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Someday, my prince will come… Well, probably not. But according to the films I grew up on, I just need to wait a little longer! Or I might turn into an evil villain soon.

I love a good Disney movie as much as the next person, and there’s no doubt that some of them have incredible soundtracks. But once we grow up, we’re able to look at these stories a bit more critically. And it turns out that they don’t all have the best messages.

Redditors have recently been calling out Disney movies that convey questionable themes to kids, so we’ve gathered some of their valid critiques below. Keep reading to also find a conversation with the person who started this thread, and be sure to upvote the replies that you can’t help but agree with!

#1

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back I love the movie, but Mrs. Doubtfire.

The dad is and acts unhinged for no reason other than to play pity party. He throws a huge birthday bash that gets the cops called, property damage, and breaks a boundary with his wife. Apparently, he has a history of doing that so his wife is rightfully fed up with all of it AND having to clean up the mess/keep it together financially (because he quit another job due to his "morals").

The he gets hissy when he finds out his wife was completely serious in divorcing him. He gets more upset when he doesn't get joint custody (even though at the time, he had no job or decent place to live). He is motivated to get a place but doesn't bother cleaning it up for his children (you could argue the Chinese dinner scene is right after moving, but it is still s****y by the time the social worker comes).

He gets an absolute insane scheme of dressing up as a woman and lying to get close to them. Then sabotaging her dates with a nice man so he... can... win her back?? Exact revenge?

Meanwhile, the wife is trying to keep it together and take care of her kids (who are turned against her because dad is so fun and cool while she is a rule person). SHE buys the clothes. SHE buys the food and entertainment. SHE sets the school expectations, but she is a b***h for parenting?? For finding a guy who has his c**p together like an adult??

Then the kids find out and are on Dad's side because "dad is so fun and he does this insane c**p because he loves us!!!" But at no point does anyone say to him "why don't you... idk... work on your issues and clean your damn place??? Go to work and get some responsibility beyond party?"

He does get promoted (by luck) and gets caught. The judge rightfully condemns him. Dude is crazy. He was a step away from killing those kids and killing himself - that whole speech in the courtroom screams "I am mentally unstable." The mom feels bad (yeah, she made rude comments out of anger, but she DID HER PARENTING RIGHT) and gives him what he wants.

Moral of the story: act unhinged towards everyone and everyone will understand that you are right to be unhinged and give you stuff.

jfsindel , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Susie Elle
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost all movies in the 90's and 00's had a 'nagging mom who doesn't know how to let up' and a 'cool but unhinged dad who knows how to have fun!' and as a kid you always side with dad, but as an adult you start to see that mom actually had a very valid point and if that's not reflective of everyday life I don't know what is.

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#2

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Any movie which pushes marrying someone you just met.

InviteAromatic6124 , Walt Disney Pictures Report

#3

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back I have a running joke with my wife that Aladdin is about a young man who lies to and gaslights a woman, but she doesn't care because he has a cool car.

Saxman8845 , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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dremetrius
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, I'd tolerate a lot of s**t for access to a flying carpet. OTOH I wouldn't have bothered tolerating it for long, what with this total stranger who showed up out of nowhere that nobody cares about suddenly pops in to offer me a ride and now I have a fast, portable corpse disposal unit where I can drop a body literally anywhere in the world He doesn't even tell anyone else about it. And he clearly snuck in to see her, so nobody knows where he is or expects him back.

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To find out how this thread started in the first place, we reached out to Reddit user Nebraskabychoice, who posed the question, "Which Disney movie has the worst message?"

"I started the conversation because I felt that Disney movies had the reputation of just being good entertainment for kids, and I wanted to see what people's opinions were," they told Bored Panda. "Specifically, a bad message can be disguised with pretty visuals."

#4

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Not sure if it still holds but for the longest time, all Disney hero’s had American accents and villains had foreign accents. Even when they were from the same culture. Remember kids - foreigners are scary.

cupidslament , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ain't that the truth. This isn't just a Disney trope though. Maybe it's a throwback to WWII but you see a character with a German accent, they the bad guy.

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#5

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Live Action Mulan: Be born special and just be better than everyone else by default. That's the only way you can succeed as a woman.

BladeSoul69:

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but didn't the 2020 Mulan remake ruin the original message that a woman can be the same as a man with the same training by making her naturally gifted with Chi.

No more hard work, you just have to be born special.

shino4242 , Walt Disney Pictures Report

#6

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back For me it's The Little Mermaid. Change everything about yourself for a guy? No thanks.

SandStoneVox , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Magenta Blu
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a guy who doesn't even have the slightest idea that you existed in the first place...

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We were also curious to know which films the author believes share questionable messages.

"I think the worst messages, unfortunately, can be found in the older movies. Racism in Song of the South or the Jim Crows in Dumbo are obvious, but even the superficiality of Snow White - saved by a prince because she is pretty - sends unfortunate messages," they shared. "Similarly, the live action Mulan remake removed the original good message of hard work and ingenuity."

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Raya and the Last Dragon is another that many readers commented on, but Nebraskabychoice noted that they haven't seen it.

#7

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back The Little Mermaid - an underage girl with body issues is trafficked by an older woman and objectified by an older man.

AnimatedCarbonRod , Walt Disney Pictures Report

#8

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back The Lion King is my favorite movie about running away from your life's problems until you are old enough to k*ll your uncle.

cperdue , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Susie Elle
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also "My uncle killed my dad!" Timon and Pumbaa: "Have you tried just not worrying about it?"

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#9

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Cinderella.

Poor woman with no hope in sight meets rich man, spends part of an evening dancing with him, neither of them have any idea who the other person really is, but when he finds her again, they are instantly married and just when the real story and character development could take place, that's the end, of course happily ever after.

Boys: your goal is to be a wealthy provider, and then you'll be happy because you'll have a pretty woman...

Girls: find a rich, charming man and he will take care of you and you'll be happy the rest of your life.

And neither are going to do well in relationships if they internalize this message.

FelixTook , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Magenta Blu
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who the hell cares about the dance and the glass shoe?? The disfuncional family is sickening! And blame the evil stepmother. Not any single kid will even try to accept dad's new wife because of this.

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On the other hand, we wanted to know which Disney movies convey the best messages.

"I enjoy the movies Mulan and Princess and the Frog," they shared. "[Their] messages show the value of honor, hard work and ingenuity. I also enjoy Beauty and the Beast because it shows how people can change and the value of kindness. My favorite Disney film remains The Lion King, but that is really just a retelling of Hamlet with stellar visuals and an amazing voice cast."

#10

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back I'm going to make a very controversial pick and say "Inside Out". But with a heavy caveat. Only in regards to boys/men. The emotions of women when shown are complex and deep. The male counterparts were gag jokes and stereotypes.

JxSparrow7 , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Susie Elle
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I so agree, especially at the end where Riley bumps into a boy and his emotions are all ABORT MISSION ABORT MISSION GIRL GIRL GIRL, while she just shrugs, as if girls that age all have it figured out or can't be heavily interested in boys as well.

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#11

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back They had to repeatedly assure people the message of The Hunchback of Notre Dame was not, "Be grateful for the pretty girl's friendship and step aside for your handsome friend, because that's clearly the best you can hope for."

jimes00 , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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TotallyNOTAFox
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't see how it would be better if they came together, the way it goes makes his character development so much better (he risks his life to save her despite there being no romantic reward at the end)

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#12

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back "Wish", easily.

copper-feather:

I believe this movie would have worked better if they had tried to go with the message "Not every wish should be granted".
Instead they went with the message "There are no bad wishes, only bad genies".

Squirrelkid11 , Walt Disney Pictures Report

As for what Nebraskabychoice thought of the replies to their post, they enjoyed most people's reasonings.

However, they added that a lot of people missed the point of certain movies. "In Beauty and the Beast, there is no Stockholm Syndrome as we understand it. Rather, this movie is about the Beast learning and changing until he becomes loveable."

"Similarly, The Princess and the Frog is not about Tiana's need for a rich boyfriend, but about her balancing her ambition with human connections," the author explained. "And similar to Beauty and the Beast, the prince is not loveable until he learns the value of work."

#13

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back I'm not a fan of the end of Encanto, where the message seems to be forgive your narc Abuela even though she made everyone miserable.

RedsChronicles , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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#14

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Though it was my fav growing up, Sleeping Beauty should probably be on this list.

Takeaway messages:

A) The gifts the fairies are bestowing upon infant-Aurora are all superficial (until the last one). Being pretty > being smart, kind, healthy, etc

B) It's a-ok for a dude to kiss an unconscious woman. In fact, it makes you a real man, a hero even.

People_Blow , Walt Disney Pictures Report

#15

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Sleeping Beauty for making it seem like the princess’s only role is to be rescued by a prince, which can feel pretty outdated.

NothingOk648 , Walt Disney Pictures Report

Finally, Nebraskabychoice added, "I think first of all, these movies are meant to be entertaining. Disney did not create the message of Snow White but used pre-existing folk tales. But in the context of creating entertainment, I think it is important to be aware of what is being put into the world."

#16

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Does Rise of Skywalker count?

After Last Jedi set up a message of "It doesn't take being born special or being part of a certain bloodline to make a difference," Rise of Skywalker went "LOL NEVERMIND, ONLY THE SUPER SPECIAL PEOPLE BORN INTO THE SUPER SPECIAL FAMILIES CAN BE COOL, AND PEOPLE WILL ONLY LISTEN TO THE FAMOUS CELEBRITIES IF YOU NEED HELP!!!"

God what a sh**show of a movie.

TheBrianJ , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Magenta Blu
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, forget about learning journey and auto sacrifice for a great cause... Just born special and you automatically deserve everything because of your special breed, blood, and race. Great

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#17

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back A lot of them are bad, but I've always struggled with The Princess and the Frog.... *Amazing* hard working woman, so close to achieving her dreams, has to learn to....calm down on her bad*ss work ethic to make room for a guy who hasn't worked a day in his life? Don't love it. I *expect* the classics to be awful. It's more jarring when the main character is fully competent and prepared to make her dreams come true without a man.

V_is4vulva , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Susie Elle
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't she tell him so? That he's a freeloader who never did anything except chase girls and spend money, and that's what makes him step up and better himself? In the end, she DOES make her dreams come true without Naveen, he's just there on the sideline if I remember correctly.

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#18

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Pinocchio. People think the message is “don’t lie,” but Pinocchio is punished for lying when he’s actually telling the truth as he understood it. Meanwhile, people are luring children, then trafficking them as slaves after turning them into donkeys. That guy doesn’t get punished, neither does the man who tries to abduct Pinocchio for his traveling puppet show. People won’t believe you and the world is filled with criminals who will exploit you and get away with it. That’s the message. Later, Pinocchio saves Gapeto from a fish, thereby proving his selflessness and the blue faire turn him real. The message there is clear. The only way you’ll be rewarded is to obey your parents even if you have no clue how the world works, and don’t expect anyone to guide you, especially not a useless cricket.

OneHumanPeOple , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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#19

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Not really a message, but Parent Trap was just creepy to me.

A couple is married and the wife has twins. Then they get divorced soon after the births. Each gets custody of one child and move far apart from the other. Not only do the girls have zero contact with their other parent, they aren’t even told they have an identical twin sister.

OddConstruction7191 , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Alewa
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That story is from a children's book of the 1930s, and the author (Erich Kästner) was a big advocates for children's rights.

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#20

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Individually the messages of Wreck It Ralph and Wreck It Ralph 2 are fine. Together it's incoherent. Why does Ralph have to learn to accept his position in life but Vanelope get to live her dream in a different game? The two movies have diametrically opposing messages and it drives me insane.

QuickMolasses , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Magenta Blu
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because Venelope is a princess. She DESERVES to get her dreams come true. Who cares about anyone else?

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#21

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Everyone's going for the classics, here's a more recent one:

Raya and the Last Dragon.

You should have faith and trust everyone, even the woman who stabbed you in the back and has shown repeatedly that she cannot be trusted.

MysteryGirlWhite:

Raya was apparently "you have to learn to trust others", even though the movie has her being betrayed over and over again

Praesil , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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BeesEelsAndPups
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think that was the message. The message was that everybody is governed by fear and distrust. Villains are not just evil people. They are normal people who happen to be on the other side of a dispute. In order to really understand the world, you have to recognize that about each other, and be able to see the world from the other person's perspective.

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#22

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Tinkerbell in Peter Pan, what a mean girl bully.

amyloudspeakers , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Lost Penny
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She hangs out with Peter, who is an a*****e. I'd be surprised if she were kind & friendly.

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#23

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Little Mermaid.

She left her family and her world and sacrified too much for someone she didn't even know because he was handsome.

Human-Independent999 , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Lost Penny
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She was 15 (originally; she was 16 according to Disney). Acting the way she did was in her job description.

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#24

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Beauty and the beast. Stockholm Syndrome at its finest.

givebusterahand , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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glowworm2
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2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's NOT Stockholm Syndrome though. Belle starts to genuinely like the Beast after he rescues her from the wolves--which he did because he was worried about her, not because she ran away. He also starts (unknowingly) changing for her because he genuinely cares about her. An abductor wouldn't do that. Also, Belle comes back to save him because she really did love him. She was also being blackmailed into something she didn't want from Gaston, but she still came back to save him afterwards.

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#25

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Wasn't Cars 2 the one where the disabled were the villains?

Lisija123:


Yes, the "lemons" were demonized throughout the entire movie for using fossil fuel. Even though that's not their fault, that's just how their body works. They didn't choose to be born (built?) as lemons.

YamiNoMatsuei , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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René Sauer
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

does Lisija123 think Lighting McQueen and Mater are electric or what?

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#26

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Coco and Encanto tells you that your family will immediately and substantially change their negative behaviors if given logic information.

sketchysketchist , Walt Disney Pictures Report

#27

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Hot take, but Encanto.

People who are mistreating you are simply under pressure, misunderstood, and/or doing what they think is best for everyone. Redemption and forgiveness is always possible.

As someone who has lived for far too long around families like this, I can tell you that Abuela's character arc was completely unrealistic and unbelievable. If they replaced Abuela with Mother Gothel from Tangled, it would be such a better movie.

Valcyor , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Magenta Blu
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is not. I think it is the second best Disney movie right after the original Mulan

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Paul Rabit
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always said that the most unbelievable thing about this movie regarding a magical candle family is that Abuela would ever EVER have apologized and come around - at least never that quickly. You can't be that engrained in your mission and just heel-turn like that.

Sarah Léon
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hear you but you have to admit it took her 50 years, one son, all her family's magic, a yelling son-in-law AND the total destruction of her house to finally admit she may have a problem to her runaway grand-daugther...

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#28

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Oliver and Company: The best way to free yourself of money payments is not to learn how to be better with handling money but to k*ll your creditor. You just gotta make it look circumstantial.

HardBoiledOne , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a cartoon version of Oliver Twist and I have no problem with unaliving (love that BP censorship) predatory money lenders. Plus the Huey Lewis centered sound track slaps.

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#29

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Blank Check.

bruingrad84:

Taught me to spend all my money fast before the authorities take it back…. The dumb And dumber philosophy.

BookerTeet , Walt Disney Pictures Report

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SageHare37
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plus isn't this the one where a fully grown woman kisses him on the lips at the end? It's been a long time, but I thought it was disturbing.

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#30

“Which Disney Movie Has The Worst Message?”: 30 People Don’t Hold Back Someone once pointed out that the lion king is a very pro monarchy authoritarian story but in the original the animation is so beautiful you can look past that. But in the remake you’re forced to realize what the story is like.

gokusforeskin , Walt Disney Pictures Report

Note: this post originally had 49 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.