Disney Is Amazing At Presenting Serious Topics To Children And Here Are 31 Of Those Instances

It's not always about the fun... Let's dig into the real deal!

Maryjane

• Published in Disney
• August 29, 2023

There are people who choose to watch a kid's cartoon movie when they're feeling low to cheer themselves up. There is nothing better than seeing a Disney or Pixar movie (or two or three) to be reminded of all the good in the world.

However, these films don't always focus on having a good time; they also have their share of sad themes and heartbreakingly tragic scenes. That may or may not be a good thing.

But it is, in fact, good for you. We become stronger as a result of overcoming adversity and tragedy, and we become more human as a result of confronting melancholy head-on.

In other words, animated movies with serious themes aid in our personal development. The death of Simba's father, Mufasa, in The Lion King and Marlin and Nemo being the only characters still alive following the barracuda attack in Finding Nemo are, in my opinion, the darkest and saddest moments in animation.

When you see the first one, you start to notice more and more of the unexpectedly gloomy moments that Disney movies have. BuzzFeed polled its audience on the topic of dark and somber animation moments and then put up a list of some of them.

Check them out by scrolling down.

1. Up

The important subjects discussed include miscarriage and the ensuing depression. When Ellie learned she was expecting, she was so excited but she later found out later that she miscarried.

2. Coco

The characters tackle the weighty subjects of treachery and friendship. The scene where Ernesto confesses to poisoning Héctor is the one that instructs the audience on these two concepts.

3. Dumbo

The cartoon addresses issues like divorce, animal abuse, and how animals are mistreated in the entertainment business. This is especially evident in the scene where Mrs. Jumbo loses her mind when a child mistreats her son, Dumbo.

4. Beauty And The Beast

The very severe issues of sexual harassment, misogyny, social rejection, and masculine entitlement are all addressed by Disney. Gaston's ungentlemanly and degrading attitude toward Belle is evident in nearly every scene in which they appear.

5. Frozen

The difficulties and obstacles of developing a healthy connection with your siblings are examined, not just the benefits. The film explores how, in order to have a loving connection with your sister, you sometimes have to endure pain, ambivalence, jealousy, rivalry, and even hate.

6. Tangled, Cinderella And Frozen

Parental maltreatment and neglect are discussed but not everybody accepts this interpretation.

7. Monsters, Inc

Learning to say goodbye to those you love the most is one of the most serious subjects. The sequence in which Sulley bids Boo farewell and exits into the closet nicely captures it.

8. Hercules

The film touches on sexism and sexual harassment issues. Through Meg's character, who asserts in one scene that males believe that "no" means "yes" and "get lost" means "take me," these two subjects are discussed.

9. Pocahontas

The film's creators discuss racism and colonialism, as well as their significant and troubling repercussions. The movie consistently explores these two concepts.

10. Cinderella

The makers of the animated film address issues including parent loss, abuse, and how distant everyone is from a good, loving family. The scene in which Cinderella's wicked stepsisters rip off her handcrafted dress is one of the worst.

11. Bolt

Between the lines, there are a few more somber subjects like lying and proper treatment of animals. The entire movie's plot—and the need for the film—would not have occurred if Bolt had never imagined that he possessed superpowers.

12. Big Hero 6

The story's main theme is the profound loss of a cherished family member and the sadness that results from it, rather than simply the migration.

13. Finding Nemo

Disney and Pixar discuss love and losing those who are close to you with the audience. Only father Marlin and his little son Nemo managed to escape the barracuda attack. Marlin lost both his wife and every other child he had.

14. The Rescuers Down Under

The makers of the movie touch on issues like preserving the environment and safeguarding endangered species. A few more somber subjects, such as lying and treating animals humanely, can be discovered between the lines. They also address the issue of illegal poaching.

15. Oliver & Company

The serious subject of living and surviving in great poverty is covered in the film.

16. The Hunchback Of Notre Dame

Dark topics that are addressed by Disney include bullying others who are different from you, ableism, racism, sexism and sexual harassment, poverty, genocide, and corruption.

17. Moana

The notion that the people we lose as loved ones are never actually gone—they will always be with you—is one of the most heartbreaking. The scene where Grandma Tala, who is passing away, bids Moana farewell is the clearest example of this.

18. A Bug's Life

All through, the subjects of authoritarianism, fascism, dictatorships, and political corruption are covered. Some people believe that the film contains some overt allusions to Nazism.

19. Mulan

The makers of the animated film address societal misogyny in their work. Throughout the entire movie, Mulan demonstrates that a woman's place is not necessarily in the house. No matter what their gender, everyone can be intelligent, humorous, tough, and capable.

20. Cars 2

The narrative of the entire film discusses nature, climate change, and the impact of oil on the global environment.

21. Lilo & Stitch

The loss of loved ones, mourning, and experiencing loss and confusion are all themes throughout the film. The scene where Lilo tells Stitch about how her parents perished in a vehicle accident is where this is most apparent. Later, Stitch acknowledged that he was lost.

22. Tarzan

The protagonists discuss how to maintain optimism in the face of losses that appear insurmountable and unrecoverable.

23. Zootopia

The entire movie is filled with references to racial profiling, segregation, and the absurd notion that racial differences in biology affect behavior. The film also makes references to how stereotyping is wrong and that everyone should work for equality.

24. Brave

The entire movie deals with the weighty issues of sexism, enforced gender norms, and expectations placed on young women by the patriarchy.

25. Toy Story 2

The film explores problems around abandonment and the notion that just because someone has been abandoned doesn't mean they are incapable of loving. More about Jessie's past is revealed in the cartoon, including the fact that she was abandoned.

26. The Princess And The Frog

The audience is presented the idea of accepting one's fate, no matter how terrible it may be. Knowing that something positive would result from having taken the object and repelled Facilier's demons, Ray the Firefly accepts his fate. After that, Ray passes away quietly in the company of his friends.

27. Inside Out

Riley's sadness received the appropriate attention from the film's writers. Instead of portraying Riley as a typical disgruntled teenager, they made her sadness a real problem. Riley's attire even reflected how she was feeling.

28. Aladdin

Extreme poverty, never having enough food, and the desire to live better are some of the most important subjects. You may even argue that the entire plot of the film (or its sequels) would not have occurred if Aladdin hadn't lived in poverty.

The other major, serious issues included patriarchy, corruption, and greed.

29. Toy Story 3

The film explores the idea that we all eventually grow out of our pasts, and that's a wonderful thing. The moment when Andy presents Bonnie with all of his favorite toys perfectly encapsulates this.

30. Finding Dory

Through Dory, a character in the film, the writers explore the idea of being neuroatypical. The movie demonstrated that being neuroatypical is acceptable, that having an intellectual disability does not make one less of a person, and that such individuals may live fulfilling lives.

31. The Lion King

The animated film touches on the idea of how a thirst for power may result in terrible things, including breaking families apart.

Disney films help the characters and the audience discover the appropriate course of action by presenting a serious, occasionally troubling subject. Therefore, rather than dismissing the issues that youngsters may encounter, these movies assist in giving them the emotional toolkits necessary to tackle the obstacles that lie ahead.

Maryjane