Decoding Disney’s Arab and Muslim Narratives

This incisive media studies analysis dissects the portrayal of Arab and Muslim identities across the Disney animated canon, applying a rigorous mixed-methods approach to expose a persistent pattern of harmful stereotyping. Authors Ghanem Elhersh and M. Laeeq Khan blend quantitative textual analysis with qualitative framing analysis to systematically reveal how these globally influential films have historically relied on orientalist tropes, frequently linking these cultures with themes of violence and villainy. The research moves beyond anecdotal observation to provide a data-driven, comprehensive view of how these media portrayals are constructed and how they shape public perception.

What makes this work particularly compelling is its academic rigor made accessible, offering a critical lens for readers interested in media literacy, representation, and the social impact of pop culture. It serves as an essential text for film students, cultural critics, and any viewer who has ever questioned the underlying messages in beloved childhood stories. By decoding the narrative frames embedded in animation, the book empowers readers to become more conscious consumers of media and challenges the entertainment industry to move beyond reductive caricatures.