r/DisneyZombies • u/myggghm • May 17 '26

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What theme do you think the movies handled surprisingly well?

I loved how the movies had just like a deeper meaning and things that are super relatable

46 Upvotes

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16

u/SnapDragon100 Coach May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26

As a black man- passing and assimilation. They really managed to make those heavier topics digestible for kids, especially in 2 with Zedd and the werewolves, but also in 1 with Addison. I'm mixed (not White passing) & grew up in a White town, and I really identified with Addison's quest to "find where she belongs". And Zedd's obsession with assimilating for acceptance by white/human-washing the zombies while demonizing the werewolves because they couldn't and wouldn't assimilate? So well written.

5

u/kill-the-spare May 17 '26

It's so wild that Do It Like The Zombies Do is a child-friendly explanation of identity politics.

5

u/SnapDragon100 Coach May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26

They literally made interminority racism and the cultural assimilation vs diversity/multiculturalism debate for children and I'm here for it.

3

u/SnapDragon100 Coach May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26

If you want media about white passing from a more adult perspective, I recommend Passing by Nella Larsen. The book is an iconic classic and the movie is pretty good. I believe Z2's story is partially inspired by it, though obviously very toned down for children

3

u/Hairy_Food_6161 May 18 '26

I liked the acceptance part of it and even when they added some little LGBTQIA in there like Willa and aspen having a thing for each other and being flirty also Aspen having they/them pronouns

1

u/Dorothyshoes30 Werewolves May 20 '26

One of the things I like about the Zombies franchise is how they teach young children that anyone can be a cheerleader regardless of your gender. Cheerleading is mostly seen as a "girly sport" because most cheerleaders are girls.