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In today's world, children's films often come with their own set of unsettling fan interpretations. The idea of a perfect ending is frequently overshadowed by darker implications, and even the most endearing characters may harbor grim destinies. This list explores ten theories about popular kids' movies that could completely alter your perspective on them.
10. Mufasa was actually the villain
“Can you feel the love tonight?”
This iconic line likely brings to mind The Lion King and Elton John. Renowned for its memorable songs and one of the most heart-wrenching death scenes in children's cinema—second only to the loss of Bambi's mother—The Lion King remains a classic.
This cherished film has sparked numerous fan theories, ranging from the bizarre to the deeply unsettling. Some enthusiasts suggest that The Lion King and Planet of the Apes share a similar dystopian future, while others propose that Nala might actually be Scar's daughter. Another intriguing theory posits that Zazu conspired with Scar to eliminate Simba.
A widely debated fan theory claims that Mufasa, not Scar, was the true antagonist. This perspective suggests that Mufasa exiled all other male lions to eliminate potential rivals to his throne. Due to his physical dominance, he allowed Scar to remain. Consequently, when Mufasa died, Scar emerged as an unexpected savior, rescuing the hyenas and ruling the Pride Lands as its 'greatest king.'
9. The Minions are based on adopted Jewish children
Minions are small, capsule-shaped creatures who speak their own language, Minionese, and can comprehend multiple languages, including Spanish, English, French, Italian, Russian, and Korean. Their design draws inspiration from Jawas and Oompa Loompas, while their color scheme—yellow for good and purple for evil—reflects their opposition on the color spectrum.
A disturbing theory links these adorable characters to Nazi experiments. It alleges that the Minions were modeled after Jewish children adopted by Nazi scientists for poison gas testing. A viral photo of children wearing Minion-like masks fueled this theory. However, it was later revealed that the image depicted individuals in 1908 wearing submarine escape suits, debunking the dark claim.
8. Toothless got revenge on Hiccup
Toothless is arguably the most adorable dragon in cinematic history. As a rare Night Fury, he surpasses other dragons in speed and strength. He shares an unbreakable bond with Hiccup, acting as his loyal protector. Toothless also possesses a unique ability: his 'radar' function. By emitting a plasma blast that reflects off nearby surfaces, he gains a precise understanding of his surroundings.
In the first How To Train Your Dragon movie, Toothless injures his wing after Hiccup shoots him down. By the film's conclusion, Hiccup loses a foot. This led to a theory suggesting Toothless tore off Hiccup's foot as retribution for his damaged wing. The theory further claims this mutual dependence was Toothless' goal, as Hiccup would rely on him for mobility, and Toothless would need Hiccup's assistance to fly smoothly.
A gentler, less grim theory proposes that Toothless was frantically trying to rescue Hiccup during the final battle and accidentally bit off his foot in his urgency to save him.
7. Moana is dead for most of the film
Moana has been celebrated as a contemporary heroine who thrives independently without relying on a male counterpart. She rejects the princess label but proudly identifies as the Chief's daughter. The film has also been lauded for its stunning animation and captivating musical score.
Throughout the movie, Moana is irresistibly drawn to the ocean, even as a young child. She eventually embarks on a daring journey, forms a bond with a demigod, experiences thrilling adventures, and seemingly reunites with her family by the end. But is that truly what happens?
A chilling theory suggests that Moana perishes during the storm that strands her on Maui's island. It proposes a barrier separating Moana's world from Maui's realm and the magical beings in the film. To interact with them, Moana would need to possess magic or be deceased. Her encounters with her deceased grandmother and other spirits after the storm are cited as further 'evidence' supporting this theory.
6. Sulley is turned into a toilet seat cover
Released in 2001, Monsters, Inc. became a global sensation, ranking as the third highest-grossing film that year. The story revolves around monsters from Monstropolis who venture into the human world at night to frighten children and collect their screams, which power their city. When a door on the 'scare floor' is left open, a human child enters Monstropolis, prompting Sulley, the main monster, to help her return home.
The antagonist, Randall, claims at one point that humans are a threat to monsters, allegedly stating they enjoy turning monster skins into toilet seat covers. Sulley dismisses this as absurd.
In the short film Partysaurus Rex, a bathroom scene features a toilet seat cover that bears an uncanny resemblance to Sulley's fur. Could this be mere coincidence?
Thankfully, this remains an unverified theory, as the conversation between Randall and Sulley never actually took place. Or did it?
5. Personality traits absorbed into cars
Lightning McQueen is arguably the most endearing Corvette-like car ever created. Pixar dominated the box office once again in 2006 with Cars, featuring McQueen, a truck named Mack, and a host of other characters. The film earned over $460 million and received two Academy Award nominations.
As with other entries on this list, fans couldn't resist concocting a deeply unsettling theory about this cherished children's movie. The theory begins with questions like, 'Why do the cars have doors if there are no humans around?' and 'If the cars have tongues, does that mean they also possess internal organs?'
It further suggests that the absence of humans is due to the adorable cars eradicating the human race and assimilating the personalities of their former owners.
Additionally, the theory posits that the cars' doors exist to prevent their internal organs, such as eyes and brains, from falling out.
4. Rug made from Mama Bear
Over the years, numerous fan theories have emerged about Shrek, the beloved green ogre, and his companions. These include Farquaad's subjects celebrating his death, Shrek being banished by other ogres for refusing to consume human flesh, and Fiona surviving on the remains of deceased knights.
Evidently, the previous theory wasn't unsettling enough for some fans, as another disturbing idea began circulating. This one involves the three bears featured early in the first Shrek movie. The trio—Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear—are confined to cages and visibly distressed.
Later in the film, Papa and Baby Bear are seen by a fire with other fairytale creatures, with Papa comforting Baby. Mama Bear is conspicuously absent.
Then, in a shocking reveal, a scene in Lord Farquaad's castle shows Mama Bear transformed into a rug on the floor.
Fortunately, Mama Bear reappears at the film's conclusion, joining in the singing, which seemingly debunks the theory. However, some fans argue that the singing bear isn't Mama Bear at all but rather Papa Bear's new partner.
3. Kingdom called Corona
Some theories are more complex and interconnected than others. Tangled has been at the center of numerous rumors, including connections to Frozen and The Little Mermaid. One theory suggests that Elsa and Anna's parents were traveling to Rapunzel and Flynn's wedding when their ship sank. Ariel and Flounder later discovered the wreckage in The Little Mermaid.
In 2020, a bizarre theory emerged on social media: Tangled foreshadowed the coronavirus pandemic.
But how, you might wonder? Well, given that Rapunzel is isolated (or quarantined) from her kingdom, named Corona, does this 2010 animated film not seem eerily prophetic of the events of 2020?
2. What happened to Sven’s mom?
Frozen has inspired its share of wild theories, such as Anna symbolizing summer and Elsa representing winter, Hans purchasing the stolen crown from Tangled's Flynn, and Kristoff being Santa Claus. There's even one claiming Joan of Arc as an ancestor of Anna and Elsa. While these theories are fun to ponder and then dismiss, fans have crafted an exceptionally dark theory that is likely to endure.
Both films highlight the deep bond between Sven and Kristoff, who grew up together and remained inseparable through all challenges. This raises questions about Sven's mother and why he ended up with Kristoff instead of his own family.
According to the theory, ice harvesters killed Sven's mother, gave baby Sven to young Kristoff to care for, and provided Kristoff with a pelt made from the mother's fur.
The theory further suggests that Sven's affection for Kristoff stems from the pelt's scent, which reminds him of his mother.
1. Death before afterlife
Given its title, The Nightmare Before Christmas naturally invites dark interpretations. Released in 1993, it was the first animated film nominated for an Oscar in Best Visual Effects. Despite being a Disney production, it was distributed by Touchstone Pictures due to concerns that its eerie characters might frighten children—a decision that seems justified given the film's visuals.
A popular theory suggests that Sally, the ragdoll, was a witch in her past life and was dismembered as punishment. This explains why her limbs are sewn together in the afterlife. Lock is believed to have frozen to death, accounting for his pale skin and blue lips, while Zero might have died from electrocution, which is why his nose glows like an electric current.
Fans have also speculated that the residents of Halloween Town symbolize fundamental human fears: Dr. Finkelstein embodies the fear of aging, Jack represents the fear of death, and Oogie Boogie personifies the fear of the dark.
