Should Christians watch or support Disney?

from the old testament

• God calls His people to worship Him alone and reject anything that draws their hearts toward idolatry or compromise (Exodus 20:3–5; Deuteronomy 6:4–9).
• God's people are commanded to distinguish between what is holy and what is unholy, refusing to celebrate what opposes God's character (Leviticus 10:10; Isaiah 5:20).
  
• Believers are instructed to guard their hearts because their lives flow from what they continually take in (Proverbs 4:23).
  
• Wisdom begins with fearing the Lord, and wise choices—including entertainment choices—should reflect reverence for God (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10).
  
• God's Word is the standard for discerning truth from falsehood (Psalm 119:9–11, 105).
  God's people are warned that what they delight in shapes who they become (Psalm 1:1–3).
• God's people are called to avoid participating in or approving of practices that lead them away from faithfulness to God (Deuteronomy 12:29–31).

from the new testament

• Christians are called to think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).
• Not everything that is permissible is beneficial or spiritually helpful (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23). We must use discernment for what media we consume.
  
• Believers should do everything—including entertainment choices—for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
  
• Christians are called to test everything carefully and hold fast to what is good while rejecting evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22).
  
• Followers of Christ should not conform to the patterns and values of the world but be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2).
  
• Believers are instructed to avoid taking pleasure in or participating in the "unfruitful works of darkness" but instead expose them (Ephesians 5:3–11).
  
• Christians should be careful that their freedom does not become a stumbling block to others or damage another believer's conscience (Romans 14:13–23; 1 Corinthians 8:9–13).
  
• Everything believers do should flow from faith because "whatever does not proceed from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23).
  
• Christians are called to love God wholeheartedly and allow that love to shape every area of life, including entertainment (Matthew 22:37–38).

implications for today

The Bible teaches that Christians should not celebrate or endorse what God calls sin, but it also recognizes that believers live in a fallen world and regularly interact with people, businesses, and institutions that do not share biblical values. Jesus Himself ate with sinners without affirming their sin. Engagement is not the same as endorsement. Similarly, purchasing a movie ticket or streaming a film is not automatically equivalent to affirming the beliefs or corporate decisions of the company that produced it. Christians should thoughtfully consider whether their spending, viewing habits, or media recommendations align with their convictions and whether they can do so with a clear conscience before God.

Disney has changed a lot over the years, but many Disney films contain themes that reflect God's common grace, such as sacrificial love, courage, forgiveness, justice, humility, reconciliation, and selflessness, which can provide opportunities to discuss biblical truth. For example, The Lion King illustrates responsibility, repentance, and restoration; Pinocchio highlights the importance of truth and the consequences of sin; The Hunchback of Notre Dame emphasizes the dignity of every human being and exposes hypocrisy, prejudice, and injustice; and Coco opens conversations about family, forgiveness, and living with the end in mind. At the same time, newer Disney films have incorporated unbiblical beliefs regarding identity, a focus on self, sexuality, and spiritual realities.

We must evaluate what we choose to watch and what we allow others, especially children, to watch. We should also use the movies we watch, whether Disney or otherwise, as opportunities for discipleship. We can have conversations about what we watch and compare them to God's Word. Take a character and ask, "Was this person being selfish or selfless?" "What does God say about our character?" "Why does God care about our character?"

This question is ultimately bigger than just Disney. Every Christian should regularly ask:
Does this entertainment draw my heart closer to Christ or subtly shape my thinking away from Him? (Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8)Can I participate with a clear conscience, giving thanks to God? (Romans 14:22–23; 1 Corinthians 10:31)Will this choice help or hinder my witness to others? (1 Corinthians 8:9–13; Colossians 4:5–6)Am I supporting something in a way that aligns with my convictions before God?

In recent years, many Christians have become concerned not only about individual Disney films but also about the company's public positions on cultural issues, particularly regarding sexuality, gender identity, and family values. These concerns have led some believers to conclude that they cannot, in good conscience, financially support Disney because doing so would indirectly support messages or initiatives that conflict with a biblical worldview. Others choose to evaluate each movie or show individually, enjoying content they believe is good while intentionally avoiding content they believe promotes ideas contrary to the Bible. Above all, both groups should desire the same goal: honoring Christ above all else.