These “Once upon a time” stories adopt “medieval” European characters, creatures, and the overall aesthetic: princesses wearing flowing gowns, knights in shining armor, castles that dominate idyllic landscapes, dragons and fairies, witches and wizards, forbidden forests, and all the rest. Disney’s Middle Ages takes on tales and events set roughly between 5, and remixes them for today’s audiences.ĭisney’s Middle Ages is also deeply tied to the tradition of 19th-century fairy tales, most notably those of the Brothers Grimm (first published in 1812). We recently went deep into Disney+ to revisit some childhood favorites, as well as a few others, to figure out which movies are the most “medieval.”īeginning in the 1920s with Silly Symphony and Mickey Mouse shorts, Disney has been deeply interested in exploring the European Middle Ages in all its permutations. These introductions included jeweled covers called treasure bindings, ornate calligraphy, and vibrant miniatures with lavish borders.

In the opening credits of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Sleeping Beauty, we saw our first illuminated manuscripts (albeit imaginary and animated).

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