Disney Movies are popular. With their empire annexing more studios and companies, like Fox in 2017 and Pixar in 2006, Disney is now becoming an integral part of our childhood.
And justifying so: Disney children's movies are good, and regarded as masterpieces of our culture.
A lot of Disney movies have won film awards. Some are still spawning memes that go viral today. Some get re-adapted into blockbusting live actions. Some even still binge-watched routinely every weekend by the whole family together.
This is why it is so easy to ignore their flaws. Not artistically - Disney movies always have the highest production quality. Disney's biggest flaws sometimes lie in its logic.
We might have ignored them as kids, but as adults, we rewatch them and ask: Wait, how did that happen? The plotholes are just too obvious. But just in case you miss them, here are the 16 biggest plotholes in popular Disney movies.
Prey coexist peacefully with predators in Zootopia's city, albeit they constitute just 10% of the population. The film's racial allegory reinforces (correctly) that it is wrong for a majority to fear an oppressed minority, but this message is undermined by the fact that, unlike the unfairly maligned real-world populations they represent, predators are inherently dangerous to the prey that they hunt to survive.
Elsa, who appears to be a typical little girl at the start of the film, possesses magical superpowers. Did she inherit them from a family member? Was she cursed in some way? Was she involved in an accident? It never comes up, and just because the film's creators purposefully left this open doesn't mean it's not a narrative hole.
Mulan enlists in the army, a position where her gender should be obvious to anybody with sight. What happens when she goes to the toilet or takes a shower?
At the start of the film, we observe that when Rapunzel cuts her hair, only the parts that leave her scalp to turn brown. The uncut hair should thus remain blonde.
During a Q&A session with Disney artists, a 10-year-old girl questioned it. "'If Ariel couldn't tell the Prince who she was because she couldn't talk, why didn't she send him a letter?' The animators exchanged smiles and one of them remarked, 'Next question.'"
When Ariel lives under the water, she makes friends with fish, and her best buddy is a crab. When crab is offered for dinner, she doesn't even flinch at the prospect of eating what might be her closest friend.
Scar is a malevolent, yet extremely intelligent and power-hungry lion. Scar's natural response after killing Mufasa to seize the kingdom would have been to ensure that the king's son, and legitimate successor to the throne, does not return when he's all grown up - large, powerful, and furious - to seize what is properly his.
Aladdin wishes to become a prince, and his desire is realized. However, for some reason, Aladdin either forgets or refuses to acknowledge that he has become a prince since he constantly reminds Princess Jasmine that she can only marry a prince. If his request was truly fulfilled, there should be no problem.
Prince Naveen must kiss a princess in order for him and Tiana to revert to human form. Charlotte, as a temporary princess, fits the criteria - her dad had been crowned King of Mardi Gras. The catch is that Charlotte does not kiss Naveen until after midnight, at which point she is no longer a princess. As a result, Charlotte should have changed into a frog as well.
According to the film's facts, Pocahontas' tribe never encountered any English-speaking individuals and had no idea they existed. She can, however, speak effectively in English with John Smith and his colleagues.
When the Beast is just 11 years old, a witch curses him for being selfish. The film makes no mention of his parents or who reared him. Did they perish? Have they left town? We'll never know.
The clock strikes twelve o'clock. Cinderella's time with the Prince at the Royal Ball has come to an end. Cinderella's garment becomes rags when her fairy godmother's charm wears off. Her glass slippers, on the other hand, are in perfect shape. Shouldn't they have also changed?
Shouldn't Doc be decked up in bling? Alternatively, the seven dwarves should be able to upgrade from their cramped quarters. The dwarfs dig valuable gems. What happens to the jewels? How are the dwarfs repaid? We'll never know.
Anita and Roger's determination to safeguard all 101 of their new puppies drives the primary conflict in 101 Dalmatians. Even for a Disney film, it's difficult to believe that Roger and Anita could actually care for so many pups unless they were exceedingly rich and had a large amount of property.
Hades, for such a great lord, does not care to look behind him. Panic and Pain inform the Lord of the Underworld that they have slain Hercules. One would imagine that Hades (who oversees the Underworld) would check with the dead to confirm that knowledge. He doesn't until nearly two decades later.
Maleficent believes that finding Aurora is critical. Nonetheless, she dispatches a slew of inept lackeys. Finally, Maleficent, who appears to be rather cunning and astute, dispatches Diablo, who easily locates Aurora.
And justifying so: Disney children's movies are good, and regarded as masterpieces of our culture.
A lot of Disney movies have won film awards. Some are still spawning memes that go viral today. Some get re-adapted into blockbusting live actions. Some even still binge-watched routinely every weekend by the whole family together.
This is why it is so easy to ignore their flaws. Not artistically - Disney movies always have the highest production quality. Disney's biggest flaws sometimes lie in its logic.
We might have ignored them as kids, but as adults, we rewatch them and ask: Wait, how did that happen? The plotholes are just too obvious. But just in case you miss them, here are the 16 biggest plotholes in popular Disney movies.
#1 Why Is It Okay For Prey In Zootopia To Fear Predators?
Source: Zootopia / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Prey coexist peacefully with predators in Zootopia's city, albeit they constitute just 10% of the population. The film's racial allegory reinforces (correctly) that it is wrong for a majority to fear an oppressed minority, but this message is undermined by the fact that, unlike the unfairly maligned real-world populations they represent, predators are inherently dangerous to the prey that they hunt to survive.
#2 How Does Elsa Get Her Power?
Source: Frozen / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Elsa, who appears to be a typical little girl at the start of the film, possesses magical superpowers. Did she inherit them from a family member? Was she cursed in some way? Was she involved in an accident? It never comes up, and just because the film's creators purposefully left this open doesn't mean it's not a narrative hole.
#3 Why Does No One Notice Mulan Was A Woman?
Source: Mulan / Buena Vista Pictures
Mulan enlists in the army, a position where her gender should be obvious to anybody with sight. What happens when she goes to the toilet or takes a shower?
#4 Why Does Rapunzel Hair Turn Brown?
Source: Tangled / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
At the start of the film, we observe that when Rapunzel cuts her hair, only the parts that leave her scalp to turn brown. The uncut hair should thus remain blonde.
#5 Why Doesn’t Ariel Just Write?
Source: The Little Mermaid / Buena Vista Pictures
During a Q&A session with Disney artists, a 10-year-old girl questioned it. "'If Ariel couldn't tell the Prince who she was because she couldn't talk, why didn't she send him a letter?' The animators exchanged smiles and one of them remarked, 'Next question.'"
#6 Why Is Ariel Comfortable With Seafood?
Source: The Little Mermaid / Buena Vista Pictures
When Ariel lives under the water, she makes friends with fish, and her best buddy is a crab. When crab is offered for dinner, she doesn't even flinch at the prospect of eating what might be her closest friend.
#7 Why Does Scar Let Simba Live?
Source: The Lion King / Buena Vista Pictures
Scar is a malevolent, yet extremely intelligent and power-hungry lion. Scar's natural response after killing Mufasa to seize the kingdom would have been to ensure that the king's son, and legitimate successor to the throne, does not return when he's all grown up - large, powerful, and furious - to seize what is properly his.
#8 Did Aladdin's First Wish Fail?
Source: Aladdin / Buena Vista Pictures
Aladdin wishes to become a prince, and his desire is realized. However, for some reason, Aladdin either forgets or refuses to acknowledge that he has become a prince since he constantly reminds Princess Jasmine that she can only marry a prince. If his request was truly fulfilled, there should be no problem.
#9 Why Doesn’t Charlotte Turn Into A Frog?
Source: The Princess and the Frog / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Prince Naveen must kiss a princess in order for him and Tiana to revert to human form. Charlotte, as a temporary princess, fits the criteria - her dad had been crowned King of Mardi Gras. The catch is that Charlotte does not kiss Naveen until after midnight, at which point she is no longer a princess. As a result, Charlotte should have changed into a frog as well.
#10 How Does Pocahontas Speak English So Well?
Source: Pocahontas / Buena Vista Pictures
According to the film's facts, Pocahontas' tribe never encountered any English-speaking individuals and had no idea they existed. She can, however, speak effectively in English with John Smith and his colleagues.
#11 Where Are The Beast’s Parents?
Source: Beauty and the Beast / Buena Vista Pictures
When the Beast is just 11 years old, a witch curses him for being selfish. The film makes no mention of his parents or who reared him. Did they perish? Have they left town? We'll never know.
#12 How Cinderella’s Glass Slippers Stay Glass After Midnight?
Source: Cinderella / RKO Radio Pictures
The clock strikes twelve o'clock. Cinderella's time with the Prince at the Royal Ball has come to an end. Cinderella's garment becomes rags when her fairy godmother's charm wears off. Her glass slippers, on the other hand, are in perfect shape. Shouldn't they have also changed?
#13 Why Are The Dwarfs So Poor?
Source: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs / RKO Radio Pictures
Shouldn't Doc be decked up in bling? Alternatively, the seven dwarves should be able to upgrade from their cramped quarters. The dwarfs dig valuable gems. What happens to the jewels? How are the dwarfs repaid? We'll never know.
#14 How do Anita and Roger Take Care Of 101 Dalmations?
Source: One Hundred and One Dalmatians / Buena Vista Distribution
Anita and Roger's determination to safeguard all 101 of their new puppies drives the primary conflict in 101 Dalmatians. Even for a Disney film, it's difficult to believe that Roger and Anita could actually care for so many pups unless they were exceedingly rich and had a large amount of property.
#15 Why Doesn't Hades Make Sure Hercules Is Dead?
Source: Hercules / Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Hades, for such a great lord, does not care to look behind him. Panic and Pain inform the Lord of the Underworld that they have slain Hercules. One would imagine that Hades (who oversees the Underworld) would check with the dead to confirm that knowledge. He doesn't until nearly two decades later.
#16 Why Doesn’t Maleficent Just Send Diablo?
Source: Sleeping Beauty / Buena Vista Distribution
Maleficent believes that finding Aurora is critical. Nonetheless, she dispatches a slew of inept lackeys. Finally, Maleficent, who appears to be rather cunning and astute, dispatches Diablo, who easily locates Aurora.