This opinion was written by Matthew Brown, Savana Capp, Annalexis Davis, Kelsie Horner, Emma Kiko, Janson McNair, Leah Shepard, Grace Springer, Audrey Trevarthan and Emily Yanchak from KentWired’s editorial board. After reading this article and its companion article, be sure to vote in the poll below so we can settle this debate once and for all.
A whole new world.
The Walt Disney Company was born in 1923. In 1937, Walt Disney Animation Studios produced the first ever feature-length animated film with the release of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Ever since, all the properties under the Disney umbrella have inspired magic in the hearts of billions.
From the very start, Disney has pushed the envelope in the medium of animation, creating masterpieces that have defined generations, from “Alice in Wonderland” (1951), to “The Lion King” (1994) and “Encanto” (2021).
Disney was a trailblazer in defining what animation is. The studio popularized the animated-movie musical, which became a staple genre of the medium. Beyond musicals, the studio crafted emotional family dramas like “Lilo and Stitch” (2002), and more adult-oriented films like Pixar’s “Ratatouille” (2007).
Disney also acquired studios such as Marvel and Lucasfilm, which have had lasting impacts on pop culture and film.
Disney created some of the most memorable and impactful characters, including Mickey Mouse, Tinkerbell and all of the princesses. The characters and their corresponding movies provide something for the audience to connect with and can often be a glimmer of hope in times of need.
Although a lot of the characters are silly, they can teach valuable life lessons. Disney has taught kids about love, magic and the human experience for so many years.
Despite the films’ lighthearted nature, which cater toward children, they also remind the adults of lessons they might have lost sight of as they have grown up.
Beyond movies, Disney inspires children and adults alike, through real-world experiences at its theme parks. It all began when Disneyland Park opened in July 1955 in Anaheim, California.
Ever since, Disney expanded its theme parks’ locations to California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong-Kong and Shanghai. The growing industry in the parks shows a high impact among the world. The United States has six different parks in the United States and twelve international parks. Attractions such as Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Disney Animal Kingdom and Star Wars: Rise of Resistance are known widely by supporters.
Before TikTok and YouTube, we grew up watching Disney Channel. Sitting down with family or friends and watching some of the classics like Phineas and Ferb, Good Luck Charlie, Hannah Montana and the Suite Life of Zack and Cody was a key part of our childhoods and those of so many others.
Disney Channel helped form the memories of so many holidays and key moments. Each holiday season brought new episodes, themed songs and more holiday spirit.
When you hear about Disney, it creates an image full of nostalgia. When you hear about Warner Bros., it doesn’t really create a specific image. Disney has created a brand full of good memories, with shows, games and more.
If you’re looking for more evidence as to why Disney is far superior, look no further than the sorry excuse for a franchise that is the DC Cinematic Universe. There is a whopping total of 16 film adaptations in their discography, and maybe two of them are good.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has always been the trendsetter. When “Avengers: Endgame” arrived on the big screen, the masses were watching. Billions of dollars were made on the movie alone, just a mere chink in the total revenue for the franchise. And it’s easy to see why.
To illustrate our point even further, let’s take a look at the box office numbers of the most recent movies from both franchises. The latest DC installment “Blue Beetle” amassed $125 million in the box office, a seemingly difficult feat for the unfamiliar character. Compare that to Marvel’s latest flick, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” which brought in $845.6 million worldwide.
Like all of Disney’s movies, the MCU is full of characters who cut deep. We love them because we can relate to them, and they highlight the best in all of us. Warner Bros. may make a good cartoon every few decades, but Disney will always be where heroes are made.
Matthew Brown, Savana Capp, Annalexis Davis, Kelsie Horner, Emma Kiko, Janson McNair, Leah Shepard, Grace Springer, Audrey Trevarthan and Emily Yanchak contributed to this editorial. Contact the editorial team at [email protected].
