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Audience sensibilities have definitely changed over the years when it comes to movies. Jokes that people used to find funny in comedies are now considered somewhat taboo. The characters in these films may use language that is considered offensive by today's standards. The same goes for the action genre. No longer is there a sexualized damsel in distress waiting for a man to save her.

Perhaps no genre has changed more, however, than animated films. Take, for instance, old Disney movies. There are many films released between the '40s and the '90s that are shockingly insensitive when it comes to their content. There's no way these controversial Disney movies would be released today. Viewers have become more progressive about the potentially harmful subtext in films, especially those targeted at children.

Aurora Has No Agency in Sleeping Beauty Release Year: 1959

Metascore: 85 IMDb: 7.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

Jealousy can be a tough emotion to overcome.

Merryweather's original gift to Aurora was meant to be "happiness" before Maleficent intervened. A theory suggests Merryweather's original gift could have been wisdom, setting her apart from the other fairies. Merryweather's original gift of wisdom would have potentially saved Aurora from Maleficent's curse, making her one of Disney's strongest princesses.

Disneys Sleeping Beauty begins with the three good fairies blessing baby Princess Aurora with one gift, but fairy Merryweather is interrupted by Maleficent, forcing her to change her original gift. Disney is best known for its animated movies, especially those based on fairy tales and legends with female characters (usually Princesses) as the leads, and among them is Sleeping Beauty. Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wolfgang Reitherman, Eric Larson, and Les Clark, and based on Charles Perraults 1697 fairy tale of the same name, Sleeping Beauty was released in 1959, and though it wasnt well received by critics and viewers, its now a Disney classic.

Disney's known for creating some truly swoon-worthy romances with amazing male love interests. Disney romances are often associated with the classic princess movies, but there are other Disney movie romances that aren't necessarily based on fairy tale love. Some love interests feel like dreamy princes that walked directly out of a fable.

Other male Disney love interests are so healthy and well-balanced that even the most modern audience may find them aspirational. There are many qualities that go into creating a stellar male love interest. He needs to be handsome, but have unique features. He also needs to be genteel without being so perfect that he feels fake.

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Related 10 Old Disney Movies That Need a Remake

Many Disney movies have never left the minds of fans, even decades after the release. But some older, forgotten Disney movies still deserve a remake.

Prince Phillip Thinks for Himself in Sleeping Beauty...

Maleficent didn't die after her battle with Prince Phillip, and instead, sealed herself in the Sword. Maleficent triggered disastrous events after Sleeping Beauty, seeking revenge on Phillip and Aurora. Her survival made her more powerful, potentially immortal, and able to spread evil without a physical body.

Sleeping Beauty saw Maleficents defeat at the end at the hands of Prince Phillip, but one wild Disney theory explains she survived this and got way stronger than she already was. Disney is home to many animated movies, mostly based on fairy tales, and among them is Sleeping Beauty. Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wolfgang Reitherman, Eric Larson, and Les Clark, and based on Charles Perraults 1697 fairy tale of the same name, Sleeping Beauty was released in 1959, and though it initially received mixed reviews and was a box-office bomb, its now one of Disneys most beloved classics.

Sleeping Beauty took viewers to a faraway kingdom...

Maleficent's role as a villain in Sleeping Beauty is reinterpreted in a theory that makes her actions more understandable. Maleficent may have cursed Aurora due to a broken promise made by her mother, Queen Leah. The theory adds depth to Maleficent's character, suggesting she desired acceptance and had powers beyond evil actions.

Maleficent is the villain in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, but one theory changes her role in the story enough to make viewers root for her after all these years. Disney is home to some of the most popular and beloved animated classics in film history, and the studio is best known for its princess movies. Among them is Sleeping Beauty, the studio’s third official Disney Princess. Released in 1959 and directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, Eric Larson, and Les Clark, Sleeping Beauty is based on Charles Perrault’s 1697 fairy tale of the same name but with a couple of tweaks.

Disney was, once upon a time, swarmed by critics for relying too heavily on the fairy tale adaptation strategy that they had all but patented in their earliest days. Eventually, the company broke this stride, evolving the formula and crafting new ones. Even still, throughout these early films and beyond into the modern era, the subtype of Disney Princess characters have cemented themselves as some of the company's proudest achievements.

Right alongside these princesses, there is often a prince. Whether or not this "prince" is a love interest, an actual child of royalty, or a hero at all, this subtype of characters consists largely of strong-willed, lovable, and flawed heroes -- or villains -- that play a significant role in the journey of another character, often, but not exclusively, princesses. One of the most endearing aspects of these characters is the memorable quotes they often unleash, whether romantically or simply...

If you’re a fan of animation, you know the name John Musker, whose four decades at Disney included writing and directing such classics as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Moana. Since retiring from the studio in 2018, he independently pursued an idea for a playful hand-drawn short, which he populated with caricatures of dozens of people from his life, among them fellow animators, CalArts classmates and Disney studios execs.

I’m Hip — shortlisted for an Academy Award — is a charming, music video-like film featuring a cat singing the catchy title song, Dave Frishberg’s 1970s recording of a tune he wrote with Bob Dorough. “[The song’s] very witty, and I always thought that would make for a fun short,” says Musker, 70.

“I have a penchant for teasing people,” he says, and his film “teases people who are so desperate to be on the cutting edge of things. Certainly Los Angeles is full of those people.

I love cartoons. Specifically cartoon series from the 80’s and 90’s. Whenever someone asks me what my favorite childhood cartoon is, I always say there are two. The first is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the second is Darkwing Duck. I was the biggest fan of the masked mallard, and who wouldn’t be? He was brave, smart, egotistical, and accident-prone but would persevere against evil. He had a killer costume and cool equipment to fight bad guys. He had an awesome rogue’s gallery that was a bit of a joke but also surprisingly formidable. The cartoon was also not afraid to show its love for classic superhero comics at a time when the general public didn’t understand it. It even broke through the Iron Curtain at the height of the Cold War. But does this cartoon from the early 90’s still hold up? Is it a silly...

When Disney 2D animation legend Andreas Deja left the studio in 2013 after three decades — he’s best known for supervising such iconic ’90s villains as Gaston from “Beauty and the Beast,” Jafar from “Aladdin,” and Scar from “The Lion King” — he wanted to direct. Thus began a seven-year passion project to make his first short, “Mushka” (a Russian term of endearment for “sweetheart”), about a young girl who rescues the titular tiger cub in the forest and raises him.

Deja’s goal was to channel the look of the Disney films from the ’60s that he grew up with in Germany, particularly “The Jungle Book” — the first he experienced and his favorite — which made him want to become an animator.

Deja started thinking about returning to his first love — drawing animals — and the friendly dynamic between the innocent girl and the powerful tiger. It turned out to be a fitting...

Disney has been the standard for film and animation by continually telling stories that evolve and deeply impact audiences of all ages, exploring a multitude of themes and even serious, real-life issues. Whether it’s Snow White or Moana, Disney sets out to do the impossible: a female lead persevering and evolving in a magical and animated way. As the princesses' characters have evolved, so have the delivery media of 2D animation and live-action retellings of classics.

Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora, also known as Walt’s princesses, helped the studio become the blueprint for storytelling through magical 2D animation and story development. The second generation of princesses, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, and Pocahontas, mimicked the Broadway musical format that gave each princess their own voice. With the popularity of 3D animation came yet a new generation of princesses who were even more versatile: Elsa, Anna, Moana, and Tiana were...

This article appears in the new issue of Den Of Geek magazine. Get your copy here.

When it came to creating the animated film that would be released on the 100th anniversary of Disney Studios, Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer and co-creator of Frozen, Jennifer Lee, was deeply aware of the massive task that she and everyone at the storied animation studio would be taking on. “I started talking with my fellow Frozen director, Chris Buck, about how Disney would be turning 100 this year,” Lee shared at a press event celebrating their newest animated feature. “We acknowledged what a privilege and responsibility it is at this significant time. And we thought what a wonderful way to celebrate a century of storytelling, to tell a joyful, original story with original characters and songs inspired by our legacy of films.” That film is Wish, the 62nd animated Disney film that follows a young woman,...

Disney is one of the biggest names in the entertainment world, owning several companies like Marvel to produce killer movies. October 16, 2023, marked one hundred years of Disney, and hundreds of movies exist under the Disney name. With each film comes very iconic characters, but not all get as much recognition as they should, even with screen time.

That list of characters, of course, includes Disney's iconic Princesses. Even though there are dozens of strong, femme-presenting characters in the Disney repertoire, not all are considered princesses. There are some rules for a Disney Princess, which pretty much revolve around the marketability of the characters. A Disney Princess has to be female, human, and a main character in a non-sequel movie. The title is given or taken at Disney's discretion.

Aurora Sleeping Beauty - 17 Minutes, 52 Seconds

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

After being snubbed by the royal family, a malevolent fairy places a curse on...

Pencils vs. Pixels examines the evolution of animation from 2D to 3D, showcasing the Disney Renaissance era and the impact of technological advancements. John Pomeroy discusses his history as a Disney animator and the impact of this industry shift. Narrated by Ming-Na Wen, the documentary includes interviews with industry professionals like Seth MacFarlane and Kevin Smith, providing unique perspectives on the animation medium.

Pencils vs. Pixels examines the evolution of animation by looking back at the height of 2D animation, including the Disney Renaissance era in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The documentary also shows how the animation medium changed with technological advancements introducing 3D computer-generated animation. This forever changed the animation industry and medium, although it also delves into how 2D animation is still popular among fans and animators in movies like Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, combining multiple animation styles.

Pencils vs. Pixels is narrated by Ming-Na Wen.

Exclusive: Vertical has picked up U.S. rights to Deadland, a thriller led by Roberto Urbina (TNT’s Snowpiercer), which world premiered at SXSW 2023. Marking the directorial debut of Lance Larson, the film is slated for a day-and-date release on November 3rd.

Urbina stars as U.S. Border agent Angel Waters, who comes across what would normally be a routine illegal crossing, but quickly spirals into his worst nightmare. In a tragic twist of fate, a detained immigrant is killed while being held at a remote border outpost. Days later, Angel is called back to the river where he is met with a terrifying sight — the same migrant that died is standing at the river’s edge. As strange phenomena begin to overtake his life, he soon learns that on this land, that which dies doesn’t always stay dead.

Starring alongside Urbina are McCaul Lombardi (American Honey), Julieth Restrepo...

“Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme.” The magic of Disney Princess movies is indeed timeless. These films, from “Cinderella” to “Moana,” have captivated audiences worldwide with their enchanting tales, breathtaking animation, and unforgettable characters. But which are truly the best? Which ones stand the test of time, enchanting audiences young and old? In this article, we’ll present the best Disney Princess movies in order, based on viewer ratings and critical acclaim.

Related: 20 Best Disney Movies For Toddlers

Over the years, IMDb ratings, popularity indexes, Metascores, and more have painted a picture of the impact of each film. Whether you’re revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, let this guide illuminate the magic and wonder of Disney’s most beloved heroines.

10 ‘The Princess and the Frog’ (2009)

IMDb: 7.1/10 159K | Popularity: 1190 | Metascore: 73

Duration: 1h 37m | Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements

Cast: Anika Noni Rose,...

Sometimes dreams do come true. When Disney legend Andreas Deja was 11 years old, “The Jungle Book” played at his hometown in Germany and after watching it, he was hooked. He remembers how it cast a spell on him and how he knew right there and then that he wanted to take part in the Disney magic.

With the help of his English teacher, he wrote to the Mouse House and to his surprise received a reply. Deja relates: “It basically said that if I was serious about the animation done at Disney, I first had to become an artist in my own right.”

From that day on, he began his deep dive into the world of animation, poring over magazines, newspapers and books and later enrolling in art school. While at school, he wrote to Eric Larson, one of the legendary Nine Old Men of Disney lore, who after looking...

Burny Mattinson, who worked as an animator, director, producer and story artist during a 70-year career as the longest-serving “castmember” in the history of The Walt Disney Co., has died. He was 87.

Mattinson died after a short illness on Monday at a Canoga Park assisted living facility in Los Angeles, the studio announced. He was due to receive his 70th anniversary service award — the studio’s first ever — on June 4.

Mattinson was working full time at Walt Disney Animation Studios as a story consultant and mentor at the time of his death.

“Burny’s artistry, generosity and love of Disney Animation and the generations of storytellers that have come through our doors, for seven decades, has made us better — better artists, better technologists and better collaborators,” Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer Jennifer Lee said in a statement. “All of us who have had the honor to know him...

Burny Mattinson, a Disney animator, director, producer and story artist, died on Monday, Feb. 27, in Canoga Park, Calif., following a short illness. He was 87.

Mattinson’s death was confirmed by The Walt Disney Company, his longtime employer. Mattinson was the longest-serving Disney employee and was set to receive the first ever 70th-anniversary service award this June.

Born in San Francisco on May 13, 1935, Mattinson was first inspired to pursue a career in animation after seeing “Pinocchio” at age 6. He began drawing in hopes to recreate the Disney animation style. By the time he finished high school, Mattinson joined The Walt Disney Company and in just six months moved from the mailroom to an animation in-betweener on “Lady and the Tramp.”

Academy Award-winning Disney director Don Hall said, “For almost 30 years, I’ve had the privilege to work alongside Burny Mattinson, from ‘Winnie the Pooh’ to ‘Big Hero 6’ to, most recently,...

Animator, director, producer and story artist Burny Mattinson, who joined the Walt Disney Company at the end of its first great run of films, when Dumbo (1941) and Bambi (1942) were new and an in-his-prime Walt Disney was just 42 years old, died today. He was 87. He was the last full-time Walt Disney Studios employee who had worked at the company when Walt Disney still ran it.

Seeing the studio’s Pinocchio at the age of six convinced Mattinson he wanted to work in animation. “Ever since I saw that film, this was my dream—to work in this business,” he recalled years later. “So I worked every day, drawing.”

Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story Ron DeSantis' New Book Describes Phone Call With Bob Chapek, Says Then-Disney CEO Talked Of Unprecedented Pressure To Weigh In On "Don't Say Gay" Bill Related Story Amazon, Disney Employees Petition...

Marc Blucas will co-star with Candace Cameron Bure in the upcoming Great American Family holiday movie A Christmas…Present. Premiering November 22, the film is the first project from Bure’s Candy Rock Entertainment and Great American Media’s new partnership. Bure will develop, produce, and star in original content across the company’s portfolio of brands as part of the agreement. The Full House star and Blucas will play Maggie and Eric Larson in A Christmas…Present, “professionals and parents of a busy family who make the decision to travel to Maggie’s widowed brother’s home for Christmas,” the logline describes. “Everyone in the family has different expectations for the holiday. Through a series of transformative events, Maggie learns to embrace the reason for the season.” The TV movie will be part of Great American Christmas, the network’s holiday programming franchise. Beginning October 21, the new slate of original...

Marc Blucas is teaming up with Candace Cameron Bure.

Great American Family today announced Marc Blucas has joined the cast of A Christmas…Present, co-starring with Candace Cameron Bure

The movie is set to premiere in November 2022.

The film is the concept of Bure’s Candy Rock Entertainment and her inaugural project since signing a partnership agreement with Great American Media to develop, produce, and star in original content across the company’s portfolio of brands.

The new film will be part of Great American Christmas, the network’s holiday programming franchise which returns on October 21 with a new slate of original holiday movie premieres every Saturday and Sunday and Christmas movies all day and all night through the end of 2022.

In A Christmas…Present, Bure and Blucas play Maggie and Eric Larson, professionals and parents of a busy family who make the decision to travel to Maggie’s widowed brother’s home for Christmas.

Exclusive: Roberto Urbina (Snowpiercer), McCaul Lombardi (American Honey), Julieth Restrepo (Loving Pablo), Kendal Rae (2 Broke Girls), Luis Chávez (Ocean’s Thirteen), Julio César Cedillo (Sicario), Manuel Uriza (Rambo: Last Blood) and Chris Mulkey (On the Basis of Sex) will star in Deadland, an indie thriller from director Lance Larson, which has wrapped production in Oklahoma and Texas.

The film centers on border agent Angel Waters (Urbina), who is called to investigate a man who walks the harsh plains of the South Texas desert, finding that what should be a routine apprehension quickly turns into his worst nightmare.

In an unexpected turn of events, the migrant is accidentally killed, with Waters and his fellow officers quickly burying the body in the desert. They swear to an oath of silence—but the migrant refuses to stay silent.

Larson and Jas Shelton wrote the script, with David Elliot providing creative supervision. Larson and...

After five years of combining animated short subjects, and a combo live-action/animation feature, Disney dove into full feature animation fantasy again with the most basic of Fairy Tales. Just because he learned to create animation for a price doesn’t mean that the quality slacked off — the wondrous design and animation is augmented by terrific songs. Yes, half the picture is about cute mice and birds and other critters … which are done so well, the show is worth seeing multiple times. This handsome Signature Collection release follows earlier Diamond and Platinum releases … and don’t ask me to decode that classification system.

Cinderella

Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Code

Walt Disney

1950 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 75 min. / The Signature Collection / Street Date June 25, 2019 / 39.99

Voice Actors: Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Lucille Bliss, Rhoda Williams, Verna Felton.

Songs: Mack David, Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston

Directing Animators: Les Clark, Marc Davis, Norm Ferguson, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl,...

Missouri authorities are investigating the deaths of a mother, her husband and the couple’s infant daughter in what police are calling a double-murder-suicide, People confirms.

According to the St. Louis police Mary Jo Trokey, 32, was found dead from a gunshot wound in her St. Louis home near her 33-year-old husband, Matthew, and their 3-month-old daughter, Taylor Rose, St. Louis police announced Friday. The deaths are believed to be the result of a murder-suicide, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Captain Eric Larson told reporters.

St. Louis police have declined to publicly comment on who the shooter is.

But the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,...