Covering most of Disney’s renaissance era, the ‘90s was a prolific decade for Disney, with lots of its classic movies being released during this time. Each of these movies have their own unique merits that make them great, whether it’s their soundtrack, animation, story, or a combination of these.
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If you want to be entertained, you can’t go wrong with a Disney movie, especially one from the ‘90s if you want a dose of nostalgia too. There’s a range of stories to enjoy, from fairytale romances to those emphasizing the importance of family. Here are the best Disney movies that the ‘90s has to offer.
9 The Rescuers Down Under
A sequel to 1977’s The Rescuers, The Rescuers Down Under sees Bernard and Miss Bianca, employees of the mouse-run Rescue Aid Society, traveling to Australia. Their mission is to rescue a young boy named Cody, who has been kidnapped by the evil poacher Percival C. McLeach to get information from him about the location of an uncommonly large golden eagle.
George C. Scott’s portrayal of the menacing McLeach is one of the highlights of the movie, presenting a villain with strong evil intentions that you can easily root against. It’s an underappreciated sequel with an important message about protecting animals.
8 Aladdin
Taking place in the fictional city of Agrabah, Aladdin follows a thief who falls in love with Princess Jasmine. Aladdin is tricked by the evil Jafar into retrieving the Genie’s lamp from the Cave of Wonders, and uses one of his wishes to become a prince to marry Jasmin, though it backfires when Jafar steals the lamp for himself.
The most memorable part of the movie has to be Robin Williams’ performance as Genie, especially during the song Friend Like Me, and his humor shines through, too.
7 The Hunchback Of Notre Dame
The Hunchback of Notre Dame’s main character Quasimodo is born with a physical deformity and shunned by Claude Frollo, his ‘master’ who demeans him and makes him stay within the upper part of Notre Dame.
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Quasimodo befriends Esmeralda, a Romani woman who is hunted down by Frollo, and helps her to escape from his grasp, learning about Frollo’s true nature at the same time. The Hunchback of Notre Dame’s theme of outsiders coming together is heartwarming and one that sticks with you after the movie ends.
6 Beauty And The Beast
Beauty and the Beast centers around the smart and beautiful Belle and the prince, who has been cursed to appear as a beast. If the Beast fails to love and be loved in return before his rose dies, he will remain as a beast forever.
While it takes a little while for her to warm up to the Beast, Belle eventually falls in love with him, breaking the spell once and for all. It’s a classic romantic tale that’s only uplifted by its memorable cast of side characters and charming animation.
5 A Goofy Movie
A Goofy Movie focuses on the Goof family, with single-father Goofy struggling to connect with his son, Max. Goofy takes Max on a fishing road trip in hopes of bringing them closer together, but Max has other plans, as he promised Roxanne that he would appear on TV at the Powerline concert.
A Goofy Movie has everything you could want from a movie - an oppossum-themed amusem*nt park and even Bigfoot. It perfectly captures the spirit of the ‘90s, particularly through the characters’ outfits and the music, and has a touching story as Goofy tries to be the best father he can.
4 Tarzan
Orphaned by the leopard Sabor, Tarzan is taken in by a gorilla named Kala and raised as one of their own, despite being human. When human explorers visit the jungle, Tarzan recognizes himself in them and falls in love with Jane, but ultimately decides to stay with his family instead of returning to human society.
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The movie has a poignant message about family and identity that’s only uplifted by its moving soundtrack recorded by Phil Collins. Tarzan was the last classic animated Disney movie of the ‘90s, and it certainly didn’t disappoint with its stunning animation and lively characters.
3 Mulan
When her father is drafted in the Imperial Chinese Army, Fa Mulan disguises herself as a man to take his place, fearing that her father wouldn’t survive the war because of his age. Mulan goes on a heroic journey, showing that she is just as capable as the men in the army.
Mulan’s message about defying social expectations is moving for anyone who watches it, and, as a character, Mulan herself is inspirational in her agency and independence. And, of course, Mulan’s soundtrack doesn’t disappoint, with memorable songs such as Reflection and I’ll Make a Man Out of You.
2 Hercules
Set in ancient Greece, Hercules follows the titular Hercules, son of the gods Zeus and Hera, who lost his immortality and was raised as a mortal. To regain his godhood, Hercules has to become a ‘true hero.’
The movie has a colorful cast of characters, including Danny Devito’s performance as Phil the short-tempered satyr and Susan Egan’s sarcastic portrayal of Meg. Hercules has lots of iconic songs, from the upbeat Zero to Hero to the forlorn Go the Distance, which set the tone of the movie perfectly.
1 The Lion King
The Lion King follows Simba as he grows from a young lion cub into the king of his pride. When Mufasa, Simba’s father, is killed by Scar, Simba leaves the kingdom, believing the tragedy was his fault.
Now an outcast, Simba meets Timon and Pumbaa, who teach him their way of life. Unbeknownst to Simba, Scar has taken over the Pridelands and is destroying it, so he has no choice but to return. The Lion King is celebrated as one of Disney’s best movies - not just in the ‘90s, but also in its overall catalog - because of its emotional story and excellent soundtrack.
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