Disney movies are marketed as family-friendly fun; however, if you have ever watched your childhood favorites again as an adult, you know that some moments make you raise an eyebrow when viewed through grown-up eyes. A sly pun, a cheeky visual gag, or even an innuendo, Disney characters’ animators and writers have been doing it for years without getting caught. These are nine of the most shocking adult jokes that Disney managed to sneak past us kids, counting down from “smart nod” to “how did they ever get away with this?”
9. Judy ‘Multiplying’ Joke – Zootopia
In the scene, which is, of course, the most important part of the story, Judy Hopps is trying to persuade Nick. She downplays herself as “just a dumb bunny,” but at the same time implies that her kind is “good at multiplying.” The math pun will most likely be caught by little children; however, adults will know exactly what she is getting at, rabbits’ reputation for. Multiplying in another sense.
8. Mushu’ Peeping Powers – Mulan
Mushu is small; however, he always has a big mouth. He reached one point only to say that he can see through Mulan’s armor. Her quick reply? She protected her chest and slapped him. The dragon was never given X-ray vision, yet the adult humor can be seen quite clearly.
7. The Hidden Brothel – Aladdin
During the chase of “One Jump Ahead,” Aladdin confuses a room for one of the ladies and an older one very disapproving lady. The shot implies a brothel, and the older woman is the madam of the place. In the meantime, the children are chuckling at the turmoil, whereas the grown-ups are quite sure what is happening.
6. Kronk’s Tiny Tent – The Emperor’s New Groove
One of the places where Kronk excels is in the way he mistakenly utters double meanings. The contrast between Kronk, who has a tent that is so small that it covers only his groin, and Yzma, who has a beautiful tent, is made to show that the phrase “camping” is a pun, and from now on, you can not stop seeing it.
5. Anna on Foot Size – Frozen
While Anna was indulging Hans, Kristoff was questioning her. He would like to know Hans’s shoe size, and Anna, with no hesitation, says, “Foot size doesn’t matter.” A line that is safe for children, however, adults notice the humorous reference to an old myth regarding feet and other measurements.
4. Buzz Lightyear Gets Excited – Toy Story 2
While Jessie shows off her death-defying tricks, Buzz’wings activate with a pop and a buzzing sound. It is an old cartoon method of depicting “arousal,” and kids might only laugh at the timing, but adults see it immediately.
3. Yzma’s Skirt Surprise – The Emperor’s New Groove
Yzma, in a dramatic manner, lifted her skirt to reveal a “secret weapon.” At first, Kuzco and Pacha are horrified, but she lets them see that it is a dagger that is tied to her leg. The joke is on what the characters (and we) most likely think to find vs. what is actually shown.
2. Hercules Drops an Oedipus Joke – Hercules
Disney didn’t make the Greek myths into a really family-friendly version, but they still referred to them cleverly. On a date, Hercules said, “Moreover, the Oedipus thing? Man, I thought I had problems.” Children only get the strange name; adults immediately catch the reference to the really dark story of Oedipus killing his dad and marrying his mom.
1. Dumbo’s Boozy Hallucinations – Dumbo
That odd “Pink Elephants on Parade” sequence? That wasn’t Disney being weird by any means. Dumbo and Timothy Mouse are quite plastered after having champagne, and their psychedelic visions are a nod to the euphemism “seeing pink elephants,” that nice way of saying tipsy hallucinations.
Disney’s clean family entertainment might be the public face you recognize, but these behind-the-scenes gags are evidence that the artists always managed to sneak a bit of something into the productions for the grown-ups in the audience. Watch one of these again sometime, and watch your eyes and ears; you might just find a whole new depth of jokes you didn’t catch as a kid.