25 of the creepiest Disney movies ever made

Brave (Image via Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios)

18. Brave

There is quite a lot to like about Brave. First of all, it features a truly independent female protagonist, the energetic and lively Merida. Second, the film upends the traditional marriage plot endemic to earlier Disney films. Instead, it focuses on the relationship between mother and daughter, a highly refreshing change of pace. It also has a terrifying bear monster or two.

If you haven’t seen it, Brave follows Merida, a Scottish princess. She’s of age to be married – hence the almost obligatory presentation of suitors – but has no interest in the process. Merida would much rather be exploring the deep, dark forests surrounding her family’s castle and shooting things with her bow and arrow.

Merida’s mother, however, has different ideas. She wants her daughter to settle down and learn how to be a lady, complete with uncomfortable dresses and boring needlework. Really, the oppressive gender norms should be enough to make you shriek. If not that, then surely the tense relations between mother and daughter may strike just a little too close to home.

What also unsettling is the movie’s antagonist, Mordu. Though he was previously a nefarious lord, Mordu has since transformed into a gigantic bear with a cool facial scar. Bear Mordu is bereft of his humanity, however, and is now an angry beast intent on destruction. When Merida’s mom is also turned into a bear (a bit of a long story), she also slowly succumbs to her budding animal nature. It’s modern Disney, so, of course, there’s a happy ending. Still, things get pretty intense in the meanwhile.