Today marks the 34th anniversary of the release of a true Disney classic. This film was a game-changer, fundamentally altering the landscape of animated movies. While Disney has experienced ups and downs with its animated features throughout its history, the studio showed early promise, though with some initial imperfections. The early 1990s marked a period of significant improvement, leading to a remarkable era often referred to as the Disney Renaissance.
Though not the very first film of Disney’s Renaissance period, Beauty and the Beast was a turning point for animation. Released 34 years ago today, on November 22, 1991, it became Disney’s most successful animated film, both critically and financially. Beyond its box office success, Beauty and the Beast made history as the first animated film ever nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, opening doors for animation in the future.
The Disney Renaissance Just Hit Different
Most Disney fans consider the Disney Renaissance to have lasted roughly from 1989 to 2000. This period saw Disney try a new approach, bringing back the big, musical style of Broadway to their animated films. It started with the instant hit, The Little Mermaid. While The Rescuers Down Under followed, it didn’t achieve the same popularity, although it did have its supporters. However, Beauty and the Beast proved to be a major success, changing things again.
Released as part of the Disney Renaissance, Beauty and the Beast offered a fresh take on the classic fairy tale. Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, and written by Linda Woolverton, it was Disney’s thirtieth animated feature film. The movie quickly became a fan favorite and is now considered one of Disney’s greatest animated films. It tells the story of Belle, a young woman who loves to read, and how she finds herself imprisoned in a gloomy castle with a brooding and intimidating Beast.
I absolutely love the story of the Beast! It’s so much more than just a fairytale about a monster. He wasn’t born that way, you see – he was a prince who turned down a request for help, and the curse transformed him to reflect his coldness. But what’s brilliant is how, as Belle got to know him, we realize he’s not monstrous at all! There’s a really sensitive soul hidden beneath the exterior, and the way Disney showed that connection between them – that push and pull – was just perfect. It really resonated with audiences, and it’s no surprise it became one of their biggest hits ever.
How Beauty and the Beast Changed Animated Movies
Whether you loved the story or found the relationship between the main characters unusual, Beauty and the Beast marked the beginning of a new wave for animated films. It was the first animated movie to win a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, and later became the first to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Though it didn’t win that top prize, it did win Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for the well-known title track, “Beauty and the Beast.”
The success of Beauty and the Beast represented a turning point in how animation was viewed. Even today, some Academy members still underestimate animated films, failing to recognize their artistic merit. However, Beauty and the Beast was so exceptional that it captivated a broad audience and demanded recognition. While not the very beginning of Disney’s resurgence, it was the first film to truly establish that Disney was undergoing a significant transformation.
Following its success, the next ten years saw a string of hit Disney films like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Pocahontas, all building on the foundation laid by Beauty and the Beast. The film was a major breakthrough, capturing worldwide attention and paving the way for numerous spin-offs, including Broadway musicals, live-action remakes, and direct-to-video sequels. Even today, Beauty and the Beast remains incredibly popular and influential.
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2025-11-23 00:10