The Disney Renaissance period, for those who don't know, refers to 10 animated movies released by the company in the decade spanning from 1989 to 1999 and is remembered as not just a reinvigorating moment in both the history of the studio and the medium of hand-drawn animation itself but also as one of the most influential eras in cinema.
With so many fans and so much attachment to the incredible stories and music presented in the movies, there's no shortage of opinions as to which movies are the best but how are the entries ranked by critics? Let's look at each movie and its score on review aggregate site Metacritic to find out.
Pocahontas (58)
By far the most controversial entry into Disney's Renaissance period was its reimagining of the romance between Pocahontas and John Smith.
Though bursting with as many great songs and beautiful designs as the rest of the period, Pocahontas was–and still is–overwhelmingly viewed as verging on cultural reductivism regarding its depiction of both American history and Native American cultures.
The Rescuers Down Under (70)
Simply one of the more overlooked of Disney's animated movies in general, and the most often forgotten of the Renaissance period, Rescuers Down Under remains an enjoyable and unprovocative adventure.
A belated follow-up to Disney's 1977 feature The Rescuers, the movie still broke important ground in the sense that it was the first sequel the company released to one of its animated movies.
Mulan (71)
Based on the Chinese legend of a female warrior, Mulan became one of the most beloved entries into the Renaissance period despite being one of the softer hits on its initial release.
The movie got its live-action remake but was subject to extensive delays due to unforeseeable circumstances involving the global health pandemic closing theaters in spring and summer 2020.
Hercules (74)
Loosely based in the mythology of the titular Greek hero, Hercules was the third and final movie in the Renaissance period from directors Ron Clements and John Musker after the success of Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.
Despite being one of the least successful of the Renaissance movies at the box office, its upbeat adventure story has become one of the most beloved of the era with demand for its own live-action remake seeming unlikely to die down until demand is met.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (74)
Adapted from Victor Hugo's 19th century Gothic novel of the same name, The Hunchback of Notre Dame tackled the darkest and most adult themes of the period with the same level of exuberance and frivolity that it did with all its other movies at the time.
Though far better-received by critics than its predecessor in the period, Pocahontas, the movie continued a downward trend in box office returns which ultimately spelled the end of the Renaissance.
Tarzan (79)
The last movie in the Renaissance period, before a few less successful animated features from Disney would prompt the hand-drawn animation side of the company to mostly shut down for good, Tarzan adapted Edgar Rice Burroughs' vine-swinging hero in the style of the era.
Featuring songs from Phil Collins, it continued the tradition of infectiously catchy music and took home one of the Renaissance's many Oscars for Best Original Song.
Aladdin (86)
Adapted from the world-renowned folktale, the adventure story of the diamond in the rough and the magic lamp that changes his fortunes was yet another musical icon for Disney but is perhaps best remembered for incomparable voice performance of Robin Williams as the genie.
Will Smith would replace Williams in the live-action remake and, while not a patch on the original in the eyes of most critics, it did very well with audiences at the box office.
The Little Mermaid (88)
The first movie of the Renaissance period was a massive success right out of the gate for the new wave of animation at Disney, quickly establishing composer Alan Menken as one of the most important figures in the history of animated features.
Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairytale, The Little Mermaid is yet to be remade into a live-action version but production has been developing for some time.
The Lion King (88)
One of Disney's biggest movies ever and an undeniable cultural phenomenon that stretches far beyond just the original movie, The Lion King dazzled audiences with its animation but, as with many Renaissance movies, the music is what shines most brightly with Hans Zimmer's score and Elton John's original song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" both winning Oscars.
The classic animated movie was given its live-action remake in 2019 with animated animals made to look photorealistic but was met with a much harsher reception from critics.
Beauty and the Beast (95)
The true classic of the era in the eyes of reviewers, Beauty and the Beast was the first animated movie to ever be nominated in the Best Feature category at the Oscars and won two awards for its score and the title song.
Based on the classic tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, the story of love and transformation endures as an integral Disney feature and was given the live-action remake treatment in 2017.