Disney has been creating some of the best-animated masterpieces in cinema history for almost a hundred years. They've constantly improved and set the standard in the entertainment industry. The studio's films are known for their breathtaking animation, emotional writing, and iconic soundtracks, which have become deeply ingrained in pop culture.

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Starting in 1989, Disney Animation went through a ten-year-long period best known as the Disney Renaissance. The House of Mouse produced some of its most critically acclaimed and commercially successful features, most of which received prominent accolades upon release.

10 The Rescuers Down Under Was The First Fully-Digital Animated Feature

The Rescuers Down Under - Disney Movies

The Rescuers Down Under premiered in 1990 as the second film in the Disney Renaissance. It served as a sequel to 1977's The Rescuers, which was based on Margery Sharp's children's novels about two anthropomorphic mice who work at the Rescue Aid Society. This time, their adventures take them to Australia, where they must rescue a boy from a poacher.

The film was the first animated feature to be fully created through digital means. Despite receiving moderate reviews, The Rescuers Down Under was a box office failure, grossing less than fifty million dollars worldwide, and remains one of the studio's less prominent animated films.

9 Pocahontas Received Criticism For Its Story & Praise For Its Music

Pocahontas in the Disney movie of the same name

In 1995, Disney released its thirty-third animated feature-length film, Pocahontas, which was a musical drama based on the historical figure of the same name. Indigenous actress, Irene Bedard lent her voice to Pocahontas, and Academy Award winner, Mel Gibson took on the role of the love interest, John Smith.

The film won two Academy Awards for its music, including Best Original Song for "Colors of the Wind," but received major criticism for its inaccurate depiction of Native Americans and the historical events in the story. Pocahontas' thinner plot and frequent tone changes make it one of the least polished Disney films of the Renaissance era.

8 Tarzan's Soundtrack Was Composed By A High-Profile Musician

Tarzan Disney Film

Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes, Tarzan was the last movie to be released during the Renaissance era. It tells the story of a young man who grows up amongst gorillas after being stranded in a jungle as a baby. It was directed by Enchanted director, Kevin Lima.

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Tarzan was one of the first Disney feature films to incorporate CGI to enhance its 2D animation – particularly during its impressive action scenes. The film is also known for its iconic soundtrack, which includes various songs by English singer, Phil Collins. One of its most popular songs, "You'll Be In My Heart," won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

7 The Hunchback Of Notre Dame Is One Of Disney's Darkest Masterpieces

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Disney Movie

One of Disney's darkest animated films, The Hunchback of Notre Dame centers on the bell-ringer of Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral, Quasimodo, as he decides to leave his sanctuary for the first time. The film explores mature topics and provides commentary on prejudice, religion, desire, and classism.

Despite not winning any major awards, The Hunchback of Notre Dame was praised for its intricate visuals and superb animation. On the other hand, fans of the original Victor Hugo novel bashed the film for simplifying the story and erasing some of its more controversial themes.

6 Hercules Is Full Of Pop Culture References & Self-Aware Humor

Hercules

A loose adaptation of Heracles' quests, Hercules premiered in 1997 and included the voices of Tate Donovan as the titular character, Danny DeVito as Philoctetes, and Broadway actor James Woods as Hades, among others. The film is known for its pop culture references, satire, and catchy musical pieces.

While it received mostly mixed reviews from critics upon release, Hercules was praised for its voice acting and character designs, which differed greatly from other Disney movies. The film was one of the Renaissance era's least favored entries, but it's gained popularity over the last few years for its over-the-top comedy.

5 Aladdin Has One Of The Best Film Star Voice Performances Of All Time

Aladdin - Disney Movie. Robin Williams as Genie.

Aladdin was released in 1992 as Disney's thirty-first animated feature film. It starred Full House actor Scott Weinger as Aladdin – a poor street kid who falls in love with an Arabian princess – and beloved comedian Robin Williams as the Genie. The film was a huge success for the House of Mouse, becoming the highest-grossing film of its year. Given its success, Disney produced two direct-to-video sequels and a 2019 live-action adaptation directed by Guy Ritchie.

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Aladdin is best remembered for its Academy Award-winning soundtrack and Robin Williams' incredible performance, which started the trend of casting well-known film actors to do voice work.

4 Mulan Has Great, Well-Developed Characters & Stunning Musical Numbers

Mulan and Mushu

In 1998, Disney adapted the famous Chinese legend of Hua Mulan in its thirty-sixth animated feature, Mulan. Actress and model Ming-Na Wen lent her voice to the titular character, playing a young girl who disguises herself as a man to join the military in place of her elderly father. Comedian Eddie Murphy also starred as Mushu, the small dragon that becomes her companion.

Western critics enjoyed Mulan's proactive protagonist and colorful supporting characters, but the Chinese public mostly rejected the film for its deviation from the original legend. This criticism would return and expand with the release of the 2020 live-action adaptation, which spawned several controversies regarding its production, casting, and story.

3 The Little Mermaid Marked The Start Of The Renaissance Era

The Little Mermaid - Ariel and Erik on a boat

Based on the popular Hans Christian Andersen fairytale of the same name, The Little Mermaid was the film that kickstarted the Disney Renaissance in 1989. It follows Ariel, a sixteen-year-old mermaid voiced by Jodi Benson who admires humans and dreams about joining them on land.

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A critical and commercial success, The Little Mermaid is also credited with dragging Disney out of the creative slump that followed its previous animated movies. The film remains one of the studio's most popular stories, and its award-winning soundtrack and vibrant characters inspired a Broadway musical and upcoming live-action film.

2 Beauty & The Beast Was The First Animated Film To Be Nominated For Best Picture

Beauty and the Beast - Belle and Beast dancing in Disney Movie

Beauty and the Beast was a monumental film for Disney. Not only was it the first animated feature to be written by a woman, but it was also the first animated movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It premiered in 1991 to overwhelmingly positive reviews and later spawned various sequels.

The film showcased some of Disney's best animation, including the computer-enhanced waltz sequence between the main characters. After an equally successful Broadway musical, Beauty and the Beast received a 2017 live-action adaptation starring Harry Potter's Emma Watson as Belle – a young woman with a love for books who finds herself trapped in the Beast's castle.

1 The Lion King Is Still Considered Disney's Animated Magnum Opus

The Lion King - Scar and Simba in the Disney Movie

The Lion King is often considered Disney's magnum opus for its superb writing, music, animation, and perfectly-chosen ensemble cast, which includes prolific actors James Earl Jones and Jeremy Irons. Inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet, the film centers around Simba and his journey to assume his destined role as King of the Pride Lands.

Aside from being the highest-grossing film of 1994, The Lion King held the title of the highest-grossing animated film of all time until Pixar's Finding Nemo debuted almost a decade later. Its immense popularity led to the creation of a franchise and, unfortunately, a critically-panned CGI remake that failed to live up to the original.

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