Nothing quite compares to the charm and ambiance of Walt Disney Productions back in the day. Agolden era for Disney filmsand entertainment, this pilot period spun a spectacular web of classic movies that audiences have been stuck in ever since, changing the course of cinema with its many spin-offs, sequels, and innovations. From talking dragons and dancing candles to magic genies and scheming witches, the ’90s are revered as some of the best Disney movies ever made.
Audiences across the world fell in love with some ofDisney’smost recognizable and beloved characters, with familiar faces like Buzz Lightyear, Mushu, Lumiere, and conspiring twins Annie and Hallie making their debuts during the nostalgic decade. Fondly known as the Disney Renaissance, the ’90s was a time of a popular resurgence for the animation studio after a couple of less beloved decades. Here are the best films released.
Updated May 2023: If you are a fan of ’90s Disney movies, you’re in luck. This article has been updated with additional content and entries byMolly Byrne.
20Flubber (1997)
The science fiction comedy,Flubber, stars Robin Williams in his prime, though his entire career is noteworthy. It was released in 1997 and is a remake of the 1961 Disney film,The Absent-Minded Professor. It had a decent reception and grossed $178 million at the box office with an $80 million budget.
Flubberfollows Williams as Professor Philip Brainard who is attempting to make an energy source in his science lab so he can raise money for the defunded colleges. The comedy side of the film takes action when the green goo he creates starts bouncing all around the town, as it inherited kinetic energy and super elasticity. Professor Brainard uses the goo, also known as Flubber,to help basketball players achieve great heights by applying it to their shoes. It helps the Professor’s car fly and somehow learns to dance as well. The film ends with the Professor making enough money off of his invention to save the colleges from closing, and he and his Flubberremain friends, as it took on human qualities that the Professor became close to.
19The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993)
The Adventures of Huck Finnis a film adaptation based on Mark Twain’s 1884 novel,The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The film doubled its budget at the box office, however, could have done better being that it is regarded as one of the best versions of the many remakes of the original story.
Starring Elijah Wood as Huck Finn and Courtney B. Vance as Jim,The Adventures of Huck Finntells a story of triumph, respect, and adventure. Huck, having run away from his abusive home, is accompanied by Jim,a runaway slave. The two venture the Mississippi River to Illinois so that Jim can be a free man. They become separated during their travels, experiencing death and captivity, but reunite before Jim is to be hanged. With a little help, Jim is freed and Huck is given a new lease on life, disappearing into the sunset before anyone can capture him again.
18The Parent Trap (1998)
AfterTerminator 2: Judgment Daywas released, Arnold Schwarzenegger made it pretty clear that no one could ever look cooler while strutting to the tune ofBad to the Boneon the big screen. That is until young Lindsay Lohan came along with Disney’s splendid remake ofThe Parent Trap. The classic song by George Thorogood & the Destroyers played during the twins' epic poker scene in the 1998 hit film, which also starred Dennis Quaid and a standout Natasha Richardson.
The Parent Trapfollows two formerly estranged twins who reunite at summer camp and conjure a plan to get their divorced parents back together. At just 11 years old, Lohan already displayed a great deal of range, especially by nailing two different accents. There are lots of grownup actors in Hollywood who still can’t pull this off! The roles rightfully earned Lohan a number of accolades and made her an overnight sensation.
17Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journeyis a film adaptation of the novel by Sheila Burnford. It is also a remake of the 1963 film,The Incredible Journey.The film grossed $57 million at the box office and was noted as having improved the original film concerning the truth of the story.
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When Chance the Bulldog, Shadow the Retriever, and Sassy the Cat are left alone at their family’s farm, they believe that they have been abandoned, so they choose to journey to their home on foot. The three encounter inevitable problems of the wilderness like wild animals, rocky terrain, and little food. The odds are against them, but their spirit allows them to travel hundreds of miles one sniff at a time. After many ups and downs, the three make it back to their owners who had been looking for them all along, making for a very happy ending for some very courageous animals.
16Hocus Pocus (1993)
Walt Disney Pictures
A perfect flick to curl up around the fire with when trick-or-treaters are out to play,Hocus Pocusis a household Halloween movie. Centered around a coven of three Salem witches, played by actresses Sarah Jessica-Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy, this costume drama makes light of the tragic history between magic and women.
While the title might signal a hint of horror, the movie is more a comedy than anything. For decades, women were chastised for being “witches.” Now they have transcended into quite the trendsetters, with numerousmovies and shows about witches. Giving children the opportunity to laugh along with this trio of sister witches breaks the barrier between fear and understanding. Today, being a witch is actually a cool thing, although the intimidation factor for men may still hold true. There is no doubt that this fantastical film had a little something to do with it, considering the people who seem to be practicing pagan beliefs are the ones who likely grew up watching and loving these ladies.
15Tarzan (1999)
Tarzan, an immaculate conception of the close yet diluted bond between people and simian primates, is a permanent reminder showcasing we are not so different. Tarzan, voiced by Tony Goldwyn, is a coming-of-age lad who lives a nomadic lifestyle in the jungle with a close-knit family of wild gorillas. As the story unfolds, Tarzan develops a romantic relationship with Minnie Driver’s dearly beloved female protagonist Jane Porter, who comes to Africa with her father and another guide in pursuit of studying gorillas.
Creator Edgar Rice Burroughs uses their epic love story to juxtapose how Earth’s resources are being exploited without even someone like Jane being aware of the extent of the damage, despite her being a self-proclaimed expert in the field who desires nothing more than to help, learn and understand more about these delicate creatures. Therein lies the reason this is considered among the best of the best ’90s movies, not to mentionsoundtracks, from Disney.
14Pocahontas (1995)
Pocahontasis an animated musical drama about the history of America’s first colonization and settlers. The film is part of the Disney Renaissance time period when the animated filmsthat told true storiesbecame great successes. It grossed $346.1 million with a budget of $55 million and was given positive reviews. The film also has an all-star voice cast composed of Mel Gibson, Christian Bale, Irene Bedard, and more.
The film tells the true story of Susan Constant who traveled with a group of English settlers from London, England to America in 1607. Pocahontas, who already lives in the Colony of Virginia with her tribe, meets John Smith, a soldier and colonial governor. Though Pocahontas is supposed to marry a native tribe member, she and Smith fall in love. Smith runs into trouble with Kocoum, the man that the family ofPocahontaswants her to marry.
The plot turns when Grandmother Willow tries to bring peace between the natives and the settlers. John ends up leaving Virginia after he’s been shot, resulting in the iconic photo of Pocahontas atop a mountain watching him deploy via boat. Though Smith proposed that Pocahontas go with him, she stays to keep the peace for her tribe. The two go separate ways, but Pocahontas no longer has to marry a man she never wanted to marry.
13Hercules (1997)
Greek mythology met the magic of vintage animation in the 1997 blockbusterHercules, but Zeus and Hades were not the only Godly concepts introduced in this film. Herculesis the ultimate underdogand one of the greatest superheroes to ever exist, yet this dynamic shift did not happen overnight.
In the film’s messaging, this holds a lot of weight because it shows that even if you are the son of a god, there will still be a struggle, there is always strife, and others might even look down on you, so it takes a lot of work to reach your divine destination. However, if you do put in that work, in the name of the greater good, the reward will be fruitful. Not only does this act as a staple for the age-old “root for the underdog” folklore, but it also teaches kids that power comes from within and is drawn out only through you.
12The Jungle Book (1994)
The Jungle Bookis a film adaptation of the Mowgli stories, who is a feral child raised in the jungle of India. The stories are in the 1984 book,The Jungle Book,written by author Rudyard Kipling. There was an animated version released in 1967, while the live-action film premiered in 1994. Its reception was decent, having made $70.7 million at the box office, but its second live-action version, released in 2016, made $966.6 million, makingThe Jungle Booka classic from the sixties to now.
In the film, Mowgli is a 5-year-old boy who becomes lost in the jungle. He befriends a small cub and is soon taken in by a black panther who gives him kinship while no humans are around. When Mowgli grows older, he eventually goes into a local village and falls in love with a woman named Kitty. Though he loves Kitty, the village life was not suitable for Mowgli, so he journeys back into the wild with his cub brothers and sisters. However, trouble follows when the men of the village attempt to capture him because he knows where a treasure is hidden. Mowgli ends up fending off the attackers and is given leadership of the jungle. He continues his relationship with Kitty and everyone learns to respect him as the new jungle lord.
11The Mighty Ducks (1992)
The Mighty Ducksis a 1992 film based on the Anaheim hockey team that was owned by Disney until 2005 when they were sold for $75 million. The film belongs to a three-film franchise and serves as one of the most classic Disney sports movies. It grossed only $50.8 million at the box office but is more of a success now than it ever was.
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In the film, the Mighty Ducks is anunderdog hockey teamof both girls and boys. When Gordon Bombay has to coach the team for community service, the team gets better and better. Bombay, having been a hockey player himself, teaches the team the fundamentals, and they become good enough to finally make it to the pee-wee championship game. The Mighty Ducks end up defeating their rival team and Coach Bombay returns to the game of hockey as a player. The team and Bombay motivated each other to the point of becoming champions, leading to even more success as the franchise unfolds.
