Disney Movies and World Heritage Sites

Representation for Kids and Adults

Many films use World Heritage sites as serene environmental backgrounds. While many use these World Heritage site locations in real life, others may use them in a different form. Disney Pixar animation has included World Heritage sites in many of their animated movies. Even when drawn by an animator, these World Heritage sites are recognizable and carry the same universal value. Here is a list of Pixar movies with animated World Heritage site backdrops.

1. Finding Nemo

In Finding Nemo, Nemo’s home is within an anemone situated within the Great Barrier reef World Heritage site. Even though the movie is animated, it still takes place in a UNESCO World Heritage site as the primary backdrop for the film.

Great barrier reef depicted in Finding Nemo | Stanton, Andrew, Lee Unkrich, Graham Walters, John Lasseter, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds, Albert Brooks, et al. 2003. Finding Nemo.

Great Barrier Reef | Photo by Giorgia Doglioni on Unsplash

2. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

In the movie The Hunchback of Notre dame, the World Heritage site is in the movie title’s name. The film focuses on the main character as a bell keeper in the famous cathedral. As kids watch this movie, they are exposed to a very renowned World Heritage site; the film’s opening scene begins with an image of the cathedral while the song “The Bells of Notre Dame” plays.

Notre Dame depicted in the Disney movie the Hunchback of Notre Dame |Menken, Alan, and Stephen Schwartz. 1996. Walt Disney Pictures presents The hunchback of Notre Dame. [Burbank, Calif.]: Wonderland Music Co.

Notre Dame| Photo by Ridwan Meah on Unsplash

3. Mulan

Mulan, a Disney princess classic movie, features the Great Wall of China[HS1]. At the beginning of the film, the Great Wall looms into focus as the Huns, the villains in the movie, attack. The use of the Great Wall in the movie’s opening scene places the film’s location into context as the Great Wall is a famous symbol of China.

The Great Wall of China depicted in the Disney movie Mulan | Cook, Barry, Tony Bancroft, Pam Coats, Rita Hsiao, Chris Sanders, Philip LaZebnik, Raymond Singer, et al. 2004. Mulan. [United States]: Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

Great Wall of China | Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

Individuals of all ages and backgrounds watch Disney Movies. Disney itself has become a culture. Disney is bringing exposure to these sites by incorporating World Heritage sites such as the Great barrier reef, Notre Dame, and the Great Wall. Animation also provides a way to utilize World Heritage sites for films without damaging them by bringing in a film crew. By seeing World Heritage sites in Disney movies, Disney fans may seek out more information about these sites and eventually want to visit them.