Christian Movie Review: Disney’s Encanto (2021)

Disney’s hugely popular animated movie, Encanto (2021), features beautiful animation, catchy songs, and relatable themes. Released on November 24, 2021, this musical fantasy film stands out in Disney’s extensive catalog, offering a unique story rooted in Colombian culture. For families, movie enthusiasts, and those seeking meaningful narratives, Encanto delivers a rich experience.

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**What Is the Disney Movie Encanto About?**

Encanto follows the Madrigal family, who live in a magical house called the Casita (simply “little house” in Spanish!) in a hidden Colombian village. Each family member is blessed with a unique magical gift—super strength, healing, or shapeshifting—except for Mirabel, the film’s protagonist. When the family’s magic begins to fade, Mirabel sets out to uncover why and save her family’s legacy. The story unfolds with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s infectious songs, especially “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” and breathtaking visuals that celebrate Colombian heritage. Encanto is a delightful depiction of family dynamics, personal identity, and the strength that can be found in unity.

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**How Does Encanto Compare to Other Disney Movies?**

When compared to Disney classics like The Lion King or Pixar gems like Inside Out, Encanto mostly holds its own with a fresh narrative and cultural authenticity. Though it lacks the epic scope of Frozen or the emotional depth of Coco, its focus on intergenerational family struggles resonates universally. Critics praised its animation and music, earning it an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2022. Encanto soared on Disney+, with its soundtrack dominating charts—outpacing even Frozen’s “Let It Go” in streams. However, some argue that its plot is less streamlined than Pixar’s tightly woven stories, making it a strong but not unrivaled contender in Disney’s lineup.

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**What Does Encanto Teach About Family Expectations?**

One of Encanto’s central themes is the burden of family expectations. Each member of the Madrigal family is defined by their particular gift, creating pressure to perform and uphold the family’s reputation. Abuela Alma, the matriarch, pushes this ideal, often overlooking individual struggles—like Mirabel’s lack of a gift or Luisa’s anxiety about hers. The film teaches that unrealistic expectations can fracture relationships but understanding and acceptance can heal them. Mirabel’s journey shows that love, not perfection, holds a family together—a lesson many can relate to in real life.

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**What Does Encanto Teach About a Person’s Sense of Self-Worth?**

Mirabel’s lack of a magical gift initially leaves her feeling unworthy, a sentiment echoed by anyone who’s ever felt overshadowed. Yet, her persistence and compassion prove her value lies beyond external abilities. Encanto teaches that self-worth isn’t tied to what you can do but who you are. This is illustrated when Mirabel saves the family’s magic—not through power, but through her heart. It’s a reminder that everyone has inherent worth, regardless of how they measure up (or think they measure up) to others.

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**What Does Encanto Teach About the Value of Community?**

The Madrigal family’s magical home thrives because of their collective strength, symbolizing the importance of community. When the Casita crumbles, it is rebuilt through teamwork, showing that no one succeeds alone. The film highlights how community support—whether family or neighbors—lifts individuals up. This resonates with the idea that community and cooperation are vital for resilience, a message that shines through the vibrant Colombian setting and the family’s eventual reconciliation.

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**How Does the Message of Encanto Compare to the Teachings of the Bible?**

Though the film’s emphases on love, self-image, forgiveness, and the importance of community echo biblical values, the importance assigned to “magic” may give some Christian parents pause. Encanto’s "magic" is depicted as a vibrant and whimsical force woven into the fabric of the Madrigal family’s life. It comes from a miracle granted to Abuela Alma during a moment of desperation, symbolized by a glowing candle that never burns out. This candle bestows unique magical gifts upon each Madrigal family member (except Mirabel) when they come of age, culminating in a ceremonial moment in which they touch a glowing doorknob and discover their unique ability (for example, Luisa has superhuman strength; Isabela creates perfect flowers, symbolizing beauty and grace; Pepa controls the weather with her emotions, etc.). The magic isn’t portrayed as something learned or conjured through spells—there are no wands, incantations, or mystical rituals—and it never veers into dark or ominous territory. The magic serves as a metaphor for talents, burdens, and the pressures of living up to expectations, rather than a supernatural system with rules or consequences beyond the family’s emotional dynamics. Mirabel’s journey reveals that the true “magic” lies in unity and love, not the powers themselves, and by the end, the candle’s flame goes out, but the family’s bond revives the Casita, suggesting that the magic was always a reflection of their relationships.

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**Is Encanto Acceptable for Christian Families?**

Encanto is a generally safe and rewarding choice for most Christian families. It contains no explicit content (it’s rated PG for mild peril) and its magic is fantastical, much like that depicted in C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia or Cinderella. The film’s positive messages about love, forgiveness, and self-worth are family friendly. Some might question the magical elements, but they serve as metaphors for talents and struggles, not spiritual powers. And Encanto’s delightful characters and music offer an infectious depiction of a vibrant cultural experience that could spark good discussions about faith, self-worth, and community.

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Discover More Family-Friendly Entertainment in a Single Platform

Whether or not parents consider Encanto to be appropriate viewing for their family, it may help that an entertainment platform exists that depicts childhood and adolescent struggles in ways that honor, reinforce, and instill biblical values. The TruPlay Games app–sometimes referred to as “the Netflix of Christian mobile games for children”–features games, videos, and digital comics videos starring animated characters at varying levels of spiritual growth and Christian commitment. The TruPlay app provides a safe, high-quality entertainment environment that offers countless hours of engaging fun for children, youth, and adults—a Christian resource for all ages, but especially for children,

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:

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Christian Movie Review: Disney’s Encanto (2021): A Tale of Family, Self-Worth, and Community | TruPlay Parent’s Guide