Disney Renaissance
The Disney Renaissance was a period from 1989 to 1999 during which Walt Disney Feature Animation returned to producing critically and commercially successful animated films. These were mostly musical adaptations of well-known stories, similar to the films produced during the era of Walt Disney from the 1930s to 1960s.[1][2] The resurgence allowed Disney's animated films to become a powerhouse of successes at the domestic and foreign box office, earning much greater profits than most of the Disney films of previous eras.[3][4][5]
The animated films released by Disney during this period are The Little Mermaid (1989), The Rescuers Down Under (1990), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994), Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Hercules (1997), Mulan (1998), and Tarzan (1999).[5]
Reception[edit]
Critical and public response[edit]
Ron Clements and
Music[edit]
Soundtracks[edit]
All soundtracks were initially released under Walt Disney Records in the format of CD and cassette.
Analysis[edit]
Many have attributed the success of the Disney Renaissance to a collection of key similarities found in most if not all of the films from 1989 to 1999. Broadway-style musical numbers were put into place that forwarded the narrative of each film. Characters used songs to showcase their internal emotions. Most of the Renaissance films had songs that have the main character singing what they want out of life as well as chorus numbers led by the supporting cast.[77][78] Critics have also said that the music style of Renaissance films varies from film to film. An example would be The Little Mermaid having Calypso-style musical numbers and Hercules utilizing Motown in its soundtrack.[79]
The use of CAPS, action sequences, and inclusion of celebrity voice talent is also said to have drawn audiences in.[29] Robin Williams' performance as Genie in Aladdin is the reason why many believe other studios began to cast celebrities as voice actors in their animated films.[78][80]
Due to Disney never acknowledging an official timeline of films for their Renaissance, it is debated what film should be considered the end of the era. Some consider Dinosaur (2000) for its use of CGI or The Emperor's New Groove (2000) for its comedic tone to be the end of the Renaissance. Given its release in 1999, Fantasia 2000 is included in the line-up of films if either Dinosaur or The Emperor's New Groove is seen as the end of the era. Brandon Zachery of Comic Book Resources states that Tarzan is widely considered to be the finale of the Renaissance as it was the final film in a row of Disney's that, "still adhered to many of the era's standard traits, including multiple songs, cutting-edge visuals and celebrity cameos in small roles."[81]
Sequels[edit]
Disney MovieToons, later known as Disneytoon Studios, was established by Disney to produce direct-to-video sequels to many of the Renaissance films utilizing the crew of their television animation studios. The Return of Jafar (1994), a sequel to Aladdin, was the first film to be released.[82] Further sequels to Renaissance films include Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997), Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998), The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998), The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000), The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002), Mulan II (2004) and Tarzan II (2005).[83]
Impact on other studios[edit]
The success of the Disney Renaissance attracted the attention of many animation studios and film studios. Major film studios established new animation divisions such as Fox Animation Studios, Warner Bros. Feature Animation and DreamWorks Animation to replicate Disney's success by turning their animated films into Disney-styled musicals. Examples of said musicals include Cats Don't Dance (1997), Anastasia (1997), Quest for Camelot (1998), and The Prince of Egypt (1998).[84]
Impact on the company (2009–present)[edit]
Many have hailed Walt Disney Animation Studios’ theatrical film releases from 2009 to onward as a return to form, referring to this era in Disney history as the Disney Revival or even the new Disney Renaissance.[77][78] Most films in the Revival use CGI animation to tell stories set in fantastical settings incorporating the Renaissance's Broadway musical style.[77] Several crew members from the Renaissance returned to help create Revival films. Ron Clements and John Musker returned to direct The Princess and the Frog (2009) and Moana (2016).[85] Alan Menken scored Tangled (2010) and was a composer for songs for Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018).[86]
The Disney Revival is the most profitable era in Disney animation history.[87] Frozen, for instance, grossed over 1.2 billion worldwide. The film held the title of highest-grossing animated film,[88] fifth-highest-grossing film of all time,[89] and second Walt Disney Studios highest-grossing film (behind The Avengers) in 2013.[90] Frozen also was Walt Disney Animation Studios' first feature-length motion picture to win an Academy Award since Tarzan.[91]
Video games[edit]
With the exception of The Rescuers Down Under, the rest of the movies had video game releases during the 1990s: The Little Mermaid (1991), Aladdin (1993), Beauty and the Beast (1994), The Lion King (1994), Pocahontas (1996), The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Topsy Turvy Games (1996), Hercules (1997), Mulan (1998) and Tarzan (1999).[123]