Disney’s Paradox: Revamping the Studio’s Classic? 62% of the French are against it… but 63% have become more tolerant thanks to it

Disney is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and the studio still has bright days ahead of it.

site Travel with us Assigned IFOP/Flashes to study Disney movies and the habits of the French. We learn that 63% of French people surveyed have watched a Disney movie (excluding the Marvel or Star Wars franchises) in the last three years. The core audience is largely young, with 48% of 18-24 year olds and 53% of 25-34 year olds saying they watch a Disney movie at least once a month.

Disney movies make you more tolerant

A panel of 1,011 people aged at least 18 were asked about the influence of a century of studio films.

Thus, 63% of them believe that watching them makes them more tolerant, 58% of French respondents say that Disney films have made them want to discover other cultures, and 42% say that these works have made them want to travel. Directions they wouldn’t have thought of.

62% of the French say they are against the changes

However, when asked whether they favor changes to the great classics to better suit their current social values, 62% of the French say they oppose changes (compared to 61% of Americans).

The youngest seem to be the least resistant, as 46% of those under 35 are in favor of change. Additionally, regular users of Disney-branded content are more receptive to the approach: 54% of those who watch it at least once a month say they favor it, while 71% of non-users are against it.

“Snow White” case

The IFOP study presents specific questions regarding the live-action adaptation of the animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The project, which has already become the subject of controversy over the choice of the actress to play the heroine – since Rachel Zegler is Colombian – the replacement of dwarves with magical creatures, and the latest statement from Zegler, confirming that Snow White’s prince and sister will not save. He does not dream of finding his true love.

77% of respondents oppose replacing the 7 dwarfs with magical creatures, 70% oppose removing the scene where the prince kisses the sleeping princess, and 48% of respondents oppose casting a Latin American actress as Snow White.

Presentation on screen

A figure that comes close to the 46% of French polled who oppose casting an African-American actress to play Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

However, when Rob Marshall’s film was released, a number of videos were released demonstrating the importance of on-screen representation. Of note is the one shared by Holly Bailey showing the reaction of young African American girls when they discovered that the princess in the movie was black. The doll bearing the likeness of the actor has become one of the best-selling toys in the United States.

Research shows that the French are less committed to diversity than Americans. Thus, only 42% of respondents believe it is important that Disney princesses reflect ethnic diversity compared to 63% of Americans.

On the other hand, French audiences are more favorable than Americans to the openly lesbian princess hypothesis. 48% of the French are in favor, compared to 41% of Americans.

IFOP presented respondents with a list of 26 animated feature films (out of 61 already produced by the studio) and asked them for their favorite film.

And it’s The Lion King who wins with 15% of the vote. Cinderella is in second place with 5%, and Bambi and The Jungle Book are in third place with 4% of the vote.