People are calling on Disney to update the plot of Snow White to reflect modern sensibilities.
Released in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney’s first full-length animated film and has become a cherished childhood classic for many.
The film, inspired by the German fairytale by the Brothers Grimm, tells the story of a princess who befriends seven dwarfs after being banished by her wicked stepmother.
Despite being designated as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress, according to the Los Angeles Times, some contemporary viewers are calling for an update to the film.
Many Disney films that once brought joy to audiences are now being reconsidered in a more negative light, with one person tweeting, “As a kid, I never realized how dark and sinister some scenes were.”
An X (formerly Twitter) user posted: “Have you ever revisited some of the Disney animated films from our childhood and realized just how dark and not entirely kid-friendly they actually were?”
One scene from Snow White has ignited a heated discussion.
Near the film’s conclusion, there’s a well-known scene where the prince kisses Snow White, who appears to be dead.
Some viewers argue that this moment is outdated and raises problematic implications.
While appearing on the U.K. daytime TV show Good Morning Britain, journalist and broadcaster Nichi Hodgson suggested that the scene conveys a confusing message about consent.
She noted that Disney included the kiss, which was not part of the original Brothers Grimm tale.
“Disney has a moral obligation. They can choose to be an ethical business if they wish. They earn billions annually from their films, which children watch from a very young age, making these some of the first stories they encounter,” Hodgson stated.
Even celebrities are joining the discussion, with actress Kristen Bell sharing in an interview with Parents magazine that she had a thoughtful conversation with her children about the kissing scene.
The Frozen star remarked, “Don’t you think it’s strange that the prince kisses Snow White without her consent? You can’t kiss someone who is sleeping!”
However, not everyone believes the original story should be altered. One individual wrote, “I think it’s fantastic that we’re discussing consent, but blaming Disney isn’t fair—a romantic kiss at the end of a movie isn’t the reason teenagers get confused about consent.”
Another person commented, “It’s a fairytale; leave Disney alone.”
“I’d argue that Snow White would willingly give her consent to be kissed because not doing so would leave her in eternal sleep,” another individual contended.
A fourth person chimed in, stating, “I can’t believe people are saying Snow White is in the wrong now! Why not view it as the kiss of life?”
The passionate discussion was reignited when Disneyland in California revamped the Snow White Enchanted Wish ride.
It now concludes with the prince kissing Snow White—something that Julie Tremaine and Katie Dowd noted in their review for SFGATE contributes to the “movie’s biggest problem.”
The review poses the question, “Haven’t we already established that consent in early Disney films is a significant issue?”
“Isn’t it teaching kids that kissing—without confirming that both parties are willing to engage—is not acceptable?”
While the kissing scene in the original movie remains unchanged, reports indicate that the upcoming Snow White remake, scheduled for release in 2025, will take a different approach.
Rachel Zegler, who will portray the lead role, previously went viral for sharing her opinions on the original film.
In an interview with Extra TV, the actress described Snow White’s relationship with the prince as “weird” and mentioned that “this time” there won’t be a significant emphasis on their connection.
She joked that the prince’s scenes could even be “cut,” adding, “It’s Hollywood, baby.”
