7 Disney Movies That Taught Us Terrible Lessons ...

By Jasmine • Jul 1, 2014 • MD

You may be surprised to find out that there are several Disney movies that taught us terrible lessons. A lot of these animated films are classic childhood memories for me, and some do have uplifting, positive messages. Once I became older however, I realized that as entertaining and intriguing some of these movies will always be, there are subliminal hidden messages that aren't too appealing. So, let’s take a look at the Disney movies that taught us terrible lessons and still do to this day.

1. The Little Mermaid

Starting off this list of Disney Movies that Taught Us Terrible Lessons is the "Little Mermaid." Ariel's biggest dream is to leave the sea and walk on foot to find the man of her dreams, so she makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula. There is however, always a catch when you deal with evil. In exchange for her wish, Ursula takes away Ariel’s beautiful singing voice. Somehow, she and Prince Eric still end up falling in love despite her voice impairment. Lesson - making a deal with the devil can bring about positive results. It all depends on how you look at it.

2. Snow White

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is quite disturbing because why would anyone be okay with a random guy kissing them? If I were Snow White, I would have felt violated after waking up and finding out a man just kissed me without my consent. Yes, he may seem charming and he may have just saved me, but it’s just not cool to have a stranger come into your home and make moves on you. But, I guess it was best for Snow White to look past that; after all, he did just save her from staying in a coma for the rest of her royal life.

3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” highlights Quasimodo as the ugly outcast who falls head over heels for Esmeralda - a beautiful gypsy. In the end he doesn’t win her heart as Esmeralda falls for the attractive Captain Phoebus! Sigh! It’s just a depressing outcome considering the fact that Quasimodo rescued the damsel from being burned alive at the stake. As a compassionate viewer, I really wanted him to know what it felt like to be loved by someone, especially since the only woman who ever loved him was his deceased mother. But I guess Esmeralda did what most "pretty girls" do: immediately throw the less attractive, sincere guys into the friend zone.

4. Cinderella

Sometimes it's what’s on the outside that counts - said no one ever! According to "Cinderella", if you want to impress a guy, it’s smart to just totally change your appearance and pretend to be someone you’re not. It’s not wise to ever show anyone the less fortunate side of you. Always keep your flaws hidden and the truth withheld because men like that, you know. Oh, and when you do change everything about yourself you will be swept off your feet by your crush, fall in love, and will live happily. If only it were that easy.

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5. Beauty and the Beast

So, he kidnaps you, holds you hostage, yells at you, and acts like a total asshole. Yet, underneath that hard shell is a loving, caring, and handsome guy just waiting to fall in love with you. Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” emphasizes how abusive guys can really be good guys, and if you just be patient with them they will eventually change. Unfortunately, this terrible lesson hits home for a lot of women who in reality are experiencing or have experienced abuse from a significant other. Although Belle's admittance to loving the beast transformed him back into a loving human, in the real world this would rarely happen.

6. Sleeping Beauty

Like Snow White, "Sleeping Beauty" also depicts a very attractive man saving a princess with just one kiss. What makes it even worst is that Princess Aurora didn’t even know the man, but after she awakens from his magical smooch, they immediately become a twosome. The obvious message in this movie is if a man saves you, you are now his property. No ifs or buts about it. Trust me, there aren't many other guys worth waiting for now that you can have your own lifesaver.

7. The Lion King

This lesson is an ongoing theme in a lot of Disney movies. However, one film in particular just makes you want to cry over and over again no matter how many times you've seen it. In "The Lion King," Mufasa unfortunately dies at the hands of his own conniving brother Scar. Due to jealousy and greed, Scar takes over Pride Land and Mufasa’s son and rightful heir, Simba, is manipulated into running away from home. So, what’s the lesson behind this one kiddos? Sometimes people just have to eliminate their rival(s) in order to get their way. Well, you’ll definitely get to enjoy the fruits of your deceit but only for a moment until karma comes looking for you.

Although the lessons in this list are quite disappointing to see, not all Disney movies were made with the intent to deceive its viewers - and of course some, like Mulan, have fantastic morals and points.. Did you ever notice any of these terrible lessons before reading this article? What are some other Disney movies that have horrible messages?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • gabbi

    2014-07-01T23:11:07.022Z

    what you should be learning: have faith, believe in yourself, follow your heart, follow your dreams, true love is real, good conquers evil, miracles happen, and don't let others define who you are. Did I miss anything?
  • Lauren

    2014-07-02T16:12:27.591Z

    Aroura knew him they fell in loved in the woods and he met her as a child when she was just born
  • Haney

    2014-07-02T03:21:16.803Z

    I disagree with your perspective you should watch the movie and analyze them better, especially The Hunchback of Norte Dame :)
  • Travelgalxo

    2014-07-01T22:16:48.390Z

    Holy smokes what a negative article ... good grief lighten up and just enjoy the classics for they are meant to be, a timeless enjoyment.
  • gabbi

    2014-07-01T22:40:11.917Z

    I think you missed the point of all of these movies: entertainment. They're Disney animated movies. I don't think anybody has watched these movies and learned these "terrible lessons"
  • gabbi

    2014-07-01T22:58:36.607Z

    the Little Mermaid is about a girl following her heart. She was typing and made a mistake by going to Ursula. that's how kids learn. .
  • leovirgoaries

    2014-07-02T01:40:46.059Z

    also, just because it bothered me, Aurora met Prince Phillip in the forest and fell in love with him. he then risked his life to save her, not because he wanted to own her but because he had fallen in love with her as well.
  • leovirgoaries

    2014-07-02T01:37:59.601Z

    I'm a nanny so I've seen these movies within the last two weeks. I think these are interesting points however I'm agreeing with gabbi. I will say that the actual bad lesson in the Little Mermaid is that bad things happen when you disobey your parents, which was Hans Christian Anderson's original theme. And there is no bad theme of the Lion King, or Hamlet which is the Shakespearean play on which it is based. Scar is the villain from whom lessons are not to be learned... the theme is taking responsibility and respecting the earth... some good points were made but far too much off base information to be a very credible article... sorry.
  • Arantxa

    2014-07-02T04:15:56.329Z

    The tithing is that in this article you're taking things too literally, I mean it's more deep than that! Kids need to follow their hearts too!
  • gabbi

    2014-07-01T22:44:19.872Z

    oh, in Mulan, she pretends to be a man aka someone she's not. oh no
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