Disney has been releasing animated films since 1937, but some parents don't think that all of them are appropriate for their children to watch. There have been a few movies that parents have deemed unwatchable due to the messages they send and teach their young ones. It is surprising how many hits will never be watched in certain households, especially since many have such memorable songs.
The reasons why parents forbade their children from watching these memorable movies vary, but it doesn't hurt to understand the context of why they deemed certain classic Disney movies to be verboten in the first place.
The Jungle Book (1967)
No one can forget the musical number called "I Wanna Be Like You" which was sung by an ape called King Louie. This is where parents draw the line as many see it as probably why they never made a Jungle Book 3. They want to teach their children to treat everyone as equals, but this film sends the wrong message to their children to help them achieve that goal.
Cinderella (1950)
Some love the tale of Cinderella and how the Prince found her after she lost her glass slipper, but other parents aren't so impressed. Many view it as a woman waiting around for a rich man to pull her from her terrible situation when she should have taken the initiative herself, and it is one of Cinderella's worst traits. They want to teach their children that they are the makers of their own destiny and they can't rely on a magic slipper to turn their lives around.
Peter Pan (1953)
Peter Pan might seem like an innocent film to play for children, but its depictions of Native Americans is what puts it on this list, even if there are weird secrets about its production. The Lost Boys refer to them by using a racial slur and even mock their culture by dancing around in headdresses. Disney was even forced to change a song called What Makes the Red Man Red" due to its racial connotations and how it was perceived by viewers.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
The reason why parents won't let their children watch The Little Mermaid is similar to that of Cinderella, even if the movie makes for some amazing tattoos. Fans often argue whether or not the movie sends an anti-feminist message of how a person needs to change his or herself in order to be loved.
On one side, it's believed Ariel was willing to give up her ability to speak and sing for a man she had only seen once on a boat, not to mention she disobeyed her father in order to do so. This theory sends the wrong message to their children as they try and raise them to be strong and independent, rather than like Ariel who is ready to give it all up in the name of love. Others believe Ariel became human because she was already interested in the world beyond the seas. It's really up to fans' personal interpretation.
Bambi (1942)
It is a fact of life that hunting is one hobby that many enjoy, but many parents view the scene in Bambi where his mother is shot and killed as too traumatic. They believe children are not ready for this type of moment in their lives and many parents do not know how to explain it to their young child. Some view it as a teaching moment, while others seek to leave this discussion for later on in their child's life.
Beauty And The Beast (1991)
All of the characters in Beauty and the Beast make bad decisions, and it is the only reason parents need to not show it their children. The father gave up his daughter in exchange for freedom, the Beast's attempt at love includes imprisonment, and Belle somehow falls for the entire act. There is also the fact that the Beast is not human which opens the door for a multitude of other issues that are not okay for children.
Fantasia (1940)
Fantasia has some parents changing the channel due to its scary nature that isn't appropriate for young children. The dinosaurs are realistic in their actions, and many are frightened by them, especially when The T-Rex decides to kill the Stegosaurus.
Fantasia also includes a sequence of nudity, even if nothing specific is shown, but some still view it as an unwanted conversation with their little ones. When these two facts are combined many see it as best to just skip this movie and watch something else instead.
The Aristocats (1970)
The Aristocats might seem like balls of fun, but there is actually a racist depiction included in the movie that parents don't appreciate. There is one cat with slanted eyes and buck teeth, who is also holding chopsticks, which is stereotyping East Asians within the film. It even has some lyrics in its "Fortune Cookie" song that mocks the same culture, which is just another reason that parents forbid their children from watching this movie.
Pocahontas (1995)
Disney created a film about Native-American culture with the creation of Pocahontas, but they strayed so far from the truth that parents refuse to show it to their children. Its false betrayal of historical facts, and the romanticism of her forced marriage when she was still a child, disgusts those who watch it. They did cast several Native-American voice actors for the film, although, it still doesn't make up for the way they twisted history.
Dumbo (1941)
Dumbo was released back in 1941 and it was during a time where racial segregation was still highly prevalent with the enforcement of Jim Crow laws. This film reinforces this way of thinking as one of the birds is actually named Jim Crow, and one of the songs that were sung by the birds pays homage to racist minstrel shows. It even includes another song called "The Song of the Roustabouts" that mocks African-American workers in a way that leaves viewers mortified.
