Disney has always been the biggest name in film animation, but the ’90s are a special era in their history. After a lackluster period, the so-called Disney Renaissance emerged with some of the biggest, most acclaimed films they have ever produced. These films became beloved by a whole new generation of Disney fans.
Thanks to the nostalgia of these movies and the many live-action remakes, fans keep revisiting these films again and again. Looking at the rankings from IMDb, it is clear that fans still have a lot of love for these ’90s classics. Here are the best Disney animated films from the 90s, according to IMDb.
Pocahontas (1995) - 6.7
This era of Disney films seemed to embrace the idea of telling more diverse stories than their older films were known for. Pocahontas is a good example of this as it tells the story of the first Native American Disney princess who finds herself falling in love with a colonial man named John Smith, putting her in the middle of a struggle between her own people and the new invaders.
It is a bold story for Disney to take on, but most fans thought they pulled it off well. While the movie doesn’t feature some of the same magic as the other films of this era, it is a compelling adventure with some great, memorable songs.
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996) - 6.9
Disney was clearly willing to take more risks with the films they were telling during this time, as evident with The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Based on the classic story by Victor Hugo, the film follows Quasimodo, a disfigured orphan who is raised in secret by a cruel lord who keeps him hidden in the bell tower of Notre Dame. When Quasimodo seeks to experience the real world, he becomes involved with a band of oppressed people.
The movie is certainly the darkest story that Disney has ever told in their animated offering. While some fans were turned off by the controversial subject matter, others thought it was a nice change of pace for these films.
The Rescuers Down Under (1990) - 6.9
The Rescuers was a largely overlooked Disney film from the ’70s, so it was a surprise that it would get a sequel all these years later. The film finds two mice who serve as part of an international rescue society traveling to the Australian outback to save a young boy who has been kidnapped by a poacher.
The movie remains one of the more underrated Disney movies, but it clearly has some passionate fans. The Rescuers Down Under makes for a fun adventure film while showing off the breathtaking animation Disney capable of.
Tarzan (1999) - 7.3
The classic story of Tarzan, a man raised in the jungle by gorillas, is just the kind of big adventure that is perfectly suited to be told through the lens of a Disney film. Scored by memorable songs by Phil Collins, we see Tarzan’s journey from being adopted by gorillas, growing up as a misfit in the jungle, and meeting humans for the first time.
Tarzan’s animation allows this story to be told with the kind of excitement and action that it deserves. It is surprisingly violent for a Disney animated feature, but that adds to the thrilling nature of the story.
Hercules (1997) - 7.3
The complex and strange mythology of Hercules is given a simpler, kid-friendly update in this hugely entertaining retelling. After being kidnapped from his parents on Mount Olympus, Hercules is raised as a human with extreme strength. When he learns of his true identity, he seeks to become a great hero to earn his place among the gods.
The movie is an adventure with great action, big laughs, and some truly amazing songs. Hercules embraces the fun of Disney movies with an inspiring story, which features some great voice acting work from the cast, especially Danny DeVito.
Mulan (1998) - 7.6
Mulan is one of the boldest stories Disney has told in terms of its scope, as it is the first time the animation studio has told a war story. The film follows a young girl in China who is pushed to follow the expected and “appropriate” path of a female. When war breaks out, she poses as a man to take her father’s place in the army.
There are some truly beautiful images to go along with this very powerful story about empowerment. Mulan boasts some memorable songs and big laughs, thanks largely to some fantastic work from Eddie Murphy.
Aladdin (1992) - 8.0
Aladdin feels like it was the film that kicked off the Disney Renaissance and showed how special this new era could be. The story follows a young man, living on the streets of Agrabah, who discovers a magic lamp containing a genie who can make his greatest wishes comes true.
The movie was a colorful, energetic, and entertaining adventure. The music is catchy and fun, the story is thrilling and smart, and it features an iconic performance from Robin Williams as the genie who steals the show with his wild persona immortalized in animated form.
Beauty And The Beast (1991) - 8.0
Beauty and the Beast, like many Disney classics, all revolves around an engrossing love story. The film follows the smart and kind Belle who becomes trapped in a magic castle ruled by a terrifying beast. As they spend time together, Belle and the Beast form an unlikely bond.
The beauty of this story is matched by its spectacular animation. The film features some of the most memorable songs in any Disney movie and creates an iconic cinematic romance that is still beloved to this day.
Toy Story (1995) - 8.3
Toy Story was a massively important film not only for Disney but for animation films in general. The first feature film made by Pixar popularized computer animation over the traditional hand-drawn method. The premise centered on what toys do when no one is around, which made for a magical and inventive story.
The movie looked like nothing else seen up to that time, showing the possibilities of this new technology. It was also a funny and charming adventure with instantly lovable characters backed by a talented voice cast, including Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.
The Lion King (1994) - 8.5
The Lion King is a perfect example of why the recent live-action remakes have been disappointing for some fans. Despite the amazing technology at work and the honor paid to the source material, there is no recapturing the magic of these original stories.
This classic tells the epic story of Simba, a young lion who strives to become as effective a king as his father. When tragedy strikes, Simba is sent on a journey to discover his true purpose. The music, humor, voice acting, and animation are all pitch-perfect. All the elements combine for an awe-inspiring film that will remain one of the best animated films of all time.
