Top 10 Wildest Disney Movie Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Top 10 Behind-the-Scenes Stories About the Making of Disney Movies

Welcome to MsMojo, and today were looking at the most fascinating tales behind our favorite Disney films.

Ratatouille (2007)

Lets admit it many of us rewatch Ratatouille just to drool over the mouthwatering meals on display. These dishes didnt just happen to look sumptuous, though they were remarkable by design. Filmmakers created more than 270 meals to make the food appear as appetizing as Remy prepares them! These real-life dishes were used as reference points, allowing animators to recreate them as authentic and visually pleasing. Along with consulting professional chefs in the U.S. and France, Pixar animators attended cooking classes to understand what life in the culinary world is like. This level of dedication paid off, as the dishes in Ratatouille still look as delicious as desired.

The Lion King (1994) & Pocahontas (1995)

Riding high on Beauty and the Beasts critical and commercial success, Disney Studios chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg believed Pocahontas romantic narrative would similarly resonate with viewers. Because of this, Disneys A team of animators was assigned toPocahontas, while a more inexperienced crew took on The Lion King. According to producer Don Hahn, the entire pitch simply went: a lion cub gets framed for murder by his uncle set to the music of Elton John. But with over $1 billion at the box office and millions more in home media and merchandising, The Lion King is now considered the crown jewel of the Disney Renaissance. The film didnt just succeed it redefined what a breakout hit could be.

Cinderella (1950)

During WWII, classics like Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi all underperformed at the box office. Even after the war, Disney teetered on the edge of collapse until Cinderella turned the tide forever. With millions in debt, the film was a last-ditch gamble that paid off in spades. Its success catapulted the company into a new era reopening the European market, and enabling Disney to invest in iconic money-spinners like Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Disneys newfound independence enabled it to break away from RKO Radio Pictures and establish its own distribution brand, bringing to life all the classics we know and love today. And to think, its all thanks to that one glass slipper.

Frozen (2013)

Thats right! The heroine who inspired millions to embrace their vulnerability was initially pencilled in as an antagonist. The films original outline revolved around a prophecy foretelling the rise of a ruler with a frozen heart. Believing it as her destiny, Elsa would lead an army of snow monsters against Arendelle until Hans was revealed as the true villain. But while developing the now-iconic Let It Go, it became clear that the song perfectly fit a scared girl struggling to control and come to terms with her gift. The shift in perspective transformed Elsa into a complex yet ultimately benevolent heroine, laying the platform for the powerful sisterly bond she shares with Anna.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

One of Sleeping Beautys more memorable moments revolves around Auroras dress. We watch Flora and Merryweather constantly bicker over their preferred shade, even ending the film on this note. Funnily enough, this was a nod to real-life disagreement among filmmakers, who were divided over the dresss final color. The argument has since carried over to the fanbase, as viewers also tend to debate which look suits the heroine better. While the fairies could never settle their differences, the studio likely used Flora and Merryweathers argument to represent both colors onscreen.

Various

Disneys Nine Old Men remain the stuff of legend, but a core group of women played an equally vital role behind the scenes. Names like Retta Scott, Retta Davidson, Ruthie Thompson, Sylvia Holland, Hazel Sewell, and Mary Blair broke new ground, shattering barriers in a male-dominated industry. Their contributions in direction, animation, illustration, and storyboarding carried Disney from its infancy in the 30s to the beginning of its golden age in the 80s. The imprint of their work lives on in classics like Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Mary Poppins, The Black Cauldron, and more. While female influence in Disney extends far and wide today, these women will always stand out for blazing a trail of change in the industry.

Aladdin (1992)

Robin Williams didnt just voice the Genie he gave him a soul. With impressions, pop culture references, and an infectiously energetic charm, Williams injected Genie with a personality filmmakers could never have dreamed of. Given free rein to run wild, the actor improvised over 50 characters and personas. A megastar worth millions, Williams reportedly racked up over 16 hours of material, providing Disney with an absolute gold mine of content all for just $75,000. Things took a bitter turn soon after its release. The studio went back on its word not to spotlight Williams during its marketing push, sparking a high-profile fallout that was only mended after a public apology years later.

The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

Buoyed by hilarious characters like Kuzco, Kronk, and Yzma, The Emperors New Groove remains one of Disneys funniest films. But its original vision was quite the opposite, featuring a story inspired by The Prince and the Pauper. Titled Kingdom of the Sun, the idea was helmed by director Roger Allers, with Stings soundtrack complementing its thematic beats. Unfortunately, producers Thomas Schumacher and Peter Schneider's refusal to share their vision led to drastic changes, reworking the movie into a satirical piece. Deep into production and with six original songs already composed Allers and Stings work was rejected. Remnants of their efforts can be seen in The Sweatbox, which details the painstaking process behind what Kingdom of the Sun might have been.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

We might know Snow White as an all-time classic, but Disneys first animated film was a colossal risk. Walt Disney faced several financial woes during production, making it necessary to take out multiple loans to fund the film. When that wasnt enough, Disney took an even bigger gamble and mortgaged his own house to cover the remaining budget. However, Snow Whites groundbreaking animation and storytelling techniques were far from inexpensive. In order to complete production, Disney screened an early cut to Bank of America executive Joseph Rosenburg. Awestruck by the films ambitious scale, Rosenberg approved a $250,000 loan that ultimately changed the landscape of film history forever.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jeffrey Katzenberg Wanted It Removed Because He Thought It Was Boring

This Allowed Them to Capture Authentic Reactions From the Then-2-Year-Old Actress

The Team Combined 70% Traditional Animation With 30% CGI Visuals

Don Rickles Passed Away Before Production

COVID-19 Forced the Team to Improvise

Toy Story 2 (1999)

More than 25 years since its release, Toy Story 2 is still one of the greatest animated films of all time. But this beloved classic almost met a premature end all thanks to a technical error. With production nearly complete, a staff member accidentally deleted the films root file, removing years of hard work with a single click. As expected, panic ensued, especially when all efforts to locate the films assets proved fruitless. Just when all hope seemed lost, technical director Galyn Susman came to the rescue. Susman, working remotely at the time, had a backup copy on her home computer. Suffice it to say, we all owe her a collective thank you for infinity and beyond.

Is there a Disney fun fact you have in mind? Let us know in the comments.