As a child of the ’90s, I vividly remember the magical world of Disney that captivated my imagination and warmed my heart. However, as I revisit these beloved classics with the lens of adulthood, I can’t help but notice the darker undertones that seemed to elude me back then.
If someone’s acquainted with me, they’d recognize my fondness for Disney. I’m quite passionate about it, from the Disney Renaissance films to the CGI movies of the 2010s. However, you might be curious to know what else Disney is audacious enough to do? They aren’t afraid to delve into the grim and today, we’re going to discuss instances where Disney ventured into those darker territories.
When Lampwick Turned Into A Donkey (Pinocchio)
Oh, it seems you expected this scene from Pinocchio to be included here. To be honest, Pinocchio is quite a haunting movie in various aspects. As a child, the moment Lampwick transformed into a donkey right before Pinocchio’s eyes on Pleasure Island gave me some pretty terrifying dreams. Even now, I tend to avoid dwelling on that image.
When Alex’s Family Completely Forgot Who She Is (The Wizards Of Waverly Place Movie)
As a grown-up, I can confidently assert that the show “Wizards of Waverly Place” remains entertaining and cherished by many. However, one aspect that left an impression on me was the moment in the movie where Alex’s family seemed to have forgotten her entirely towards the end. Granted, it was due to a spell she had cast herself, but it still stings a bit that they took things so far in the film.
When Mufasa Is Dropped Into A Stampede (The Lion King)
It seems quite plausible that, growing up, we all experienced distressing dreams following Scar’s act of betrayal towards his brother. Although Shakespeare’s original works provide the foundation, I believe it was the emotionally charged theme of brother betraying brother that resonated deeply with most of us. The image of Mufasa being trampled in an African stampede will forever feel unsettling to me.
When Phineas And Ferb Are Sent Off To Reform School (Phineas And Ferb)
Phineas and Ferb is an enjoyable kids’ show to stream on Disney+, yet it only delved into the darker side when Phineas and Ferb were caught and sent to a reform school. Admittedly, this isn’t overly severe, but what makes it troubling is that they were mind-controlled in that specific episode. Isn’t it surprising how Disney Channel could venture into such depths?
When Tod Is Attacked By A Bear (The Fox And The Hound)
In simpler terms, the story “The Fox and the Hound” begins with the two characters, Tod (the fox) and Copper (the hound), having a friendly start. However, as they grow older, their friendship deteriorates due to the usual course of things. The most distressing scene in this children’s movie is when Tod is pursued by a bear and viciously attacked. I can’t imagine that was necessary for me to witness as a child.
When Bambi’s Mother Was Killed (Bambi)
It’s necessary to find a spot for Bambi around here. The way his mother meets her end in Bambi, as a symbol of life’s harsh realities and hunting, is inevitably heart-wrenching. However, the passage of time doesn’t diminish the poignancy of the scene where Bambi calls out for his mother, only to find she’s not there.
When Wendy Is Literally Almost Dragged Into The Water(Peter Pan)
The film Peter Pan contains several questionable aspects, but one particularly disturbing scene involves Wendy. In this scene, the mermaids from Neverland taunt her and come close to pulling her into the water. This is quite alarming because Wendy is a child, and she was almost subjected to harassment by mermaids, which is an unusual situation.
When That Crazy Drunken Elephants Scene Happened (Dumbo)
In simpler terms, “Dumbo” is a Disney film that stands out as ordinary because it focuses on circus animals, with Dumbo being the only character who has unusually large ears. However, there’s an unusual scene where Dumbo gets drunk and hallucinates a parade of terrifying elephants in vivid colors. If you remember the movie, you’ll recall that this part is quite scary.
When Tinker Bell Essentially Comes Close To Dying (Peter Pan 2: Return To Neverland)
Many people often overlook the follow-up to the story of Peter Pan, a common occurrence given it was released directly on DVD. Nevertheless, the impactful scene where Wendy’s daughter, Jane, disbelieves in Neverland’s magic upon arrival, results in Tinker Bell literally losing her magical powers, even coming close to death. This poignant moment from this film remains etched in my memory.
When Claude Frollo Sings “Hellfire” (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
Speaking of top Disney villain songs, “Hellfire” certainly stands out and is a favorite among many, yet it doesn’t diminish the grimness of the scene. This song essentially portrays Judge Claude Frollo’s intense obsession with Esmerelda, making his intentions quite clear (if you get my meaning). However, should she reject his advances, he threatens to burn her at the stake for defying him. Wow, Disney, that’s intense!
When Flynn Takes A Knife To The Heart (Tangled)
Compared to certain instances on this list, Flynn’s heart stabbing in Tangled might not appear as grim, yet it’s undeniably a somber scene. Seeing him collapse while Rapunzel tenderly supports him is particularly moving for me – but fortunately, they share a joyous ending together.
When We All Sobbed During The First Ten Minutes Of Up (Up)
I don’t even need to write a whole paragraph about this. You know what I’m talking about. The rise and fall of Carl and Ellie will sit with us for the rest of our lives, from miscarriages to death alike. I am already getting sad thinking about it.
When We Saw All Those Dead Rats (Ratatouille)
Ratatouille is often overlooked as one of Pixar’s finest masterpieces, yet its brilliance should never be forgotten. However, there are moments in the film that can be quite unsettling, such as when Remy’s father takes him to a store displaying dead rats hanging in the window. Despite the scene serving to discourage Remy from pursuing his dream of cooking with humans, it remains a particularly gloomy sequence.
When It’s Revealed What Really Happened To Hector In Coco (Coco)
The movie “Coco” resonates deeply with my Spanish roots on numerous levels. One moment that underscored its uniqueness was when it dared to be bold. The surprising turn, revealing that Ernesto de la Cruz had poisoned Hector to claim credit for all his music, was absolutely mind-blowing and left any new viewer’s jaw hanging in awe.
When Tadashi Was Exploded (Big Hero 6)
Without a doubt, it was necessary to include Tadashi in this scenario. Hiro had tragically lost his parents before, and now his older brother, who served as a pillar of support for him, is snatched away by a devastating explosion at the lab. The explosion was fueled by self-centered actions, as we later learn from the antagonist in the movie. It’s truly heartbreaking.
When Mulan Suddenly Stops It’s Songs When It Reaches The Destroyed Village (Mulan)
Mulan is one of those movies that, when you watch it for the first time, will stick with you for the rest of your life. The film is filled with catchy songs for the first fifty minutes or so, and then “A Girl Worth Fighting For” suddenly cuts off at the very end as the army stumbles upon a destroyed village. It’s chilling and perfectly well done but still so dark.
When The Literal Apocalypse Happened In The Finale (Gravity Falls)
To be upfront, Gravity Falls wasn’t really a show I grew up watching on Disney Channel. However, there was one aspect of it that caught my attention – the finale where an animated series actually depicted the apocalypse. Honestly, I couldn’t help but wonder, is this Disney we’re talking about?
When Jafar Was Blatently Attracted To A 15-Year-Old Girl (Aladdin)
In many Disney movies, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the princesses are still teenagers due to their maturity. However, the characters of Jafar and Jasmine in Aladdin take this issue to an extreme. It’s clear that Jafar has romantic feelings towards Jasmine, yet he desires her not just for love, but also for power. The problem is, Jasmine is only fifteen years old. Surely, someone should report this situation to the authorities.
When The Toys Were About To Get Burned To Death (Toy Story 3)
Originally intended as a finale for the Toy Story series, Toy Story 3 featured an unexpectedly thrilling scene where the toys, trapped in a garbage dump due to Lotso’s actions, narrowly escaped being incinerated. With their lives hanging by a thread, they clung together, anticipating their end. Just when all hope seemed lost, the little green aliens swooped in and rescued them using a large trash-collecting crane – whew, that was a heart-stopping moment!
When Hades Wanted To Kill A Child (Hercules)
It’s clear that Hercules is often underestimated, and Hades provides some great comedic moments as the antagonist. However, there’s a specific reason for his villainous role in this film. Initially, Hades aims to eliminate Hercules altogether, ordering his minions to do so by means of a vial filled with poison. Yet, Hercules consumes most, but not all, of the poison, resulting in him losing his divine immortality instead of meeting an immediate demise.
When Belle Was Chased By Wolves (Beauty And The Beast)
In a slightly different way of phrasing, we tend to romanticize “Beauty and the Beast” excessively, as there were several ominous scenes in that film. One such instance was particularly unsettling: when Belle was pursued by wolves. Although it might not seem extremely grim compared to other aspects, it’s undeniably scary for a child to witness a Disney princess being chased and nearly killed by wolves on screen.
When We Saw All Of Sid’s Horrifying Creations (Toy Story)
In Toy Story, some truly bizarre and unsettling creations were introduced when we first encountered Sid’s fixation on wrecking toys and reassembling them. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that even these odd inventions possess their own spirits, but boy, they remain downright eerie.
When Dr. Facilier Was Dragged To Hell By Demons (The Princess And The Frog)
There’s a lot that I love about The Princess and the Frog, including Tiana being the best Disney princess, but I think we sometimes forget just how dark Dr. Facilier was. This man works with the literal souls of the underworld to gain power, and when he falls flat on his deal, he is dragged through a grave down to hell. Yup, it can’t really get darker than that.
When Gaston Fell To His Death (Beauty And The Beast)
Among many dramatic villain demises in Disney stories, Gaston’s stands out as quite a grim scene. Although we don’t witness his head striking the ground directly, it is clearly depicted that Gaston plummets to his doom during his confrontation with the Beast.
When Esteban Gets Possessed (The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody)
The show “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” is generally excellent, but I must acknowledge that this specific episode, where Esteban (a hotel employee) and the twins attempt to reach the deceased, is genuinely terrifying and quite unusual for a Disney production. They manage to make contact with the dead so effectively that a spirit actually possesses Esteban. Incredibly, something like that rarely ever happens.
When Wall-E Nearly Forgot Who Everyone Was (Wall-E)
The movie “Wall-E” seems strangely relevant today given the impact of global warming on our planet, and if you delve deeper, it can be quite a somber watch. However, for me, the saddest scene occurred at the end when I feared Wall-E had been reverted to his factory settings and had forgotten Eve and their shared experiences. Fortunately, her resilience triggered his memory recall, ensuring everything turned out okay. Phew, that was a close call!
When An Evil Force Begins To Take Over And Turn Everyone Into Monsters (Halloweentown)
My preferred Halloween movie, Halloweentown, stands out as it creates a cozy atmosphere and perfectly sets the seasonal mood. However, it’s important to note that the concept of an evil force, not just a spirit but a malevolent entity, overtaking an entire town is quite ominous compared to typical Disney Channel DCOMs.
When Clayton Accidentally Hangs Himself (Tarzan)
The movie “Tarzan” is one that many people might overlook (with the exception of Phil Collins’ fantastic soundtrack), yet it’s worth remembering a quite grim scene: the villain, Clayton, unintentionally takes his own life during the climactic fight. As he grapples with vines, he eventually slips and falls to the ground. In the end, we witness the vines coiled around his neck, followed shortly by the ominous silhouette of his hanging body.
When Bing Bong Sacrificed Himself (Inside Out)
In the movie “Inside Out,” Pixar was criticized for a heartbreaking decision concerning Bing Bong. With his charming personality, he certainly didn’t deserve to suffer such a fate. Despite having the opportunity to live freely, Bing Bong chose to sacrifice himself so Joy could escape and bring happiness back to Riley. It really stirs emotions when you think about it.
When Scar Is Eaten By His Own Followers (The Lion King)
Scar, the treacherous antagonist, meets an ending just as bleak as his deeds. In the final moments of the film, hyenas who had been loyal to him throughout transform against him. As the story concludes, we witness these hyenas tearing Scar apart in the darkness, piece by piece, driven by their newfound hunger.
When The House Turns Into A Prison (Smart House)
In an era filled with Alexas and numerous smart devices, the concept of Smart House seems strikingly plausible. The movie itself revolves around a home equipped with a robotic caretaker who, ironically, transforms the house into a confinement zone. To be frank, artificial intelligence can be quite unsettling, and this film seems to hit a little too close to reality.
When Marlan’s Wife Was Killed In The Opening Minutes Of Finding Nemo (Finding Nemo)
As children, many of us were startled to our core when we first watched the opening scenes of “Finding Nemo”. Although Marlin’s wife’s demise isn’t explicitly shown, her absence becomes strikingly evident in the moments that follow – with only one egg remaining and a solitary Marlin.
Here are a few memories from Disney that quickly come to mind when I think about them, and believe me, there are even more where these came from. I feel like now is the perfect time for a Disney movie marathon – an opportunity for me to savor each moment, delighting in every second while also experiencing a bit of unease during those darker scenes.
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2024-10-21 21:38