10 Amazing Lessons Disney/Pixar Movies Have Taught Us
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VOICE OVER: Emily Brayton
There's always a moral to these stories, and sometimes they teach us everything we need to know. Sometimes you don't have to look father than your movie collection to find all of the wisdom you've been searching for. For cute, funny, sweet and heartfelt movies, they sure can guide us through the ups and downs of life. We're looking at the messages that really stuck with us from our favorite Disney and Pixar movies, so join MsMojo as we countdown our picks for the Top 10 Best Lessons We Learned From Disney Pixar Movies.
Top 10 Best Lessons We Learned From Disney Pixar Movies
There’s always a moral to these stories. Welcome to MsMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Amazing Lessons We Learned from Disney/Pixar Movies.
For this list, we’re looking at the messages that really stuck with us from our favorite Disney and Pixar movies.
“Mulan” (1998)
When “Mulan” was released in the late 90’s, the film felt different than anything else that came before it- and there are actually many lessons to take away from it. “Mulan” looks at the classic principles of honor and family, but turns them on their heads by addressing them in an unexpected way. The titular character goes to war to take her father’s place, but she knows that if anyone finds out who she truly is, it will bring her family great dishonor. There’s also a feminist lesson her, showing that girls can do anything that men can. On top of all that, there’s the concept that one small person can make a big difference.
“Zootopia” (2016)
In one of Disney’s most recent animated films, the plot addresses prejudice in a way that felt entirely fresh and modern. In “Zootopia,” citizens are categorized as either predators or prey, and the stereotypes that abound are reminiscent of the ones we face in the real world. While the story is an allegory, the takeaway is clear- no matter what your background is, you can really achieve anything. In fact, the motto for the city is even “Anyone Can Be Anything,” which is perfectly fitting!
“Finding Nemo” (2003)
There are several layers of lessons in this under the sea adventure, and the more times you see it, the more you’ll get out of it. In the quest to find his son, Marlin meets Dory, a lovable fish who is clearly suffering from some kind of neurological disorder. Her personal mantra is “Just Keep Swimming,” and no matter what she encounters, she never falters in her perseverance. The movie also features another character with a disability - Nemo himself. One of his fins is smaller than the other, making swimming difficult for him. He too preservers, never letting it hold him back.
“Cinderella” (1950)
In one of Disney’s classic works of animation, good is pitted against pure evil, and the lesson to be learned is that goodness always prevails. Cinderella is put in the care of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, and is forced to toil away working for them while they treat her in a fashion that is straight up abusive. Through it all, she keeps her positive spirit, and her sense of kindness to others, and in the end, she is rewarded with a fairy tale ending.
“Hercules” (1997)
Even though Hercules is born to mythological parents on Mount Olympus, an unfortunate series of events leads to him gaining mortality and being left on earth. As he grows up, his goal is to make it back to the kingdom where his parents and the rest of the gods and goddesses are, but eventually he realizes that he’s willing to sacrifice it all for love. When he falls for a mortal woman named Megara, he realizes that what his heart truly wants is to stay in the realm of mortals with her.
“Frozen” (2013)
“Frozen” has been Disney’s biggest success in recent history, and actually went on to become the highest grossing animated movie of all time. The message in this film is a simple but salient one. It’s all about love – be it love for your family or love for yourself. Elsa only finds true happiness when she embraces who she truly is and accepts herself with her perceived flaws. Sisterly love is also prevalent here, and for all the parents out there who want to raise feminist daughters, “Frozen” definitely shows that you don’t need a man to be self-realized.
“Aladdin” (1992)
This theme runs through many Disney movies, but it’s never been more prevalent than in “Aladdin.” This film tells the tale of a vagrant “street rat” who dreams of being a prince. When he is granted three wishes, he chooses "Prince Ali Ababwa" as his first. But he soon realizes that disguising his true identity will only bring him more harm than good. In the end, though, he has the choice to retain his royal title, but he makes the moral choice to help a friend instead. And for that, he is happily rewarded.
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
Though there has been some controversy about the themes in this much-loved Disney film, at its core it holds a simple message that never ceases to be true. At first, Belle is horrified by the monster who captures her father in his castle and will do anything to get away from him. Eventually though, she realizes that deep down, he is a much more complex character than she ever could have imagined, and he soon begins to treat her with a tenderness that belies his outward appearance. We’ll always remember that it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
“The Little Mermaid” (1989)
Disney is all about making dreams come true, and this thought runs deep through many of its popular films. In “The Little Mermaid,” as well as (xref) “Tangled” and “Moana,” our heroines follow their hearts in order to achieve their greatest desires. In all of these instances, it’s about making your own way in the world, while all the while staying true to yourself and what you believe in. Whether it’s from sea to land or land to sea, these ladies know what they want and go for it.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Family
“The Incredibles” (2004)
We Can Always Make a Fresh Start
“WALL-E” (2008)
“Inside Out” (2015)
This movie is one of the most innovative animated features ever created by “Pixar,” and while the concept is interesting, it’s the message behind it that makes “Inside Out” truly special. While some of the Disney princesses can at times be one dimensional, “Inside Out” focuses on a very real little girl whose inner life is anything but simplistic. The movie shows that emotions are complicated, and that it isn’t necessarily a flaw to experience negative ones sometimes. No matter how old you are, you can definitely relate to Riley’s struggles.
There’s always a moral to these stories. Welcome to MsMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Amazing Lessons We Learned from Disney/Pixar Movies.
For this list, we’re looking at the messages that really stuck with us from our favorite Disney and Pixar movies.
#10: One Person Can Make a Difference
“Mulan” (1998)
When “Mulan” was released in the late 90’s, the film felt different than anything else that came before it- and there are actually many lessons to take away from it. “Mulan” looks at the classic principles of honor and family, but turns them on their heads by addressing them in an unexpected way. The titular character goes to war to take her father’s place, but she knows that if anyone finds out who she truly is, it will bring her family great dishonor. There’s also a feminist lesson her, showing that girls can do anything that men can. On top of all that, there’s the concept that one small person can make a big difference.
#9: Anyone Can Be Anything
“Zootopia” (2016)
In one of Disney’s most recent animated films, the plot addresses prejudice in a way that felt entirely fresh and modern. In “Zootopia,” citizens are categorized as either predators or prey, and the stereotypes that abound are reminiscent of the ones we face in the real world. While the story is an allegory, the takeaway is clear- no matter what your background is, you can really achieve anything. In fact, the motto for the city is even “Anyone Can Be Anything,” which is perfectly fitting!
#8: Perseverance
“Finding Nemo” (2003)
There are several layers of lessons in this under the sea adventure, and the more times you see it, the more you’ll get out of it. In the quest to find his son, Marlin meets Dory, a lovable fish who is clearly suffering from some kind of neurological disorder. Her personal mantra is “Just Keep Swimming,” and no matter what she encounters, she never falters in her perseverance. The movie also features another character with a disability - Nemo himself. One of his fins is smaller than the other, making swimming difficult for him. He too preservers, never letting it hold him back.
#7: Be Kind
“Cinderella” (1950)
In one of Disney’s classic works of animation, good is pitted against pure evil, and the lesson to be learned is that goodness always prevails. Cinderella is put in the care of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, and is forced to toil away working for them while they treat her in a fashion that is straight up abusive. Through it all, she keeps her positive spirit, and her sense of kindness to others, and in the end, she is rewarded with a fairy tale ending.
#6: Where You Belong Isn't a Place, It's with a Person
“Hercules” (1997)
Even though Hercules is born to mythological parents on Mount Olympus, an unfortunate series of events leads to him gaining mortality and being left on earth. As he grows up, his goal is to make it back to the kingdom where his parents and the rest of the gods and goddesses are, but eventually he realizes that he’s willing to sacrifice it all for love. When he falls for a mortal woman named Megara, he realizes that what his heart truly wants is to stay in the realm of mortals with her.
#5: TRUE Love
“Frozen” (2013)
“Frozen” has been Disney’s biggest success in recent history, and actually went on to become the highest grossing animated movie of all time. The message in this film is a simple but salient one. It’s all about love – be it love for your family or love for yourself. Elsa only finds true happiness when she embraces who she truly is and accepts herself with her perceived flaws. Sisterly love is also prevalent here, and for all the parents out there who want to raise feminist daughters, “Frozen” definitely shows that you don’t need a man to be self-realized.
#4: Be Yourself
“Aladdin” (1992)
This theme runs through many Disney movies, but it’s never been more prevalent than in “Aladdin.” This film tells the tale of a vagrant “street rat” who dreams of being a prince. When he is granted three wishes, he chooses "Prince Ali Ababwa" as his first. But he soon realizes that disguising his true identity will only bring him more harm than good. In the end, though, he has the choice to retain his royal title, but he makes the moral choice to help a friend instead. And for that, he is happily rewarded.
#3: Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
Though there has been some controversy about the themes in this much-loved Disney film, at its core it holds a simple message that never ceases to be true. At first, Belle is horrified by the monster who captures her father in his castle and will do anything to get away from him. Eventually though, she realizes that deep down, he is a much more complex character than she ever could have imagined, and he soon begins to treat her with a tenderness that belies his outward appearance. We’ll always remember that it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
#2: Follow Your Heart
“The Little Mermaid” (1989)
Disney is all about making dreams come true, and this thought runs deep through many of its popular films. In “The Little Mermaid,” as well as (xref) “Tangled” and “Moana,” our heroines follow their hearts in order to achieve their greatest desires. In all of these instances, it’s about making your own way in the world, while all the while staying true to yourself and what you believe in. Whether it’s from sea to land or land to sea, these ladies know what they want and go for it.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Family
“The Incredibles” (2004)
We Can Always Make a Fresh Start
“WALL-E” (2008)
#1: Being Sad Isn't Bad
“Inside Out” (2015)
This movie is one of the most innovative animated features ever created by “Pixar,” and while the concept is interesting, it’s the message behind it that makes “Inside Out” truly special. While some of the Disney princesses can at times be one dimensional, “Inside Out” focuses on a very real little girl whose inner life is anything but simplistic. The movie shows that emotions are complicated, and that it isn’t necessarily a flaw to experience negative ones sometimes. No matter how old you are, you can definitely relate to Riley’s struggles.
Dana-Ann Caporicci
“I definitely agreed with this list.”
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