What do the world’s biggest band and the world’s biggest animation studio have in common? A lot more than you would think, actually! We explore the fascinating connections between The Beatles and the magical world of Disney.
The Beatles Were Asked to Voice Characters in The Jungle Book!
1967’s The Jungle Book was the last full film that Walt Disney worked on before his passing, and it was to be a prestigious production with a star-studded cast. But perhaps the studio’s expectations were a bit too ambitious, as Disney sought the world’s biggest band at the time, The Beatles!
They were asked to voice the four vultures: Buzzie, Flaps, Ziggy, and Dizzy. Although they are only minor comic-relief characters who appear towards the end of the film, they are certainly memorable, as their mop-tops and trademark Liverpudlian accents and wit are clearly a parody of the Fab Four. There was even a lighthearted song written specifically for The Beatles to sing called “That’s What Friends Are For”.
However, due to the band’s incredibly busy schedule, and a reported reluctance from John Lennon in particular to appear in an animated film, the cameos from the four superstars would never come to fruition. Instead, Disney settled for well-but-still-lesser known voices to play the four birds, including Chad Stuart from British Invasion duo Chad & Jeremy.
This story remains one of the most legendary “what-ifs” in animation history. The Jungle Book already has an iconic soundtrack, with beloved classics like “The Bare Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You”. Just imagine what it would have been like for The Beatles to sing for a Disney film, with two cultural juggernauts coming together!
There’s a Beatles Song that Contains a Quote from Snow White!
As the first-ever full-length animated feature film produced in the United States, Disney’s Snow White (1937) has remained a staple in popular culture for decades. But did you know that one of the songs in the film was directly interpolated in a Beatles song? John Lennon’s mother Julia used to sing the song “I’m Wishing” when he was a young boy, which opens with the lines “Want to know a secret? Promise not to tell?” Sound familiar? It’s the refrain from The Beatles’ 1963 song “Do You Want to Know a Secret”!
John Lennon Signed The Beatles Breakup Papers at Disney World.
In an ironic twist of fate, it was at “the happiest place on Earth” where John Lennon signed the official termination papers for The Beatles. The band’s breakup was a messy and lengthy legal process. Eventually, it was decided that the ex-Beatles would sign the final breakup agreement at the New York Plaza Hotel on December 19th, 1974. But one former member didn’t agree: John Lennon. Although the hotel was a walking distance from his home at the Dakota, he stubbornly refused, stating in a phone call to George Harrison’s lawyer that “the stars aren’t right!” Lennon chose instead to take a holiday to Florida at Disney World with friends and family. Apple Corps lawyers eventually tracked him down on December 29th when he was staying at the theme park’s Polynesian Village Resort, and he signed the disillusion papers. While the exact room number Lennon was staying at has never been confirmed, it is rumoured to be Room #1601, which is now a pilgrimage site for Beatles fans from all over the world.
Yellow Submarine Has Been a Source of Inspiration for Disney Staffers.
Yellow Submarine (1968) is a remarkable achievement in animation. Directed by George Dunning and distributed by Apple Films (thus an official project under The Beatles name), The Beatles themselves did not voice their own characters. Regardless, it was a critical and commercial success, especially due to its state-of-the-art, colourful, and psychedelic cel animation. The film’s surrealist imagery has been highly influential in the world of film. Former Disney and Pixar chief creative director John Lasseter has praised Yellow Submarine for expanding the appeal of animation to adults as well as children.
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As a fan of animation and as a filmmaker, I tip my hat to the artists of Yellow Submarine, whose revolutionary work helped pave the way for the fantastically diverse world of animation that we all enjoy today.
In 2009, it was announced that Disney would partner with director Robert Zemeckis to create a 3D stop-motion computer animation remake of the film, but this would eventually fall through.
At The Beatles Story’s Yellow Submarine room, visitors can see four original gouache on celluloid animation cels depicting all four Beatles, from scene #5 of the animated masterpiece.
The Beatles: Now on Disney+
The on-demand streaming service is now home to The Beatles Anthology documentary series, now beautifully restored and featuring an all-new ninth episode with never-before-seen footage of Paul, George, and Ringo reflecting on their shared legacy while working on the original Anthology project in the 90s. It will be available to stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning November 26th 2025. Beatles fans can find many other gems on Disney+, including the groundbreaking Get Back (2021) series, the restored Let It Be (2024) film, and Beatles ’64 (2024).
Memorabilia: Yellow Submarine Animation Cels
Learn more about the original animation cels on display at The Beatles Story, and about the fascinating filming process behind Yellow Submarine.