25+ Artists Take Disney's Fairytales Back To Their Grim(m) Roots With Their Fan Art

When asked to think about words that could describe overall Disney movies or shows, it is probably safe to assume that you think of terms like, “innocence,” or “safe/made for kids.” This is essentially the truth; Disney carved out a secure spot in the niche market of children’s stories by creating innocent characters who get into superficial trouble but always come out on top.

The comfort of Disney programs, mixed with nostalgia, contributes to the massive, utterly enormous fanbase. Children and adults alike are fanatical about all things Disney.

Most of us grew up watching movies or shows created by the Walt Disney Company. Many millennials grew up alongside Disney’s animation styles, from their classic 2D characters in movies like The Lion King and Aladdin to their 3D computer-rendered characters that younger generations are more familiar with, such as those from Frozen or Encanto.

While Walt Disney didn’t exactly have it easy when he first started out, there’s no denying that his company has grown to be the pinnacle of animation studios. Disney Studios essentially became the benchmark against which other animation studios are compared, both inside the United States and abroad.

It seems that Disney not only wrote the book on profiting from children’s movies, but they also changed it, growing and evolving with the times. They have championed incredible breakthroughs in the field of animation and continue to do so to this day.

All the work that Disney Studios has put out into the world didn’t just inspire their viewers or other animation studios to improve; they managed to ignite a passion in multiple generations of artists and animators. Artists who also grew up watching the same films as the rest of us have taken their love for all things Disney and created their own pieces of art.

Disney fan art is nothing short of extraordinary, spanning every skill level. Specifically, we’re going to admire artists who bring Disney back to its fairytale roots, as many of their most famous movies were based on the dark Grimms' Fairy Tales.

Below, you’ll find a sampling of some macabre, dark, or otherwise moody-themed works of Disney fan art. Keep scrolling to see what we have!

1. Tale As Old As Time

rustikuz

2. That Disney's Moment: Hercules

kalisami

3. Cinderella

liaselina

4. Hunger White

rskizzen

5. The Princess and the Frog

daekazu

6. Beauty and the Beast

Johnathan Sung

7. - The Red Queen -

vielmond

8. Moana

axsens

9. Pinocchio

ergin3d

10. That Disney's Moment: The Sleeping Beauty

kalisami

11. Twisted Fairies: Tinker Bell

jeftoon01

12. Snow White

meoww

13. Twisted Princess: Rapunzel

jeftoon01

14. Ariel

yourpsychotherapist

15. Alice in the Courtroom

grim1978

16. Princess Jasmine

katevoynova

17. Beyond Wonderland No. 4 Cover

dna-1

18. Merida

artofelaineho

19. Goldilocks

teelamb

20. Twisted Ariel

kasami-sensei

21. J: Life's Full of Tough Choices, Isn't It?

dotsweare

22. Jungle Book

Omegalioness

23. Lilo and Stitch Fooray

angieness

24. Sally - The Nightmare Before Christmas -

kirairei

25. Alice In Wonderland

Aspay

26. Colors of the Wind

jasric

27. Adult Mulan

prywinko

28. Rose and Thorns

suntwirl

29. Jafar

jbballaran

30. Elsa

artofelaineho

31. Hunchback of Notre-Dame: Esmeralda

daekazu

Which of these darker-themed Disney fan artworks was your favorite? I particularly liked the piece with Merida and her bow on the shore with crashing waves; she looks ready and capable of ruining someone’s day.

Do you have a favorite artist who creates their own Disney fan art that we missed in this post? Let us know about them and your thoughts in the comments section below; we will never get enough of Disney content.

And don’t forget to share with your fellow Disney lovers!