When Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove came out 25 years ago, it didn’t immediately become a blockbuster. However, over time, many viewers have discovered it’s one of Disney’s most hilarious and memorable films. It’s become a beloved cult classic, and Disney is celebrating its anniversary with a 4K Blu-ray release – and even more exciting things to come.
Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove is coming to 4K Blu-ray on December 9th, with pre-orders starting soon on Amazon and Walmart. You’ll also be able to stream or download it that day from platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. But for a special experience, fans can see the movie on the big screen at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood from November 21st to 24th – the very same theater where it premiered back in 2000.
pre-order on Amazon (Coming soon)
It’s unusual, but The Emperor’s New Groove actually benefited from studio interference. Originally titled Kingdom of the Sun and directed by Roger Allers, the film was nearly abandoned after years of work. Disney executives worried the serious story wouldn’t be successful, following disappointing box office results for films like Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
When Mark Dindal became director, he dramatically changed the movie into the hilarious buddy comedy it is today. Originally, the story was inspired by “The Prince and the Pauper,” with the villain Yzma as a sorceress trying to become young again by destroying the sun. Instead, we got the wonderfully quirky character of Yzma, voiced by Eartha Kitt, who accidentally turns Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) into a llama. The film also would have featured a more serious sidekick, rather than the lovable but dim-witted Kronk (Patrick Warburton), who ended up becoming a fan favorite.
Disney was aiming for something different with this movie, a change from the style of films like The Lion King. Considering how things are going with Disney movies now, it might be a good idea for them to try that approach again.
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2025-10-28 22:10