Content Advisory Message Now Shown on Old Disney Films

A handful of films on Disney+ now come with content warnings for cultural insensitivity.

Swiss Family Robinson pirates
Swiss Family Robinson presents exaggerated and inaccurate representations of Asian and Middle Eastern peoples.

Disney has put a 12-second, non-skippable warning before several movies on the Disney+ channel.

Films that include the advisory so far are Peter Pan (1953), The Aristocats (1970), The Jungle Book (1967), Lady and the Tramp (1955), Dumbo (1941), Aladdin (1992), Fantasia (1940), and Swiss Family Robinson (1960).

The content advisory message reads, “This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together.”

Why have they selected those films? Peter Pan, for example, portrays Native people stereotypically and refers to them by offensive terms. Dumbo mimics racist minstrel shows, and The Aristocats features a cat that is a racist caricature of East Asian peoples.

Disney is also reviewing its other products, such as books, music, and experiences. While advisories for negative depictions of people and cultures may be added to some offerings, others will be reimagined. They are also investing in new ways to better reflect the rich diversity of stories in our world.

Stories shape how we see ourselves and everyone around us. As storytellers, Disney has the power to uplift and inspire. The company believes that forging meaningful connections with consumers contributes to its growth and viability, so Disney purposefully champions a multitude of voices and perspectives.

Disney is committed to creating stories with inspirational and aspirational themes that reflect the rich diversity of the human experience around the globe.

To learn more about how stories have impacted society, visit www.Disney.com/StoriesMatter.