Ancestors in Animation - Disney, Marvel, and the Power of Spirit Worlds and Family Trees

Posted: October 1, 2025 

By: Iman Mombo

From ancestral planes to family altars, Disney and Marvel have been quietly (and sometimes loudly) infusing ancestral veneration into their storytelling. These aren’t just tales of heroes and journeys, they’re spiritual sagas that honor those who came before us. Let’s break down how some of our favorite movies channel ancestral magic:

Princess and the Frog

Set in New Orleans, this movie taps into Southern Black traditions, including Voodoo and ancestral wisdom. Mama Odie, the blind priestess, serves as a spiritual guide rooted in ancestral knowledge.

The Lion King / Black Is King

Mufasa’s voice from the clouds? That’s ancestral communication. Simba’s journey mirrors African rites of passage, and Black Is King elevates this with visual homages to lineage, royalty, and spiritual inheritance. And Hunny, Beyonce included a whole heap of historical evidence supporting the presence of our Ancestors.

Turning Red

Mei’s transformation into a red panda is tied to her family’s mystical legacy. The family temple and rituals reflect Chinese ancestral veneration and generational healing.

Black Panther

Wakanda’s ancestral plane is a literal realm where T’Challa and Killmonger meet their fathers. It’s a cinematic altar to African spirituality, legacy, and the weight of lineage.

Avatar

The Na’vi connect to Eywa, a planetary

consciousness that stores ancestral memories. Their neural bonds

to nature echo Indigenous beliefs in ancestral spirits and ecological harmony.

Moana

Moana’s grandmother is her spiritual compass, guiding her from beyond. The film honors Polynesian navigation, oral history, and ancestral guidance.

Encanto

The magic of the Madrigal family originates from a miracle linked to the sacrifice of their ancestors. Abuela serves as the connection between past hardships and current blessings. The spirit of the family's late Grandfather resides within the candle that supports the foundation of the family home.

Wish

This newer movie talks about the power of wishes passed down through generations, hinting at ancestral dreams and collective hope. One of the talking animals even alludes to how we are one, and made up of stardust.

Coco

A masterclass in ancestral storytelling. Set during Día de los Muertos, it celebrates memory, music, and the sacred bond between the living and the dead.

These movies aren’t just entertainment, they’re cultural codes. They remind us that our ancestors walk with us, whisper through us, and shape the stories we tell.

Stay tuned. Stay melanated. Stay multidimensional. —Iman