Disney's movies are built up on the idea of magic. But just because magic can make wishes come true, this doesn't always mean it's a positive force when it comes to Disney's adventures. Even in their first ever animated film, Snow White had to contend with a wicked queen, a cursed forest, and all sorts of other fantasy creatures.
While magic has been used many times to save the day and help the heroes beat the villains, there's been plenty of times when the use of magic has done more harm than good. Whether the antagonists are trying to cause trouble or the heroes themselves have gotten into a spot of bother, the use of magic can be bother a danger and a savior.
MAGIC CAUSED DESTRUCTION: The Grizzly Transformation (Brave)
In Pixar's Brave, young Merida got herself and her mother into trouble after the Queen and her three sons were all turned into bears. This created a journey that saw the family come closer together, although not before they were attacked by the evil Mor'du.
While the Scottish princess learnt a lot about her heritage, culture and the meaning of family, this magic caused a lot of chaos and it was lucky the strange witch knew how to reverse the bear transformation. However, it should be noted that not only was Merida's mom almost permanently stuck as a bear, but her father nearly killed his own wife because of his vendetta against bears!
MAGIC SAVED THE DAY: Getting Dressed For The Ball (Cinderella)
Cinderella was an incredibly kind and gentle soul and had a number of beautiful traits. She was punished for that inner beauty by her envious step-family and wasn't even allowed to go to the big ball. As is tradition for Disney movies, magic came to the rescue in the form of the Fairy Godmother.
While her magic did cause a bit of comical chaos at the stroke of midnight such as the carriage's crew haphazardly regressed into their original animal forms, without that initial enchantment on the dress, mice and pumpkin, Cinderella would never have met her prince in the first place!
MAGIC CAUSED DESTRUCTION: Everything In Pleasure Island (Pinocchio)
Pinocchio is constantly trying to live his life in a morally good way so that his own Fairy Godmother will grant him the wish of being a real boy. The problem is that temptation was around every corner, and Pinocchio almost fell for this trap.
While magic brought him to life, it was some kind of dark magic that almost turned him (along with many other boys) into a donkey when he visited Pleasure Island, a place where all boys' joys are granted. By some unidentified force, the island's young guests all start turning into donkey's because of their reckless and harmful actions, with many staying as animals ever since.
MAGIC SAVED THE DAY: Rapunzel's Healing
Rapunzel's hair is already pretty magical in the way in which it grows. While it's pretty useful for climbing, it also has one particular magical power that is extremely handy in a tough situation. As it turns out, her hair unleashes healing capabilities whenever it glows.
While Tangled redefined Disney animation for the modern era in more ways than one, it still relied on good old fashioned fairy tale magic for Rapunzel to save the day.
MAGIC CAUSED DESTRUCTION: Hades Strikes A Deal (Hercules)
Hercules has to save the day numerous times from Hades and his minions. The Titans from the Greek mythological world do cause great destruction when they reemerge from their ancient slumber, but there's one magical incident that proves to be the most dangerous.
Hercules makes a deal to save Meg by allowing the villainous Hades to remove all of his powers. This proves to be a mistake and opens up the path for the Titans to storm Olympus so that Hades could usurp Zeus. Ultimately, Hercules is restored to his full power but not before a lot of damage is done.
MAGIC SAVED THE DAY: The Ancestors Send Mushu (Mulan)
Voiced by Eddie Murphy himself, Mushu is the magical dragon is sent by Mulan's ancestors to help her on her journey. While the pair suffer from impostor syndrome quite often, it's their unlikely and offbeat partnership that ultimately leads to Mulan saving all of China.
Mushu is a powerful sidekick in many ways, although not in the way that Mulan may have originally have expected. He certainly has a number of magical qualities but aside from flying and breathing (some) fire, his best assets are his humor, wisdom, and cleverness.
MAGIC CAUSED DESTRUCTION: Jafar's Near Victory (Aladdin)
It goes without saying that Jafar's magic is perhaps one of the most sinister examples on this list. From his mind control to magical torture to the ultimate entrapment of the palace's people including Jasmine herself, all of his evil actions are only made worse by the fact that he's a skilled wizard.
Luckily, Aladdin has the magic carpet and the genie on his side to navigate through Jafar's evil plan but in this instance, the dark magic present in the film outweighs some of the other magic presences so much so that Jafar nearly wins.
MAGIC SAVED THE DAY: Tinker Bell Helps Neverland (Peter Pan)
Neverland is always in trouble but luckily, Tinker Bell's magic helped save it from Captain Hook, his evil crew and, more importantly, the darkness that had started to fall upon the hidden fantasy land.
Tinkerbell's pixie dust brought Wendy and her brothers to Neverland and they made a remarkable difference to the place, teaching Peter Pan a lot. Her powers then helped Peter Pan out of the explosive wreckage he was in, so he could face off against Hook and win the day.
MAGIC CAUSED DESTRUCTION: The Poisoned Apple (Snow White)
The Evil Queen (later the Wicked Witch) in Snow White was one of the original magic wielders in Disney's animated movies, but her magic didn't just extend to an enchanted mirror that she constantly used to fish for compliments.
She also knew how to brew potions, which she sued to poison the apple that would put Snow White down and out for quite some time. That was before true love's first kiss would save the day, of course.
MAGIC SAVED THE DAY: Elsa Averts Arendelle's Doom (Frozen 2)
Arendelle was almost the site of a disaster thanks to the power of the waves that sought to wipe out the small kingdom. However, Elsa managed to stop the impending destruction by using her ingenuity.
She rode upon a horse made of the sea, towards the top of the tidal wave. She then unleashed her frosty powers upon the impending tidal wave, stopping it in its tracks and showcasing why it's pretty useful to have magical ice powers once in a while.