Classic Disney films weren’t afraid to get dark, with scenes that genuinely scared kids and stuck with them. Think of Snow White’s forest or the disturbing donkey transformation in Pinocchio. Even Renaissance-era movies like The Hunchback of Notre Dame tackled corruption and lust in ways that pushed boundaries. Modern films touch on heavy themes like trauma or the environment, but they avoid the raw, unsettling moments that once gave Disney stories their edge. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Disney has always used CGI, but now it often takes over the whole movie. The live-action remakes are the clearest example, with animals and sidekicks that look more creepy than charming. Beloved characters like Simba or Flounder lose their personality when they’re made too realistic. CGI can work well, but the overuse makes many of these films feel flat instead of magical. | © Walt Disney Pictures
It’s wild to realise that Winnie the Pooh in 2011 was the last fully hand-drawn Disney film. Since then, the studio has leaned on 3D animation, sometimes adding watercolor touches like in Wish, but it never feels the same. Other studios like DreamWorks have thrived in 3D, yet they still experiment with 2D elements. Fans who grew up on classics know the charm of true 2D animation, and it doesn’t look like Disney plans on bringing it back. | © Walt Disney Pictures
There was a time when the Disney logo alone felt like the start of something unforgettable. The classics had songs, characters, and designs that stuck with you for life. Now, too many new releases feel disposable, whether it’s another remake or a half-hearted live-action project. Movies like Jungle Cruise or Godmothered come and go, leaving barely a trace of the magic Disney used to guarantee. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Disney once set the gold standard for animated musicals, with songs that stuck in your head and actually meant something. Classics like Aladdin and Pocahontas proved how powerful music could be in shaping a story. Lately, though, the newer soundtracks lean more on pop trends than timeless melodies. Wish and even parts of Encanto left fans feeling like the lyrics were forced, and the magic just wasn’t there anymore. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Disney sequels used to be the kind of thing you’d find in the bargain bin, but now they’re hitting theaters as full-blown follow-ups. The problem is, most of them don’t capture the spark of the originals. Movies like Ralph Breaks the Internet showed how easy it is to make a sequel that feels more like a cash grab than a new story. With Zootopia 2 on the way, it’s clear Disney would rather bank on familiar names than take chances on fresh ideas. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Disney has leaned hard into live-action remakes, and it’s starting to feel like that’s all they make. Sure, it’s easy to see the money in familiar titles, but chasing marketability clashes with the promise of timeless storytelling. Snow White’s box office stumble and the mixed reaction to Lilo & Stitch show audiences aren’t always buying it. Even so, Moana and other planned remakes are still moving forward, making it seem like the studio has lost sight of what made its classics magical. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Disney still makes plenty of movies, but rewatching the newer ones doesn’t always feel magical. Between remakes, sequels, and fading music, the harsh truths are hard to ignore.
