The Most Notable Mistakes In Disney Animated Films

Published on 11/11/2021
The Most Notable Mistakes In Disney Animated Films

The Most Notable Mistakes In Disney Animated Films

Throughout the years, Disney has produced a slew of iconic films. Disney is no exception, but even the best have their share of mistakes. In some of our favorite animated Disney films, there are some noticeable and perplexing mistakes or plot holes.

This Painting Shouldn’t Exist

This Painting Shouldn’t Exist

For ten long years, Beauty and the Beast’s two central characters are supposed to be roughly the same age, but the Beast has been cursed and confined to the form of a monster. According to the plot of the film, the enchanted rose will continue to bloom until he turns 21. Why does the painting show him as an adult, and not as a young boy, if he was cursed at the age of ten? We’re big fans of this film, but Disney made a big mistake with that one detail…

Why do the glass slippers remain intact?

Cinderella’s transformation into her stunning gown by the Fairy Godmother, just in time for the ball, is breathtaking. But we all know what happens when the clock strikes twelve o’clock. Her entire ensemble, including her carriage, is changed back. Or do they?

Why Do The Glass Slippers Remain Intact?

Why Do The Glass Slippers Remain Intact?

 

The wrong fabric in Rajah’s mouth

Rajah is mostly sweet and innocent like a house cat, but her fierce tiger instincts do show up now and then. She’s naturally protective of Jasmine, so she attacks one of the many suitors competing for her hand in this scene.

The Wrong Fabric In Rajah’s Mouth

The Wrong Fabric In Rajah’s Mouth

However, rather than having her mouth filled with purple underwear, the fabric that Rajah is chewing on is a heart-patterning fabric from the man’s pants (which are clearly still intact).

Nala’s eyes keep changing color

When we were kids, this was something we didn’t even notice, but now we can’t stop seeing it. Throughout the film, Nala’s eyes change color for no apparent reason. Green for a moment, blue for the next, and then green again for some reason.

Nala’s Eyes Keep Changing Color

Nala’s Eyes Keep Changing Color

Given that this is an animated film loosely based on Hamlet and featuring talking lions, changing eye colors may not be the most irrational decision to make. However, rather than having a symbolic meaning, the color changes appear to be random (for example, eyes turning red when someone is angry sort of makes sense).

A spindle isn’t actually sharp…

It’s amazing that the story and animation in 1959’s Sleeping Beauty still hold up. While we love this Disney classic, we can’t believe more people haven’t pointed out a major flaw in it over the years.

A Spindle Isn’t Actually Sharp…

A Spindle Isn’t Actually Sharp…

Aurora will fall into a deep slumber if she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel spindle, thanks to a witch’s curse and the help of a fairy (which she, of course, does). But, since spindles aren’t particularly sharp, how did her finger get pricked when she touched it?

Cinderella’s dress becomes sleeveless after the wedding

We can all agree that the Fairy Godmother’s magically conjured gown is Cinderella’s most spectacular ensemble throughout the film. Her wedding gown is lovely, but in comparison, it’s rather plain. There is one major flaw in it, though.

Cinderella’s Dress Becomes Sleeveless After The Wedding

Cinderella’s Dress Becomes Sleeveless After The Wedding

Cinderella’s dress is clearly long-sleeved as she and her Prince run down the stairs after the ceremony. However, it suddenly has short sleeves in the very next and final scene, as the two ride off into their happily ever after.

The Genie didn’t actually fulfill Aladdin’s wish…

Haven’t we all wished for a genie to appear and grant us three wishes, voiced by the one and only Robin Williams? That would go a long way toward helping us change our ways.

The Genie Didn’t Actually Fulfill Aladdin’s Wish…

The Genie Didn’t Actually Fulfill Aladdin’s Wish…

Aladdin’s rollercoaster journey to get the girl and defeat the bad guy is centered on the three wishes. But have you ever noticed how the Genie cheated on you? Genie simply dresses Aladdin up as a king when he requests it. What if you had your own kingdom, a palace, and a lot of money…?

The Buzz Lightyear inconsistency

Buzz Lightyear isn’t a toy, at least not according to the toy himself. He’s a cool and brave space ranger with advanced martial arts training. But there’s one thing about this character profile that doesn’t add up.

The Buzz Lightyear Inconsistency

The Buzz Lightyear Inconsistency

In the event that Buzz truly believes he is not a toy, how come he behaves in the same way as all the other toys whenever a human enters the room: he falls to the floor and behaves as if he is simply an inanimate object?

In what century does Sleeping Beauty take place again?

In Sleeping Beauty, both Prince Philip and King Hubert make references to the 14th century, so it’s reasonable to assume it’s set in that era. However, it appears to be a futuristic version of that century.

In What Century Does Sleeping Beauty Take Place Again?

In What Century Does Sleeping Beauty Take Place Again?

We see fireworks and people drinking tea in the movie. That does not strike us as strange in today’s world. However, fireworks like those did not exist until the 16th century, and tea did not arrive in Europe from China until the 17th century.

The statue was destroyed and then reappears

The Disney Renaissance spans the years 1989, when The Little Mermaid was released, to 1999, when The Little Mermaid was released. During this time, Disney produced blockbuster hit after blockbuster hit, and the praise for these truly amazing films is still being heaped on them today.

The Statue Was Destroyed And Then Reappears

The Statue Was Destroyed And Then Reappears

However, eagle-eyed viewers will notice that the animations frequently fell short of contemporary standards. This one should be self-evident. The statue of Prince Eric is destroyed by an enraged King Triton, but we see Ariel lovingly cuddling it moments later. How?

Why do Megara’s eyes change color?

After almost a decade of Disney super hits like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story, it wasn’t easy for Hercules to show up and make a good impression in 1997. Hercules may be the least popular of the many great Disney movies made in the 1990s, which is unfair but understandable.

Why Do Megara’s Eyes Change Color?

Why Do Megara’s Eyes Change Color?

So, as much as it pains us to nitpick, we feel compelled to point out the eye color conundrum in this one as well. Megara’s eyes change between deep purple and bright blue, with no apparent reason. This is especially strange because purple eyes aren’t a real eye color…

Tarzan’s wounds just magically heal

Disney films are, for the most part, aimed at children (though some more mature humor has become more common since the 2000s). As a result, Disney hasn’t always been able to solve the problem of blood.

Tarzan’s Wounds Just Magically Heal

Tarzan’s Wounds Just Magically Heal

He literally fights with a leopard in this scene from Tarzan from 1999, and he clearly gets hurt in the process. However, because Disney did not want to depict blood or wounds in any way, his wounds instantly healed a split second after the fight.

The Great Wall of China didn’t exist yet

To our knowledge, Mulan is the only Disney film to be set in China. However, including China’s most famous landmark, the Great Wall, may have seemed logical, but the information provided is incorrect.

The Great Wall Of China Didn’t Exist Yet

The Great Wall Of China Didn’t Exist Yet

Between the Han and Sui dynasties, Mulan is set in an unspecified time period. There were only a few sections of the wall in existence at this time in history. It wasn’t until the early 1300s that the Great Wall we know and love was completed and used as a defense.

Where did that sword come from?

In Frozen, the villainous Prince Hans almost gets away with convincing Elsa that she was responsible for the death of her sister. In this case, there’s just one minor blemish. That sword came from where?

Where Did That Sword Come From?

Where Did That Sword Come From?

Before we see the sword in his hands, we notice that there is no sword anywhere on him or next to him in any way. Because he’s wearing such a tight-fitting coat, the sword should have been clearly visible.

These bags shouldn’t be able to float

For us, Finding Nemo is a comedic masterpiece, no matter how many mistakes and plot holes we discover. As long as we can point them out, it’s still fun! This is a great scene.

These Bags Shouldn’t Be Able To Float

These Bags Shouldn’t Be Able To Float

They should not float in the water like a corkscrew Why? Make sure the bags have a good balance of water and air. Water-filled plastic bags cannot float in the ocean because there is no air in the bags.

Grumpy must be a time traveler

We’ve discovered the source of Grumpy’s grumpiness. He’s a time traveler from the future who’s enraged that he ended up in the 14th century after visiting a far more advanced and modern world. They don’t know how else to explain his piano possession and playing.

Grumpy Must Be A Time Traveler

Grumpy Must Be A Time Traveler

That’s unmistakably a souvenir from the 17th century, when the piano was first invented. Aside from that, if Disney insisted on setting Snow White in the 14th century, they should have double-checked that major details were historically correct.

The shadows are not holding hands

We’re surprised no one in the entire production process caught this obvious flaw before it was too late. Hundreds of people work on Disney films, including a large number of animators who ensure that the final product is as perfect as possible.

The Shadows Are Not Holding Hands

The Shadows Are Not Holding Hands

Pocahontas’s shadow and Nakoma’s are clearly not holding hands, despite the fact that the two girls are. It may be a minor detail, but it’s still strange that no one in the studio noticed it.

There were no tomatoes in Europe at this time

The 1996 Disney film The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of the least popular of the decade. In part, this is due to the fact that this decade has set a very high standard. In addition, it may have been too dark for some Disney fans. An excellent example is this scene.

There Were No Tomatoes In Europe At This Time

There Were No Tomatoes In Europe At This Time

Aside from how upsetting it is to see Quasimodo publicly mocked and beaten, there is a factual mistake that we must point out. The film is set in the 15th century, which is a century before there were even tomatoes in France. Nonetheless, tomatoes are raining down on Quasimodo.

Why does Agrabah look like it’s in India?

Aladdin is said to take place in the Middle East. Agrabah is a fictional city in that somewhere, which appears to be mostly Middle Eastern. With the exception of a few significant exceptions.

Why Does Agrabah Look Like It’s In India?

Why Does Agrabah Look Like It’s In India?

In terms of architecture and style, that palace appears to be more Indian than Middle Eastern. In addition, the fashion appears to be straight out of a Bollywood film. It appears that the team behind this Disney film should have spent a little more time researching.

The struggle with shadows

Our knowledge of animation is limited, but it appears that drawing accurate shadows is a particularly difficult task. In this case, however, we are presented with yet another example of a less than ideal result.

The Struggle With Shadows

The Struggle With Shadows

Frozen was released in 2013, so Disney had access to some cutting-edge computer technology when creating it. Despite this, their shadows don’t quite match their movements during Anna’s duet with Hans (before she and we realized he was a bad guy). They appear to be hovering above the ground.

Where are the oars of the row boat?

Since Kiss The Girl is such a popular song, it’s no surprise that most people were completely unaware of this Disney mishap. The oars mysteriously vanish just as the two lovebirds are working up the courage to kiss.

Where Are The Oars Of The Row Boat?

Where Are The Oars Of The Row Boat?

What happened to them? Or are they suddenly hidden inside the boat, out of view? It would have been a simple matter to include a frame showing either of these two scenarios so that viewers like us would not have to wonder about it.

The hat moves places

Regular movies are full of these kinds of mistakes, which is why this one was so obvious (for good reason). In each scene, it’s difficult to keep track of where everything is. In an animated film, it’s a little more strange.

The Hat Moves Places

The Hat Moves Places

We see Roger leave his hat on a bench while out walking Pongo on the beautiful day they will both fall in love. The hat reappears when Pongo takes off on his quest to meet the Dalmatian lady he has spotted with his nose. When Roger and Anita are tangled up in their dogs’ leashes, it’s clearly on Roger’s head.

No time zones in Monsters Inc.

Even though we admire how the monsters in “Monsters, Inc.” can travel the world simply by walking through the doors of the monster factory, one minor detail has been overlooked by the animators: time zones are not taken into consideration.

No Time Zones In Monsters Inc.

No Time Zones In Monsters Inc.

We know it’s daytime no matter where Mike and Sully go during that great scene where Randall is chasing Mike and Sully through those doors. Paris, Hawaii, and Tokyo were all visited during the day. That’s not how it works; somewhere, it’s always night. This appears to be a significant oversight.

Posters moving around

The dentist’s office is rarely exciting or fun, but it’s where some of the most hilarious scenes in Finding Nemo take place. However, it is also where some flaws in this otherwise near-perfect film are revealed.

Posters Moving Around

Posters Moving Around

Finding Nemo has so many clever, small details that we almost feel bad criticizing it. But, since this is the purpose of this list, we’ll do it anyway. There is a poster in the dentist’s office that is sometimes next to the window and sometimes not.

Disappearing footsteps

Moana, like all the newer Disney films that have replaced the outdated “helpless princess trope” with strong, funny, and complex female leads, was an instant hit with audiences. Moana’s curiosity, bravery, and, of course, singing ability are all admirable qualities. What’s the deal with her footprints, though?

Disappearing Footsteps

Disappearing Footsteps

When baby Moana is lured out by the sea, her footprints in the sand vanish at random, without being washed away by the waves. Sure, it wasn’t a colossal mistake. But it is undeniably noticeable.

Prince John’s rings change

In Disney’s 1973 version of Robin Hood, Prince John is a hilarious character. On the one hand, he’s a bad guy, but it’s difficult to dislike him or take him seriously. He is completely enamored with his treasures and wealth, and we love the fact that he is always decked out in bling.

Prince John’s Rings Change

Prince John’s Rings Change

However, Prince John’s rings are clearly changing between frames in that great archery contest scene. He can be seen wearing a regular ring one moment, then a red jewel on it the next, then a bunch of jeweled rings the next, and then no rings at all the next…

Inconsistencies with Hook’s sword

We all saw Hook drop his sword in the middle of that dramatic duel, when Peter and Hook were fighting it out at Skull Rock, because he was focused on clinging to the cliff for dear life.

Inconsistencies With Hook’s Sword

Inconsistencies With Hook’s Sword

But, just as he begins to fear the approaching crocodiles, hoping to catch a pirate snack, the sword reappears. It’s safely tucked away in his sheath. Another blunder from this film is a scene in which Hook’s actual hook switches from left to right hand.

The Dumbo drinking problem

Disney is sometimes to blame for our belief in things that aren’t true. We’re not talking about fairy godmothers or flying carpets; those things are self-evident. Take, for example, how the elephants in Dumbo drink. It’s no surprise that we assumed elephants drank water through their trunks like built-in straws.

The Dumbo Drinking Problem

The Dumbo Drinking Problem

Elephant trunks are extremely useful because they can not only smell things but also gather items and food. Elephants drink by sucking water up with their trunks and then pouring it into their mouths.

That weird The Incredibles timeline

The Incredibles is set in the 1960s, but the animators appear to have forgotten that in this scene. Mr. Incredible focuses on one newspaper clipping in particular when we see him looking at his wall of newspaper clippings from his earlier days as an active superhero.

That Weird The Incredibles Timeline

That Weird The Incredibles Timeline

But if you take a moment to pause, zoom in, and examine her closely, you’ll notice something is off. September 16th, 2002 is the date on the ostensibly old newspaper. That’s roughly 40 years after the 1960s.

How did Russell get outside Carl’s house?

We understand that focusing on irrational and unexplained details in a film about a man literally turning his house into a flying one with balloons is silly. However, we can’t help but be curious about this one. So, where did Russell come from?

How Did Russell Get Outside Carl’s House?

How Did Russell Get Outside Carl’s House?

Russell is nowhere to be seen right before Carl takes off. But then, as Carl walks out on the porch to take in the view from his now-flying home, there’s Russell, terrified, leaning against the wall.

A mistake that actually isn’t one

Many people were upset by Disney’s false representation of China’s flag in Mulan. How did they end up with the Japanese one instead? They didn’t,  for sure. Although the symbol on the tent and the doctor’s bag resembles the Japanese flag, it is actually an ancient Chinese medical symbol.

A Mistake That Actually Isn’t One

A Mistake That Actually Isn’t One

To put it another way, it was China’s version of the red cross. So this was an example of Disney going above and beyond to include historically accurate details, but it was misinterpreted.

Changing bongos

When Moana hit the scene over a decade later, Lilo And Stitch were a bit overshadowed, but the two films aren’t as similar as people think. The most common misconception is that Lilo and Moana are both Hawiaan. This is not the case. Moana is from Tonga or Samoa, while Lilo is Hawaiian.

Changing Bongos

Changing Bongos

One scene in Lilo And Stitch that highlights Hawaiian culture is when Lilo is late for her hula dance practice. The yellow to red color of the bongo drums shifts. A minor mistake, but one that should be noted.

That laughter theory doesn’t add up

Most of us were terrified of monsters under our beds as children, which is why Monsters Inc.’s premise is so clever. It builds on this universally shared experience, but in the film, the monsters rely on children’s screams for power, which is why they scare children rather than being evil.

That Laughter Theory Doesn’t Add Up

That Laughter Theory Doesn’t Add Up

Sulley and Mike Wazowski, thanks to Boo, realize that children’s laughter is even better. However, despite the fact that Boo constantly laughs and giggles, it only transforms into a power source on occasion. Why is that?

The Mulan matchmaker’s makeup mess

Mulan’s matchmaker scene is akin to watching a car crash unfold in front of your eyes; you don’t want to look, but you can’t. She gave it her all, but she managed to enrage the matchmaker and turn her into the woman in these photos.

The Mulan Matchmaker’s Makeup Mess

The Mulan Matchmaker’s Makeup Mess

However, one notable flaw is that the matchmaker accidentally paints a beard and mustache around her mouth with her ink-covered fingers, but leaves no marks on her teapot when she touches it right after.

Using a speaker to spy

Toy Story’s toy soldiers are a bunch of goofy dudes. They were always serious about their missions and worked tirelessly like true little soldiers. However, either they or the animators missed an important detail in this case.

Using A Speaker To Spy

Using A Speaker To Spy

When they want to listen in on Andy’s birthday party, they devise a clever plan to plant a microphone and then use the other half of the monitor to listen in from Andy’s bedroom. However, the device they plant is only a speaker… So, without a microphone, how could it pick up any sound?

Messed up Monsters Inc. timeline

Monsters, Inc. was Pixar’s third animated film, but it was so successful that it spawned two sequels. The creators of one of them, Monsters University, managed to create a continuity error.

Messed Up Monsters Inc. Timeline

Messed Up Monsters Inc. Timeline

Mike and Sully have been friends for a long time, at least since 4th grade, according to the original 2001 film. However, in the 2013 film Monsters University, we learn that the two didn’t meet until college. Given that over a decade had passed between the two films, it’s perhaps not surprising that some errors like this one crept in.

No reflection in the TV

Animators everywhere seem to be plagued by shadows and reflections. We actually get it when it comes to reflections. It’s difficult to depict something that is transparent but visible. So, in this Toy Story scene, they may not have bothered. Or maybe they didn’t remember.

No Reflection In The TV

No Reflection In The TV

And since, as you may have noticed, neither Ham nor Rex have a reflection in the TV screen when they are clicking through the channels on the TV and the screen goes dark.

The mushroom pieces look uneaten

Alice in Wonderland is a bit of a trip, and it’s probably one of Disney’s most bizarre classics. It was created in 1951, so it was clearly ahead of its time. There aren’t many mistakes in this whimsical, lovely film, but we did notice this one.

The Mushroom Pieces Look Uneaten

The Mushroom Pieces Look Uneaten

Alice breaks two pieces of this giant mushroom in the forest as she sits on it. Even after she’s taken a big bite out of each piece, the next frame shows them as untouched.

More balloons needed

Okay, we realize we’re stating the obvious here, and we also understand that regular science laws and logic don’t always apply in animated films. But, just for the sake of argument, it’s entertaining to look at this. How many balloons would you need to make a housefly? Certainly more than the amount used in Up.

More Balloons Needed

More Balloons Needed

People actually calculated this and came up with a rough figure of 23 million…. To put it another way, there were more balloons on the roof than you could possibly fit.

The shackles disappear and reappear

Tangled, Disney’s clever retelling and a remake of the classic tale Rapunzel, was a box office hit in 2010, but there is one major flaw in the very dramatic final scene.

The Shackles Disappear And Reappear

The Shackles Disappear And Reappear

Flynn is handcuffed, and the only way to save Rapunzel is for him to cut off the hair she’s been forced to grow out for her evil mother. We can see that he is still handcuffed as he walks. The handcuffs are removed in the next frame as his hand and knife fall to the floor.

Chip’s dent changes side

Mrs. Potts and Chip, two of Beauty And The Best’s many adorable supporting characters, couldn’t escape the human error. We see a confused and upset little Chip asking his mother what she means right after Mrs. Pott sings “Something There.”

Chip’s Dent Changes Side

Chip’s Dent Changes Side

And, in typical (infuriating) mother fashion, she simply smiles and promises to explain everything to him when he’s older. Chip’s chipped rim (the dent that gave him his name) switches sides in those two frames, though.

Mrs. Otterton’s bag disappears and reappears

Mrs. Otterton appears in Chief Bogo’s office, holding a family photo and a purse dangling from her left arm, upset about her husband’s disappearance. However, when there is a close-up of Mrs. Otterton a few frames later, the purse is suddenly gone.

Mrs. Otterton’s Bag Disappears And Reappears

Mrs. Otterton’s Bag Disappears And Reappears

It’s back on her arm in a matter of moments after it was removed. However, even though this isn’t a mistake that has any impact on the plot, it is definitely noticeable.

The stick is sometimes broken, sometimes whole

It’s difficult to choose a favorite scene from Disney’s The Jungle Book, but any scene involving elephants makes us laugh. Particularly the one in which Colonel Hathi inspects his less-than-professional troops. However, there is a flaw in this.

The Stick Is Sometimes Broken, Sometimes Whole

The Stick Is Sometimes Broken, Sometimes Whole

Colonel Hathi inspects his “soldiers” with a bamboo stick, leaning on it at one point. It, predictably, breaks under his weight. However, it is sometimes whole again, and sometimes broken in the following frames.

Spot the difference in these two frames

We’ve already touched on how difficult it is to discern whether or not there are mistakes in Alice in Wonderland. The ones we see may actually be there on purpose as yet another layer of this whimsical journey.

Spot The Difference In These Two Frames

Spot The Difference In These Two Frames

The colors of the caterpillar have flipped in these two frames. Instead of being light blue on the stomach and dark blue on the back, the stomach is dark blue and the back is light blue. However, it’s possible that whatever the caterpillar is smoking is having that effect on him…

Where is that coat?

In non-animated films, there are crew members whose sole responsibility is to ensure that there is continuity between frames. For example, ensuring that the actress always holds the umbrella in the same hand, or that the blanket is draped over the correct chair.

Where Is That Coat?

Where Is That Coat?

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this list, it’s that animated film productions require the same skills. In The Rescuers, we have another example of a coat disappearing and reappearing repeatedly.

Wendy’s magically changing nightgown

Although Peter Pan is full of magic, we’re pretty sure the nightgown in this scene wasn’t supposed to change color. It’s the scene in which Wendy sings Michael to sleep with a beautiful solo of Your Mother And Mine.

Wendy’s Magically Changing Nightgown

Wendy’s Magically Changing Nightgown

The nightgown is light blue at first, but it turns white just as she is laying him down. Then, before you know it, it’s back to blue. But, in this case, we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. When Peter Pan was released in 1953, animation techniques were not nearly as advanced as they are now.

The impound notices changes location

We may be nitpicking, but that’s what movie buffs are all about! Remember the scene where Tramp gets breakfast from Tony’s Restaurant’s nice people? He takes it to a quiet spot behind a wooden fence and begins to gnaw on it.

The Impound Notices Changes Location

The Impound Notices Changes Location

A dog pound wagon pulls up alongside us, and a man leaps out to place an impound notice on the wooden fence. When Tramp comes over to read it, however, the notice has jumped a few boards from where it was originally nailed.

Broken door handle reappears

Imagine, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be 100 years old in just 16 years! We almost feel bad pointing out flaws as an elderly lady. This film is fantastic, especially considering it was released in 1937.

Broken Door Handle Reappears

Broken Door Handle Reappears

But, since this list is all about animated movie gaffes, we’ll just mention one more from this classic. It has a problem with door handles and knobs disappearing and reappearing on a regular basis. These are just a couple of examples.

Where did that phone come from?

When Lilo and Nani go to the shelter and Lilo is determined to adopt Stitch, there is a major flaw in the scene where Nani signs the adoption papers and pays the fee.

Where Did That Phone Come From?

Where Did That Phone Come From?

There is a large empty space on the wall between the two women in the first frame. However, a large black telephone appears a split second later. It’s a shame the animators didn’t remember to include it in all frames because a shelter without a phone would be strange (and impractical).

The picture on the pillow

One of the many great musical scenes in Oliver And Company is Georgette singing Perfect Isn’t Easy. This fancy Poodle has a lot of picture frames, and we can see a small pillow next to her as she slumps down on a big pillow.

The Picture On The Pillow

The Picture On The Pillow

That small pillow has nothing on it, but there is a picture on it in the next shot, which she picks up. The animators should have made sure the picture was there from the start, since her picking it up was planned.

The poncho that became a towel

There’s a scene in The Emperor’s New Groove where Pacha and Kuzco are drying off after falling over a waterfall. Kuzco the llama appears to be using Pacha’s poncho green poncho as a towel.

The Poncho That Became A Towel

The Poncho That Became A Towel

When Pacha hangs it up later (after it narrowly escapes being burned in the fire), it’s just a green square towel, not a piece of clothing. Making the extra design details to ensure the poncho looks like a poncho in each frame seems a little lazy.

Elsa should have fallen off that cliff…

If Elsa had simply fallen off the cliff as she should have, Frozen would have ended abruptly (and would have been less child-friendly). We see Elsa walking over flat, snow-covered ground, about 30 feet from a steep edge, at the start of the forever iconic Let It Go.

Elsa Should Have Fallen Off That Cliff…

Elsa Should Have Fallen Off That Cliff…

She should reach it quickly and fall off when she starts running. Instead, she runs up a hill that has never existed before, and from there, she creates ice steps that span the gap.

The hook rotates on its own

It’s no surprise that most of us missed this detail; there’s simply too much going on in this nail-biting scene for anyone to miss an animation flaw. Our little hero Cody is being used as fish bait for the hungry crocodiles beneath, but take a closer look at that hook around Cody’s waist.

The Hook Rotates On Its Own

The Hook Rotates On Its Own

Throughout the dramatic scene, it keeps changing directions. It’s facing his legs one second, then his head the next, and then back again. But it doesn’t matter to us because it’s such a great scene and even better movie!

Mulan sword confusion

So, what exactly is going on here? Mulan holds a sword in her right hand as she rides away from the burning wagon. She cut the horse Kahn free from the wagon with that same sword. The next shot shows some inconsistencies as the wagon explodes.

Mulan Sword Confusion

Mulan Sword Confusion

The sword has been returned to its sheath, and a few of the arrows that had been lying in the snow have vanished. This action-packed sequence appears to have been too explosive and fast for even the animators to keep up with.

More disappearing jewelry

When items vanish and reappeared during close-ups of characters, it’s especially noticeable. In this scene from The Princess And The Frog, that’s exactly the case. During the ball, Tiana sports a pair of large, prominent gold earrings.

More Disappearing Jewelry

More Disappearing Jewelry

Then, as if by magic, they vanish, only to reappearance later. Many viewers will notice when something as beautiful as golden jewelry suddenly vanishes, and we’re surprised the animators didn’t catch this mistake during final edits.