You’ve seen the flying ships. You know the "second star to the right." But honestly, the Disney Plus Peter Pan movie—officially titled Peter Pan & Wendy—is a lot weirder and more divisive than the trailers let on. When it dropped in April 2023, the internet basically exploded. Some people loved the moody, grounded vibe. Others? Not so much. They felt like the "magic" had been sucked out of Neverland.
But here’s the thing: most of the anger came from people who only remember the 1953 cartoon. If you actually go back to J.M. Barrie’s original 1911 novel, this movie is strangely more faithful to the book’s dark, melancholic soul than almost any other version.
Why Peter Pan & Wendy Is So Different
Director David Lowery didn't want to make a carbon copy of the animated classic. He's the guy who did The Green Knight and A Ghost Story, so he likes things a bit... somber. This Neverland isn't a neon-colored playground. It was filmed on the Bonavista Peninsula in Newfoundland and the Faroe Islands. It looks rugged. Real. A little cold, even.
The Captain Hook Secret
The biggest shocker? The backstory for Captain Hook, played by Jude Law. In this version, Hook wasn't always a villain. He was the first Lost Boy. He was Peter’s best friend.
That changes everything.
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Instead of a bumbling cartoon pirate, Law plays James Hook as a broken, traumatized man. He left Neverland because he missed his mother, got lost at sea, and grew up. When he tried to come back, Peter couldn't handle the fact that his friend had changed. It turns their rivalry into a tragic breakup rather than just a "good vs. evil" sword fight. It's heavy stuff for a PG movie.
Changing the Dynamics
Disney made some big swings with the cast and characters here.
- Tiger Lily: Played by Alyssa Wapanatahk, she’s no longer a damsel in distress. She’s a warrior who speaks Cree and actually saves Peter’s life.
- The Lost Boys: They include girls now. And a boy with Down Syndrome (Noah Matthews Matofsky). It’s a more inclusive group, which ruffled some feathers online but fits the idea that any child who is "lost" finds their way to Neverland.
- Tinker Bell: Yara Shahidi’s Tink isn't the jealous, murderous fairy from 1953. She and Wendy actually form a bond.
The Content Warning Controversy
If you go to watch the original 1953 Peter Pan on Disney Plus right now, you’ll see a content advisory. For a while, that warning was pretty blunt, stating the film included "negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures."
As of early 2025, Disney has been tweaking these labels. Under a newer "DEI strategy shift," the language has become a bit more neutral, often reading that the program is "presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes."
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Why the drama? The original cartoon’s portrayal of Native Americans—specifically the "What Made the Red Man Red" sequence—is, let's be real, incredibly cringey by modern standards. The 2023 movie was Disney’s attempt to "fix" that legacy. It’s why Peter Pan & Wendy feels so careful. Sometimes, maybe a little too careful, which is why some fans felt the fun was missing.
What to Actually Expect Before You Watch
Don't go in expecting a musical.
There are no "Following the Leader" or "You Can Fly" sing-alongs. There’s a bit of the "You Can Fly" melody in the score, but that’s it. It’s an adventure-drama.
The pacing is also... unique. It starts fast, then slows down a lot once they hit the island. Ever Anderson (Milla Jovovich’s daughter) is fantastic as Wendy. She’s the real protagonist. Peter, played by Alexander Molony, is actually kind of a jerk for most of the movie—which, again, is how he was written in the original books. He's a boy who forgets things. He's selfish. He’s stuck.
Quick Facts for the Fans
- Runtime: 1 hour and 46 minutes.
- Director: David Lowery.
- Release Date: April 28, 2023.
- Streaming Platform: Exclusively on Disney Plus.
The "New" Peter Pan Movies in 2026?
If you're searching for a "new" Disney Plus Peter Pan movie in 2026, you might be seeing rumors about a sequel or different projects. While Disney hasn't greenlit a Peter Pan & Wendy 2, there is a weird "Poohniverse" horror movie called Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare floating around (definitely NOT for kids). Also, a small Australian independent project titled Neverland is reportedly eyeing a 2026 release.
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But for the official Disney fix? Peter Pan & Wendy is the current definitive live-action version.
How to watch it the "right" way:
- Check your settings: A lot of people complained the movie was too dark (visually). If you're watching on a phone or a low-end TV, crank the brightness. The cinematography is beautiful but very moody.
- Read the book first: If you read J.M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy, the 2023 movie makes way more sense. You'll see the "Hook was a Lost Boy" thread was actually hinted at in the original lore.
- Watch the 1953 version after: It's a fascinating study in how much culture and storytelling have changed in 70 years. Just be ready for that content warning at the start.
Stop looking for a shot-for-shot remake of the cartoon. It isn't that. It’s a movie about the fear of growing up and the tragedy of a boy who refuses to do it. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it’s probably a lot better than the 1-star reviews on Rotten Tomatoes would have you believe.
If you want to see the filming locations for yourself, look into tours of the Faroe Islands—specifically the cliffs of Trælanípa. They look exactly like the movie in real life.