The 1990s is considered Disney's Renaissance Era. It turned the company around for the best after a few relatively unsuccessful decades following Walt Disney's death. The '90s created some of the best Disney movies and protagonists of all time.
Disney movies from the '90s evoke a strong sense of childhood nostalgia, and the lovable main characters hold a special place in fans' hearts. This era introduced sweet and misunderstood characters, strong and confident heroines, and reimagined a character that fans had known for decades.
10 Jasmine Knew Her Worth (Aladdin)
Agrabah's princess Jasmine was close to entering an arranged marriage when she met Aladdin, the whimsical dreamer who swept her off her feet. She stood up for herself multiple times, insisting she didn't want to marry someone she didn't love. However, she truly shined when confronting Jafar, the Sultan's evil advisor.
Jafar planned to marry her after finding the genie's lamp and overtaking the throne. Jasmine then shouted that she was "not a prize to be won," showing her strength and setting an excellent example for little girls. She was one of the first female Disney characters to know her worth and expect nothing less.
9 Mulan's Bravery Saved Her Country (Mulan)
Mulan put her fears aside and pretended to be a man to save her father from going to war. She trained and worked until she was ready for battle, where her instincts helped save her troop from the Huns. Once they discovered her identity, they shunned Mulan, yet she still went back to save their lives.
Mulan's bravery and selflessness saved not only her father's life but also the Emperor and the entire country of China; her physical and mental strength was inspiring. She took her life into her own hands and stood up to protect those she loved, not letting gender stereotypes define her.
8 Simba Was Sweet With A Sad Backstory (The Lion King)
Scar traumatizes Simba, Mufasa's young son in The Lion King, by forcing him to think he killed his beloved father. As a result, he went from a fun-loving, ambitious boy to one riddled with guilt and anguish. However, he regained his strength and ultimately returned to Pride Rock to confront his evil uncle.
He was extraordinarily lovable and willing to do anything for the ones he cared for. Although sadness filled his childhood, he ultimately found his chosen family and grew to be an even stronger leader than his father before him, bringing the Pride Lands back from ruin.
7 Pocahontas Highlighted Nature's Wonders (Pocahontas)
Pocahontas lived through nature, always finding beauty and life in every situation. She felt the river's emotions, heard the wind's whispers, and spoke with all the land's creatures. She was one with nature, which helped her when the English came to colonize her land.
Pocahontas used her knowledge to sway John Smith, showing him the world's beauty. They stood up to Ratcliffe and Chief Powhatan, leading to a ceasefire between the colonizers and the tribe. Pocahontas's love of wildlife was inspiring, showing nature's magic and teaching fans to appreciate the small things in life.
6 Goofy Got A Modern Reimagining (A Goofy Movie)
Goofy was one of the classic Disney characters, making his debut in 1932 in Mickey's Revue. His son, Max Goof, was introduced in 1951 and later featured in Goof Troop in 1992. Goofy was a loving and over-protective father, willing to do anything to keep his son close.
In A Goofy Movie, Goofy hijacked Max's date to instead go on a cross-country fishing trip, putting their relationship to the test. Despite the setback, Max made his way to the concert and snuck onstage to impress his crush, and ultimately the father and son ended up closer than ever. As a result, the classic and beloved character got a much-needed revamp.
5 The World Misunderstood And Mistreated Quasimodo (The Hunchback Of Notre Dame)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame starred Quasimodo, a lonely and isolated man, mistreated due to his physical differences. His caretaker, Claude Frollo, locked him in a bell tower to keep him away from others and to avoid caring for him. Then, at a festival, he met Esmeralda, a kind Romani trying to escape Frollo.
The two helped each other, and she was the first person to show Quasimodo kindness. He was proof that the inside, rather than physical appearance, was what mattered. Quasimodo didn't let his physical differences define him and stayed friendly and cheerful despite how the world treated him. He was inspirational for many, showing that kindness always wins.
4 Meg's Ferocity And Strength Made Her Lovable (Hercules)
Hercules's love interest Meg, was Hades's servant used as bait to trap the young demigod. However, despite her assignment and internal objections, she fell in love with him. She was sassy and funny, standing up for herself as no Disney heroine had before.
Meg became a Disney icon, as many young women adored her wit, humor, and confidence. She had great character development, starting tough and jilted but eventually letting her walls down and allowing herself to open up to Hercules. Many fans hope to see her brought to life in a live-action version of the classic film.
3 Belle Was A Beauty Who Valued Brains (Beauty And The Beast)
Belle was Beauty and the Beast's protagonist, an intelligent young woman who longed for a life with more meaning than her small town could give her. She experienced beautiful new worlds through her books, which inspired her longing for new experiences. However, when the Beast trapped her father, Maurice, she selflessly gave up her own life in exchange.
Belle and the Beast eventually fell in love, as her kindness opened up his cold heart. Belle inspired young girls, showing that intellect is admirable and beauty was so much deeper than physical appearance. She was one of the best princesses for little girls to look up to as she showed kindness to all, valued her brain, and exuded self-confidence.
2 Jack Skellington's Popularity Keeps Growing (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, lived in Halloween Town and reveled in the spooky holiday. However, one day he stumbled upon a door leading to Christmas Town, quickly falling in love with the joyous world. Upon his return to Halloween Town, he attempted to introduce a new, merrier holiday to skeptical citizens.
Jack's love for the holiday season was sweet and relatable, and he quickly became a Halloween and Christmas staple. His popularity has only grown as The Nightmare Before Christmas takes over tv screens and Disney parks annually, from October through December. This fan favorite was both spooky and merry, blending the best of both worlds.
1 Kovu Defied Expectations Placed Upon Him At Birth (The Lion King II: Simba's Pride)
After Scar's defeat, Simba exiled his followers to the Outlands to avoid conflict. Although Kovu wasn't his biological son, Scar hand-picked the boy to be his heir, destined to take the throne. In a plot to get close to Simba, Kovu saved his daughter, Kiara, from a fire, and the two ended up falling in love. Consequently, the closer he got to Kiara, the further away he grew from the destiny his mother, Zira, placed on him at birth.
Kovu proved multiple times that he didn't want to carry Scar's legacy and longed to be with Kiara. He turned his back on his family and worked with the princess to reunite the two prides, bringing the banishment to an end. The couple proved that love is the most powerful tool, and Kovu defied Zira and Simba's expectations and proved everyone wrong.
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