Fairy Tale Origins That Had To Be Changed to Be Disney Friendly

Even though Disney fairytales might seem fine and dandy to share with kids nowadays, the truth is that the original of those fairytales is a lot more dark and sinister than their animated version. Here’s the truth behind all these fairy tale origins that are a little more heartbreaking or tragic than you had originally thought.

1. Lion King

This is far from the innocent and song-filled Timon and Pumba version that many of us hold dear to our hearts. In fact, the original Lion King was inspired by Hamlet, which has a pretty dark plot itself. In it, Prince Hamlet seeks revenge on Claudius, his uncle, after he kills Hamlet’s father to size the throne. Sound familiar, Simba?

2. Snow White

This was Walt Disney’s very first animated film back in 1937, and it’s an undeniable classic. While the film does a good job of retelling the actual Brothers Grimm story, they missed one key (and very disturbing) detail. At the end, rather than the prince awakening her and taking her home, the evil queen attends their wedding, and the prince recognizes her. As punishment, he makes her dance until she drops in a pair of red-hot iron slippers that are burning her feet.

3. Cinderella

While Cinderella still gets her happy ending in the Brother’s Grimm version of the story, her evil stepsisters get the karma that they deserve. One sister attempts to convince the prince she’s his true love, cutting off a toe in order to fit in the glass slipper. The other sister does the same but cuts off part of her heels. When Cinderella and her man have their beautiful wedding, it ends with Cinderella’s birdie buddies plucking out the stepsisters’ eyes. Yikes!