dumbo, features that memorable scene with the “Pink Elephants on Parade” where our two main characters drink the water laced with champagne and begin seeing pink pachyderms. Was it also laced with absinthe (which has hallucinogenic properties)? Which brings us to the next point:- Pooh, what was in those sleeping pills? – “Heffalumps and Woozles in vivid Technicolor” is what we’re getting at here. What a horrible nightmare. Also, if we had a friend like Tigger who was always jumping on us and knocking us over, we’d probably punch him in the face. Maybe that’s why in “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too,” the animals plot to abandon their striped, bouncing friend in the woods and hope he never returns.
- Lots o’ Huggin Bear is plain evil – The bear runs a prison camp, also known as Sunnyside, where toys are tortured and brainwashed, and the only practical way for the average plaything to escape is by injuring or killing themselves, just so they can be sent to the garbage chute. And just when you think that strawberry-scented tyrant is about to redeem himself after Woody and Buzz save his life, he smirks at the toys and runs off, leaving them to the incinerator.
- The entirety of Lion King – The Lion King is actually loosely based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In literature, Hamlet is a tragedy, which signifies that the general outcome of the story will be depressing. Scar kills Mufasa, and we get that ache in our side when Mufasa pleads, “Brother!” and the tears begin as Simba witnesses the death. And how would you feel if your three year old “cub” ran away with extreme guilt, thinking he caused his father’s death and you have no idea what happened to him? Also, the hyenas are very Neo-Nazi during that marching scene in “Be Prepared.” But Hakuna Matata, everyone.
- Snow White lives as a sugar momma with old creepy man dwarves in a cottage and no one cares – Well, except the queen, but she’s not very nice. What continues to be baffling is the fact that Snow is quite cute and appears to have some wealth and at least a few friends, based on her clean appearance, nice clothing, and pleasant demeanor, so why is no one else concerned about her whereabouts?
- Mice make good clothing and even better conversation – Who in their right mind is on positive terms with mice and makes them little hats and shirts? Also, who wants to wear a makeshift dress that was made by rodents, chewed up with their little teeth, and dragged behind the walls and across the floors multiple times? Cinderella, we’re looking at you. Also, they talk. And she laughs. So terrifying.
- They actually think Quasimodo is wearing a mask, and it’s very embarrassing – Everyone else at the Feast of Fools has on extremely cartoony bulbous heads probably made of stiffened paper and whatever bugs they have to crush up to make paint in fifteenth century France. Liquid latex won’t be for another five centuries. So stop tugging at his skin. He’s not a time-traveling makeup artist.
Next time you watch your favorite Disney film, think about this: What if it was real life? A little Disney magic goes a long way to make the odd, unusual, and terrifying into a magical 90 minute adventure.
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