Wes Anderson on Why Disney+ Stays Off-Limits in His Home
Wes Anderson opens up about his efforts to keep his daughter away from Disney+ and the Star Wars franchise, sharing his thoughts on parenting, pop culture, and the challenges of raising a young film lover in a world dominated by blockbuster hits.
Wes Anderson stands out as one of the most distinctive filmmakers of his generation, known for his unmistakable visual style and storytelling. While his movies have sparked both admiration and debate, Anderson’s passion for cinema runs deep—and now, as a father, he’s eager to share that love with his young daughter, Freya. But in a world where streaming platforms dominate, Anderson faces a unique challenge: steering his child’s viewing habits away from the mainstream, especially when it comes to Disney+.
Passing Down a Love for Classic Cinema
In a recent conversation with Letterboxd, Anderson shared how he introduces Freya to the films he values most. He prefers to show her movies on Blu-Ray, taking pride in her appreciation for timeless classics. One of Freya’s favorites is the 1944 Judy Garland musical, Meet Me in St. Louis. Anderson finds it rewarding that his daughter gravitates toward such an iconic piece of Old Hollywood, but he admits it’s not always easy to keep her interests aligned with his own cinematic tastes.
He reflected on his own childhood, saying,
“I like that she likes Meet Me in St Louis, but when I was her age, the most important movie of all time was Star Wars,”
and added,
“It’s the least-hidden movie of all time, but it’s relevant to my life right now.”
Anderson’s comments highlight the ongoing struggle many parents face in balancing their children’s exposure to pop culture phenomena with their own values and preferences.
The Ubiquity of Star Wars and Disney+
Star Wars has long been a cultural juggernaut, sparking debate among critics and fans since its debut in 1977. While the franchise inspired countless aspiring filmmakers, it’s also been criticized for shifting Hollywood’s focus toward blockbuster entertainment. The acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney only amplified Star Wars’ presence, making it nearly impossible to avoid. From theme parks to merchandise, the galaxy far, far away is everywhere—especially on Disney+.
Anderson acknowledges the difficulty of shielding Freya from such a pervasive franchise. He explained,
“My daughter is seven, and she’d heard about Star Wars and kept asking me about it,”
before revealing his approach:
“So I said, ‘Well, we have Disney+, and we don’t use it’, but it’s there.”
Despite the streaming service being readily available in their home, Anderson sets clear boundaries, hoping to guide his daughter’s viewing choices without completely cutting her off from what’s popular among her peers.
Irony and Influence in Anderson’s Filmography
There’s a certain irony in Anderson’s stance, considering that two of his own animated features—Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs—are available to stream on Disney+. Additionally, he’s collaborated with actors like Natalie Portman, Jude Law, and Benicio del Toro, all of whom have appeared in Star Wars projects. Even so, Anderson remains committed to nurturing Freya’s appreciation for the kinds of films that shaped his own artistic vision.
While it may be impossible to completely tune out the cultural noise surrounding Star Wars, Anderson’s experience growing up during the original trilogy’s release gives him confidence. He believes he can help his daughter develop her own unique taste in movies, even as the allure of blockbuster franchises looms large.