Disney’s Wish: Wishing on a Star…or Living on a Prayer?

Disney's animated movie, Wish, which released in 2023 to disappointing box office receipts, is available now for digital platforms including the Disney+ streaming service and on Blu-ray and DVD. The film, which was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, employs rich, colorful animation, engaging musical numbers by a team of songwriters, and the voice talents of Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk, and others. But it's the story that could concern Christian parents.

‍

**What is Wish About?**

The Disney movie Wish is set in a fairy tale kingdom called Rosas, where a seemingly benevolent King Magnifico collects and "protects" the wishes of his subjects. A young girl named Asha, however, begins to suspect that the king is hoarding people's wishes--including that of her 100-year-old grandfather, Sabino--in order to control the populace and keep them from achieving their dreams. Convinced of this, Asha longs to challenge Magnifico's rule and restore the power of wishes to the people, making a wish so powerful that it's answered by a cosmic force named Star, a little glowing ball of energy. Together, Asha, her pet goat, and her new friend Star set out to prove that one courageous human who connects with the magic of the stars can make wonderful things happen.

‍

**Should Wish Concern Christian Parents?**

‍

Wish is an engaging 95 minutes of story and music that encourage viewers to wish, dream, and fight for what they believe in. But the core and components of its message conflict with what the Bible teaches in several ways:

‍

The Power of Wishes and Dreams

Wish celebrates the power of human aspiration. After all, everyone has dreams and they can shape our future. But in Wish, the stars--and the right use of magic--have power to fulfill our wishes, an idea that runs counter to the Bible's teachings. In fact, the Bible warns against magic, sorcery, and divination. For example, Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NIV) says, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord."

‍

Magic vs. Wisdom from God

By personifying a star and suggesting that stars can control our destiny, the film elevates astrology and magic as reliable guides in human life. However, as the stories of Joseph and Daniel in the Bible underscore, even when God’s people are surrounded by people who believe in magic and sorcery, true wisdom comes from God--"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6 NIV).

‍

Wishing vs. Praying

While Asha's journey may seem exciting and even empowering to viewers, it conveys a dangerous message that "wishing can make it so." But Jesus promises, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7 NIV). And Paul wrote, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6 NIV). In the real world, a wish is not a prayer. While wishes can propel us forward, it is prayer that moves mountains.

‍

Wish Fulfillment vs. Biblical Hope

Wish underscores the value of hope and optimism. That is, even in the darkest moments, hope for a better future can fuel human achievement, even triumph (to be fair, that's true, to an extent; that was one message of Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning). But Biblical hope is something different, because it's not based on what we would like to see happen, but on what God has promised to those who place their faith in Him: "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love" (Romans 5:5 NLT).

‍

Wish aligns with Disney's tradition of teaching through fairy tales but with a modern twist on empowerment and community. However, it doesn’t align with Biblical teachings and could mislead some viewers who aren’t well grounded in Biblical teachings and Christian values. All things considered, Wish might be an hour-and-a-half of entertainment not to be wished for.

‍

Finding Truly Empowering Messages for Kids

Once upon a time, Disney movies were a safe bet for Christian families, but that is no longer the case. These days, parents can’t rely on Disney’s messaging. But there is an entertainment platform that offers truly empowering messages for kids. The TruPlay Games app provides a safe, high-quality entertainment environment featuring games, videos, and digital comics offering Bible stories, Christian themes and values, and countless hours of engaging fun for children, youth, and adults. It is a Christian resource for all ages, but especially for children, sometimes referred to as “the Netflix of Christian mobile games for children.” And it's intentionally structured to avoid the dangers of some other platforms.

TruPlay employs a subscription-based model, which allows children and adults to play, read, and have fun in an environment with no in-app purchases, no ads, and no in-app texting or chats. This means, of course, that kids can't spend money, buy "loot," click to go to outside and unknown sites, and "chat" with possible predators.

TruPlay's website (TruPlayGames.com) clearly details the app's offerings, and free downloads and trials are available in both the Apple App Store and GooglePlay. Explore the following links to unlock a safer gaming experience for your kids:

https://www.truplaygames.com/games-more

https://www.truplaygames.com/user-registration

Disney’s Wish: Wishing on a Star…or Living on a Prayer? | TruPlay Parents’ Guide