For 94 years, Disney movies have captured the hearts of audiences across the world. These movies, while targeted at children, can communicate important values for people of all ages. Disney creates a world of magic and creativity in which anything is possible, where honesty is key and where true beauty lies within. Although we may not be able to live in these worlds ourselves, we are still able to absorb the lessons that they have to offer.

In “Finding Nemo”, Dory says, “When life gets you down, there’s nothing better to do than just keep swimming. A little determination goes a long way.” This is one of many examples throughout the movie that demonstrates that perseverance is key. The recurring theme shows that, to achieve success, one must keep trying. When Marlin and Dory are in search of Nemo, they must keep swimming to ultimately find him, which would not have been possible without this determination. It is through this perseverance that one must reach their goals, for they do not come without effort.

One of the most important themes throughout “Beauty and the Beast” is that true beauty lies within. In the story, Belle meets a grotesque beast whom she ultimately falls in love with. However, it is for his personality, not his looks, that she is attracted to him. This represents the idea of not judging a book by its cover, which is an important concept to be used in the course of one’s life. “Beauty and the Beast” stresses the importance of making judgements based on character rather than appearance, which is a concept that is vital to understand in our world today.

As we see within the plot of “The Lion King”, it is important to learn from your past rather than to run from it. In the movie, Simba is plagued with guilt for killing his father, which causes him to flee from the Pride Lands. He is unable to face his past, and instead tries to avoid it. This backfires, of course, when Simba realizes his destiny to become king is his true calling. For our society, it is essential to understand that we must learn from our mistakes, for that is the only way to improve. By avoiding the past, there is no way to truly move forward without acceptance. Without accepting what has already been done, there is no hope for growth.

While there are many other examples, Disney has proven itself time and time again to be a dispenser of knowledge as well as happiness. These movies have taught numerous values in a way that is pleasant and understandable, solidifying them in our minds. Over the years, while some things may fall out of style, I can assure you that Disney will never die in the hearts of the nation.