10 Disney Films With Shockingly Dark Source Material
9. Hercules
Zero to hero is perhaps not completely apt, because the original source material that this Disney film spawned from has Hercules very far from zero. Of course based on the classic myth from Roman time of Hercules, the Disney adaptation is the story of a kind, sweet-hearted demi-god just trying to make his way down on earth.
The actual myth is a little different. Hercules in classic mythology was known for his brutal strength, a skill he used in a few less than subtle ways throughout his famous 12 labours. From choking a bull to near death to feeding human flesh to a crazed horse and all manner of killing and maiming in between, Hercules does not come across the heroic and admirable figure that Disney painted him as.
The myth is a tale of hardship and brutality and overcoming impossible odds through any means necessary, and it is absolutely splattered with violence at every turn. His love interest story has been tidied up for a younger audience too, no amount of soul blessing will ever make the real story more palatable.