Disney Revival
The Disney Revival refers to an era beginning in 2009 with the release of The Princess and the Frog and extending to the present during which Walt Disney Animation Studios returned to making successful animated feature films.
The animated features released so far during this period include: The Princess and the Frog (2009), Tangled (2010), Winnie the Pooh (2011), Wreck-It Ralph (2012), Frozen (2013), Big Hero 6 (2014), Zootopia (2016), Moana (2016), Ralph Breaks The Internet (2018), Frozen II (2019), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Encanto (2021), Strange World (2022), Wish (2023), Moana 2 (2024), Zootopia 2 (2025), Hexed (2026), Frozen III (2027) and Frozen IV (TBA).
Background (pre-2009)
Before the Disney Revival began in 2009, Walt Disney Animation Studios had gone through several distinct creative eras.
Disney Renaissance (1989–1999)
The Disney Renaissance marked a creative and commercial rebirth for the studio, beginning with The Little Mermaid (1989) and continuing through the 1990s with films such as Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994), Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Hercules (1997), Mulan (1998), and Tarzan (1999). These films were widely acclaimed for their strong storytelling, Broadway-style music, and advanced animation techniques, bringing Disney to the forefront of popular culture once again.
Post-Renaissance / 2000s Decline (1999–2008)
After Tarzan, Disney entered a period often referred to as the Post-Renaissance or Experimental Era, during which the studio struggled to match its previous box-office and critical success.
• 2D Experiments: Fantasia 2000 (1999), The Emperors New Groove (2000), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), Lilo & Stitch (2002), Treasure Planet (2002), Brother Bear (2003), and Home on the Range (2004) attempted different styles and tones, but most underperformed commercially.
• 3D Transition: Disney experimented with computer animation in Dinosaur (2000) and later fully embraced CGI with Chicken Little (2005), Meet the Robinsons (2007), and Bolt (2008). While Lilo & Stitch (2002) and Bolt (2008) received positive reviews, the studio was losing ground to competitors such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Blue Sky Studios.
Transition to revival
By the mid-2000s, the future of traditional hand-drawn animation was uncertain after the closure of Disney's 2D animation unit. However, the acquisition of Pixar in 2006 and the appointment of John Lasseter and Ed Catmull as creative heads revitalized the studio. Under their leadership, Disney recommitted to high-quality storytelling, blending both traditional animation and modern CGI.
This transition culminated in the release of The Princess and the Frog (2009), which officially launched the Disney Revival era.
Timeline (2009–present)
2009: The Princess and the Frog
The Princess and the Frog marked Disney's return to traditional hand-drawn animation, directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. Inspired by both The Frog Prince fairy tale and E.D. Baker's novel The Frog Princess, the film introduced Tiana, Disney's first African-American princess. Featuring music by Randy Newman, the film was praised for its animation, characters, and New Orleans-inspired setting. It received three Academy Award nominations, including two for Best Original Song, and grossed $271 million worldwide. Though not as commercially dominant as later films, it is widely credited with kickstarting the Revival era.
2010–2011: Tangled and Winnie the Pooh
Tangled (2010), Disney's first CGI fairy tale musical, reimagined Rapunzel with music by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. Initially criticized for its high production cost ($260 million), it proved a financial success, earning over $590 million worldwide. Its blend of Broadway-style songs, humor, and modern visuals established the formula for later Revival films.
Winnie the Pooh (2011), a traditionally animated feature, served as a nostalgic return to classic Disney storytelling. While positively reviewed, it underperformed commercially, partly due to its release opposite Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
2012–2013: Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen
Wreck-It Ralph (2012) explored video game culture, introducing an original story about an arcade villain seeking redemption. Directed by Rich Moore, it grossed over $470 million worldwide and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Frozen (2013), directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, became a cultural phenomenon. Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen, it featured songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, including "Let It Go (Disney song)|Let It Go]]", which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film also won Best Animated Feature and grossed $1.28 billion, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time until 2019.
2014–2016: Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and Moana
Big Hero 6 (2014), a Marvel-inspired superhero story, introduced Baymax, one of Disney's most popular modern characters. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and earned $657 million worldwide.
Zootopia (2016), directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, used anthropomorphic animals to explore themes of prejudice and social stereotypes. It grossed over $1 billion worldwide, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and became one of the studio's most acclaimed films of the era.
Moana (2016), directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, centered on Polynesian mythology and featured songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina. The film grossed over $680 million worldwide and received two Academy Award nominations.
2018–2019: Ralph Breaks the Internet and Frozen II
Ralph Breaks The Internet (2018) expanded the Wreck-It Ralph world into the Internet. It received positive reviews and earned $529 million globally, though some critics considered it less impactful than its predecessor.
Frozen II (2019) was a massive success, grossing $1.45 billion and surpassing the original to become the highest-grossing animated film in history. It earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song ("Into the Unknown") and continued Disney's box office dominance.
2021–2023: Raya and the Last Dragon, Encanto, Strange World, and Wish
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) was praised for its Southeast Asian-inspired setting and themes of trust and unity but underperformed in theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, grossing $130 million.
Encanto (2021), set in Colombia, gained cultural traction thanks to its music by Lin-Manuel Miranda. "We Don't Talk About Bruno" became a viral hit, topping global charts. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Strange World (2022), though praised for visuals and LGBTQ+ representation, was a financial disappointment, grossing only $73 million worldwide.
Wish (2023), released during Disney's 100th anniversary, was marketed as a celebration of the studio's legacy. Reception was mixed, with critics divided over its story and art style, but its music was well received.
2024–present: Moana 2 and beyond
Moana 2 (2024) continues the story of the 2016 hit, with Auli'i Cravalho reprising her role. It marks the first direct sequel within the Revival era to be theatrically released.
Looking ahead, Zootopia 2 (2025), Hexed (2026), Frozen III (2027), and Frozen IV (TBA) indicate Disney's focus on both sequels and new stories. The continuation of these projects suggests that the Revival era remains ongoing, with no clear endpoint yet defined.
Reception
Critical and public response
The Disney Revival has generally been regarded by critics and audiences as a return to form for Walt Disney Animation Studios, echoing the creative and commercial success of the Disney Renaissance (1989–1999). Many of the films released during this era have been praised for their animation quality, music, diverse storytelling, and emotional depth.
The Princess and the Frog (2009) was received as a strong comeback for traditional animation, though it underperformed at the box office compared to CGI releases. Tangled (2010) marked a major financial success, becoming one of Disney's highest-grossing animated films at the time. Wreck-It Ralph (2012), Frozen (2013), and Zootopia (2016) were widely acclaimed, with Frozen and Zootopia winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Frozen also became a cultural phenomenon, holding the title of the highest-grossing animated film until it was surpassed by its sequel Frozen II (2019).
Other Revival films, including Moana (2016) and Encanto (2021), received critical acclaim and were noted for expanding Disney's focus on culturally specific narratives. Encanto's soundtrack, particularly "We Don't Talk About Bruno", became a global hit.
While films like Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), and Strange World (2022) earned generally positive reviews, their box office performances were more mixed. Wish (2023) received a divided critical reception, though it was praised for celebrating Disney's 100th anniversary.
Despite some commercial fluctuations, the era has been seen as a major revitalization of Disney Animation, consistently producing award-winning films and popular cultural touchstones.
| Film | Critical | Public | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore | ||
| The Princess and the Frog | 86%[1] | 73[2] | A[3] | |
| Tangled | 89%[4] | 71[5] | A+[3] | |
| Winnie the Pooh | 90%[6] | 74[7] | A−[3] | |
| Wreck-It Ralph | 87%[8] | 72[9] | A[3] | |
| Frozen | 90%[10] | 75[11] | A+[3] | |
| Big Hero 6 | 90%[12] | 74[13] | A[3] | |
| Zootopia | 98%[14] | 78[15] | A[3] | |
| Moana | 95%[16] | 81[17] | A[3] | |
| Ralph Breaks the Internet | 88%[18] | 71[19] | A−[3] | |
| Frozen 2 | 77%[20] | 64[21] | A−[3] | |
| Raya and the Last Dragon | 93%[22] | 74[23] | A[3] | |
| Encanto | 92%[24] | 75[25] | A[3] | |
| Strange World | 72%[26] | 65[27] | B[3] | |
| Wish | 48%[28] | 47[29] | A−[30] | |
| Moana 2 | 61%[31] | 58[32] | A−[33] | |
Box office grosses
| Film | Budget | Opening | U.S. and Canada | International | Worldwide | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Princess and the Frog | $105 million | $786,190 | $104.4 million | $162.6 million | $267.0 million | [34][35] |
| Tangled | $260 million | $48.8 million | $200.8 million | $391.0 million | $591.8 million | [36] |
| Winnie the Pooh | $30 million | $7.9 million | $26.7 million | $23.2 million | $49.9 million | [37] |
| Wreck-It Ralph | $165 million | $49.0 million | $189.4 million | $281.8 million | $471.2 million | [38] |
| Frozen | $150 million | $67.4 million | $400.7 million | $890.7 million | $1.290 billion | [note 1] |
| Big Hero 6 | $165 million | $56.2 million | $222.5 million | $435.3 million | $657.8 million | [39] |
| Zootopia | $150 million | $75.1 million | $341.3 million | $682.5 million | $1.024 billion | [40] |
| Moana | $150–175 million | $56.6 million | $248.8 million | $394.6 million | $643.3 million | [41][42] |
| Ralph Breaks the Internet | $175 million | $56.2 million | $201.1 million | $328.2 million | $529.3 million | [43] |
| Frozen 2 | $150 million | $130.3 million | $477.4 million | $972.7 million | $1.450 billion | [44] |
| Raya and the Last Dragon | $100+ million | $8.5 million | $54.7 million | $75.7 million | $130.4 million | [45] |
| Encanto | $120–150 million | $27.2 million | $96.1 million | $165.2 million | $261.3 million | [46] |
| Strange World | $135–180 million | $12.2 million | $38.0 million | $35.7 million | $73.6 million | [47] |
| Wish | $175–200 million | $19.7 million | $64.0 million | $191.0 million | $255.0 million | [48] |
| Moana 2 | $150 million | $139.8 million | $460.4 million | $598.8 million | $1.059 billion | [49] |
Academy Award wins and nominations
| The Princess and the Frog | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Animated Feature Film | John Musker and Ron Clements | Nominated | [50] |
| Music (Original Song) | "Almost There", Music and Lyric by Randy Newman | ||
| "Down in New Orleans", Music and Lyric by Randy Newman | |||
| Tangled | |||
| Music (Original Song) | "I See the Light", Music by Alan Menken; Lyric by Glenn Slater | Nominated | [51] |
| Wreck-It Ralph | |||
| Animated Feature Film | Rich Moore | Nominated | [52] |
| Frozen | |||
| Animated Feature Film | Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee and Peter Del Vecho | Won | [53] |
| Music (Original Song) | "Let It Go", Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez | ||
| Big Hero 6 | |||
| Animated Feature Film | Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy Conli | Won | [54] |
| Zootopia | |||
| Animated Feature Film | Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Clark Spencer | Won | [55] |
| Moana | |||
| Animated Feature Film | John Musker, Ron Clements and Osnat Shurer | Nominated | [55] |
| Music (Original Song) | "How Far I'll Go", Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda | ||
| Ralph Breaks the Internet | |||
| Animated Feature Film | Rich Moore, Phil Johnston and Clark Spencer | Nominated | [56] |
| Frozen 2 | |||
| Music (Original Song) | "Into the Unknown", Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez | Nominated | [57] |
| Raya and the Last Dragon | |||
| Animated Feature Film | Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho | Nominated | [58] |
| Encanto | |||
| Animated Feature Film | Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer | Won | [58] |
| Music (Original Score) | Germaine Franco | Nominated | |
| Music (Original Song) | "Dos Oruguitas," Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda | ||
References
- ↑ "The Princess and the Frog". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2010. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The Princess and the Frog". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedCinemaScore - ↑ "Tangled". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Tangled". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Winnie the Pooh". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Winnie the Pooh". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Wreck-It Ralph". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Wreck-It Ralph". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Frozen". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Frozen". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Big Hero 6". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on May 23, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Big Hero 6". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 22, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Zootopia". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Zootopia". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 9, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Moana". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2017. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Moana". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Ralph Breaks the Internet". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Ralph Breaks the Internet". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Frozen II". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Frozen II". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Raya and the Last Dragon". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Raya and the Last Dragon". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Encanto". Rotten Tomatoes]access-date= August 12, 2024. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Encanto at Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ↑ "Strange World (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ↑ Strange World Reviews at Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ↑ "Wish". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ↑ "Wish". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 23, 2023). "'Songbirds & Snakes' Singing Louder Than 'Wish' $42M to $41M Over Thanksgiving Stretch; 'Napoleon' Securing $36M — Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ↑ "Moana 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Moana 2". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 1, 2024). "Chee Hoo Mania At The Box Office: 'Moana 2' $221M 5-Day Opening Is Best 5-Day & Thanksgiving Ever; 'Wicked' Wows $117M+ & 'Gladiator II' $44M – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ↑ "The Princess and the Frog". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2015. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The Princess and the Frog". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Tangled". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2015. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Winnie the Pooh". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2018. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Wreck-It Ralph". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2015. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Big Hero 6". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on February 18, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2015. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Zootopia". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on May 28, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2016. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Moana". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2017. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (November 1, 2018). "Thanksgiving Box Office: 'Ralph Breaks the Internet' Battles 'Creed II,' 'Robin Hood'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2024. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Ralph Breaks the Internet". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2019. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Frozen II". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Raya and the Last Dragon". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Encanto". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Strange World". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Wish". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Moana 2". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ↑ "The 82nd Academy Awards (2010) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on November 30, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2011. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The 83rd Academy Awards (2011) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2011. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The 85th Academy Awards (2013) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2013. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The 86th Academy Awards (2014) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. AMPAS. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The 87th Academy Awards (2015) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2015. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 55.0 55.1 "The 89th Academy Awards (2017) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The 91st Academy Awards (2019) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "The 92nd Academy Awards (2020) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 58.0 58.1 "The 94th Academy Awards (2022) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)
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