Disney Plus is “Editing” Your Favorite Movies Without Telling You

Disney Plus users have been advised to purchase physical media “before it disappears” following a widely circulated video of Lilo and Stitch that uncovered a peculiar alteration on the streaming service.

In the initial release of the film, Lilo’s sibling discovers her concealed in a clothes dryer and she proceeds to climb out.

But, when you watch it on Disney Plus, it’s not considered a dryer or an oven (even with the pizza box); it’s simply a cabinet.

“According to a viral video (shared on X/Twitter by luckykidtay), it is evident that Lilo and Stitch has been edited by someone.”

Did Disney edit Lilo and Stitch?

Although Lilo and Stitch was modified by Disney, this change was made well before the release of Disney Plus.

Imma warn yall again yall better start getting physical media before it’s gone pic.twitter.com/sepB2j2O0y

— Bloccin Ass Tay (@luckykidtay) August 20, 2024

If you recall the dryer scene from seeing the movie in theaters or on DVD, you are correct: it remained unchanged during its initial release in theaters and its first physical media release.

However, in the case of future releases such as special editions, collector’s bundles, and Blu-rays, Disney opted to replace the dryer with a cabinet. Although they have never officially stated the reason, it is clear that this decision was made to prevent children from potentially injuring themselves by climbing into the tumble dryers.

According to a Redditor, during its airing on Disney Channel, a particular scene in the movie was removed from broadcast showings. However, it was not due to the pizza box as initially thought. Instead, the scene would fade to black when Nani leans on the wall and fade back in with Lilo trapped in the bedsheets in order to avoid showing it entirely.

“Furthermore, had you seen Lilo and Stitch in UK theaters, it would have been the version with the pizza box.”

Another comment mentions that in the UK release of Lilo and Stitch, the scene where Lilo hides in a clothes dryer was altered to show her hiding in a cupboard with a pizza box as a door. This change was made to discourage young children from imitating the potentially dangerous act of hiding in a dryer.

Does Disney Plus Censor Movies?

Despite Lilo and Stitch potentially being altered prior to the launch of Disney Plus, the platform is known for making minor changes to its movies and television series.

As an illustration, when watching Splash on a streaming service, you may notice that Daryl Hannah’s bare buttocks have been digitally altered to appear hairy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXV-Ze8cx2A

Disney+ Splash Edited scene. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXV-Ze8cx2A)

A blooper scene after the credits was removed from Toy Story 2, where Stinky Pete was seen flirting with two Barbie dolls in a “casting couch”joke. Similarly, Free Solo has been edited, with a scene of Alex Honnold saying “f**ked up”changed to “messed up”, according to Newsweek.

Disney Plus has notably removed one episode of The Simpsons from its library: ‘Stark Raving Dad’ from Season 3, which features a guest appearance by Michael Jackson. A comprehensive list of everything that appears to have been censored, edited, or taken down from the platform can be found here.

Certain titles, such as the 1992 film Aladdin, include a disclaimer that cautions viewers about potential negative portrayals or mistreatment of individuals or cultures.

Instead of deleting this content, our goal is to recognize its negative effects, gain insight from it, and encourage dialogue to foster a more inclusive future together.

In the interim, take a look at the TV shows currently streaming this month and discover which new movies you should include on your list of things to watch.