Disney dominated animation in the 1990s, but it wasn’t the only studio producing groundbreaking original movies. In different styles and genres, animation experienced a boom in the ’90s, as the medium hit the mainstream like never before. New technologies allowed for a rise in feature-length animated movies, many of which are recognized as timeless classics.
A lot of Disney’s best movies came out during the ’90s, including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, and Aladdin. This period has become known as the Disney renaissance, because it revived the studio after decades of middling success following Walt Disney’s death in 1966.
Disney’s ’90s movies had a fairly consistent style, and not just in terms of the visuals. These movies were also characterized by their catchy songs, heartwarming messages and family-friendly humor. There are some other animated ’90s hits that echo this style, along with some completely original gems that show that the decade wasn’t all about Disney.
10
Anastasia (1997)
Anastasia certainly has the look and feel of a Disney movie, including some musical numbers, a brave princess and a terrifying animated villain. It was actually produced by 20th Century Fox, although the Disney influences are hard to ignore. More than just a hollow imitation, Anastasia tells a captivating story with plenty of quirky artistic choices.
Anastasia is based on the popular urban myth that Princess Anastasia Romanov survived her family’s execution and was raised as an anonymous peasant for her own protection. The movie also indulges the fantasy that Rasputin was a dangerous mystic with a nefarious lust for power. This all makes for a richly entertaining jumble of history and fantasy.
9
Ghost In The Shell (1995)
Ghost in the Shell was a landmark of animation, proving that the medium didn’t have to cater exclusively to children. The very first scene opens with the assassination of a foreign diplomat, which primes the audience for the violent action of a techno-thriller like no other.
Ghost in the Shell remains one of the most viscerally powerful animated movies of all time, but it couples its exciting chases and fights with a thought-provoking narrative. Its intelligent exploration into the nature of reality and human identity shares a lot of common DNA with other sci-fi classics like Blade Runner and The Matrix.
8
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Many of Studio Ghibli’s best movies are famous for their child-friendly fantasy worlds, like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. Princess Mononoke also takes place in a densely populated fantasy, but it can be shockingly violent at times, and its themes of war and death are geared toward adults.
Princess Mononoke’s vision of the forest is filled with creative flourishes that urge the audience to go back on a rewatch and examine every corner of the landscape. Hayao Miyazaki often presents striking imagery without providing any concrete explanations at all, creating the impression of a fully-realized world.
7
Toy Story (1995)
Not many movies have shaped the landscape of modern animation as profoundly as Toy Story. The first feature-length computer-generated animated film created a brand-new style that became the industry standard in Hollywood within just a few short years.
More than simply being a technical marvel, Toy Story remains one of the best Pixar movies. It’s no wonder that the studio built its biggest franchise off the back of this delightful 1995 hit, which taps into the nature of childhood imagination with heartwarming accuracy and plenty of humor.
6
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
It’s common for movie adaptations of popular TV shows to struggle, but South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut is just as crudely hilarious as the show. It also strikes upon the right idea for a big-screen adventure, as the main characters directly contribute to a war with Canada and Satan invading Earth.
There have been other South Park movies since Bigger, Longer and Uncut, but none that have recaptured the same magic. The first South Park movie feels like more than just a lengthy episode, with musical numbers and a chaotic final battle thrown in for good measure, but it lines up with the show’s humor.
5
The Iron Giant (1999)
Brad Bird later directed Ratatouille and The Incredibles for Pixar, but The Iron Giant proves that he can also master 2-D animation. The adaptation of Ted Hughes’ beloved children’s book takes plenty of creative liberties with the story, and the result is one of the decade’s best animated movies.
The Iron Giant is a gorgeous sci-fi story set against the backdrop of the Cold War, which allows it to explore the nature of human conflict and paranoia. Ultimately, it’s a heartwarming and convincing fable that uses the perspective of its child protagonist and its naive killer robot to great effect.
4
The Thief & The Cobbler (1993)
The Thief and the Cobbler is one of the most original and creative animated movies of its era, with practically every frame overflowing with visual wonders. The movie spent decades in and out of production, and new versions were still being put together long after its release. Initially dismissed as an oddity, The Thief and the Cobbler has enjoyed some critical rehabilitation.
The Thief and the Cobbler takes inspiration from a wide variety of sources. There are some moments that seem like old Disney movies, while the flat compositions are often colored with the rich detail of classical Persian art. The many layers of The Thief and the Cobbler explain how it has become a cult classic.
3
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Henry Selick has directed some of the most interesting stop-motion animated movies of all time. The Nightmare Before Christmas was his feature-length debut, and an immediate introduction to his unique style. Although the film is closely associated with Tim Burton, James and the Giant Peach and Coraline prove that Selick’s influence is unmistakable.
The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a holiday classic for those who want something a little unusual. Its strange, expressionist landscapes and ghoulish characters offer subversive delights for all ages, with an entertaining story to match. The only drawback is its slender runtime.
2
Porco Rosso (1992)
Porco Rosso is one of Studio Ghibli’s most underrated gems, with gorgeous backgrounds and an exciting action-adventure story. It takes place in the skies over Italy during the rise of fascism in the interwar years, but with a touch of magical realism to keep things fresh and unpredictable.
Porco Rosso has some breathtaking flying scenes, but it also tells a compelling story at ground level. Porco is a strangely relatable character for someone cursed with a pig’s head, and his struggles to balance his professional life with ongoing political turmoil are fascinating to watch.
1
The Prince Of Egypt (1998)
The Prince of Egypt is another movie that often gets confused for a Disney original, but it was produced by DreamWorks before they pivoted to 3-D computer-generated films like Shrek and Madagascar. It’s a boldly expressive retelling of the story of Moses, with all the necessary power and magnitude.
The Prince of Egypt is a Biblical story that can be enjoyed by non-Christians. It offers a moving emotional story of family and justice, with the epic scale of the Old Testament seen through a new lens. Some of The Prince of Egypt’s scenes are hard to forget, like the nightmarish plagues and the conflict between Moses and Pharaoh Rameses.
