While Disney kind of has a stranglehold or monopoly on so many things these days, there was still no better time to be a fan of the company than the '90s. This decade was crucial for them and has been dubbed the "Disney Renaissance." It was when they began producing some of their greatest animated films.
These include all-time classics and unique underrated movies that helped Disney rebound from some lackluster years. Disney+ has access to every release from the decade, as well as some other gems acquired over time. Picking the best from a loaded era is difficult, so the ratings at IMDb come in handy.
10 Things I Hate About You (7.3)
Several films were actually tied with the 7.3 rating but 10 Things I Hate About You earns the spot on this list thanks to having the highest number of reviews. Although not an original Disney release, this classic 1999 teen rom-com is available on the streaming service.
It's a fantastic modernization of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, as it follows a student who wants to date a girl but can't until her angsty sister goes on a date, so he hires the school bad boy to try to woo her. With a loaded cast of Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and more, it's no wonder this is beloved.
Mulan (7.6)
The recent 2020 live-action remake of Mulan was met with some mixed reviews and part of that is because the original was so good that it's difficult to compare them. Released in 1998, this features one of the toughest Disney princesses in history in the titular Fa Mulan.
When war comes to her home, Mulan impersonates a man to join in on the fighting so that her elderly father doesn't have to. The voice talents of Ming-Na Wen and Eddie Murphy were great and the film was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (7.7)
It seems like the Muppets have done a take on almost every major story in history. So, it makes sense that they would try their hand at Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. This marked the fourth feature film for the Muppets and the first produced by Walt Disney Pictures.
In the eyes of many, it marks the finest tale of the Muppets. This 1992 film closely lines up with Dickens' original work. It was praised for the performance of Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, the humor, and the heartwarming plot.
Toy Story 2 (7.9)
Along with the animated hits that Disney consistently delivered during the Renaissance in the '90s, there was also the rise of Pixar Studios. After breaking through with the inaugural Toy Story in 1995, they returned to that well with 1999's sequel, Toy Story 2.
Originally, this was planned to go straight to home video but instead went to theaters. There, it became a huge hit that nearly grossed $500 million. Toy Story 2 sees Woody get stolen by a toy collector who wants to sell him to a museum in Japan, so his friends and fellow toys go on a mission to rescue him.
The Straight Story (8.0)
This is easily the most unique entry on this list as it is nothing like the rest of the films. The Straight Story, which came out in 1999, isn't an animated tale and is actually a biographical road drama. It was also helmed by David Lynch, who is one of Hollywood's most visionary directors.
The Straight Story centers on the true tale of Alvin Straight and the way that he journeyed across Iowa and Wisconsin on nothing more than a lawnmower. Upon hearing that his estranged brother had a stroke, Straight began his quest to make amends. For his work as Straight, Richard Farnsworth was nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (8.0)
Is it a Halloween movie or is it a Christmas flick? Regardless of where you stand on that argument, there's no doubting that The Nightmare Before Christmas is an all-time classic. Released in 1993, this might be the greatest stop-motion animated film in history.
It tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, as he accidentally ends up in Christmas Town. He, like most people, becomes obsessed with the holiday and wants to celebrate it. From great visuals to memorable songs, there's so much to love here.
Aladdin (8.0)
As the Disney Renaissance was getting going, they had delivered several good films in a row. However, 1990's The Rescuers Down Under wasn't a commercial hit. So, when 1992's Aladdin grossed a whopping $504.1 million, it solidified that the Renaissance was officially happening.
It's in the conversation for the best film from the era. The titular Aladdin is a street urchin who ends up befriending a genie and getting three wishes, which he uses to become a rich prince to impress a princess he has a crush on. Robin Williams gave a legendary performance as Genie and there are so many fantastic songs from this tremendous film.
Beauty And The Beast (8.0)
There are so many great movies from this era getting live-action remakes for a reason. Beauty and the Beast, originally released in 1991, was one of the ones to get that treatment. While the remake was good, nothing can touch this version, which is nearly perfect.
The story itself is indeed a tale as old as time, centering on the romance between a caring young woman and the arrogant prince cursed to be a beast that she's imprisoned with. It made history as the first animated movie up for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It won the Golden Globe for it, took home a few Oscars, and even became a Broadway musical.
Toy Story (8.3)
As mentioned earlier, Toy Story was the beginning of everything for Pixar Studios, which has become arguably the most consistent film studio in the world. Led by the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, this film focuses on a cowboy toy who attempts to convince a spaceman figure that they are a child's playthings.
There weren't many films that were more groundbreaking in the '90s than this. It set a new precedent for computer-animated pictures, which became a staple going forward. It took home three Oscars and received a Special Achievement Academy Award, while also spawning a massive franchise.
The Lion King (8.5)
As great as the Disney Renaissance was, most people feel that it peaked in 1994 when The Lion King was released. The story centers on Simba, a lion cub who goes into exile when he's manipulated (by his uncle) into believing that he caused his father's (the king) death.
He eventually returns as a grown lion to take back the kingdom. The Lion King snagged two Oscars and a Golden Globe for Best Picture - Musical or Comedy. It also went on to gross nearly $1 billion, become a Broadway musical, feature iconic music, and get remade into another $1 billion hit.