Disney Alters Content Warnings on Classic Movies with Stereotypes

Disney is set to reduce the emphasis on the content warnings that currently accompany its classic movies on its streaming service, Disney+. These warnings usually refer to films like “Dumbo” (1941) and “Peter Pan” (1953), raising concerns about “negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures.” As part of the changes, Disney will alter the language of these alerts and decrease their visibility before the films.

New Warning Approach

The current content warning, which plays automatically before the start of the films, states that “These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.” The new disclaimer will instead caution that the movie “may contain stereotypes or negative depictions” and will not play as an introduction before the film begins. Instead, the revised language will be located in the details section of specific films, requiring viewers to navigate to find it. As of the morning of the announcement, The original content warning was still present on Disney+.

Additionally, Disney is overhauling the way it evaluates its executives in relation to diversity. The company will now assess its leaders based on a “Talent Strategy” performance factor rather than a “Diversity & Inclusion” one. This new approach, as explained by Sonia Coleman, Disney’s senior executive vice president and chief human resources officer, aims to focus on how executives “incorporate different perspectives,” “cultivate an environment where all employees can thrive,” and “sustain a robust pipeline.”

The alterations made by Disney reflect a significant shift in the company's approach to addressing issues of representation and diversity in its classic films and within its organizational culture.