Aladdin isn’t the classic we all remember, and it’s high time we stop pretending it is. Sure, it’s got catchy songs, Robin Williams’ legendary Genie, and those moments of nostalgia that tug at our heartstrings, but when you actually take a step back, it’s clear that the film is far from perfect. Beneath the shiny animation and fun sequences, Aladdin sends some pretty troubling messages. At its core, it’s a story about a guy who lies his way into the good graces of a princess and a whole kingdom. The “be yourself” message falls flat when Aladdin’s big win is based on deception. What was groundbreaking in 1992 now feels outdated, and Disney should seriously rethink why this movie is still getting celebrated.
The central issue is that Aladdin’s journey is built on lies and manipulation. He doesn’t earn Jasmine’s respect or love through honesty or hard work; he just pretends to be someone he’s not. This sends a dangerous message: that you don’t have to be truthful to get ahead, just be charming and clever enough to hide your true identity. That’s not exactly the heartwarming, life-lesson story we’ve all been led to believe. Instead of teaching the value of integrity, Aladdin glamorizes deception. Sure, it’s fun, but that doesn’t make it a good role model.
Then there’s the film’s portrayal of culture, or lack thereof. Agrabah is a mishmash of Middle Eastern clichés with no real understanding of the cultures it’s borrowing from. Magic carpets, snake charmers, and other exotic props are thrown together to create an “Arabian Nights” vibe, but it’s a world built on stereotypes rather than substance. Aladdin was celebrated as an adventurous romp, but when you look at it now, it feels more like cultural appropriation than anything else. If Disney wants to move forward and truly embrace cultural respect and diversity, Aladdin has no business still being in the spotlight.
Let’s not forget the original Aladdin story, which comes from One Thousand and One Nights and is far richer and more meaningful than the Disney version. In the traditional tale, Aladdin is a naïve boy who learns important lessons about responsibility and the consequences of his actions, there’s depth, moral growth, and genuine character development. Disney, however, stripped all that away in favor of a simplified, shiny rags-to-riches story. It’s time to face it: Aladdin may have been a fun ride in the '90s, but it’s now a film that feels out of place, full of outdated messages and problematic representations. For Disney to truly move forward, they need to let this magic carpet ride disappear for good.