1
Growing up, we were a Disney household. My mom loved all the classic animated movies from her childhood and shared them with us. When a new movie came out, we’d go see it, or rent it on VHS. To her, and I imagine to most parents, Disney was the definition of kid-friendly entertainment and a safe bet to keep your kids laughing and feeling all warm and fuzzy.
Except, sometimes Disney fucked up. They’d take a risk, or try to capitalize on something and end up making some serious nightmare fuel for kids and adults alike, That, or they’d end up making something that was became controversial and offensive once the public got to see it.
Swing and a miss, Walt.
2
The Black Cauldron (1985)
This is considered one of the worst Disney films of all time, and few even know about it. None of the characters ever appear in any Disney-related media or merch, and they don’t even consider Princess Eilonwy to be a real Disney Princess. Which is sad, because while I never appreciated it as a kid, now as an adult, it’s a complex and dark film.
This is considered one of the worst Disney films of all time, and few even know about it. None of the characters ever appear in any Disney-related media or merch, and they don’t even consider Princess Eilonwy to be a real Disney Princess. Which is sad, because while I never appreciated it as a kid, now as an adult, it’s a complex and dark film.
3
Home on the Range (2004)
Despite having the voice talents of Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Steve Buscemi, this animated film about two dairy cows trying to save their farm, fell flat.
Despite having the voice talents of Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Steve Buscemi, this animated film about two dairy cows trying to save their farm, fell flat.
The characters weren’t memorable, the story kinda sucked and the jokes were lame. It doesn’t take much to entertain kids, and this film failed to even catch their attention.
4
Chicken Little (2005)
This is one of Disney’s earliest attempts at 3D animation, and it wasn’t very good. The general consensus from critics was that Disney phoned this one in, thinking that their brand would elevate it to a ‘must-see’ movie. What they should have done, was written better story, gotten better voice talent and worked harder on the tech behind the animation.
This is one of Disney’s earliest attempts at 3D animation, and it wasn’t very good. The general consensus from critics was that Disney phoned this one in, thinking that their brand would elevate it to a ‘must-see’ movie. What they should have done, was written better story, gotten better voice talent and worked harder on the tech behind the animation.
Or just give it to Pixar. They know what’s up.
5
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Frankly, I don’t understand why this movie wasn’t a bigger deal; I loved it. It was the first sci-fi film that Disney made and had Michael J. Fox as the voice of the lead. Plus the art was inspired by Mike Mignola (creator of the Hellboy comics). If you haven’t seen it, find it, because it’s a rare gem.
Frankly, I don’t understand why this movie wasn’t a bigger deal; I loved it. It was the first sci-fi film that Disney made and had Michael J. Fox as the voice of the lead. Plus the art was inspired by Mike Mignola (creator of the Hellboy comics). If you haven’t seen it, find it, because it’s a rare gem.
Sadly, Disney didn’t agree and buried it. You won’t find much memorabilia about Milo and his ragtag team of explorers at Mickey’s house.
6
Song of the South (1946)
This is the biggest black mark in the history of Disney. Technically, it’s well done as a hybrid of live-action and animation, and the song “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” won an Oscar and is a Disney staple. So there’s that. But other than that, it glorifies plantation life and is a fairly offensive representation of African American life at the time. So far, it’s never been released in it’s entirety on home video.
This is the biggest black mark in the history of Disney. Technically, it’s well done as a hybrid of live-action and animation, and the song “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” won an Oscar and is a Disney staple. So there’s that. But other than that, it glorifies plantation life and is a fairly offensive representation of African American life at the time. So far, it’s never been released in it’s entirety on home video.
7
Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)
Watching this movie now as a grown up, it’s not so bad, but as a kid… fucking scared me. The story’s about two kids that are really aliens with powers, and they need to join with the rest of the survivors of their planet at Witch Mountain, and escape a guy who wants to dissect them for science.
Watching this movie now as a grown up, it’s not so bad, but as a kid… fucking scared me. The story’s about two kids that are really aliens with powers, and they need to join with the rest of the survivors of their planet at Witch Mountain, and escape a guy who wants to dissect them for science.
This is far too scary for kids.
8
The Black Hole (1979)
This film was meant to be a response to the Star Wars craze, but got too dark, too fast. There’s a mad scientist, his crew of crazy robot and a hell of a lot of murder, mayhem and darkness. Plus the whole thing ends up in a metaphysical robot version of hell.
This film was meant to be a response to the Star Wars craze, but got too dark, too fast. There’s a mad scientist, his crew of crazy robot and a hell of a lot of murder, mayhem and darkness. Plus the whole thing ends up in a metaphysical robot version of hell.
9
The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
Meant to target a young adult audience, Disney turned to outright horror with this film. It’s got a gothic English countryside, a ghost trapped in a mirror and a ton of frightening moments. This one scarred me as a child; I still can’t watch it. It’d definitely not a typical Disney fairy tale.
Meant to target a young adult audience, Disney turned to outright horror with this film. It’s got a gothic English countryside, a ghost trapped in a mirror and a ton of frightening moments. This one scarred me as a child; I still can’t watch it. It’d definitely not a typical Disney fairy tale.
10
The Jungle Book (1967)
I loved this movie as a kid, but there are some subtle racial overtones that just wouldn’t work today, especially with the King of the monkeys having a heavy African American accent and adhering to the racial stereotypes of the time.
I loved this movie as a kid, but there are some subtle racial overtones that just wouldn’t work today, especially with the King of the monkeys having a heavy African American accent and adhering to the racial stereotypes of the time.
11
Dragonslayer (1981)
For this film, Disney partnered with Paramount to create a fantasy epic about a Dragon named Vermithrax Pejorative who plagues a kingdom. The effects were amazingly good for the time, but the story was far too mature for a Disney film.
For this film, Disney partnered with Paramount to create a fantasy epic about a Dragon named Vermithrax Pejorative who plagues a kingdom. The effects were amazingly good for the time, but the story was far too mature for a Disney film.
12
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Horror and sci-fi master Ray Bradbury penned this adaptation of his own novel for this Disney scary movie. You’ve got a devil, a carnival and some evil wishes getting granted. This movie gave me nightmares for years, and all because my mom figured that the Disney was a safe bet for movie night with the babysitter.
Horror and sci-fi master Ray Bradbury penned this adaptation of his own novel for this Disney scary movie. You’ve got a devil, a carnival and some evil wishes getting granted. This movie gave me nightmares for years, and all because my mom figured that the Disney was a safe bet for movie night with the babysitter.
13
Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959)
This Disney film is meant to be a lighthearted contest between an Irish town drunk and the King of the Leprechauns. It’s also got one of the earliest acting roles for Sean Connery. But where the film goes awry is with Irish stereotypes and a goddamned freaky Banshee. That scared the crap out of me as a kid.
This Disney film is meant to be a lighthearted contest between an Irish town drunk and the King of the Leprechauns. It’s also got one of the earliest acting roles for Sean Connery. But where the film goes awry is with Irish stereotypes and a goddamned freaky Banshee. That scared the crap out of me as a kid.
14
Return to Oz (1985)
You’d think that a sequel to The Wizard of Oz would be a family-friendly walk in the park, right? Wrong! This film is nightmare fuel on acid, pretending to be a kids movie. You’ve got a Dorothy who’s locked in an asylum, being subjected to electroshock, a Pumpkin-headed man, Oz in shambles and those fucking Wheelers.
You’d think that a sequel to The Wizard of Oz would be a family-friendly walk in the park, right? Wrong! This film is nightmare fuel on acid, pretending to be a kids movie. You’ve got a Dorothy who’s locked in an asylum, being subjected to electroshock, a Pumpkin-headed man, Oz in shambles and those fucking Wheelers.
Holy fucking shit, this isn’t a kids movie at all.
15
Nope!
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