If you like this Disney movie, you'll love this book...

Disney World’s “Magic Kingdom” just opened a new ride. “Tiana’s Bayou Adventures.” Inside Out 2 hit theaters June 14th. Moana’s live-action cast was recently announced. And people of all ages are excited about these developments, as Disney remains a place where our fondest memories and crucial childhood moments lay. Maybe Nostalgia from Inside Out has entered my head, but I wanted to go back to some of these beloved movies and match them up with books that follow their central ideas. I hope you all enjoy the list I have curated!

Movie One: Tangled 

I think I can confidently say that I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love this movie, and it has remained a fan favorite for so long. I mean, it’s the sweetest story full of adventure, and you can’t help but root for Rapunzel and Eugene. That’s why I chose the book Tangled Up In You by Christina Lauren, a modern retelling of this classic story, as the perfect complement to this adored movie. This romance novel follows our main female lead, Ren, a girl who has grown up off the grid in a very secluded homestead. It took a massive amount of convincing to have her parents agree to let her venture off and attend college. Then, on the other hand, we have our male lead, Fitz. Fitz has everything meticulously planned out, and his main mission is to remain at the top of his college class (even if that means using some problematic methods). I mean the modern resemblance to the original story is perfect, and it’s only furthered when the two are partnered up for an assignment and embark on the road trip to help Ren find some truth in what her parents have grown up telling her. It’s a lovable story for a well-loved movie. 

Movie Two: Inside Out

The complexity of human emotions and how different events shape us and our actions is a premise that the book The Humans by Matt Haig also follows. Haig does this in a pretty unique and comedic way, so stick with me while I breeze over the plot. In this novel, an alien (I know this is kind of weird but keep reading) comes down to Earth for a special mission to kill a man who has made a discovery that is deemed far too advanced for the human race to understand. He comes to Earth with these preconceived notions about how evil and selfish the human race is, but after spending more time on the planet, he starts growing fond of the unique feelings and actions of humans. It’s an outside perspective on the overlooked things that make humans especially loving, caring, and compassionate. It explores the reasons we act the way we act through an extraterrestrial perspective. This alien acclimates to our lives and presumes the appearance of a professor as he finds the various facets of the human condition. This book is as weird and comedic as it is deep and inquisitive.  

Movie Three: Hercules 

I feel like when discussing Greek Mythology, there are select books we see over and over again, and the recommendations are limited to a few series and authors. I found that The Six Olympians by Maria Alarcon was unlike the rest. In this story, we see the myth of Kronos the Greek Titan God, the god who swallowed his divine children for fear that one would overpower him. This novel twists that narrative, by having the six godly children be banished to Earth, raised as orphans with no knowledge of the prophecy or their abilities. Only when they turn 16 do they become conscious of their identities and powers, and they embark on a mythical and fantastical journey to take down their father. Although the novel isn’t centered specifically on Hercules, it still explores and takes the Greek Olympian's story and weaves it into a unique Greek-Mythology-inspired book. 

Movie Four: Alice in Wonderland 

Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes is a really cool and pretty twisted retelling of the classic Alice In Wonderland story. In this tale, Wonderland is dangerous and holds some pretty sinister political depths. We have the crown Princess and future Queen of Hearts; Dinah. Dinah lives the classic and monotonous life as a Princess, however, she is despised by her father (the king). So, when he adoringly introduces Dinah to her half-sister, Duchess Vittiore, who becomes a threat to her rule as Queen, there’s hurt and anger. There’s mystique and betrayal, court secrets and dark truths about the magic-filled Kingdom. Some of the original characters like the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat are also represented as members of the royal court.  It’s a darker way to look at Wonderland, and it’s a unique perspective on the main antagonist of the classical story.

Honorable Mentions: 

These next two recommendations are about series centered around various Disney stories. They look at the darker side of these beloved plots and characters, and since they aren’t about one movie in particular, I grouped them separately. 

1) Villain Series by Serena Valentino 

Disney’s most well-known and iconic villains have their books, and readers and faithful movie watchers alike can now see into their complex backstories. Characters like Ursula, Maleficent, and the Evil Queen have their books and I think this is a pretty cool way to include Disney in our bookshelves. We can see the nuances and character developments of these villains. I would recommend delving into this unconventional way of exploring literature that is inspired by the movies we grew up with. 

2) A Twisted Tale Series by Braswell, Calonita, and Lim

Out of all the books I’ve recommended, this is probably my favorite. It’s just such an uncommon and intriguing way to look at these Disney stories. There are countless books, all taking the classic fairytales and twisting their plots. Like, what if Sleeping Beauty never woke up? Or what if Aladdin never found the lamp? It’s such a creative take on Disney retellings and reimaginings. Snow White, Frozen, Rapunzel, Hercules, you have such a diverse selection!