Most people grew up on Disney movies, from the animated classics to the memorable live-action adventures. It’s hard not to fall in love with the stories they produced, as there really was something for everyone. That said, there’s no point in pretending that Disney films are always happy and delightful tales. Many are shockingly dark, creating traumatizing moments that fans have never gotten over. Since its founding, Disney has earned a reputation for many things, including its tendency to kill off at least one parent in many classic animated movies. This is one example of many, and it may explain a thing or two about us.
These Disney movies are foundational parts of our childhood, the good and the bad. However, they say that life imitates art, and vice versa. Many believe that Disney’s early obsession with killing parents revolved around Walt Disney’s personal trauma involving the death of his mother. Art is a way to process emotions, so this theory holds water.
Since parental death is only one of the many traumatizing themes Disney experiments with, we can’t let that explain everything away. Some Disney movies are traumatic for the darker settings, while others found different ways to instill fears and shock viewers of all ages. In many cases, they probably weren’t meant to be that alarming, but it’s not always possible to predict how children will react to certain stories.
1) The Rescuers
The Rescuers was first released in 1977 and would get enough attention to spawn a sequel (The Rescuers Down Under). Both films are admittedly underrated classics, but that doesn’t mean they’re not traumatic at times. To start with, the entire vibe of The Rescuers is oddly haunting, starting with Penny’s fake adoption. This little orphan girl was taken in by a pair of thieves simply because they needed someone small enough to fit through a crack.
The Rescuers get sent on the case when they find Penny’s plea for help in a bottle. Her sad story also contains a heartbreaking moment with her feline friend, Rufus. Scarier moments include the skull in the cave, a cloud of bats, and the terrifying Medusa.
2) Lady and the Tramp
Lady and the Tramp was released in 1955, so it’s not surprising that a lot of its content didn’t age well. It’s full of cultural and racial stereotypes of the time. Perhaps that’s why this movie is, at its core, deeply unsettling? The film introduces the adorable Lady, who is quickly abandoned by her owners when they have a human child (note: this is sadly still common today).
The film has many shocking and upsetting scenes, and while a lot of those revolve around the dog catcher, that’s not always the case. Really, though, the whole pound scene was enough to become nightmare fuel for most children.
3) The Lion King
The 1994 film The Lion King is probably one of the most famous examples of Disney trauma, and almost everyone will remember it well. While the movie has many highlights, not to mention a few earworms, there’s also a darker side to the tale. As adults, we were horrified to learn the meaning behind Scar’s name. As children, we were horrified by his actions. Ironic, right?
The film has a lot of terrifying and upsetting scenes, starting with Mufasa’s death. The stampede and fall are unforgettable, and we can only imagine how loud the theatres were at that time. Simba snuggling up to his father’s body and trying to wake him got everyone crying. Meanwhile, the hyenas were a constant source of terror, even at the end, when they turned their sights onto Scar.
4) Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey
It probably doesn’t need to be said that Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey was incredibly upsetting for animal lovers. These three loyal pets were put through so much in their attempt to get back to their family. It’s possibly more upsetting because of the live-action setting, though we all know animation can tug at our heartstrings as well.
Some of the more upsetting scenes in this film include Chase getting a bunch of quills stuck to his nose (it must have hurt so much!) and Shadow nearly dying. We could go on, but then everybody will start crying (again). Even the happiest moment in the film is a tearjerker, as Shadow crests that hill.
5) Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is arguably one of Disney’s more quirky films, but it was also shockingly traumatizing. It put a group of kids into an incredibly dangerous situation, and in the process, it awakened fears in many viewers. It probably didn’t help that the film included giant (to the kids) insects, as that’s not exactly an uncommon fear.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids was surprisingly dark and terrifying at times, despite the more comical marketing. This may have had something to do with the creators, who are famous in the horror genre. The fact that it was once a theme park is equal parts cool and terrifying.
6) Tarzan
The 1999 animated film Tarzan is known for a lot of things, from the memorable Tarzan/Jane interaction to the surprising drum solo that is the Phil Collins soundtrack. However, there’s no denying the many horrifying things that occurred in this film, starting with a shipwreck. Tarzan’s parents were lucky enough to survive what looked like a horrifying shipwreck, only to die at the claws of a leopard (Sabor). Disney didn’t hold back on telling viewers what happened, allowing a glimpse at crumbled clothes and suspicious paw prints.
Thankfully, Tarzan didn’t meet the same fate, and he was allowed to grow up and have a relatively happy childhood. Many conflicts in the movie scared children, especially those in the finale. Once again, Disney didn’t pull its punches here, allowing Clayton’s shadow to clearly tell the story of how he died. Some kids may have missed that detail, but not all of us.
Besides these haunting scenes, some people realized that they had a fear of apes or primates because of this movie. Rational or not, this phobia isn’t terribly uncommon, so this was an enlightening film for many.
7) The Brave Little Toaster
The 1987 film The Brave Little Toaster was meant to spark conversation about loyalty, wastefulness, and the inherent value in everything. It hit the nail on the head there, but it also scared the heck out of us when we were kids. It still scares many adults, and that’s okay. The Brave Little Toaster covers a wide array of terrifying or traumatic scenes. To start with, the Toaster has a nightmare about a fireman clown that quickly became our own nightmare.
Next, there’s the overworked air conditioner. He’s overwhelmed and upset, and by the time his story is done, he’s literally blown up from all the stress. Yikes! This takes us to the junkyard, where a group of cars sing (“Worthless”) before ultimately being crushed into cubes. These are but a few of the heavy-hitting scenes available in The Brave Little Toaster.
8) The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a 1996 Disney film that hit hard. This movie had layers to the tale, and while some children were immediately captivated by its adventure, just as many were horrified by everything that happened within. To start with, Judge Claude Frollo is terrifying, as he mercilessly targets the likes of Quasimodo. Poor Quasimodo is roped up, attacked, and humiliated in a very visual and dramatic sense. Disney didn’t simply allude to the poor treatment of this character — they put it directly on display, making it clear to children precisely what went down.
Judge Claude Frollo doubles down with his unsettling vibe during his pursuit of Esmeralda. His song, “Hellfire,” is highly disturbing, as he’s essentially lamenting how a teenager won’t fall in love with him. Gross.
9) The Fox and the Hound
The Fox and the Hound is a 1981 adventure that left any and all animal lovers scarred. While the movie is often described as a feel-good story about two unlikely friends, anybody who has watched the movie and paid attention knows that it is much darker than that. The film begins with Tod’s abandonment, as the woman who raised him leaves him to fend for himself in the woods. That’s the starting note of the film, and it doesn’t really get better from there.
While Tod and Copper do become friends, and it’s cute and all, it doesn’t stay that way. They’re mortal enemies by the end of the film, and thankfully, the movie deviates from the book’s finale. In the movie, Copper gives Tod a chance to escape, and while they’re not friends, at least it doesn’t result in their deaths. The book has an even darker fate, so reader discretion is advised.
10) Bambi
It’s hard to believe that Bambi was first released in 1942. It’s a classic for a reason, and it’s probably one of the most heart-wrenching movies in Disney’s catalog. Most people know how the story goes, as one little white-tailed deer was left to face the world alone after a hunter shot and killed his mother. Thankfully, Bambi made many friends along the way, and that helped give brighter moments to the story.
Let’s take a step back and talk about those earlier scenes for a moment. Sorry in advance for rehashing old trauma. In the film, the hunter is shown stalking through the bushes. Bambi’s mother wasn’t the first victim that day, as a bird panicked and flew away, only to be shot dead. This scene may have been quick, but it hits hard, as her friends had tried to help her stay calm and safe. After Bambi’s mother is killed, viewers watch the young deer snuggle up to her, and yeah, that hurts too.
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