Top 10 Historically Accurate Details in Disney Movies

Lightning McQueen finds himself lost in the derelict town Radiator Springs. It’s far from what he’s used to, but he soon discovers that it was once bustling and thriving. However, after the introduction of the Interstate highway, drivers no longer needed to journey through these small towns, and eventually, they became forgotten. Sadly, this was the reality for many places along Route 66, which stretches between Illinois and California. Once Route 66 was bypassed, businesses struggled, and historic parts of America became virtual ghost towns. “Cars” highlights the plight of modernity and those who get bulldozed in its wake. Luckily, some small towns are making a return thanks to their unique and vital significance in American history.

Rumors that Tsar Nicholas II’s daughter Anastasia survived her family’s assassination in 1918 have welcomed speculation and invited imposters. Prussian woman Anna Anderson famously claimed to be Anastasia in the 1920s. Since she was roughly the right age, some were convinced. In the movie, what starts as a con turns out to be true. However, in Anderson’s case, a long lawsuit ruled that she wasn’t the lost princess. According to a private investigation, she was actually Franziska Schanzkowska (franZIZkuh shawnzKAWVskuh), a factory employee with a record of mental illness. Years later, when the Romanovs were finally unearthed, a DNA test proved that Anderson was indeed just another imposter.

The Incas were exceptional architects and excelled in urban design. They built their incredible cities in unlikely places in ways that served their considerable population’s needs. This included impressive waterways formed by aqueducts that you can still visit today. The mountainous Andes were often short on freshwater supplies, and rain was a rarity. The Incas figured out that if they redirected water from the rivers, they could have a steady flow that helped their agriculture flourish. One of the most famous examples resides in the historical Machu Picchu site. You can also see these elaborate canals in the Disney animation, although we can’t imagine that Kuzco was the mastermind behind them.

“Brave’s” creators took extra care to bring authenticity to this epic Scottish tale, and their efforts didn't go unnoticed. For instance, the outfits seen in the film characterize typical 10th-century Scottish fashion. Additionally, historian Laura Barnett noted that Scotland's medieval past is filled with strong women and that "Brave" featured several recognizable locations. Indeed, the filmmakers took a research trip to the region, visiting numerous landmarks, including the ancient Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis. This mysterious rock formation dates back to the Neolithic age, predating Stonehenge. It inspired the ring of rocks that Merida comes across while chasing after the wisps. This level of accuracy rocks!

Mulan was the perfect heroine to see out Disney’s renaissance era. Unfortunately, it’s debatable if she ever actually existed. Instead, the movie’s premise takes inspiration from ancient Chinese folklore. The narrative of the Ballad of Mulan also follows a young woman who takes her father’s place to join the army. The events occur in the fifth century AD, during an actual conflict fought between the Northern Wei dynasty and the Mongolic state of Rouran (roh-ran). Mulan might be fictional, but the context of her story is based on fact. Sadly, there’s no record of a sassy talking dragon. But luckily, there’s also no evidence proving Shan Yu was real. That guy was terrifying!

We’re almost certain this iconic Cathedral never housed a hunchback or gargoyles that come to life. Indeed, if you know your European history, you’ll know that this tale is steeped in inaccuracies. However, the animated replica of Quasimodo’s home is pretty spot on. Notre Dame is an incredible structure, and you could get lost for hours inspecting every gothic detail and beautiful stained glass window. The animators visited the famous Parisian landmark to study the building and all its architectural intricacies. They also pored over Victor Hugo’s sketches of Paris to help them understand the city through his eyes. The titular Cathedral is as much a part of the story as any other character and deserves no less attention.

This movie marked a long-awaited shift in representation, but largely failed to create an authentic snapshot of early 20th century New Orleans. However, they did include a couple of nods to the era, most notably through the southern jazz-influenced soundtrack. Also a cleverly placed newspaper headline announcing Woodrow Wilson's election hints that the film begins in 1912. However, the most astounding detail can be spotted during the masquerade ball. Notice how other than the hosts, the only attendees to remain unmasked are Black. Apparently, this reflects a real local law that forbade African-Americans from covering their faces. Given that the movie vastly ignores racial injustice, this inclusion is rather surprising.

History tells us that the Polynesians were keen travelers and great explorers, colonizing places like the islands of Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa. However, their days of voyaging came to a sudden and unexpected halt that lasted roughly 1,000 years in what’s now known as The Long Pause. No one knew why this happened, and it remains one of the world’s most mystifying enigmas. “Moana” seeks to fill the gap with an unlikely yet enchanting story. Her grandma tells her that it all began when Maui stole the heart of Te Fiti and boats stopped returning. Sure, the details indulge in creative license, but we bet not many people know that Moana’s story is based on actual events.

In recent years Disney and Pixar have sent teams on research trips to learn more about the locations behind their stories. "Coco" is the perfect example of how tremendous the payoff can be. The colorful terraced architecture of Guanajuato inspired production designer Harley Jessup for The Land of the Dead. He added large towers featuring details depicting Mexico's "layered history." You can see the influences of Aztec, Mayan, and colonial Spain at the base. Above that, you'll notice nods to the Victorian era and the Mexican Revolution. Finally, he ties it together with 20th century and modern designs at the top. It's "Un Poco Loco" just how much detail goes into creating these magnificent landscapes.

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

Eleanor of Aquitaine Plays Favorites, “Robin Hood” (1973)
Supposedly This Queen Really Did Favor Richard the Lionheart Over Prince John

Depicting the Correct British Flag, “Pocahontas” (1995)
The Flag Only Gained Its Second Red Cross When Ireland Joined the U.K. in 1801

Shepherd’s Journal, “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001)
Like Plato’s Dialogue Critias, Some of Shepherd’s Journal Is Missing

Cutting Ice, “Frozen” (2013)
An Accurate Depiction of How Ice Was Harvested. The Norse Runes Are Also Accurate!

The Sphinx’s Nose, “Aladdin” (1992)
Some Arab Scholars State That the Sphinx Lost Its Nose in an Act of Vandalism

Early in “Encanto,” we learn that Abuela Alma lost her beloved Pedro after they were forced to flee their home. Her story is rooted in a real-life conflict known as the Thousand Days’ War, which lasted from 1899 to 1902. Fought between liberals on one side and conservatives and nationalists on the other, this civil war was the deadliest conflict in the country’s history and left many Colombians displaced. Its depiction in “Encanto” demonstrated how invested the creators were in showing both the beauty and pain of the nation’s past. It also set the groundwork for explaining the generational trauma from which the country is still healing.