The debut episode of Win or Lose, Pixar’s latest Disney+ series, has made waves by introducing Laurie, the first openly Christian character in a Disney project in nearly two decades. The show’s approach appears to reflect a shift toward more traditional storytelling, avoiding the divisive narratives that have contributed to some of Disney’s recent box office failures.
A Character Rooted in Personal Beliefs
Set in the world of Inside Out, Disney’s highest grossing animated feature ever, Win or Lose follows a middle school softball team, the Pickles, in the days leading up to their championship game. Each episode of the eight-part series focuses on a different team member’s struggles and personal growth. The premiere episode, Coach’s Kid, centers on Laurie, the daughter of the team’s coach, who wrestles with feelings of insecurity.
The coach and players of The Pickles on Win or Lose – YouTube, Pixar
Laurie’s introduction makes it clear that her personal beliefs are an important part of her character. She is introduced by saying the phrase “Heavenly Father,” and a cutout of an angel is displayed in her bedroom. This marks the first time in nearly 20 years that Disney has featured a character whose worldview is shaped by a Christian religious upbringing, with the last example being Bridge to Terabithia in 2007, where faith was openly discussed.
Many longtime Disney fans have noticed a lack of such characters in recent years. With Laurie’s inclusion, some see Win or Lose as a return to storytelling that acknowledges a wider range of perspectives—something that has been absent in many modern Disney productions.
Disney’s Quiet Shift Away From Polarizing Themes
Beyond Laurie’s introduction, Win or Lose has also drawn attention for another reason: content adjustments made before release.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, an episode originally included a storyline addressing gender identity themes for one of the children on the team. However, the studio ultimately decided to streamline the script and remove the storyline. The character in question remains part of the show, but certain dialogue and references were removed before launch.
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Disney responded to the decision by stating, “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”
This statement suggests a growing awareness of audience concerns, particularly from families who have voiced frustration over Disney’s recent push toward modern social political messaging in its projects.
A Lesson From the Box Office?
This course correction follows a pattern seen in recent Disney releases. Films like Strange World and Lightyear, which prominently featured alternative lifestyles, struggled to connect with audiences. This led to significant financial losses.
Meanwhile, Moana 2 and Inside Out 2 have been marketed with a stronger emphasis on adventure and emotion rather than ideological messaging—something that has historically performed well for Disney and Pixar.
JOY AND ANXIETY — Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of freshly minted teenager Riley just as a new Emotion shows up unexpectedly. Much to Joy’s surprise, Anxiety isn’t the type who will take a back seat either. Featuring the voices of Amy Poehler as Joy and Maya Hawke as Anxiety, “Inside Out 2” releases only in theaters Summer 2024.© 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
As Disney seeks to regain its footing with audiences, Win or Lose could be an early indication of a broader shift back to storytelling that prioritizes character-driven narratives over political trends. Whether this marks a lasting change in direction—or just a temporary course correction—remains to be seen.
With Win or Lose now streaming on Disney+, audiences will have the final say.
How do you feel about Disney having a Christian character for the first time in 20 years? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
Disney’s playing with fire. Meta and the WaPo are being ripped apart internally by disgruntled woke employees and externally by slacktivists for similar *perceived* shifts to the right even though neither company is actually going to do so.
Disney is trying to win back the normies. They were happy to push alphabet propaganda on kids and now they are backtracking until it’s safe to do so again.