Spoilers ahead for The Sheep Detectives, streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.

Kyle Balda's The Sheep Detectives hit theaters back in May and became a critical and box office success. The book to screen adaptation has plenty of hilarious comedic bits, but also told a moving story about grief. The movie is now streaming for those with an Amazon Prime subscription, and writer Craig Mazin spoke to CinemaBlend about why he thinks kids can handle its emotional narrative.

The Sheep Detectives is basically Babe meets Knives Out, with the titular animals helping to solve the murder of their shepherd George (Hugh Jackman). While its a funny concept, the sheep also explore the complex emotions that come with losing their caretaker. I had the chance to speak with Mazin and the cast ahead of the movie's release, where I asked the Last of Us writer if he was prepared to hear from young moviegoers in years from now who he made cry with the movie's touching script. He responded with:

Points were made. Every generation has a handful of movies and/or books that they remember crying over as a young person. For children of the '90s like me, Mufasa's death in The Lion King comes to mind. But while The Sheep Detectives might have a similar effect on young moviegoers nowadays, Mazin thinks the way art addresses those complicated emotions is something that is actually helpful. What's more, he thinks kids can handle the tears that might come from the movie.

While George's death is what kickstarts the adventure of The Sheep Detectives, it's not the only loss that might have audiences choking up. Because in the movie's third act Bryan Cranston's sheep Sebastian sacrifices himself to save Lily and Mopple from a pack of dogs. This forces Julia Louis-Dreyfus' character to face the losses she buried into her psyche throughout her life with George and the flock.

I also asked Louis-Dreyfus about The Sheep Detectives potentially affecting young audiences in particular. I name dropped The Lion King during our chat, and the Seinfield star responded by saying:

While death and grief are subject that might be hard for parents to talk about with young children, The Sheep Detectives actually offers the language and story that can help open up these conversations. And for those who have experienced loss, it was a surprisingly accurate portrayal of the grieving process. Add in the many laughs that buoy the movie, and it's a project that the whole family can enjoy.

The Sheep Detectives is streaming on Amazon Prime Video as part of the 2026 movie release list. I'd definitely recommend watching it if you didn't catch the movie in theaters... even if you might need some tissues.

Disney's The Lion King is an incredible animated film, and without a doubt, one of the best movies the company released in that era. There are a lot of memorable moments that stick with me to this day, but unfortunately, I now have one tied to the theme song I'd rather forget.

If you're a fan of the opening sequence in which a song sung in Zulu opens up the movie, I'm warning you, a viral video about the lyrics has forever changed how I'll hear it. According to this video from Yahmigz, the following is the English translation of what is being said:

I will note there are alternative translations out there that change it to "Here comes a lion, father. Oh yes, it's a lion," but either way, I'm absolutely crying with laughter. For years, this epic moment felt like it was building something spiritual in the opening, and I viewed it with such reverence. Now I'm cursed with the knowledge that it's someone shouting at full volume that they see a lion.

Disney hired 600 animators and brought in real lions for them to draw, and these are the lyrics they went with for the opening sequence? In fairness, maybe the writers hadn't considered how globalized the world would get with the internet, and banked on a bulk of the world never encountering someone who spoke Zulu and would share this fact with the masses. It took me decades to find out, and I kind of wish I never had.

I guess while we're at it, I should point out that the movie never used actual lion roars either, but instead people growling into trash cans. Or, what about the fact that "The Circle Of Life" ends with its big drum shot because Hans Zimmer had no other ideas on how to end the already long song? Many choices were made with this movie, and honestly, it's wild that so many of them happened to be the right ones!

People in the '90s were so captivated by the trailer alone for The Lion King that they turned out to see what became one of Disney's most-beloved movies. I know I've been eager to see a ride based on the movie in the United States for a while, and will now have to live vicariously through Disneyland Paris as it constructs one. Hopefully, they add the opening chant of the movie to it, because even with this cursed knowledge, I'm not sure I could envision the movie without it.

Stream The Lion King, its live-action adaptation, and Mufasa: The Lion King over on Disney+ right now. Even with the questionable lyrics, the original is still a phenomenal movie, to the point that just writing about this has me wanting to watch it.

Priyanka Chopra-Jonas is heading back to Indian cinema for the first time in years, and she’s going big and going home. The actress is set to star in Varanasi, S.S. Rajamouli’s next epic following RRR. The globetrotting film that is one of the most exciting upcoming action movies not only pays homage to her Indian homeland, it sent her to the heart of the African Savannah as well.

When CinemaBlend had a chance to chat with Priyanka Chopra-Jonas in Hyderabad, India back in November for an early press day for Varanasi, the actress set the scene about filming part of the movie in Kenya. In her words:

How can we ever forget Mufasa’s death in The Lion King? It’s one of the most heartbreaking movie scenes I can think of, and Chopra-Jonas told us that she felt like she was living it while filming her upcoming movie. The moment in the 1994 Disney classic is the perfect way for her to describe the feeling of being around wildebeest. She added:

Writer/director Rajamouli isn’t one to cut corners with the movies he makes, and since Varanasi is one of the first Indian films being shot for IMAX, he seeks to give audiences an immersive experience on the big screen. The same could be said for the actors while they were in Kenya as they were doing their scenes not too far from some gorgeous animals. Chopra-Jonas also said this of an experience with a family of elephants:

During our time in India, we also got to attend a massive event for Varanasi where the first trailer for the film was unveiled on a huge 100 by 132 foot screen. Take a look:

The title of Varanasi is named after India's spiritual capital. We know the movie will take place during a large span of time across the globe and is inspired by Rajamouli’s love of the Indiana Jones movies. There will be big stunt sequences and song-and-dance numbers. Right now, we don’t know quite how these scenes shot in Kenya will fit into it all, but knowing how genuine their experiences were in Kenya definitely has us excited to see what was captured. Varanasi will be released globally on April 7, 2027.

There are a lot of movies under 90 minutes that we love. Movies don't always have to be over three hours long to be epic. Sometimes a great film needs less than an hour and a half to say all it needs or wants to say. Usually, these movies are comedies, but not always. Every genre, from comedies to war movies to horror movies and more, has films that clock in a very manageable amount of time. This list is all about those great movies with a runtime under 90 minutes.

This Is Spinal Tap (82 Minutes)

The granddaddy of hilarious mockumentaries showed everyone how it was done, and This is Spinal Tap came up with dozens of the most quotable lines ever in just 82 minutes. The legacy of the movie has endured for five decades now, and it will almost certainly be beloved for at least 50 more.

Paths Of Glory (88 Minutes)

Director Stanley Kubrick is well known for his long movies, such as Barry Lyndon and Spartacus, both of which run over three hours in length. He also proved he could tell an amazing story with the 88-minute Paths of Glory, which is one of the best war movies of all time and one of the few about World War I (at least compared to the number of World War II movies).

Phone Booth (81 Minutes)

Movies that take place in real time are always interesting. Phone Booth, starring Colin Farrell, is a white-knuckle thriller that runs. brisk 81 minutes. It spends most of that time focused on Farrell's character in the titular phone booth, and is an incredibly action-packed movie, despite the static location and happening all in one day.

The Lion King (88 Minutes)

Disney knows its core audience: kids. That means they know exactly how to tell a wonderful, funny, heartbreaking story at a great clip, so as not to bore the kids. This spot could go to any number of Disney animated classics, but The Lion King is my favorite, so I'm letting this one represent the group. At just 88 minutes, it does everything you expect in a great animated movie.

High Noon (85 Minutes)

85 minutes, in real time, is all it took the filmmakers of High Noon to tell an amazing story. It's one of the best Westerns of all time, and Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly are fantastic in their roles. Cooper pretty much defined his career with this movie from 1952.

Cloverfield (85 Minutes)

One of the best examples of a "found footage" flick is Matt Reeves' Cloverfield. The monster movie works on a number of levels, employing the lesson of movies like Jaws to limit how much of the monster we see, making it that much scarier, and it wraps up the whole story in under an hour and a half.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (88 Minutes)

Another classic comedy that fits nicely on this list is Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. The trip may have taken the titular characters all night to finally satisfy their craving from the burger joint with a cult following, but as an audience, we see it all condensed into 88 hilarious minutes.

Fruitvale Station (85 Minutes)

Director Ryan Coogler burst onto the scene in 2013 with his intense and heartbreaking debut film, Fruitvale Station, which told the true story of an African-American man (played by Michael B. Jordan) who was killed by a police officer at a subway station in Oakland in 2009. It also marked the first time Jordan and Coogler worked together, and in the years since, their partnership, including in one of the best 2025 movies, Sinners, has been amazing to watch.

Idiocracy (84 Minutes)

Leave it to director Mike Judge to make a movie like Idiocracy. It's a movie that still feels disturbingly relevant two decades later. The movie, which is as funny as it is upsetting, comes in at just under 90 minutes, and there isn't one boring moment among them.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (83 Minutes)

The original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which came out in 1974 and runs just 83 minutes, is one of the most influential horror movies of all time. It's hard to imagine a world with Friday the 13th, Halloween, and A Nightmare on Elm Street without this classic slasher film from director Tobe Hooper coming first.

Stand By Me (89 Minutes)

Stand By Me is based on a Stephen King short story called The Body. As one of the best adaptations of a King story, the movie has become a stone-cold classic over the years. It's great that the movie doesn't have to stray from its short source material and comes in at just under 90s minutes, yet tells an incredible, timeless story.

The Producers (88 Minutes)

It's incredible to reflect on the cultural impact of an 88-minute movie like Mel Brooks' classic The Producers. Not only was the movie a huge hit, but its enduring legacy means that generations have loved the comedy since it was released in the late '60s. The smash hit Broadway show (and the 2005 movie adaptation of the musical) has solidified its place as one of the most beloved stories of the last 100 years.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (90 Minutes)

So, full disclosure here, this is the movie that inspired this list. Even though Fast Times at Ridgemont High is technically not under 90 minutes, it is exactly an hour and a half long, and as the inspiration for this list, it definitely belongs here. It feels even faster, in a good way.

Airplane! (88 Minutes)

Another classic comedy, Airplane! packs more jokes in 88 minutes than most comedy franchises can in three or four movies. It doesn't get more "classic" than this one. It's the kind of movie that you can watch over and over, and not just because there is an endless amount of jokes you probably missed while you were laughing the last time you watched it, but it's a delightfully quick watch.

Toy Story (81 Minutes)

Like the classic Disney animated movies like The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, Pixar knows how to craft a well-told, timeless, funny story in less than 90 minutes. Coming in at barely over 81 minutes, Toy Story remains the gold standard for Pixar animation, and it continues to delight kids and adults alike, decades after it first launched a franchise.

Child's Play (87 Minutes)

'80s horror movies are great for this list. Along with comedies, horror movies are the most common movies you can find under 90 minutes. A perfect example of doing more with less time in the genre is the original Child's Play. A huge franchise was launched on a movie that is only 87 minutes long. This is how you do it!

Before Sunset (80 Minutes)

The second movie in director Richard Linklater's Before trilogy, Before Sunset, follows a couple who met on a train in Before Sunrise who meet in Paris nine years after their first encounter. It takes place in real-time, 80 minutes, and follows the "almost couple" as they walk the streets of the City of Light and reminisce about their one night together in Vienna.

The Evil Dead (85 Minutes)

The Evil Dead (like its two direct sequels, The Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness) comes in at under 90 minutes. All three films, directed by Sam Raimi, are considered classics in the genre by many fans. Personally, I like Army of Darkness best, but since all three work for this list, I'm using the first as a representative for all of them.

The Simpsons Movie (87 Minutes)

After decades on TV, The Simpsons is a show that knows all too well how to tell a story in a short amount of time. When the much-anticipated The Simpsons Movie was released in 2007, it probably came as no surprise that the movie would have a brisk pace and come in under an hour and a half. At 87 minutes, it tells a longer story than the show ever has, but not by a huge margin.

Office Space (89 Minutes)

Working for Inotech, the fictional company in Office Space, would be awful. Every day would seem like a week and every week, a month. Luckily, the movie itself is only 89 minutes. I say luckily, because it manages to pack a lot into those 89 minutes, but never drones on like Lumberg's voice.

Once (86 Minutes)

Once is a little unique on this list because while it's basically a romantic drama, it has elements of a musical, with a slew of original music performed by the actors in the movie, including Glen Hansard. There aren't many musicals that click in under 90 minutes, but Once is unconventional, and that's part of what makes it so great.

Duck Soup (69 Minutes)

It's true, a lot of older movies come in closer to the hour-and-a-half mark than modern movies, but since we had to include one, I decided one that barely gets over the one-hour mark would be appropriate. Duck Soup, from The Marx Brothers, is one of three VHS tapes my parents owned when I was a kid, so I've seen the movie way more times than most in my generation, and for that, I am grateful.

Best In Show (90 Minutes)

Director Christopher Guest and his band of merry improvisational comedy crew have made a few amazing movies. For me, the two best are the first two, Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show. Both movies clock in under the 90-minute mark, or just at that mark, in the case of Best in Show.

Borat (84 Minutes)

Borat is a movie on this list that I am grateful comes in at just 84 minutes. It's an amazing 84 minutes, so don't get me wrong, but anything more would have felt like too much. It's already pushing the envelope (in a good way) with how much second-hand embarrassment I can stand.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (76 Minutes)

When The Nightmare Before Christmas was released in 1993, it was a major departure from Tim Burton's earlier work. Not in tone, of course, but in the stop-motion animation style it used. It was (and still is) brilliant. It's also only 76 minutes long, which makes it feel right in line with some of the stop-motion TV Christmas movies that certainly helped inspire it, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman from Rankin/Bass Productions.

The Squid And The Whale (81 Minutes)

Writer and director made a huge splash with his breakout film, The Squid And The Whale, in 2005. It's a movie that he based on his own life, and personal stories like that can really soar, like this one. It's a story he told in just 81 minutes, which was good enough to land an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay.

Duel (90 Minutes)

It's no surprise that the great Steven Spielberg would pop up on this list (or any list of great movies, for that matter). Duel was the legendary director's debut film, and while the moderate budget is clear, so are Spielberg's immense skills as a filmmaker. Duel may not be in Spielberg's top 10 best movies, but at 90 minutes, it fits perfectly on this list.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (87 Minutes)

Wes Anderson brought his unique style to animation when he adapted the Roald Dahl book Fantastic Mr. Fox. Anderson's style fits perfectly here, and this is one of my favorite movies from the director.

Rope (80 Minutes)

Yet another legendary director who finds himself on this list is Alfred Hitchcock. His classic Rope, which takes place all in one day, clocks in at a brilliant 80s minutes.

Battleship Potemkin (66 Minutes)

It's amazing what kind of effect a 66-minute movie can have on the rest of the art of film, but Battleship Potemkin proves just how impactful one short film can be. The Soviet-era Russian-language film is a masterpiece and is still influencing movies 100+ years later.

The Kentucky Fried Movie (83 Minutes)

Great parody movies, like Airplane!, The Naked Gun, and Top Secret! often come in at under 90 minutes. The Kentucky Fried Movie is one of those. The great anthology movie clocks in at 83 minutes.

Pi (84 Minutes)

Darren Aronofsky exploded onto the scene with his debut, low-budget indie Pi, and it's a complicated story that he manages to brilliantly tell in just 84 minutes. Like all the movies on this list, it proves you don't need three hours to make a great film.

The bond between a parent and their child (or even between a person and their surrogate parental figure) is one of the most complex relationships there is. Hollywood certainly understands this, based on how many amazing parent-child duos have graced both the big and small screen for decades. The following are some of the world’s favorites.

Don Vito And Michael Corleone (The Godfather)

The entire Godfather saga is a tale of one man's rise to power as the leader of a ruthless mafia family, but the first of Francis Ford Coppola's Best Picture Oscar winners based on Mario Puzo's novel is, essentially, a father-son story. Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) never wanted his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), to take his place in the family business, but Michael's decision to avenge his father's attempted murder himself is what places him on this dark path.

Lorelai And Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's hit dramedy Gilmore Girls was one of the first series to introduce the idea of a parent and their child also being each other's best friends. In fact, single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), whom Lorelai had when she was a teenager, consider themselves best friends first and a mother and daughter second.

Atticus And Scout Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird)

The American Film Institute named Southern attorney Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) from To Kill a Mockingbird cinema's all-time greatest hero for his refreshing empathy and undaunted sense of justice. What makes him a movie dad one would be proud to have is the way he passes his ideals onto his impressionable children, especially his daughter, Jean Louise, better known as "Scout" (Mary Badham), who bravely comes to her father's aid in his most challenging moments.

Fred And Lamont Sanford (Sanford & Son)

Not every person's relationship with their parent is perfect, and sometimes not even time can make it better. Take, for example, the bickering duo from the classic TV sitcom, Sanford & Son, in which the cantankerous Fred Sanford (Red Foxx) and his more conscientious son, Lamont (Demond Wilson), run a junk-dealing business together.

Anakin And Luke Skywalker (Return Of The Jedi)

There has never been a more awkward reunion between a parent and their long-lost child than in the beloved Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back, when Darth Vader (née Anakin Skywalker), played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones, reveals to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) that he is his father. Luckily, at the end of Return of the Jedi, the Sith Lord comes to his son's rescue against Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), turning back to the light side of the Force before it is too late.

Jim Hopper And Eleven (Stranger Things)

More than the intense otherworldly phenomena like Demogorgons and Mind Flayers, what keeps fans invested in Stranger Things is the relationships between the characters, none of which are as strong and heartwarming as that of Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). The Hawkins Police Chief, who previously lost a daughter to cancer, secretly takes in the psychic child as his own at the beginning of Season 2 and becomes her legal guardian by its end.

Goofy And Max Goof (A Goofy Movie)

Despite its initially poor critical reception and dismal box office returns, A Goofy Movie is now regarded as one of the best Disney animated films of all time. The secret is the complicated, but ultimately charming, relationship between the classic, eponymous animated character (voiced by Bill Farmer) and his teen son, Max (Jason Marsden), who he takes on a road trip that changes their lives forever.

Sophia Petrillo And Dorothy Zbornak (The Golden Girls)

The main Golden Girls cast was made up of four older women sharing a house in Miami, namely Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Rose (Betty White), Blanche (Rue McLanahan), and Dorothy's quick-witted mother, Sophia (Estelle Getty). Getty's Emmy-winning performance was so convincing, lending wonderfully to her and Dorothy's back-and-forth relationship, you would never guess the actor was actually one year younger than Arthur.

Dr. Henry Jones Sr. And Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade)

Even if it is not the absolute best Indiana Jones movie (most would agree that honor belongs to Raiders of the Lost Ark), 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is easily the installment with the most heart. The key is seeing Harrison Ford's eponymous archaeologist team up with his estranged father, Dr. Henry Jones, Sr. (Sir Sean Connery), in a race against the Nazis to locate the Holy Grail.

Jack And Sydney Bristow (Alias)

Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) may have had a difficult relationship with her estranged father, Jack (Victor Garber). However, they prove to be a great team in the business of espionage after she discovers that they are both double agents serving the CIA on creator J.J. Abrams' hit, action-packed drama, Alias.

Mufasa And Simba (The Lion King)

Disney's 1994 hit The Lion King would not be such a devastating tragedy if not for the powerful father-son relationship at its core. Young Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas) falls under the impression that he caused the untimely death of his father, Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones), driving him to go into hiding and allow the true murderer, Scar (Jeremy Irons), to usurp the throne.

Endora And Samantha Stephens (Bewitched)

Bewitched exaggerated the common trope of the disapproving mother-in-law to uproarious, fantastic proportions by putting veteran witch Endora (Agnes Moorehead) at constant odds with her son-in-law, Darrin Stephens (Dick York and, later, Dick Sargent). Luckily, Darrin's wife and Endora's daughter, fellow spellcaster Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery), managed to keep her mother in check, for the most part.

Ellen Ripley And Newt (Aliens)

It may seem like a bit of a cheat to include Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley and Newt (Carrie Henn, a child star who walked away from Hollywood after this role) from Aliens, as they are not biologically related or even bonded by law. However, through the survivor's fierce bid to protect the orphaned child from the Xenomorphs, she effectively becomes that little girl's mother by the end of that 1986 sci-fi movie classic.

Joseph And Murphy Cooper (Interstellar)

While Interstellar is certainly an intriguing space movie, Christopher Nolan's 2014 sci-fi odyssey is an even more powerful father-daughter story. Forced to leave Earth to search for a more habitable alternative home, Joseph "Coop" Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) becomes estranged from his daughter, Murphy, or "Murph" for short (played at different ages by Mackenzie Foy, Jessica Chastain, and finally Ellen Burstyn), not only by miles but also by decades after traveling through a time-dilating black hole.

Man And Boy (The Road)

Director John Hillcoat's 2009 adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road is a brutal post-apocalyptic thriller about a man (played by Viggo Mortensen) and child (played by Kodi Smit-McPhee) searching for sanctuary in a dystopian wasteland. However, by keeping the core duo nameless, the story of a father struggling to do what is best for his son despite insurmountable obstacles becomes a tale that any parent can identify with.

Georgia And Ginny Miller (Ginny & Georgia)

Netflix's Ginny & Georgia is a TV show often compared to Gilmore Girls for its plot involving a single mother (played by Brianne Howey) and her young adult daughter (played by Antonia Gentry) she had in her teens. However, creator Sarah Lampert's dramedy takes things in a much darker direction with distressing circumstances that tend to put the titular duo at odds with one another.

Marlin And Nemo (Finding Nemo)

The duo most people would more readily associate with Finding Nemo is the platonic pairing of Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres). However, in the grand scheme of things, the Pixar movie favorite is really about the clownfish's search for his eponymous son (voiced by Alexander Gould) and the youngster's determination to reunite with his father.

Din Djarin And Grogu (The Mandalorian)

Before The Mandalorian premiered, Star Wars fans did not know what to expect from the now-acclaimed Disney+ original TV show, other than an adventure following a tough galactic bounty hunter. The moment the series and the character of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) truly won over audiences was when the show exposed his soft spot as he defied his orders and became a surrogate father to an adorable, infantile Jedi eventually called Grogu (but initially referred to by fans as "Baby Yoda").

John And Ray Kinsella (Field Of Dreams)

Field of Dreams has been described as a classic baseball movie, a mystifying ghost story, and a profound, heartwarming fantasy, but that is the tip of the iceberg. In its purest, most essential form, the 1989 favorite is the story of a farmer named Ray (Kevin Costner) given the astonishing opportunity to reunite with his late father, John (Dwier Brown), for a game of catch.

M'Lynn Eatenton And Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie (Steel Magnolias)

The 1989 adaptation of Robert Harling's play, Steel Magnolias, is an ensemble piece following multiple, strong Louisiana women from various walks of life. However, the core storyline, and the most memorable, is that of Mary Lynn "M'Lynn" Eatenton (Sally Field), and her struggles to let go of her grown-up daughter, Shelby (Julia Roberts), when she gets married and to come to terms with the risks that come with her diabetic condition.

Frank And John Sullivan (Frequency)

One of the most unique time travel movies ever made is 1999's Frequency, starring Jim Caviezel as John Sullivan, a modern-day homicide detective inexplicably given the chance to speak to his long-dead father, Frank (played by Dennis Quaid), from 30 years in the past over HAM radio. However, when they accidentally alter the past in grim ways, they must work together to prevent a series of murders before they happen.

Bonnie And Christy Plunkett (Mom)

The hit CBS sitcom, Mom, stars Anna Faris as single mother Christy Plunkett, who has enough on her plate trying to raise two children, in addition to maintaining her sobriety. Not making things too much easier is her mother, Bonnie (Academy Award winner Allison Janney), who is a recovering alcoholic herself, but unlike her daughter, rarely holds back from speaking her mind.

Julius And David Levinson (Independence Day)

Director Roland Emmerich's sci-fi blockbuster Independence Day is an alien invasion movie and disaster thriller with a nearly unmatched sense of charm and heart. Much of that can be credited to the relationship between MIT grad David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) and his relationship with his father, Julius (a hilarious, scene-stealing Judd Hirsch).

Keith And Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

Veronica Mars was a trailblazer for coming-of-age TV shows in the way it offered more subversive and grounded takes on inter-character relationships, such as the title character's bond with her single father, who is a private investigator. While Keith (Enrico Colantoni) can be a bit overprotective of Veronica (Kristen Bell), they share a bond that almost better resembles close friends, strengthened by their mutual passion for justice.

Hal And Oliver Fields (Beginners)

Some people go their entire lives never fully getting to know their parents for who they truly are, but Oliver Fields (Ewan McGregor) gets the chance before it is too late in the 2010 dramedy, Beginners. Oliver becomes inspired to pursue a more spirited life and romance with Anna (Mélanie Laurent) following his strengthened relationship with his father, Hal (Christopher Plummer in an Oscar-winning performance), who reveals that he is gay at 75 years old after the death of his wife.

Richard And Alexis Castle (Castle)

If Richard Castle's (Nathan Fillion) professional and, eventually, romantic relationship with Det. Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) is the lifeblood of ABC's zesty crime procedural, Castle, then the heart and soul is his relationship with his daughter. The novelist-turned-police consultant has been called reckless and immature by some, but the proof that he is an exceptional father lies in the teenage Alexis (Molly C. Quinn).

Carl And Bud Fox (Wall Street)

One of the most iconic instances of a parent and child acting alongside each other is Martin and Charlie Sheen in Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Carl Fox (Martin) and his son, Bud (Charlie), are divided by their employment status (Carl being blue collar and Bud being white collar) and an ethical disagreement that nearly severs their relationship forever, but ultimately remain united by their mutual love and admiration.

Rocky And Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files)

No one made being a private investigator look cooler than James Garner as street-smart former convict Jim Rockford on The Rockford Files. Of course, the detective was lucky to be able to rely on his allies, the best being his own father, Joseph "Rocky" Rockford (Noah Beery Jr.).

Tess And Anna Coleman (Freaky Friday)

There may not be a parent-child duo on this list that understands each other better than Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan) from Disney's 2003 adaptation of Mary Rodgers' novel, Freaky Friday. How so? The psychiatrist and the teen musician have literally spent a day in each other's shoes, thanks to a magical fortune cookie, in the beloved body swap movie.

Calum And Sophie Patterson (Aftersun)

Writer and director Charlotte Wells' Aftersun is a heart-wrenching, but great, A24 movie starring Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal as a man trying to do right by his young daughter, Sophie (Frankie Corio), amid his struggles with depression and anxiety.

Max And Page Conners (Heartbreakers)

Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt star in Heartbreakers as a mother-daughter con artist duo. They specialize in cheating wealthy men out of their money by having Max (Weaver) marry the target, having Page (Hewitt) seduce them into being adulterous, and collecting the loot in the divorce settlement.

"Big" And "Little Edith" Bouvier Beale (Grey Gardens)

The acclaimed 1975 documentary Grey Gardens introduced the world to Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, "Little Edith," who are the cousins of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore gave acclaimed performances as the reclusive eccentrics in a dramatized adaptation of the doc made for HBO in 2009.

So Disney is taking a break from live-action remakes, and I have to say I’m not too surprised.

I’m the kind of girl who grew up watching Disney as if it were the air I needed to breathe. Switching on Disney Channel was like switching on my own personal oxygen tank. I’m pretty sure my parents, at some point, knew all the theme songs by heart of every single show, or all the Disney soundtracks as well, and not willingly.

But when these Disney live-action remakes started to happen, I had a feeling that they were either going to go terribly wrong or they would do really well. And…so far it’s been a pretty big mixed bag where I’d say about 60% of the time you get something that’s not too great. And I’ve regularly talked about this pretty consistently on this website.

However, I actually have something I need to say about this change Disney is making—one that I think a lot of people will agree with. If they were to continue, there’s an easy way to fix these Disney live-action movies, so let’s get into it.

I Haven’t Always Been A Supporter Of Disney Live-Action Remakes

So, before I give you my reasoning, my truth must speak first – I’ve been a hater of these live-action movies in the past. In fact, I literally just wrote an article about how I’m sick of them, and while I think Lilo and Stitch might be the outlier, most don’t entertain me anymore.

When the first movies began to release years ago, there was a lot to love, mainly because they were new and exciting. Oh, Disney is releasing its best animated movies, but they’re going to be live-action now with pretty stars and beautiful visuals and everything? That sounds exciting!

But at the end of the day, most ended up becoming half-baked remakes that tried to be something new when the blueprint is right there. I used to love them. Truly, I did. But over time, they just diminished in quality to the point where we ended up getting Snow White…and while I do believe Rachel Zegler is still the perfect Snow White because she has the voice of an angel, the rest of the movie was just…not that great.

However, I’ve been thinking a lot about this, and I know what to do with these live-action films if Disney were to keep making them. The solution is simple, really.

But If You Just Pay Attention To The Source Material, People Will Enjoy It

Literally.

It’s. That. Easy. Just go to the source material.

Do you want to know why so many of the original live-action films did so well? They didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. They stuck to the material that most everyone and their mother knew because it’s Disney. These are the stories that we have grown up with, the tales that our parents told us to fall asleep to, and then took us to the theatre to see. Why would we want to see them changed?

Honestly, I’m not even talking entirely about the Disney versions. I’m talking about the actual story that the movies are based on. I feel that with so many of these adaptations, they’ve been trying to work in different aspects of pop culture and modern-day political stances, and so much more, that it’s lost the magic that these tales once had.

Are there certain things that need to be changed? Of course. These are older stories, and some things haven’t aged well. But most are still fine. The source material is fantastic and well-loved for a reason. Why change it?

If You’re Going To Redo The Movie, Recreate What You Know Fans Love

This is the biggest thing, though—if you’re going to recreate the movie, recreate what you know the fans already love. Recreate the scenery, the dresses, and the themes that we all understand because the last thing we want is some new message shoved down our throats that wasn’t already there in the first place.

Sure, this begs the question of why these live-action films even need to be made, but honestly, I don’t find it terribly unethical to remake the movie. I actually think it’s pretty par for the course because animation is such a fantastic medium of film that it makes sense people would want to create a live-action version of certain films to test the powers of technology and all that.

And if Disney is going to move in that direction, then why not stick with the same story that we all know? If you want to change a few aspects, that’s fine, which is precisely what Cinderella did. The 2015 film from Disney isn’t an exact adaptation of the original film – it’s actually considered another adaptation of the original story. Still, it hits the same story beats as the animated film.

There are a few changes that really make the movie stand out, from how Cinderella and the prince first meet to what happens after the ball. These changes add depth and emotion to the story without taking away its key themes, which is how I feel many other Disney live-action remakes have done.

Personally, I think Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid are the only other two live-action remakes that have relatively kept the same theme and plot, and maybe that’s because they’re so beloved. But it feels like the other ones have tried to change too much – or, in The Lion King’s case, not that much at all, and instead feed us the most lifeless “live-action” CGI animals in history.

Yeah, that film should have just stayed animated.

Don’t Try Too Hard To Make Additions

I think my last major point would be that while it’s okay to make slight changes to the story in order to fit more into it, you don’t need to try so hard to make additions at all. They should really only be there if the story makes sense to have them there.

For example, I actually like “Evermore” from Beauty and the Beast. I think it adds a lot more depth to Beast’s character and adds more humanity to the story overall. But notice how the movie itself is the same kind of story as the film. They didn’t try to push new themes down your throat or anything else. It was just Beauty and the Beast with the addition of a new song.

That is how it’s supposed to be, and what other live-action Disney remakes need to take from this.

I don’t know, maybe I’m sticking up for Disney a little hard, but I feel like there is a secret pathway to success with these films. I think it really is just as easy as listening to the fans and creating movies that have the stories we all know and love.

Every person nowadays is trying to sell something to you, whether it’s physical, emotional, or whatever. Too many people have too much access to preaching their ideas over and over, and the last thing we want is to see that in a movie that we all know, something the original never had. If we’re going to be watching a film that we all know and love, make the movie that we know and love.

If you want to make changes, fine, make a few subtle changes. But if you’re going to change the entire storyline, don’t call it an adaptation of the movie, because that is where you will lose fans, time and time again.

Okay, rant over. I think I need to rewatch some old Disney movies to calm down. It's time for a marathon.

February is getting underway and while the month may be short in terms of days, it’s not starting out that way in terms of content. There’s some great stuff to watch on some of the best streaming services, but beyond that, there’s even something you may want to watch on one of the least talked about streaming platforms around.

As per usual what’s coming soon on Netflix and what’s upcoming on Disney+ tend to dominate the conversation, but if you’re interested in watching Super Bowl LIX, get ready, because the game won’t be on either of them (or most other major streaming platforms).

Kinda Pregnant - February 5 (Netflix)

Has it been a while since we’ve heard from Amy Schumer? It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve heard from Amy Schumer. If you’re a fan who’s been looking forward to her next project, and you have a Netflix subscription, wait no longer. Schumer stars in Kinda Pregnant, a single woman who pretends to be pregant in order to get the same attention as her pregnant friend, only to then meet the man of her dreams.

Invincible, Season 3 - February 6 (Prime Video)

Superhero media is still the king of all content, but not all of it is fun for the whole family. A Prime Video subscription gives you the home of subversive superheroes thanks to the success of both The Boys in live-action and Robert Kirkman’s animated Invincible. The latter show launches its third season this week.

The Kardashians, Season 6 - February 6 (Hulu)

For years millions of people have continued to try to keep up with the Kardashians. The new version of the reality show may only be in Season 6, but the reality show franchise has run for more than 25. If this is something you’re waiting for I don’t need to sell you on it, and if it isn’t nothing I can say matters anyway.

The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl - February 7 (Disney+)

If the box office for Mufasa: The Lion King tells us anything, it’s that people all over the world still really love The Lion King. If what you really love is the music, then you’ll likely love The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl. This recorded performance of a live event brings together numerous talents, from both the animated and “live-action” versions of the story to perform music from the films and the popular Broadway show.

Super Bowl LIX - February 9 (Tubi)

The biggest television evet of most years arrives this week, and just as so many other traditionally live television broadcasts are available streaming now, the Super Bowl will be no different. The game will be broadcast on Fox, which means that, in a somewhat odd move, the game will air on Fox’s little promoted free streaming service, Tubi. The good news is that this means it won’t cost you anything, though you will need to open a free account to watch the game.

It’s a solid week of streaming. There’s even more fun to come this month, so stay tuned and we’ll help you navigate all the massive libraries of content to find what’s worth watching.

The Lion King is one of the best Walt Disney Animation Studios films ever. It’s hard to understate the success of what became the highest-grossing animated movie ever upon its release. Its success spawned both a remake and a prequel, but the entire franchise's success may come from its iconic trailer. Even Lin-Mauel Miranda agrees about this.

The first trailer is unique among trailers because it isn’t just a collection of scenes. It’s actually just one scene. The first trailer for the film was simply the movie’s opening scene, the entire “Circle of Life” sequence and it was such an iconic moment that Mufasa: The Lion King songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda remembers it to this day. In a post on Instagram, he said…

It's a big flex, but one that the filmmakers clearly knew they could back up. The opening of The Lion King is arguably one of the best opening movie scenes in the history of cinema. The song is perfect, the animation is gorgeous, and it transports you to the movie’s world in an incredible way.

It's a significant risk too, of course, which is what makes it such a confident move. If the filmmakers are wrong and the opening song of the movie isn't enough to draw in an audience, your movie is dead. A standard trailer can show you a movie's highlights, and however inadvertently, that can draw in an audience, even if that audience doesn't end up loving the complete product. Using the movie's opening scene makes it clear just what the movie is.

It's quality is at such a high level that it does exactly what every trailer is supposed to do: it makes you want to come back and watch the whole movie. If this is how the movie starts, just imagine what could happen next. It lights the imagination on fire. Imagine being in a movie theater watching standard trailers, and then seeing this for the first time.

It was such an iconic trailer that Jon Favreau said he wanted to recreate it when The Lion King remake debuted at D23. Unfortunately, the CGI work wasn’t completed in time, so it couldn’t be done. It would have been a fitting way to show off the impressive technology behind the remake by presenting the recreated sequence just as it had been seen before.

The Lion King’s success, spurred on by that original trailer, would lead to the spawning of a franchise. The film got sequels on DVD, animated series follow-ups, the remake that made $1 billion at the global box office, and, most recently, the prequel to the remake in Mufasa: The Lion King, which has become a global hit in its own right.

It’s been several years now since Disney purchased Marvel and a couple more since Disney purchased Fox. It took those two deals together to bring the X-Men into the world of Disney, and while we’re largely still waiting to see what the inevitable future of the X-Men in the MCU will look like, thanks to a curious fan and AI art, we now know what the X-Men would look like if they were animated Disney characters in the classic House of Mouse style.

The X-Men are no strangers to animation, and the recent X-Men ‘97, available with a Disney+ subscription, reminded us just how great the team works in that medium. However, somebody decided to take things a step further and used AI to generate a look at several of the X-Men if they were drawn in the style of Disney animation characters, posting the results to Instagram, and considering Beast looks like he came right out of The Lion King, I’d say it works.

In addition, all the female characters have faces that resemble princesses from the Disney Renaissance movies. Rogue looks like Ariel, and Mystique is giving me “What if Belle was purple?” vibes. It's kind of cool.

Seriously though, the AI version who really looks like he was pulled from a Disney movie is Beast, who’s basically a bipedal blue Simba. It’s a take on the character that certainly works, though I’m not aware of a version of Beast that was given a feline design, so honestly I suppose it doesn’t feel quite true to the character. I still enjoy it from a fan perspective, however.

There are some other interesting takes. Nightcrawler has more of a “Disney Villain” vibe going than Magneto does. Gambit has the Disney Prince thing going on so well that he looks exceedingly generic. Cyclops and Wolverine at least have something more going on in the style department.

AI “art” gets a lot of (probably justified) criticism, but for stuff like this, it can be pretty fun. Like seeing the characters from The Boys recreated in Pixar's style.

The only Marvel characters that we ever truly got the “Disney version” of were the members of Big Hero 6. And since these artistic renderings are inspired by Disney’s 2D art, and Big Hero 6 was a 3D animated film, they honestly don’t look like they belong together.

Technically speaking, the real “Disney version” of the X-Men will come when they officially join the MCU in an upcoming Marvel movie. It will be the first time Disney, via Marvel Studios, takes their first stab at a version of the team that will be entirely generated under Disney. It should certainly be interesting.

Disney is the king of the franchise right now and while the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avatar, and Star Wars are the names we normally think of when the word “franchise” comes up, there’s another corner of the Disney kingdom that has been equally successful in movie after movie, the live-action remake.

Disney has churned out one live-action remake after another over the years with a frequency only matched by the list of upcoming Marvel movies, and while not all of them are massive hits, when they hit, they hit big, to the tune of billions of dollars at the box office. Some of them have been so successful, they’ve received sequels, or in the case of Mufasa: The Lion King, a prequel.

I’ve been a Disney fan my whole life, which means I tend to be a fan of most of these movies that inspired the remakes, and I don’t actually hate most of the remakes. But I really hope that Mufasa is as big a hit as the remake of The Lion King because I hope Disney makes more movies like it, and fewer like The Lion King.

I Love Disney Movies But The Remakes Have Been Largely Underwhelming

I don’t dislike The Lion King remake. How can you? If you loved the original, and I did, the remake is the same movie, so there’s a lot to love. And the technical expertise on display in creating life-like animals and environments is truly impressive. And yet, while the movie made a billion dollars, I was as underwhelmed by it as I have been by many of the remakes.

While I won’t claim there’s no value in translating animated films into live action, doing 1:1 recreations has diminishing returns. We’ve seen the movie already, and we can watch it as many times as we want with a Disney+ subscription. Just giving it to us again just isn’t that exciting.

Maybe there’s a new song, though most of those have been lackluster. Maybe there’s a new scene, but the core story is exactly what we expect and know. It’s all just too comfortable.

My Favorite Disney “Remakes” Haven’t Really Been Remakes At All

I know my own opinion goes against the box office results of most of these movies, but my favorite Disney remakes are the ones that aren’t actually remakes. I love the original Maleficent with its twist on the story by focusing on the villain. I have a soft spot in my heart for Dumbo, as it finishes its “remake” in Act I, and the rest of the movie is actually a sequel. I’ve already gone on record that I hope the Snow White remake is more than just a remake.

These decisions are at least creative, they give us a new take or a fresh twist on the story we know. I’ll even give a slight pass to the Aladdin remake, which is almost entirely the movie we know, but Will Smith’s take on the Genie is so different from Robin Williams’ iconic character that the film doesn’t feel like a total carbon copy.

It's for this reason that I've honestly been looking forward to seeing Mufasa: The Lion King ever since the movie was announced. A prequel to The Lion King was at least new, and directed by the great Barry Jenkins, I just wanted to see what a great filmmaker could do with the admittedly wonderful world of The Lion King.

Mufasa: The Lion King Is A New Story, And New Is Good

But Mufasa: The Lion King isn’t a remake. It’s a prequel, which is a story that we have not seen before. That, all by itself, puts the new movie in a great place because I simply can’t compare it to any story I've seen before. I didn’t adore Mufasa, but I enjoyed it, and a big part of the reason was that I simply hadn’t seen the movie before.

The thing is, we didn’t need a remake of The Lion King to get to Mufasa. Disney could, rather than doing live-action remakes, simply do live-action sequels, prequels, spinoffs, or whatever. I’ll be the first to admit that doing a live-action sequel to an animated movie might be a bit strange, but Star Wars has given us animated canonical franchise installments that are connected to originally live-action content, so why not flip the script?

Of course, if that hadn’t happened Disney wouldn’t have made a billion dollars, so they’re certainly going to continue to do the remakes before they bother to do any sequels or prequels, but now it means I actually want these movies to do well because the movie I really want to see is the film that comes next.

Mufasa isn’t the first follow-up to a remake we’ve seen. We got a sequel to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and one to Maleficent, and if we’re being honest neither of them was all that great. If nothing else Mufasa is the first follow-up in the franchise to be pretty good, and that’s a trend I hope continues.

After the Aladdin remake made a billion dollars there was talk of a sequel to that movie, and while I would have said I wasn’t necessarily interested in that at the time, my interest in such a thing has now peaked. As long as it’s not a remake of Return of Jafar, but rather an entirely new sequel, let’s do it. Let’s write a fresh story, make new music, and give it a shot. There hasn't been much news on an Aladdin sequel so it's unclear if this project is still alive, but now, for the first time, I hope it is.

So as I look forward to the 2025 movie schedule and two more live-action remakes in Lilo & Stitch and Snow White, I’m looking even more forward than that. I hope I enjoy the movies. I want them to be good, but I’m hoping they are successful enough that Disney green lights sequels because honestly, those are the movies I’m much more interested in.

Reviewing Mufasa: The Lion King less than one week after reviewing Kraven The Hunter is somewhat of an oddity – and it doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that both movies prominently feature CGI lions. In advance of seeing both features, the cynical part of my brain repeatedly highlighted the apparent shallowness in the two franchise titles from a Hollywood development standpoint, but I kept those thoughts at bay with reminders that the two films respectively had proven talents at the helm. Barry Jenkins and J.C. Chandor are both gifted directors who have earned all of the acclaim they have received, and I maintained hope both that the studios would respect the visions of the men they hired, and that their skills would ultimately provide raison d'être for projects lacking in it from an outside perspective.

It didn’t work out for Chandor with Kraven The Hunter, but Jenkins has fared marginally better with Mufasa: The Lion King. The CGI animals look a hell of a lot better than those in the comic book movie for starters, and there are splashes of interesting character development within the legitimate spectacle of the vast photorealistic digital landscapes. Unfortunately, those positive qualities are counterbalanced by the first act being a slog of story setup and the second and third acts falling into the ever-annoying prequel trap of answering in-canon questions that nobody has ever asked. There is some critical leeway to be given for its most overly familiar elements given the age of the main target demographic, but only so much as to recognize the film as passable.

Mufasa’s narrative framing device returns audiences to the Pride Rock of Jon Favreau’s 2019 remake of The Lion King and sees Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), the daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyonce Knowles-Carter), left in the hands of Rafiki (John Kani), Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) as her parents leave to take care of an undisclosed matter. With Kiara being scared of a coming rainstorm, her babysitters keep her distracted with the story of her legendary grandfather.

We learn that Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) was separated from his parents (Keith David, Anika Noni Rose) when he was a cub and was raised as a stray by another pride of lions. While he is scorned by King Obasi (Lennie James), he is accepted as a son by Queen Eshe (Thandiwe Newton) and as a brother by their cub Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). Years after his arrival, he is given a massive responsibility when the cats learn about an approaching rival pride of white lions dubbed the Outsiders. Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen), their leader, wishes to rule over all, and Mufasa is told to escape with Taka so that he and the royal bloodline are protected.

Mufasa: The Lion King takes a long time to really get going.

It takes Mufasa: The Lion King 40 minutes to get through all of what I described above, and it’s a languorous 40 minutes. It gets off on the wrong foot by heavy-handedly working to echo its predecessor – from the opening that sees all varieties of animal species gather around Pride Rock to a dramatic zoom into a young Mufasa’s face (a la young Simba in the stampede) as he finds himself caught in the flash flood that washes him away from home – but what’s more significant is how laboriously it lays the groundwork for the main story.

Upon reflection, it’s actually strange just how little Mufasa pines for his parents after he gets lost (their fate is left open ended post-flood), and it makes the inciting incident of Mufasa: The Lion King into a cold A-to-B plot machination that moves the protagonist like a chess piece instead of launching an emotional arc. Things don’t improve with the B-to-C move either. A modicum of energy is found establishing that Obasi, a paranoid ruler over his pride, would rather eat the eponymous character than accept him in his community… but all of the heat from that dynamic disappears as the film executes a time jump that sees Mufasa and Taka grow from cubs into adults in an instant. (Credit where credit is due, it’s during what is the best of the movie’s Lin-Manuel Miranda-written musical sequences, “I Always Wanted A Brother”.)

It’s only when Mufasa and Taka flee together that the film finally feels like it has direction, as there are clear stakes (the Outsiders are close behind and want to kill them) and there is an established goal (getting to Milele, a mythological plain beyond the horizon that the protagonist learned about from his parents). Here, the movie also settles on its principal purpose, which is having the audience understand the relationship between the two brothers (it’s not a secret that Taka eventually becomes the villainous Scar from The Lion King) and exploring themes about the dangers of inherited power. Unfortunately, this journey is weighed down by also feeling the need to tie itself to the animated classic far beyond that as well.

Once it gets going, Mufasa: The Lion King gets too bogged down in prequel-centric material.

Did you ever wonder how Rafiki got his staff? Or how Pride Rock took shape? I never have, and I’m betting you haven’t either. And yet, Jeff Nathanson’s screenplay is written as though it is filling out a checklist of references to satiate fans hungry for that trivia. Paired with the aforementioned stylistic echoes from the first act, Mufasa: The Lion King holds itself back from feeling like an independent creation by being overly beholden to its predecessor/s.

More excusable within this particular context of the film is the way in which other principal characters from the 1994 classic/the 2019 remake are introduced, but there are still notable flaws. Rifiki is fleshed out and given some backstory when he enters the narrative (logical, given that he is the “storyteller”), but Sarabi (Tiffany Boone) and Zazu (Preston Nyman) simply pop up and decide to join Mufasa and Taka on their journey and are provided with no extra depth. Zazu at least has a personality that adds comedic relief to the film, but Sarabi is effectively a plot device; it’s a basic love triangle that ignites a rift between the brothers.

Visually, lessons have been learned from Jon Favreau's The Lion King.

Like Jon Favreau’s 2019 remake of The Lion King, Mufasa is another demonstration of just how far visual effects have come, but some of the same issues from that production remain. It can be said that the animals are more emotionally expressive this time around (which gets emphasized with Barry Jenkins’ previously established affection for having characters stare down the barrel of the camera), and the film also doesn’t have to deal with mental side-by-side comparisons to the 1994 classic. But the realism still feels like it stunts the animation. The movie provides hope early on that it is attempting something visually different than Favreau’s blockbuster, with the musical sequence for the song “Milele” seeing Mufasa’s drought-ridden home transform into the lush paradise as it’s described by the cub’s mother and father, but it never takes any other similar swings at the fantastic.

At the core of Mufasa: The Lion King is a fittingly Shakespearean drama about siblings being torn apart by the notion of power as a birthright, with one brother being a natural leader and the other propped up by entitlement, but it’s a core that gets buried by an overload of prequel material and overt plot structure. There is enough good to balance out the bad, and to grasp at the best possible silver lining, I hope it gives Barry Jenkins enough clout to do anything that he wants for his next film.

Our 2024 movie schedule still has some great titles left on it, including the prequel to the live-action Lion King, Mufasa. Anticipation is high for this one, and early reactions for Mufasa are positive. Yet, there is an undeniable gap in the fabric of The Lion King world following the death of James Earl Jones in September. However, now, the film's director, Barry Jenkins, has revealed how his movie will pay homage to the original Mufasa actor in a great and touching way.

Jenkins made it clear that it was important for his movie to pay homage to the late actor during a conversation with Variety. He specifically noted that it was in part because Jones' iconic filmography has connected with so many viewers for decades. He then went on to say that the OG Mufasa actor's impact in his films was so visceral that it had a paternal influence on him and others. So, they knew they wanted to honor him in a big way, and he described how they did that by saying:

Mufasa: The Lion King paying homage to the prolific actor upfront just makes sense, and I’m glad the studio was on board. The Sandlot alum was undeniably a touchstone of Hollywood, and it’s wonderful that his legacy and his significant role in this franchise's history were recognized right at the start of the film.

Like Jenkins, I have always found James Earl Jones to be a source of comfort when he shows up in something I am watching. Whether it is The Sandlot for the 50th time or realizing he was the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars, the man is magnetic. Now, I’m looking forward to seeing the upcoming Lion King prequel even more and joining in on honoring the OG Mufasa.

While the Coming to America alum didn’t return to the 2024 Lion King installment, it centers around the lion patriarch he originally voiced. This new story follows Mufasa’s origins and his initial relationship with another lion, Taka (aka Scar), heir to a royal bloodline. After they meet, adventure ensues and they set out on a journey of wild proportions. Young Mufasa is voiced by Aaron Pierre (Genius), and while I will miss Jones behind the caring lion, I’m excited to see what the Rebel Ridge actor will do to usher us into this new era of Mufasa’s life.

It brings me joy to know that right before we take in Pierre's performance, we'll see a tribute to James Earl Jones. It's clear how much Jenkins and his team care for the OG actor, and it makes me even more excited to see how they honor his and Mufasa's legacy through this film.

If you’d like to hear James Earl Jones as Mufasa in the 2019 live-action Lion King as well as the OG animated film, you can do so with a Disney+ subscription. Meanwhile, Mufasa: The Lion King will premiere in theaters nationwide on Friday, December 20.

Friends, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the 2024 movie schedule truly was the year of the popcorn bucket. And just when I thought we’d seen our final surprise with that gothic Nosferatu popcorn bucket, Disney came in to surprise us all.

I certainly didn’t have a Mufasa: The Lion King replica of Pride Rock on my metaphorical bingo card, but I’ll still thank the once and future king for making it happen anyway. What is arguably the central location of The Lion King’s mythos is now yours to take home from the movies.

Before you wonder if this announcement is as top secret as that forthcoming Mission: Impossible 8 popcorn bucket, fear not! You can feast your eyes on this future snack vessel, thanks to the tweet below:

Oh my Pride Rock! As if we didn’t have enough royalty present on the market with The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’s war hammer replica, this beauty comes along. And admittedly, making a replica of The Lion King’s ancestral home for Mufasa is probably the best option that could have been done. I don’t think kids would want a bucket in which the young protagonist of Barry Jenkins’ upcoming Disney movie has a head you can open up to store popcorn.

Now I’m sure there are some smart alecks out there who are wondering what I could possibly be afraid of with this concession stand collectable. And to those people, I’d like to give a hearty thanks for remembering that time those Alien: Romulus popcorn buckets both thrilled me and creeped me out. To answer your question, I’m not afraid of Pride Rock as a popcorn bucket.

What I am afraid of is that I’ll run out of napkins all the quicker when seeing Mufasa: The Lion King, as I’ll need them to clean butter off my hands and tears from my eyes. That’s especially valid when you see that another offering in this collection are popcorn tins with Mufasa and Taka, the lion soon to be known as Scar, displayed on them.

Side note: every time I hear the line "I always wanted a brother" in the Mufasa trailer, it always breaks my heart. I mean, look at these two:

Oh yeah, we're all gonna feel it right in our hearts when these two fall out. So if anyone else is ready for a heartbreak similar to The Fox and the Hound, but with more Shakespearian influences, then you won’t have to wait long. You can see Mufasa: The Lion King take its place in theaters on December 19th, and in a variety of premium formats.

But if you want to break your heart all over again with the royal drama at Pride Rock, you can always use your Disney+ subscription to warm up those tear ducts. That’s because both the original animated version of The Lion King, and its debatably live-action remake, are both available to stream on that very platform. Consider it a vital stop in the circle of life in the Disney Vault.

Fathers and sons have complicated relationships. Sometimes they can be the sweetest, most wonderful ones, and sometimes they can be dark and sinister. Most of the time, they are somewhere in between. Films throughout history have explored these relationships in every way, from serious dramas like The Godfather to comedies about dads and sons like Elf. Here is a list of our favorite movies exploring the love or hate between sons and their fathers.

Field Of Dreams

Near or at the top of any list of the complicated relationships between fathers and sons has to be the classic Field Of Dreams, a movie that no matter how often you rewatch it, you see something new, and you probably shed a little tear at the end when dad and son finally have that game of catch. It's something almost all kids can relate to, and makes fathers long for childhood again.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Superheros have long had complex relationships with their dads. From Superman to Batman, and even in the MCU. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, we learn about Star-Lord's father, played by Kurt Russell. Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) never knew his father and lost his mother at a young age and both of those things help mold his personality and his ethos, so when he finally meets his dad, it gets messy.

In The Name Of The Father

One of Daniel Day-Lewis' best roles came as a man accused of a terrorist attack that he didn't commit in In The Name Of The Father. The movie, based on a true story, explores the complicated nature of how a father and son interact when his father is also wrongly implicated in the same plot and both are sent to prison together. It's an amazing movie sure to bring a tear to your eye.

Boyz N The Hood

Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburne) is a single father trying his hardest to keep his son Tre off the streets and raise him the right way in a world working hard against him in Boyz N The Hood. Furious is tough on his son, but it's only because he loves Tre and he knows he has to be tough to survive and avoid all the pitfalls of a teenager in South Central LA.

Road to Perdition

Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is an orphan taken in by a mob boss, John Rooney (Paul Newman) in one of the best examples of a movie based on a comic book that isn't about a superhero, Road to Perdition. Without spoiling too much, the relationship is strained, to say the least, and culminates in a dramatic scene between the two that is the ultimate expression of how difficult the dynamic can get.

Back To The Future

Back To The Future isn't only a movie about the relationship between a father and a son, but Marty's relationship with his father George is one of the pivotal plot points from beginning to end. They clearly love each other, but Marty (Michael J. Fox) doesn't respect George (Crispin Glover), until the very end when his father proves what kind of man he can be.

Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade

At the heart of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is the relationship between father (Sean Connery) and son (Harrison Ford). They pretty much disagree about everything and both think the other is a little silly at times (or all the time), but they show the strength of their relationship when they come together to complete the task that the father started decades ago and it makes for some amazing moments throughout the film.

Catch Me If You Can

Catch Me If You Can is all about the insane life of con artist Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio). That all starts at home when he was a kid and his father, played by Christopher Walken shows that he is quite the con man himself. Frank, Jr idolizes his father and you get the sense that everything he does in life is to please his father and make Frank, Sr. proud.

There Will Be Blood

Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a singularly focused man. He is harsh, brutal, and unforgiving in the quest for his fortune. The one aspect of his life where is, at least a little, less harsh and brutal comes in his relationship with his son, whom he cares for deeply and truly and does all he can to help the boy as he raises him. That is, until it all falls apart, as so many relationships like that do, sadly.

The Godfather

In the history of film, there may be no better example of the complicated nature between a father and a son. Not only is The Godfather one of the best gangster movies of all time, but what makes it one of the best films of all time is the way it explores the relationship between Michael (Al Pacino) and his father Vito (Marlon Brando).

The Pursuit Of Happyness

The Pursuit Of Happyness is the true story of Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith, that follows Gardner's struggle to raise his son and make both their lives better. Father and son are homeless in the movie as Gardner works to become a stockbroker. It's a movie that definitely restores your faith in humanity.

The Lion King

Disney may have made some of the best kids' cartoons ever, but they also aren't afraid to explore the death of a parent in their movies. One of the most tragic deaths in Disney's history is the demise of Mufasa in The Lion King. The way it affects Simba is powerful and sets the tone for the movie and for Simba's whole life.

The Iron Claw

2023's The Iron Claw is all about family. The Von Erichs, led by patriarch Fritz are not only one of the most successful families in professional wrestling history, they are also the most tragic. Fritz is a complicated man and that reflects on how he raises his sons.

Elf

There is no doubt that Elf is one of the best Christmas movies of all time, but it's also one of the best father-and-son movies, too. Not only is it about Buddy (Will Ferrell) getting to know his biological father played by James Caan, but it's also about the elf who raised Buddy as his son, played by Bob Newhart. Both are magical relationships.

The Road

How does a father raise his son in a world that has been destroyed by a mysterious event that is never fully explained? The Road, starring Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee as father and son attempt to do it. It's a bleak movie, one that really sticks with you after you see it and the relationship is both brutal and beautiful.

Fences

In Fences, part of the Pittsburgh Cycle by playwright August Wilson, Denzel Washington's character is a bitter man who denied his dream of playing professional baseball, and those around him, especially his son, suffer the consequences. It's not the kind of father/son movie that you'd ever want to use as a sterling example of fatherhood, but that doesn't mean that millions of fathers and sons don't interact in the same way.

Star Wars

Throughout the entire Star Wars saga, the relationships between fathers and sons play out in dramatic ways. The most famous example, of course, is between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, but in the sequels, there is also the relationship between Han Solo and Kylo Ren, which ends as tragically as possible.

American Pie

You have to empathize with Eugene Levy's character in American Pie. It's clear he loves his son very much, but he just doesn't understand his son at all. Or, at least, he kind of understands and just isn't equipped to deal with raising a teenager. It's something all fathers can relate to, without a doubt.

Frequency

Frequency is a vastly underrated movie that doesn't get mentioned enough. It's all about a son's attempts to get to know a father he hardly knew in life. When the supernatural intercedes he has the opportunity to speak directly to his dead father, the movie opens up the emotional floodgates.

Life Is Beautiful

1997's Life Is Beautiful is one of those amazing movies you can only watch once. The relationship between Guido and his son Giosuè is the "beautiful" part of the title because everything else shows just how ugly life can get for some people. It's a tragic movie, but at its heart is the love between father and son,

The Many Saints Of Newark

Tony Soprano is a complicated guy. A guy who spends years in therapy during The Sopranos and it turns out a lot of his emotional baggage traces back to his father Johnny as we learned in the prequel movie The Many Saints Of Newark. Johnny was a man that Tony loved and feared, as many sons do of their father, but maybe not in such dramatic ways.

Ad Astra

Ad Astra isn't the first sci-fi movie to explore the relationship between fathers and sons, but it is one of the most dramatic. Whenever a son loses a father at a young age, it makes for very complicated emotions about their father and this plays out in Ad Astra as the two are reunited many years later in a very distant place.

A River Runs Through It

A River Runs Through It is about family. It's about brotherly love and the complicated relationships that brothers have with each other as much as it is about their relationship with their strict but loving religious father. Neither son turns out much like their father at all, but despite their sometimes harsh upbringing, but love and respect their father.

East Of Eden

East of Eden starring James Dean is based on the John Steinbeck novel of the same, which itself is loosely based on the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. As such, it's all about familial relationships, including Cal and Abel's very complicated with their father, Adam.

Nowhere Special

You may not have heard of the Irish movie Nowhere Special, but if you love to cry at tragic stories on film, you need to check it out. A single father faces the worst nightmare any dad can imagine. He is diagnosed with a terminal illness and must work out plans for the rest of his 4-year-old's life, including who is to raise the child. It's heartbreaking and beautiful.

Tree Of Life

Whatever subject director Terrence Malick chooses to explore in his films is sure to be interesting and worth anyone's time. In Tree Of Life, Malick takes on a father's life with this family, mostly in the seemingly idyllic 1950s. Of course, under the surface, the family is far from ideal.

Billy Madison

Not every movie about the love between a father and son has to be serious. In fact, Billy Madison proves that even the funniest movies can still explore the subject. Billy, played by Adam Sandler, is an idiot. His father, played by Darren McGavin still loves him enough to give Billy one last shot at inheriting the family hotel business. It's also Adam Sander's best movie.

My Life

Michael Keaton has starred in a lot of movies in his long career and some, like Mr. Mom and Batman, are better remembered than others, like My Life. To be sure, My Life is not one of Keaton's best movies, but it does show an incredible relationship between a father and his unborn son as Keaton's character is diagnosed with terminal cancer and spends his remaining days filming videos to teach the son he will never know everything he thinks a son should learn from his father. It's a sad movie, but a worthwhile one.

Boyhood

Director Richard Linklater's Boyhood is one of the most ambitious films ever made as it was shot over 11 years and at the heart of the movie is the complicated, loving, and realistic relationship between a father, played by Ethan Hawke, and his son, played by Ellar Coltrane.

Hook

In Hook, Robin Williams plays a father who grew up too much. He's lost all the sense and wonder he once had as a child and as a result, his son, who still has that sense of wonder, has become alienated from his father. All that it takes to rekindle his love for life, and for his son, is for Williams' character to remember his lost childhood. Thankfully he does.

A Bronx Tale

A Bronx Tale is all about a teenager struggling between choosing the straight-laced, but somewhat boring life his father, played by Robert De Niro, wants for him, and the exciting criminal life a father figure, played by Chazz Palminteri, can offer him. Which will he choose?

Tommy Boy

We don't watch Tommy Boy for a heartfelt movie about a father and his son. We watch Tommy Boy for the hilarious quotes. Still, there is that wonderful relationship between Tommy (Chris Farley) and his father, Big Tom, played by Brian Dennehy. Its just a shame it ended so soon.

When ranking Walt Disney's animated features, The Lion King is generally on the high side of things. The beloved Oscar-winning movie (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription) featured plenty of iconic songs from the hands of the great Elton John. It turns out Timon and Pumbaa were originally supposed to sing "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", and Nathan Lane revealed the story behind why that didn't happen.

"Can You Feel The Love Tonight" is a Disney song that charted on the billboard charts, and is one of the best Disney love songs. But during a conversation with EW, the great Nathan Lane revealed that he almost ended up singing the track. In his words:

Well, that's pretty iconic. While Lane no doubt would have killed it belting out "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", Elton John understandably wanted the track to be sung by lovers Simba and Nala. And the final song is one of the most uplifting Disney songs of all time.

In the end, Elton John's instincts were probably for the best. In fact, Nathan Lane admits that the prolific recording artist made the right call, especially given the type of vocal performance he and Pumbaa voice actor Ernie Sabella were giving in their roles. As Lane put it:

Of course, hardcore Disney fans remember that Lane and Sabella did get to sing a bit of the song. Timon and Pumbaa introduce the melody and lament that their buddy Simba was falling in love before their eyes.

History is on Elton John's side as well, as "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" ended up winning a Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe. And having Timon and Pumbaa belt it out would have had a very different feel.

The cultural impact of The Lion King is still being seen today. The Broadway musical is still running, and the franchise continues to expand thanks to the live-action Lion King and upcoming Mufasa movie. If the prequel does well, the studio might continue expanding this burgeoning property.

The Lion King is streaming now on Disney+. Be sure to check out the 2025 move release dates to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.

Over the years, there has been no shortage of movie villains with a tragic backstory so great that it makes it a little harder to root against them. Look at iconic scene-stealing villains like Thanos, Hannibal Lecter, Roy Batty, and countless others, and it won’t take long to see their heartbreaking and unforgettable personal histories have allowed them to withstand the test of time despite being terrible people (or aliens).

Here are 32 movie villains with a tragic backstory…

Erik Killmonger (Black Panther)

Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger helped make Black Panther one of the best Marvel movies as well as a landmark comic book movie thanks in no small part to his tragic backstory. The unknown cousin of Chadwick Boseman’s King T’Challa and son to a wayward prince killed by the former king, Killmonger spent his life searching for himself and his elusive homeland of Wakanda. Sure, he tried to take it over and bring chaos to the world, but he had every right to do so.

Lotso (Toy Story 3)

On the surface, Lotso (Ned Beatty) seems like an iron-fisted ruler of the toys stuck at Sunnyside Daycare, but his heartbreaking personal history adds a whole other level to the Toy Story 3 antagonist. After being left at a rest stop by his “faithful” owner long ago, Lotso went to great lengths to find the little girl, only to discover he’d been replaced. Traumatized by the experience, the once kind-hearted stuffed bear went through a radical transformation.

Gollum (The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy)

Though not the central antagonist in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, Gollum (Andy Serkis) is up there. In the third and final film – The Return of the King – it’s revealed that Gollum was once a hobbit who became consumed by the powerful ring, being transformed into a deformed and deranged creature with one purpose in life: hold onto his “precious.”

Jason Voorhees (The Friday The 13th Movies)

Jason Voorhees is one of the most recognizable horror movie villains of all time with a kill count that is up there with the best of them. However, like other great horror icons, this masked, undead killer has a heartbreaking story behind his path of blood, guts, and revenge. Cast aside by society and the counselors of Camp Crystal Lake, a young Jason drowned with no one watching.

Roy Batty (Blade Runner)

Roy Batty, or model number N6MAA10816, is one of those characters played by the late Rutger Hauer that will live on forever, and that’s because the Blade Runner villain was a sympathetic antagonist like no other. Forced into slavery upon his inception, the vengeful replicant suffered years of unimaginable abuse and danger to help the bottom line of the Tyrell Corporation. That was until he led a rebellion for a better life for himself and others of his kind.

The Grinch (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

One of the best things about Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the way the 2000 movie expanded Jim Carrey’s titular character and provided a more in-depth look at the green recluse and what led him to live alone on Mount Crumpit. The story of a young Grinch being picked on by his schoolmates for no reason besides his appearance is utterly heartbreaking and is impossible to watch with a dry eye.

Carrie White (Carrie)

An antagonist or protagonist depending on how you look at it, Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) in Brian De Palma’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name is one of the most sympathetic and justified characters in the history of horror movies. Through no fault of her own, the teenage girl with awe-inspiring and deadly powers, is thrust into a murderous rampage after being tormented and humiliated by her fellow students.

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence Of The Lambs)

Hannibal Lecter will forever go down as one of the most chilling horror movie icons of all time, but he also has one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking backstories. Long before he became the infamous cannibalistic at the center of The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal was a young boy when he narrowly survived an encounter with a group of starved and desperate Nazi soldiers who attacked and ate his sister.

Magneto (The X-Men Movies)

Magneto (Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender) was one of the most complex characters in all of the X-Men movies and had one of the most unsettling backstories. In X-Men: First Class, we saw the origins of the legendary comic book villain who was forced to watch his mother being brutally murdered in a German concentration camp.

Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War)

Perhaps the best comic book movie villain of all time (at least in the MCU), Thanos (Josh Brolin) wasn’t your average big bad. Inspired by the traumatic event where he watched his civilization rip itself apart due to a lack of resources, the Mad Titan put a plan into effect to prevent that from happening ever again. It’s just that his plan temporarily resulted in the deaths of billions of living beings.

Severus Snape (The Harry Potter Movies)

Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) will always be one of the most complex and beloved characters in the Harry Potter series, even if he’s viewed as a villain for most of the books and movies. Madly in love with Harry’s late mother, Lily, a young Severus was also bullied by the Potter’s father and his friends, pushing him to the dark side.

Candyman (Candyman)

Daniel Robitaille (Tony Todd), aka Candyman, is a terrifying figure in the world of horror, but that’s because he also has an incredibly tragic backstory in which he was was lynched, disfigured, and killed by bees before his body was burnt by an angry mob.

Frankenstein’s Monster (Frankenstein)

Frankenstein’s monster in Frankenstein was just enjoying being a dead man when he was reanimated and unleashed upon the world in the 1931 horror classic. Though viewed as a monster by most, this tragic figure had a heartbreaking existence.

Darth Vader (The Star Wars Movies)

Losing your mother and being responsible for the death of your wife is enough to make anyone turn to the dark side, and that’s what happened to Anakin Skywalker, aka, Darth Vader, in the Star Wars movies. Sure, Lord Vader is all but void of humanity, but that’s because of the pain, suffering, and tragedy that filled his life, both before and after being defeated by his mentor in battle.

Bane (The Dark Knight Rises)

The Dark Knight Rises is a bit of a mess, but Tom Hardy’s Bane is one of the most interesting characters and sympathetic villains in all of comic book movies. Taking over Gotham was bad and there were a lot of unnecessary deaths, but the masked figure was doing it for Talia al Ghul (Marion Cotillard), whom he nearly died protecting years earlier.

Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

Sleeping Beauty leads us to believe that Maleficent is a force of pure evil, but the character got her due in Maleficent. In this live-action Disney film starring Angelina Jolie, we learn that the character was only acting out the way she did because her former friend and current king betrayed her long ago.

Mr. Freeze (Batman & Robin)

Batman & Robin isn’t the first movie that comes to mind when you’re thinking about tragic villains, but Arnold Schwarzenegger’s take on Mr. Freeze in this 1997 comic book movie has a heartbreaking backstory. All of his antics, destruction, and puns are part of an attempt to reconnect with his wife, who’s long been in a coma, caught between the living and dead.

Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street)

Before he was Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp), Benjamin Barker was a talented barber sent into exile by a powerful and corrupt judge who lusted after his wife. In Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, it is revealed that Barker’s wife took her own life and their daughter is under the control of his nemesis, which kicks off his bloody tour of revenge.

Zemo (Captain America: Civil War)

Daniel Bruhl’s Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, though different from his comic book counterpart, quickly became one of the best and most complex villains in the MCU. Instead of being gifted with superpowers or awesome tech, this antagonist used his grief from the death of his family (at the hands of the Avengers) as his motivation to tear the team apart from the inside.

Kayako Saeki (Ju-On: The Grudge)

Kayako Saeki is Ju-On: The Grudge is one of the most terrifying horror movie characters of the 21st century but also one with an absolutely gut-wrenching origin story. Once a living person, the film’s antagonist became a ghostly undead figure after she and her family were viciously murdered and left to haunt their former home for all eternity.

Scar (The Lion King)

If you only take into account the events of The Lion King, then Scar is a vengeful, jealous, and bitter brother of the king of the Pride Lands. However, learn more about his upbringing in which he was originally named Taka (a name that essentially means “trash”) and how he was cast aside for Simba, and his actions start to make sense.

Norman Bates (Psycho)

Though vicious and sadistic, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) in Psycho had quite a tragic backstory, one filled with jealousy, revenge, and unaddressed mental illness. This does not justify his actions, but it does offer some insight into why he carried out the way he did.

John Kramer (The Saw Movies)

John Kramer (Tobin Bell), aka, Jigsaw, is one of the most devilish and inventive serial killers in cinematic history, but he’s also oddly enough one of the most sympathetic. The death of an unborn child, a divorce, a terminal illness, and a slow descent into madness helped turn the civil engineer into a murderous madman.

Ms. Collins (Last Night In Soho)

Last Night in Soho, one of the best horror movies of 2021, had what can best be described as one of the most shocking endings in recent memory when it was revealed that Ms. Collins (Diana Rigg), the seemingly normal owner of Ellie’s (Thomasin McKenzie) small apartment is a vicious killer preying upon less-savory men. However, it turns out that Ms. Collins’ motivation for the crimes is even more tragic.

Cruella De Vil (Cruella)

Estella Miller (Emma Stone), who later becomes the Cruella de Vil we all know and love (to hate) from 101 Dalmatians, had quite a tragic backstory in Cruella, a 2021 prequel that explained her hatred for a certain breed of dogs. Losing a parent to a pack of the spotted pups is enough to drive one mad.

Scarlet Witch (Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness)

After witnessing the death of her best friend and lover, not once but twice, before being turned to dust for five years and then returning to a world she no longer understands, it’s easy to see how Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) could turn into a monster of her own creation in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Add in the deaths of her children (don’t tell her they don’t exist), and it gets even darker.

Two-Face (The Dark Knight)

The Two-Face story has always been one of tragedy, but no version is as heartbreaking as the one that plays out in The Dark Knight. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) goes from being Gotham’s last hope against crime and corruption to one of its most violent and disfigured villains. The loss of the love of his life and a chance at normalcy push him over the edge.

Ghost (Ant-Man And The Wasp)

Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen), better known as Ghost, was introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp as a young and tormented villain still suffering from the effects of a quantum explosion that left her in state of physical limbo and her parents dead. Sad, confused, and angry, Starr turned against S.H.I.E.L.D. after the organization began taking advantage of her powers.

The Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton), aka, The Vulture, quickly made an impact in Spider-Man: Homecoming, providing an all-time great movie villain in the process. After the Department of Damage Control essentially puts his small salvage operation out of business, Toomes goes to great lengths to provide food, shelter, and security for his family… even if it means taking a more villainous path.

Syndrome (The Incredibles)

One of the best Pixar villains, Syndrome (Jason Lee) in The Incredibles has a great and unforgettable backstory that adds another dimension to his character. After being turned down by his longtime idol, Syndrome turns to a life of villainy against Mr. Incredible after his whole worldview is shattered in an instant.

Arthur Fleck (Joker)

Not knowing your father has to be one of the most traumatic events someone could go through, but that’s just a part of Arthur Fleck’s (Joaquin Phoenix) story in Joker. The unhinged and violent loner in Todd Phillips’ 2019 comic book movie lived a life of loneliness, misery, and confusion before making a name for himself in a shocking way.

Draco Malfoy (The Harry Potter Movies)

Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) is one of the most annoying Harry Potter characters, but he’s also a villain who’s rather sympathetic once you consider his backstory. Subjected to all kinds of torment by his father and the expectations of his family, poor Draco never stood a chance.

If you know me, you'd know I like Disney. In fact, I'd say I'm a pretty big Disney lover in general, from the Disney Renaissance movies to the CGI films of the 2010s. But you want to know what Disney is also fearless in doing? To get dark, super dark, and today, we're going to talk about the times when Disney dared to walk down that path.

When Lampwick Turned Into A Donkey (Pinocchio)

Oh, you knew that I would put this scene on here. Pinocchio is a pretty dark movie in a lot of different parts. Still, I literally had nightmares as a kid when I watched Lampwick turn into a donkey in front of Pinocchio on Pleasure Island. I still don't like to think about it.

When Alex's Family Completely Forgot Who She Is (The Wizards Of Waverly Place Movie)

I'll be the first to say that Wizards of Waverly Place stands up even as an adult, and the hilarious Disney Channel series is beloved by most. Still, the fact that Alex's family basically forgot who she was at the very end of the Wizards of Waverly Place movie really sat with me. I mean, it was her own doing for the spell she cast, but it still hurts that the film went that far.

When Mufasa Is Dropped Into A Stampede (The Lion King)

I'm pretty sure that, as kids, we all had nightmares after Scar betrayed his brother. While it's based on Shakespeare's real works, I think we all emotionally connected more with a brother betraying a brother, and Mufasa getting dropped into a stampede in the middle of Africa will always not sit right with me.

When Phineas And Ferb Are Sent Off To Reform School (Phineas And Ferb)

Phineas and Ferb is a great kids show to watch on Disney+ but the darkest it ever got was when Phineas and Ferb actually got busted and sent to reform school. Now, I know, on the surface, that doesn't seem that bad, but it's the fact that they were literally brainwashed in this episode. When would Disney Channel go that far?

When Tod Is Attacked By A Bear (The Fox And The Hound)

The Fox and the Hound start cute enough, but obviously, as Tod and Copper get older, they end up becoming enemies because of the natural order of things. But the darkest moment of this kid's movie is watching Tod get chased down by a bear and attacked. Like, oh my goodness, I did not need to see this as a child.

When Bambi's Mother Was Killed (Bambi)

We have to put Bambi here somewhere. The way Bambi's mother dies is a sad reality of life and hunting, and it is really only a matter of time. But that doesn't make the moment any less tragic when we see Bambi calling out for his mother, but she's not there.

When Wendy Is Literally Almost Dragged Into The Water(Peter Pan)

Peter Pan is a film with plenty of problematic elements, but one of the darkest moments features Wendy when the mermaids of Neverland tease her and then nearly drag her into the water. Like, this is a literal child. And she was almost harassed by mermaids, of all things.

When That Crazy Drunken Elephants Scene Happened (Dumbo)

Dumbo is honestly one of the most normal Disney movies out there because it features the story of circus animals. The only weird thing is Dumbo having big ears. But the film features this dark moment of Dumbo getting drunk and visualizing the most scary-looking elephants marching around in vibrant technicolor – look, if you watched the movie, you know what I'm talking about, you know it's scary.

When Tinker Bell Essentially Comes Close To Dying (Peter Pan 2: Return To Neverland)

A lot of people forget about the sequel to Peter Pan, which is expected since it was direct-to-DVD. However, when Wendy's daughter, Jane, doesn't believe in the magic of Neverland when she's taken there, Tinker Bell literally begins to lose her magic—so much so that she nearly dies. It's an unfortunate part of this film that still sticks with me to this day.

When Claude Frollo Sings "Hellfire" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

When I talk about the best Disney villain songs, "Hellfire" ranks high on that list, but that doesn't make the moment any less dark. The song is essentially how Judge Claude Frollo is absolutely obsessed with Esmerelda and wants to be with her (if you catch my drift). Still, if she refuses his advances, then she will be burned at the stake for daring to be defiant against him. Like, dang, Disney.

When Flynn Takes A Knife To The Heart (Tangled)

In comparison to some of the moments on this list, Flynn getting stabbed in the heart in Tangled doesn't seem nearly as bad, but it's still a dark moment. The way he falls to the ground as Rapunzel cradles him always gets me – but at least they have their happy moment at the end.

When We All Sobbed During The First Ten Minutes Of Up (Up)

I don't even need to write a whole paragraph about this. You know what I'm talking about. The rise and fall of Carl and Ellie will sit with us for the rest of our lives, from miscarriages to death alike. I am already getting sad thinking about it.

When We Saw All Those Dead Rats (Ratatouille)

Ratatouille is an underrated gem and one of the best Pixar films. But a part of me sometimes forgets this super dark moment when Remy's father decides to bring him to a shop to show him rat poisoning and traps – where dead rats hang in the window. Granted, it was to try and convince Remy to give up on his dream of being a cook with the humans, but it's still a very dark scene.

When It's Revealed What Really Happened To Hector In Coco (Coco)

Coco is a film that connects me to my Spanish heritage in more ways than one. One of those instances that made me realize how special this film was is that it wasn't afraid to take a risk. This twist, where we know that Ernesto de la Cruz actually poisoned Hector so he could take credit for all his songs, is bonkers and will make any first-time viewer's mouth drop in shock.

When Tadashi Was Exploded (Big Hero 6)

I mean, yeah, I had to put Tadashi on here. Hiro had already lost his parents earlier in life and now his big brother is suddenly taken from him in this giant lab explosion that was caused out of pure selfishness (as we find out later in the film from the villain). It's so sad.

When Mulan Suddenly Stops It's Songs When It Reaches The Destroyed Village (Mulan)

Mulan is one of those movies that, when you watch it for the first time, will stick with you for the rest of your life. The film is filled with catchy songs for the first fifty minutes or so, and then "A Girl Worth Fighting For" suddenly cuts off at the very end as the army stumbles upon a destroyed village. It's chilling and perfectly well done but still so dark.

When The Literal Apocalypse Happened In The Finale (Gravity Falls)

I'll be honest and say that Gravity Falls was a show that was after my time of loving Disney Channel. Still, I had to put this moment – that the end of a Disney Channel animated series literally has the finale going through the apocalypse. I'm sorry, what? This is Disney, right?

When Jafar Was Blatently Attracted To A 15-Year-Old Girl (Aladdin)

We sometimes forget that a lot of the Disney princesses are literal teenagers in most of these movies because they're so mature half the time, but Jafar and Jasmine in Aladdin are the worst. Jafar is blatantly attracted to Jasmine in the film and wants to marry her for power, but she is actually fifteen. Someone call the police, please.

When The Toys Were About To Get Burned To Death (Toy Story 3)

Toy Story 3 was initially created as a cap to the Toy Story movies before the fourth film was conceived, so having this scene was wild. The toys, who are in a garbage plant thanks to Lotso, are nearly burned alive by an incinerator. They are all holding hands and waiting for their demise. Thankfully, at the last moment, the little green aliens come in and save them with the giant claw that picks up trash, but god, that was a close one, huh?

When Hades Wanted To Kill A Child (Hercules)

Look, Hercules is underrated in so many ways, and Hades is a hilarious villain, but there's a reason why he is a villain in this movie. He wants to kill Hercules at the beginning and gets his minions to do so by using a vial of poison, but Hercules ends up only drinking most of it, not all, so he just loses his godlike immortality.

When Belle Was Chased By Wolves (Beauty And The Beast)

We all glamorize Beauty and the Beast a little too much because there were plenty of dark moments in that movie, and one of the biggest was when wolves chased Belle. I know, in the grand scheme of things, that it’s not super dark, but it's still scary for a kid to watch a Disney princess get chased down by wolves and nearly die.

When We Saw All Of Sid's Horrifying Creations (Toy Story)

Toy Story featured probably some of the most disgusting creations I had ever seen when we first noticed Sid's fascination with destroying toys and molding them into new ones. As the movie continues, we do see that even these strange concoctions have souls of their own, but man, they are still freaky as heck.

When Dr. Facilier Was Dragged To Hell By Demons (The Princess And The Frog)

There's a lot that I love about The Princess and the Frog, including Tiana being the best Disney princess, but I think we sometimes forget just how dark Dr. Facilier was. This man works with the literal souls of the underworld to gain power, and when he falls flat on his deal, he is dragged through a grave down to hell. Yup, it can't really get darker than that.

When Gaston Fell To His Death (Beauty And The Beast)

There are plenty of great villain deaths in the world of Disney, but Gaston's is honestly one that is pretty dark. We don't necessarily see his head hit the pavement, but we do see Gaston fall to his death when he and the Beast are facing off.

When Esteban Gets Possessed (The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody)

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is a great series overall, but even I'll admit that this episode, where Esteban (a hotel bellboy) and the twins are trying to contact the dead, is scary as hell and dark for Disney. They do so well in contacting the dead that a spirit takes over Esteban. What? That never happens.

When Wall-E Nearly Forgot Who Everyone Was (Wall-E)

Wall-E is a film that feels a little too real nowadays with how global warming has changed our world, and the movie itself can be super dark if you look at it. But to me, the darkest moment was at the very end when I thought Wall-E was reset to his factory settings and forgot all about Eve and everything that happened. Thankfully, her spark brings back his memory, so it all works out, but man, that was a close one!

When An Evil Force Begins To Take Over And Turn Everyone Into Monsters (Halloweentown)

Halloweentown is my favorite non-scary Halloween movie because it's so homey and rings in the season in a great way. Still, there's no denying that the idea of an evil force – not even just a spirit, but a malevolent force – taking over an entire town is dark for Disney Channel DCOM standards.

When Clayton Accidentally Hangs Himself (Tarzan)

Tarzan is a film that I think a lot of us forget about (except for Phil Collins' great score), but let's not forget the dark moment when the villain, Clayton, literally accidentally kills himself. He's struggling with vines as he's in the final fight but falls to the ground, and ultimately, we see the vines wrapped around his neck and the shadow of his hanging body not that long after.

When Bing Bong Sacrificed Himself (Inside Out)

The world has never forgiven Pixar for sacrificing Bing Bong in Inside Out. I mean, look at him. He didn't deserve that. Bing Bong deserves his freedom, but he lets himself get erased in Riley's mind so Joy can get out and make Riley happy again. Gosh, I'm getting tears thinking about it.

When Scar Is Eaten By His Own Followers (The Lion King)

Scar is a dastardly villain, but his demise is even darker than what he has done. The hyenas who have followed him for the whole movie turn on the lion at the very end, and we see them tear him apart in the shadows, bit by bit, eaten because they are hungry now.

When The House Turns Into A Prison (Smart House)

In a world where we live with Alexas and smart devices galore, the twist of Smart House feels all too real. The film itself was a Disney Channel film about a home with a robotic attendant who turns the house into a prison. I mean…not for nothing, but AI is scary, and this film feels a little too real.

When Marlan's Wife Was Killed In The Opening Minutes Of Finding Nemo (Finding Nemo)

I think everyone who saw Finding Nemo as a kid was shocked to death when they watched the first minutes. We don't actually see Marlan's wife getting eaten, but we know she's gone in the moments after, when there's just one egg left and Marlan is all alone.

These are just some of the dark moments I instantly think of when it comes to Disney – but trust me, there are plenty more. I think it's time for a Disney marathon – and for me to enjoy every second of it while also getting creeped out at these dark moments.

30 years after the original The Lion King debuted in theaters, the film is still one of the most popular, and the most successful, animated films ever made. It's one of Disney's best animated movies. It inspired numerous sequels, TV series, and, of course, a "live-action" remake that made even more money than the original.

However, despite everything that came after, no movie was ever able to capture the magic of The Lion King in quite the same way. It's an awe-inspiring, magical, and emotional movie. There are moments in the films and things about the film, that I still think about now and then. Here are a few of them.

It Has One Of The Best Openings In Movie History

The opening of The Lion King is one of the best sequences in film history, animation or otherwise. The animation, which was unlike anything we had ever seen in 1994, still holds up today. Combined with the iconic song "The Circle of Life," the opening is practically a whole movie by itself, which also made it perfect for the film's first trailer.

Jeremy Irons Is The Movie's MVP

Every great Disney animated movie has a great villain, and this is certainly true with The Lion King. There is no shortage of great voice performances in this one, but Jeremy Irons is the one who is clearly having the best time playing Scar, and that carries over into the performance of one of the all-time great Disney Villains.

Mufasa's Death Is Heartbreaking

Even 30 years later, the death of Mufasa is starling in the power that it has. Knowing that it's coming doesn't make it any less emotional. Just get ready to cry now because it's going to happen.

Hakuna Matata Is Actually Terrible Advice

The Lion King has one of the more popular soundtracks of any Disney film, and "Hakuna Matata" is one song that has continued to be a big part of Disney in the years since the film. It's an upbeat tune, which is weird, because "just ignore your problems like they're no big deal" is awful advice that the movie itself ultimately takes issue with.

The It's A Small World Joke Is Still Funny

I'm one of the seemingly few people in the world who actually loves "It's A Small World" both the ride and the song, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the joke.

Robert Guillaume's Rafiki Doesn't Get Enough Credit

Rafiki has a comparatively small part in The Lion King, which is probably why most people don't necessarily think about him when considering their favorite characters in the film. However, Rafiki's big scene is actually the best part of the entire movie, being both thought-provoking and hilarious.

They Cast Matthew Broderick And Then Didn't Let Him Sing

It's not uncommon in an animated musical, or even a live-action musical film, to have different actors sing the songs. Such is the cast in The Lion King. While adult Simba doesn't sing much, his part in "Hakuna Matata" is provided by a different voice. It's not like Broderick can't sing, the guy has won Tony Awards for musical performances.

The Stampede Scene Is Still Incredible Animation

The Lion King was released in an era when animated movies were still primarily done by hand, but computers were used when creating scenes too complex for humans. The wildebeest stampede was one of those sequences that showed just what the computer could do for animation.

The Lion King's Theme's Are Actually Criticized In The Film

The Lion King is a movie about accepting responsibility. Simba believes he is responsible for his father's death and runs away. Later, he realizes he made the wrong choice and goes back. Unfortunately, then the movie reinforces the idea that you will always be judged by your mistakes when nobody supports Simba after learning the "truth." It's an unfortunate way to handle this important life lesson.

Grown Up Nala Is...Uncomfortable

This is...this is a lot.

I Can't Believe They Thought Pocahontas Would Be Better Than The Lion King

The Lion King was largely made by Disney's "B-Team" of animators because all of the top talent at the studio had been drafted to work on Pocahontas, the movie that was seen as the more likely success, possibly even a Best Picture winner. It's almost impossible to imagine that now. Pocahontas isn't terrible, but it is clearly not up to the same level of quality as The Lion King.

People Thought There Was An Adult Word Hidden In The Film

Animators hiding easter eggs in movies is nothing new, but one of the most famous was actually misread. The special effects team stuck the letters "SFX" into a shot at one point, but many who noticed misread one of the letters, leading them to believe that a less-than-family-friendly word was in the middle of a Disney movie. The shot has since been altered so you won't find it on Disney+ or modern Blu-ray editions.

Do People Realize Simba And Nala Are Related?

Here's a thing to know about real lions, there is usually only one male in a pride. This makes the fact that Scar hangs around Mufasa's pride even stranger, but it strongly indicates that Simba and Nala are almost certainly both children of Mufasa.

The Dedication To Frank Wells Is Still Touching

In April 1994, Frank Wells, the President of the Walt Disney Company, died in a plane crash. A few months later, The Lion King would be dedicated to his memory. The importance of Wells on the history of Disney cannot be understated making this the film's final emotional moment.

I Can't Believe They Almost Cut "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?"

Elton John has revealed that at one point his love song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" wasn't even being used in the movie. He, politely suggested that might be a mistake, as every good Disney movie needs a great love song. It's difficult to imagine this movie being as good without that song.

It's Basically Hamlet

The Lion King is one Disney animated movie not based on a fairy tale, but it's still not an original story. It's about a king killed by his uncle, and a son who speaks with the ghost of his father before fighting his uncle. The reason the plot feels so Shakespearean is because it's literally Shakespeare.

Dead Parents Are Normal In A Disney Movie, But Parents Being Killed Are Not

It's far from uncommon, it's mostly normal, for Disney protagonists to be short at least one parent. Normally, however, the dead family member has been long dead before the movie begins. The Lion King is that rare movie that actually contains a parent being killed. Only Bambi had done it previously, and that film never showed the dead parent on screen. It makes the whole sequence that much more powerful.

The Elephant Graveyard Is Legitimately Terrifying

Simba may have been excited to visit an elephant graveyard but honestly, the whole thing is terrifying. Who wants to wander around a place that is literally just piles of bones? That's creepy as hell.

The Pride Lands Recovered Awfully Quickly

It's unclear how much time is supposed to have passed between Simba taking over as king and his first cub being born, but assuming that Simba and Nala didn't wait several years to have babies, the Pride Lands appear to have recovered from their years of neglect in only a few months. I'm not sure that's how nature works.

The Lion King Almost Got A Spiritual Sequel

Considering how successful The Lion King was, it's not a shock that Disney attempted to repeat that success. At one point the studio was going to produce Kingdom of the Sun a serious dramatic epic set in South America, with the music being handled exclusively by Sting rather than Elton John. Unfortunately, the project fell apart and was eventually retooled into The Emperor's New Groove, a very good movie, but not at all what this story almost was.

Elton John And The Lion King Work So Much Better Together Than They Should

A movie set in Africa dealing with lions and the music of Elton John are two things that, on paper, have no business going together, and yet, they are near perfect. While "The Circle of Life" is still the best song overall, John's work is incredible. It's not hard to see why the music of The Lion King has stood the test of time.

Mufasa Is An Incredible Father

Parents in Disney movies are either saints or villains, but Mufasa may be the best Disney dad because the movie is willing to show him being a parent. When his kid screws up, Mufasa lets him know it, while still making it clear that it's all done out of love.

"Be Prepared" Is Terrifying

There's nothing quite like a good Disney villain song, and The Lion King has one of the best. Jeremy Irons' voice is just so good at sounding evil and the imagery that goes along with "Be Prepared" is just chilling, possibly more to adults than to kids.

How Many Grubs Did Simba Have To Eat?

We're given the distinct impression that Simba spent his formative years living off grubs. It's impressive if that's really all he ate considering lions have to eat a lot in the wild. Did he hunt without Timon and Pumbaa? They probably wouldn't have approved of him eating their friends.

I'm Pretty Sure Scar Is The First Disney Villain To Be Eaten Alive

Most Disney villains don't survive their movie, but many of their deaths are left vague, with most of the violence, if there is any, happening off-screen. While Scar's fate is left to shadows to reveal, it's clear that the hyenas eat him alive, which is one of the more gruesome fates that a villain goes through.

Zazu Is Unfairly Abused

If there's a character in The Lion King who is treated completely unfairly, it's Zazu. The bird is just trying to follow his orders and do his job and keep Simba safe, but the kid just won't ever listen. Zazu never asks him to do anything unreasonable, and honestly, if the cub had listened to the bird, things may have gone much better for him.

The Lion King Is So Perfect The Remake Didn't Even Try To Improve On It

Most of Disney's live-action remakes have tended to at least make a few cosmetic changes to the story and update a potentially older concept for a modern audience. The Lion King is the remake that sees the least changes, and that's not too surprising. What are you going to do the second time around that could possibly be better than the first try?

Why Does Nobody Realize Scar Is Evil?

I'm not saying that Simba should have just lied and claimed that Scar killed Mufasa, even though he didn't know that was true, but if he had, everybody would have believed him, right? It's weird that nobody just assumes the brother with an ax to grind wasn't up to something until it was spelled out.

The Lion King Hits Differently As An Adult

As a kid, The Lion King is a fairly standard coming-of-age story about accepting responsibility. As an adult, however, you see the movie more through Mufasa's eyes. As a parent, I see how Simba succeeds by embracing those things that his father taught him. You still cry, for different reasons.

It's Weird That The Lions' Food Bows To Them, Right?

I get that The Lion King is a monarchy, but it's weird that when Simba is born all the animals show up and pay homage to him, knowing full well he's going to literally eat them one day.

The Lion King Was The High Point Of The Disney Renaissance

The 1990s were called the Disney Decade by CEO Michael Eisner and The Lion King represents the high water mark, at least when it comes to the animation studio. There would still be some great films to come in the Disney Renaissance, but none would be better than this.

Timon And Pumbaa Are Overrated Sidekicks

I'm going to say it. I don't hate Timon and Pumbaa, but as hard as I've tried, I've never been able to love them as much as I know a lot of people have. They are about as annoying as they are funny.

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself outshined by the villain. That’s how it goes, right? Or something like that. All jokes aside, there have been countless times over the years where villains have resonated so well with audiences we have forgotten about the heroes who’ve tried to vanquish them. But it’s hard to compete with the likes of the “Crown Prince of Crime,” a certain ice-cold assassin with a fondness for coins and bad haircuts, and vindictive and psychotic nurses.

From the best Marvel movies to a handful of Best Picture winners and so many others, here are 32 times the villain stole the show in a movie.

Hans Gruber (Die Hard)

Alan Rickman crushed his first major movie role as Hans Gruber in 1988’s Die Hard. Nothing against Bruce Willis’ John McClane, but there’s no denying the fact that Gruber immediately became one of those unforgettable villains we love to hate. The saying “It isn’t Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from Nataktomi Plaza” says it all.

Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Luke Skywalker is an iconic hero, Han Solo is the coolest scoundrel in the galaxy, and Princess Leia is divine, but we all know that Darth Vader sucks all the air out of the room whenever he’s on-screen in Star Wars. The presence, the physicality, and the powerful voice of the late James Earl Jones, all make Lord Vader one of the best villains of all time.

Erik Killmonger (Black Panther)

Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger is hands down one of the best Marvel villains, with only a couple of other foes topping him in the ranking. The intensity, emotion, and wow factor all go up whenever this long-lost son of Wakanda shows up in Black Panther. 

Colonel Hans Landa (Inglorious Basterds)

Quentin Tarantino pulled off the impossible when he gave the world Colonel Hans Landa, a maniacal yet charming Nazi played by Christoph Waltz in Inglorious Basterds. Seriously, the movie could have been two hours of Landa talking to people (which it pretty much was) and we still would have gone crazy for it. Almost feel bad liking the guy this much.

Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War)

Avengers: Infinity War, for all intents and purposes, is Thanos’ movie and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are just living in it. Rarely do movies allow the villain to take center stage like this, and the 2018 crossover event is better because of it.

Anton Chigurh (No Country For Old Men)

Anton Chigurh, Javier Bardem’s ice-cold killer from No Country for Old Men, is one of those movie villains we’ll be studying for years, if not decades, to come. Every time this assassin with a bad haircut and a unique set of skills comes on screen, you can feel a chill run down your spine.

Annie Wilkes (Misery)

One of the meanest ‘90s movie villains, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) from Misery steals the scene whenever she’s on screen in Rob Reiner’s 1990 Stephen King adaptation. A force of pure evil, this obsessive book fan will forever live in our hearts, even if she fills us with fear.

Terence Fletcher (Whiplash)

J.K. Simmons has played some great villains over the years (Oz fans know what we’re talking about), but even the neo-Nazi Vernon Schillinger couldn’t hold a candle to Terence Fletcher in Whiplash. The angry, petty, vindictive, and obsessive Julliard professor is a force to be reckoned with in this 2014 drama.

The Joker (The Dark Knight)

From the first time Heath Ledger’s Joker appears on screen in The Dark Knight, you know he’s going to be a villain to remember. The anarchy, the carnage, the changing stories about how he got his scars, all of it makes him someone we’ll never forget. 

The Terminator (The Terminator)

James Cameron gave the world one of the best sci-fi movies and all-time great villains when he unleashed The Terminator upon the world in 1984. And while Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) are heroes worth rooting for, we all know we want nothing more than to see Arnold Schwarzenegger’s titular cyborg show up with his one-liners and knack for killing folks.

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence Of The Lambs)

Hannibal Lecter, the role that won Anthony Hopkins an Academy Award, was only on screen in The Silence of the Lambs for 16 years, and he still stole the show. The cannibalistic prison inmate who helps Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling in the most unorthodox and unsettling ways is still the most talked about part of the movie despite his limited screen time.

Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest)

Few nurses or medical professionals have instilled as much fear in the hearts of audiences as Nurse Ratched, Louise Fletcher’s manipulative and sadistic character from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Sure, we all love Jack Nicholson’s R.P. McMurphy, but Ratched stole the show.

Clarence Boddicker (Robocop)

Long before he was the wise-cracking Red Foreman on That ‘70s Show, Kurtwood Smith played the sensationally violent Clarence Boddicker in Robocop. The man who turned Peter Weller’s Alex Murphy into a crime-fighting cyborg had some wild moments throughout the movie, most of which we can’t really describe here.

Nino Brown (New Jack City)

Already on the rise thanks to Major League, Wesley Snipes became a massive star thanks to his portrayal of Nino Brown, the powerful drug lord in New Jack City. Nothing against Ice-T’s Scotty Appleton (who takes things personally), but Nino is in in a league of his own in this sprawling crime epic.

Bodhi (Point Break)

Though he could be considered an antihero we hate to love, Bodhi, Patrick Swayze’s surfing, skydiving, and bank-robbing character from Point Break is also an incredibly interesting villain. Both physical and spiritual, this three-dimensional adrenaline junkie is just so dang cool.

Regina George (Mean Girls)

Villains don’t have to be angry nurses or criminals with a high body count, and Regina George (Rachel McAdams) proved that in Mean Girls. The leader of the Plastics, a group she ran with an iron and pink fist, Regina was for sure one of the most vindictive antagonists of the 2000s and one we still love to hate.

Clubber Lang (Rocky III)

For the most part, the Rocky movies featured iconic and unique villains like Apollo Creed (before he turned good) and Ivan Drago, but Clubber Lang from Rocky III is in a league of his own. Mr. T’s formidable foe in the 1982 movie stole every scene and his presence could be felt even when he wasn’t on screen.

Catherine Tramell (Basic Instinct)

Being bad never looked as good as it did for Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) in the 1992 erotic thriller, Basic Instinct. The crimes, the head games, the seduction, and the attitude make this femme fatale one of the best villains of all time.

Gordon Gekko (Wall Street)

Though there are some who still miss the message of Gordon Gekko’s “Greed is Good” speech from Wall Street, Michael Douglas’ powerful character is very much the villain in Oliver Stone’s 1987 drama. Poor Charlie Sheen didn’t stand a chance next to this guy.

The Wicked Witch Of The West (The Wizard Of Oz)

Margaret Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz is one of those villainous performances that we’ll never forget. The way she could say things like “I’ll get you my pretty,” throw fireballs, and call on an army of flying monkeys is still frightening all these years later.

Norman Bates (Psycho)

One of the best slasher horror movies of all time, Psycho also features one of the genre’s great villains in Norman Bates. After his facade of a seemingly harmless albeit off-putting man with mommy issues fades away, we’re left with an unforgettable creep.

Cyrus The Virus (Con Air)

Nothing against Nicolas Cage, but Con Air is Cyrus the Virus’ movie. The way John Malkovich looks on screen with that shaved head and goatee makes him look like a cleanup hitter for the Houston Astros who went crazy and killed a bunch of folks after getting busted for steroids adds such a great dynamic to this iconic ‘90s action movie.

Luther (The Warriors)

Though he’s only in a handful of scenes, Luther, with his “Warriors, come out to play,” delivery, steals the show in this ‘70s classic. Would The Warriors be a good movie without him? Probably. But the leader of the Rogues makes it an all-timer.

Scar (The Lion King)

When it comes to Disney villains from the ‘90s, there are few that come close to the rightful king that is Scar. Voiced by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the brother of King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) takes villainy to a whole new level in The Lion King. Sure, he destroys the natural order of things, brings famine and drought to the Pride Lands, and gives his nephew one major guilt trip after killing his father, but that’s what makes him so iconic, right?

HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey)

You don’t have to be a human or even a living thing to make a good villain, and HAL 9000 proved that in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Voiced by Douglas Rain, this cold and calculated computer goes out of his way to make life miserable for the astronauts aboard the Discovery One spacecraft. What makes him even more menacing is that HAL is mostly depicted as a camera lens with a red dot in the middle.

Howard Payne (Speed)

Though Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock became massive stars following the 1994 release of Speed, it was impossible to be captivated by the maniacal and over-the-top performance of Dennis Hopper as Howard Payne. The cop-turned-bomber has a way about him that’s just so perfect in this landmark action flick. And if it weren’t for the iconic bus jump sequence, he’d probably be what we talk about the most.

Max Cady (Cape Fear)

Whenever we talk about the best Robert De Niro movies, it doesn’t take long for Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake of Cape Fear to enter the conversation. Max Caddy, one of the all-time great movie villains, steals every single scene in this tense revenge thriller, even when the ex-con with a bone to pick with his former defense attorney isn’t on screen. And the way he says “Counselor” when toying with Nick Nolte’s Sam Bowden is just perfect.

Count Orlok (Nosferatu)

Few movie characters have an impact on the viewer like Count Orlok, Max Schreck's vampire from the 1922 silent horror film, Nosferatu. The off-putting appearance, the eerie movements, and the unrelenting nature of the monster are all frightening more than a century after the controversial film was first released.

Joan Crawford (Mommie Dearest)

Frank Perry’s Mommie Dearest is one of the wildest and most terrifying biographical dramas ever made, and the based-on-a-true-story aspect of it makes Faye Dunaway’s portrayal of Joan Crawford even more terrifying. There’s a good chance more people know the “No wire hangers!” line than the movie itself, which says it all.

Agent Smith (The Matrix)

The way Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith says “Mr. Anderson,” whenever he encounters Neo (Keanu Reeves) in The Matrix is so bone-chilling, so iconic, and so perfect, we just can’t get enough of it. One of the best sci-fi villains of all time, it’s hard to look away from this increasingly powerful computer program.

John Doe (Seven)

Though we don’t meet Kevin Spacey’s John Doe until the final act of Seven, his presence can be felt throughout David Fincher’s 1995 thriller. The nature of his crimes, especially during the movie’s twisted ending, tells us everything we need to know about the bitter, dangerous, and self-righteous killer.

Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare On Elm Street)

When it comes to the best horror movie icons, Freddy Krueger is in a league of his own. Robert Englund’s knife-handed killer from A Nightmare on Elm Street is equal parts terrifying and hilarious, so much so that we don’t really care who plays his victims (except for maybe Johnny Depp).

For many of us, the sound of Disney songs brings in an instant air of nostalgia for our childhoods. And when you look back at the best Disney animated movies (along with some live-action and Pixar) from the House of Mouse’s one-hundred-year history, there are a ton of genuinely hilarious song lyrics. Check out which funny bars from Disney movies we chuckle to whilst singing along.

“Try the grey stuff, it's delicious. Don't believe me? Ask the dishes.“

One of the most charismatic Disney characters has to be Beauty and the Beast’s Lumiere, and he definitely shines the brightest (pun intended) during his solo song “Be Our Guest.” Lyricist Howard Ashman was clearly having a blast imagining what a talking candlestick would say. The lyric that gets us every time is when he asks Belle to try the “grey stuff” before pointing to the dishes as references. It’s so clever and fun.

"I'm in the mood to help you, dude."

Aladdin is one of Robin Williams' best movies, especially for what the actor brought to the character of Genie. In his show-stopping song, “Friend Like Me,” it’s a blast to see Williams’ ancient character blend together elements from Middle Eastern culture of the time with more modern phrases. A funny instance of that is when he literally calls Aladdin “dude.”

"Go ahead, get trampled by a rhino..."

In Disney’s Rapunzel adaptation, her captor is super evil, but one cannot help but love how hilarious Mother Gothel is, either. In her song “Mother Knows Best,” where she reiterates to Rapunzel why she should not leave her tower, it’s rather comical for the audience to hear the random ways she incites fear into the lost princess – especially with this rhino line.

"And, it hurt that my friends never stood downwind!"

Disney songs love wordplay, and “Hakuna Matata” has a hilarious one from Pumbaa. During the song, Pumbaa’s backstory is basically that he is super gassy and felt super embarrassed about it. However, with the phrase of the song, he’s able to embrace himself, smells and all. With that, this line uses “downwind” to have two meanings.

"Don’t know if I’m elated or gassy, but I’m somewhere in that zone.”

When it comes to all the Disney Princess movies, Frozen is definitely high on the list, and much of that has to do with how grounded and real Anna and Elsa feel. While other princesses are so dainty and graceful, Anna sings basically everything that comes into her brain, and in this line in “First Time In Forever,” she’s able to convey her stress about the Coronation in a relatable way.

"There's children throwing snowballs, instead of throwing heads. They're busy building toys, and absolutely no one's dead.”

In The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton’s concept allows Jack Skellington to experience Christmas for the first time after living his life as the King of Halloween Town. While the lyrics are absolutely true to Jack’s experience when he is singing them in “What’s This?” it is very funny to hear a character announce that no one’s dead or being thrown – and it’s a revelation to him.

"So, you wanna be a hero, kid? Well, whoop-de-do."

Danny DeVito is so great as an old satyr named Philoctetes in Hercules, that it’s no wonder Disney fans really want to see him in the live-action Disney remake! One rather comical moment of his comes from his song “One Last Hope” when he injects some sarcasm into the opening line. It’s a solid way for Phil to comment about his past experiences training heroes, and it's fun to recite with him.

"Cleaning crud up in the kitchen as we sing along!"

Enchanted was an excellent addition to Disney movies because of how candidly it satirized the studio’s clichés over the years. This is especially put on display when Giselle sings “Happy Working Song” by going into detail about all the tidying up she is doing in her new live-action setting. It’s not quite as magical as in her animated land, that’s for sure!

"Don't underestimate the importance of body language, ha!"

During The Little Mermaid’s “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” the deliciously evil villain of Ursula successfully convinces young and naive Ariel to give the sea witch her voice in exchange for a spell that will give her legs. One funny line, especially for the delivery, is when Ursula suggests she uses “body language” while dancing rather playfully.

"I'd rather be called deadly for my killer show-tune medley. Thank you!"

After Rapunzel leaves her tower for the first time in Tangled, it’s fun to see her end up at a pub called “The Snuggly Duckling” full of ruffians. Her presence inspires the criminals to break into song for “I Have A Dream” to share their innermost desires. One great line is when one shady character shares that he’s secretly a pianist who wishes he was recognized for his talents. It’s sweet, too.

“We finish each other's…" "Sandwiches.”

During the first act of Frozen, Anna falls quickly for Prince Hans and they sing a duet called “Love Is An Open Door.” In one moment of the song, Hans says it’s crazy that they “finish each other’s” before Anna interrupts with “sandwiches.” Usually, that line would be “sentences,” but Anna’s quirky way changes things – made even better by him following up that with “that’s what I was going to say!"

“Winter's a good time to stay in and cuddle, but put me in summer and I'll be a... happy snowman”

Frozen was very clever to invent a snowman character who dreams of the summertime and actually devotes an entire song to his dreams around being in the season. It’s kind of a fun dark song because Olaf would technically melt if he was around in those weather conditions. This is played to directly when he says a line that rhymes with “puddle” and looks at one before going into a completely different direction lyrically.

"It just occurred to me that I'm illiterate and I've never actually had to spell it out loud before…”

While the live-action Beauty and the Beast is rather similar to the original animated version overall, Josh Gad’s LeFou brought some additional comedy to the song “Gaston.” He points out he’s illiterate while attempting to spell out Gaston’s name during the tune and it deserves the extra chuckle not found in the '90s original.

"These guys don't appreciate I'm broke."

In Aladdin, “One Jump Ahead” helps introduce Aladdin as a young man on the streets of Agrabah who steals in order to survive. The action-packed song is full of visual gags, but one line delivery that’s funny and relatable to some of us is how he casually says the law enforcement after him just doesn’t appreciate that he’s “broke.” What a mindset!

"Oh I wouldn't climb this tree, if a Pooh flew like a bee. But I wouldn't be a bear then, so I guess I wouldn't care then."

Winnie The Pooh is such a funny guy as is, so it’s no surprise he has his own song to match that energy. In the Sherman Brothers song “Rumbly In My Tummy,” Pooh laments on being all sorts of hungry which he hopes to grab from a honey tree. In a sweet line, Pooh thinks about if he was a bee he could fly up the tree he’s climbing, but then he would no longer be a bear, wouldn’t he?

“Hey! What has two thumbs and pulled up the sky when you were waddling yay high? This guy!”

Maui is a charismatic demigod who tells his story to Moana in “You’re Welcome.” One particularly funny line that Lin-Manuel Miranda cooked up for the lyrics was this one above that has Dwayne Johnson basically rapping in the best way.

"You say put them on your head. Ay, mi amor! Ay, mi amor!”

In Coco, Miguel sings the very catchy tune “Un Poco Loco” while trying to win a contest to go to Ernesto de la Cruz’s concert. Unlike many Disney songs, this one translates to “a little crazy” and is rather random to the narrative itself. The song speaks to how love can make one crazy, by basically saying one’s love tells him the sky is red and he should put his shoes on his head.

"You telling this story, or am I?"

Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” became the biggest hit of the 2021 movie, even though Lin-Manuel Miranda called the big hit the “least likely candidate for breakout success possible.” The whole song is a fun time, but especially when Mirábel’s uncle and aunt are trying to tell her Bruno’s backstory and fight over who is telling the story!

"'Cause when you're older, absolutely everything makes sense!"

After Olaf went viral for being the sweetest talking snowman in Arendelle, he gets another solo in Frozen 2. In the song “When I Am Older,” Olaf talks about his excitement for understanding more things when he grows up more and experiences life further. However, with lines such as this one, adults will especially chuckle because being older doesn’t necessarily amount to things in the world finally making any “sense.”

“What do they got, a lot of sand? We got a hot crustacean band.”

Sebastian the Crab is such a lively character in The Little Mermaid, even if it takes him some time to come around to Ariel’s dreams of being human. This is most apparent in his song “Under The Sea” when Sebastian brings together tons of talented sea creatures to show her that there’s a lot to love as one of them. Sure, it doesn’t work on Ariel, but they make a good case for it.

“Honey, you mean Hunk-ules!”

The Muses in Hercules help tell the story of the Greek hero with a lot of soul and sass. In “The Gospel Truth,” the muses kind of break the fourth wall to showcase how they find the hero attractive by calling him “Hunk-ules” rather than “Hercules,” and it’s an unforgettable part of the song.

"There's only she who is beautiful as me. So, I'm making plans to woo and marry Belle."

At the beginning of Beauty and the Beast, the setting and its characters are established with the ensemble song “Belle.” During the song, Gaston is introduced in a straightforward way by sharing his goals with these lines. There’s also something quite hilarious about Gaston referring to himself as “beautiful.”

“You’re not a voice, you’re just a ringing in my ear. And, if I heard you, which I don’t.”

At the beginning of Frozen 2, Elsa starts to hear a voice calling to her. While she’s singing about it in “Into The Unknown,” the songwriters found a witty way to communicate how she’s denying the voice calling to her with this line, which is also just well executed lyrically.

"It's genetics! Yeah, I got these genes from outer space. Peep the name, I'm magnificent!"

When Chris Pine was cast as Disney’s latest villain in Wish, he was “geeking out” about the process of getting to sing songs in an animated movie from the House of Mouse. In his big villain song, “This Is The Thanks I Get?!” Pine’s character of King Magnifico shows off his charm and sense of humor by commenting on his good looks.

I’m just a punky little eyeball, and a funky optic nerve.”

Not every Pixar movie has original songs, but Monsters Inc. does in the form of a duet between John Goodman’s Sully and Billy Crystal’s Mike Waskowski. The song “If I Didn’t Have You” is funny from beginning to end as the friends quip with each other about their friendship, but this line from Mike is especially a great line.

”I love to laugh, it’s getting worse every year.”

Laughing isn’t a “condition” typically, but in the case of 1964’s Mary Poppins, it is for Ed Wynn’s Uncle Albert, who starts floating in the air when he starts laughing uncontrollably. In the song “I Love To Laugh,” it’s simply comical to see this concept come to life as Albert sings (through his laughter) how it’s getting “worse every year.”

“This child is getting wildly out of wing.”

In The Lion King’s “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King,” Simba shares his excitement about being the ruler of Pride Rock someday. However, his majordomo, Zazu, is not impressed with the song. In a great pun moment from the ‘90s hit, he says Simba is getting wildly “out of wing” rather than “out of hand” – because he’s a bird.

”I’m the king of the swingers. Oh, the jungle VIP.”

In 1967’s The Jungle Book, “I Wan'na Be Like You” an orangutan named King Louie attempts to entice Mowgli to teach him about the ways of being human with him. The character voiced by jazz and swing singer Louis Prima makes a great joke about playing a monkey and the genre of the song by calling himself the “king of the swingers.”

"His assets frozen, the venue chosen is the ends of the earth, whoopee! So long, ex-Prince Ali!"

Aladdin’s Jafar is a rather comical villain, even though he’s terrifying as well. In the reprise for “Prince Ali,” which comes at a time when his evil plans are coming together, he uses his cleverness to roast Aladdin as he grabs the Genie lamp for himself and asks to become a sorcerer himself.

“Now when you pick a pawpaw, or a prickly pear…”

This is one of those lyrics that is just funny to say and leaves the tongue tingly. In The Bare Necessities, Baloo the Bear teaches Mowgli his motto for life, which includes how he picks his fruit in a long line full of alliteration.

"Are ya achin' (yup, yup, yup), for some bacon? (Yup, yup, yup.)"

Near the end of The Lion King, Timon and Pumbaa assist Simba in foiling Scar by the art of distraction. They do so by crafting up a hilarious Luau song where they use Pumbaa as bait. It will never not be a funny sequence in The Lion King.

"Who can make up these endless refrains like Gaston?"

Beauty and the Beast’s “Gaston” sequence is loads of fun as LeFou sings about his muscled-up mate in a pub full of people who worship him. One funny bit is when LeFou kind of comments on how they are singing a lot about Gaston by saying he makes up “endless refrains."

After Lin-Manuel Miranda became a household name for his massive Broadway musicals, Hamilton and In The Heights, the composer has been the latest big name to contribute to a ton of Disney music. Miranda previously composed original songs for Moana, Encanto and the live-action The Little Mermaid. Now, his talents have been put to use on another one of Disney's upcoming movies – Mufasa: The Lion King. However, apparently, he wasn’t singing “Hakuna Matata” when he was first offered the gig.

Lin-Manuel Miranda recently talked about the experience writing for Mufasa while speaking onstage at the Fast Company Innovation Festival 2024 in New York City. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the composer initially felt “great trepidation” toward being part of The Lion King prequel at first. Why? Well, because the original movie with songs by Elton John and Tim Rice is such a behemoth. As he explained it, it has “five songs, all bangers.”

However, then something changed his mind. Or, someone anyway. It was Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins. As Miranda commented:

Jenkins is the filmmaker behind the Best Picture winner Moonlight along with 2019’s If Beale Street Could Talk. He is one of the most acclaimed Black filmmakers of our time, and he's helming a massive big-budget blockbuster for the first time with Mufasa. Lin-Manuel Miranda comparing him and The Lion King prequel to Greta Gerwig and Barbie seems to be in relation to the filmmakers having distinct voices and huge properties to bring their visions to.

Prior to Gerwig making Barbie, she had directed other passion projects like Lady Bird and Little Women, both of which earned a lot of awards buzz. When it came to last year’s biggest movie, she found a way to make a film about a huge commercial brand by having the story focus on the power of girlhood and womanhood. That, and she had Margot Robbie as producer on her side.

As the Mufasa: The Lion King release date draws closer, we know that the movie will follow the origin story of Mufasa and his brotherhood with Scar prior to their falling out. With the film almost here, surely there will be some conversations regarding how Moonlight’s attention to telling the story of a Black man’s life from childhood to adulthood compares and differs from what is told in Mufasa.

You can check out the Mufasa trailer here:

The movie stars Rebel Ridge’s Aaron Pierre as the voice of Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Scar along with the return of Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, John Kani as Rafiki, Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé as Nala. You can look forward to seeing Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa and the songs Miranda composed when the movie premieres on the 2024 movie schedule on December 20.

Disney has created some of the greatest characters in movie history. The Disney Princesses are a brand unto themselves and Disney Villains include some of the most iconic characters ever conceived. However, there are also those other characters. Sometimes the characters you remember most coming out of the best animated Disney movies aren't the heroes or the villains.

Sometimes the character that steals a scene, or even an entire movie, are the sidekicks. Sometimes it's the characters that are barely in the movie at all, but are so memorable in their few moments of screen time that you want to see an entirely new movie based on them. Here are some of the best Disney side characters who have stolen scenes in our favorite films.

The Genie - Aladdin

There may be no Disney character who stole the show, who was designed to steal the show, like Aladdin's Genie. Voiced by the incomparable Robin Williams, the Genie owns every scene he's in even though the movie is never really about him.

Sebastian - The Little Mermaid

There's no better way to steal a scene in an animated Disney movie than with a great song, and Sebastian gets a great one in The Little Mermaid. "Under the Sea" won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1990 and it's not hard to see why. Considering songwriter Howard Ashman specifically designed Sebastian with a Jamaican accent so that he could write a calypso song, clearly he knew this little crab would be one of the highlights of the film.

HeiHei - Moana

It takes a certain skill to steal a scene when you can't actually speak, and yet Moana's chicken HeiHei is somehow able to do exactly that. Alan Tudyk's great voice acting (voice clucking?) combined with perfect animation make Heihei unforgettable. It's a good thing Maui didn't eat him or we would have been robbed of some hilarious moments.

Maximus -Tangled

From sword-fighting Flynn Rider to breaking him out of prison, few horses are quite as capable as Maximus. Not simply a mount for the captain of the guard, Maximus himself ultimately becomes the captain of the guard, which is only fitting considering his importance. This horse deserves all the apples.

Kronk - The Emperor's New Groove

The Emperor's New Groove is one of Disney's funniest movies, and Kronk is absolutely the funniest part of it. The sidekick to villain Yzma, Kronk is big and dumb but it's impossible not to love him. He's just so earnest, and he tries so hard, how can you not love Kronk?

Lumiere - Beauty And The Beast

Even as a candelabra, there's something irresistible about Lumiere. Nothing phases him and he can get an entire dining room dancing. He's always sure that everything will work out in Beauty and the Beast, and he does eventually turn out to be right. Clearly, he knew something the rest of us did not.

Mr. Pleakly - Lilo & Stitch

Mr. Pleakly is the last alien who should be sent after experiment 626, but he certainly does give it his all in attempting to recapture the mischievous monster. From his numerous costume changes to his perpetual fear of basically everything, Pleakly is the perfect comic sidekick.

Rutt And Tuke - Brother Bear

Rutt and Tuke are minor characters in Brother Bear but of course, they steal every scene they're in. Why? They're voiced by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, and are basically just animated versions of The McKenzie Brothers, the hilariously Canadian duo of SCTV fame that the two played in live-action. Their appearance is almost more of an easter egg than anything else, but it's a welcome one.

Louis - The Princess And The Frog

Louis is a friendly alligator who plays the trumpet in a movie where jazz music plays a pivotal role. Of course, he's going to steal the show. He leads one of the best songs and gets some of the best jokes in The Princess and the Frog.

Vincenzo “Vinny” Santorini - Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Atlantis: The Lost Empire isn't a movie that a lot of people remember, but it had an incredible voice cast including Michael J. Fox, James Garner, and Leonard Nimoy. However, the character you likely remember most is explosives expert Vinny Santorini, who was voiced by Don Novello, best known for his character Father Guido Sarducci who would appear on SNL from time to time. Vinny is a simple man who just wants to blow things up. Is that too much to ask?

Tigger - The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is made up of three different stories, one of which doesn't even include the character of Tigger. And yet, today most people don't even realize that there was a time when there was no Tigger in Disney's Winnie the Pooh. He basically takes over the movie from the title bear from the moment he arrives and never gives it back.

Cheshire Cat - Alice In Wonderland

Wonderland is a strange place full of all sorts of strange characters, but the Cheshire Cat may be one of the weirdest of them all and one of the few who seems well aware of how strange he is. This makes him instantly memorable.

Scuttle - The Little Mermaid

Buddy Hackett was a great comic talent and he brings that incredible ability to the role of Scuttle in The Little Mermaid perfectly. The seagull's cluelessness is quite endearing, making every moment the bird is on screen hilarious.

Valentino - Wish

Alan Tudyk has voiced numerous Disney characters over the last several years, but one of his best is also one of his most recent. Valentino, the goat who gains the ability to speak in Wish does not let his new gift go to waste. He embraces his new speech and every line he speaks is another scene-stealing moment.

Rhino - Bolt

Disney movies teach us that we can do anything and one has to assume that Rhino, the hamster stuck in a ball from Bolt has seen more than his share of Disney movies. Rhino never lets his small stature stand in the way of whatever he believes he can accomplish, and while what he believes he can do is a great deal more than what's actually possible, you have to love the enthusiasm.

Archimedes - The Sword In The Stone

Sometimes in the middle of a bright and happy Disney movie, what you need is an angry curmudgeon who has no patience for any of it. That's the owl Archimedes in The Sword in the Stone. He doesn't like anybody or anything, and honestly, we've all been there.

Iago - Alddin

Voiced by the great Gilbert Gottfried it's literally impossible for Iago not to steal any scene he's in. How could you possibly ignore that voice? Still, Iago is hilariously fun with his endlessly sarcastic quips.

Sgt. Calhoun - Wreck-It Ralph

Most of Wreck-It Ralph takes place inside bright and colorful video games where the characters are all pretty laid back and fun. And then there's Sgt. Calhoun, the no-nonsense hardcore leader of Hero's Duty. She's so different than everything else in the movie that she instantly draws your attention whenever she's on screen.

Meg - Hercules

Oh all Disney heroines, Megara is one of the most overlooked. While she does eventually need rescuing from the hero, she never asks for help and spends a not insignificant amount of her time making fun of Hercules. She's such a shift from what we're used to it that you can't help but want more.

Allan-a-Dale - Robin Hood

Robin Hood isn't one of Disney's musicals, but it still has some great music thanks to Alan-A-Dale, the rooster minstrel voiced by the late great Roger Miller. He's the narrator of our story, but more than once his music becomes the story.

Boun - Raya And The Last Dragon

Raya and the Last Dragon is not lacking for memorable side characters, they're all quite impressive, but restaurant owner Boun, a kid pretending to be a businessman is the best of them. He commands the screen when he's being hilarious as much as when he's being vulnerable.

Olaf - Frozen

Olaf is one of those great Disney sidekicks that could have gone terribly wrong, but great writing and solid work from Josh Gad have continued to make Olaf incredible. There's a reason the little snowman has received his own holiday specials and animated short. The Frozen movies alone can't contain him.

Duke Weaselton - Zootopia

Duke Weaselton only appears in a couple of scenes in Zootopia but they're both quite memorable, with the first being one of the movie's great action sequences, and the second being one of the funniest parts of the film, where Weaselton is selling bootleg DVDs of animal-influenced Disney films.

Bruno - Encanto

They don't talk about Bruno, but after seeing Encanto Bruno was all most people could talk about. He may have gone slightly bonkers living in the walls of his house but the love he has for his family is palpable, making his brief appearance key to the story and the movie's emotional core.

Rafiki - The Lion King

Timon and Pumbaa often get all the credit for being scene-stealing sidekicks in The Lion King but Rafiki is the one who ultimately teaches Simba the lesson that he needs to understand, and he does it in a way that is equal parts magical and ridiculous. He has less screen time than almost any other voiced character in the film, but Rafiki makes it count.

Flora, Fauna And Merriweather - Sleeping Beauty

The master plan of the three fairies to keep Aurora safe for 16 years in Sleeping Beauty doesn't exactly work, but you certainly can't say that Flora, Fauna, and Meriweather don't give it their all. Even if they can't make a decent cake or decide what color to make a dress, these three are the aunts we all would be lucky if we had.

Jock And Trusty - Lady And The Tramp

Many Disney movies deal with incredible friendships but one of the best is happening on the sidelines of Lady and the Tramp. Trusty is an old bloodhound who has lost his ability to smell and Jock is his dear friend who will never tell him that he can't smell anything because Jock knows how heartbreaking that would be for his friend.

Jasper And Horace - 101 Dalmatians

Yes, Jasper and Horace are technically bad guys, but they're hilariously incompetent bad guys, and that makes them a great deal more fun and easier to love. If Cruela deVil had been able to hire anybody smarter she might have actually been dangerous.

Jaq And Gus - Cinderella

Cinderella's little mice friends are small but they are actually a big part of her movie. Jaq is (allegedly) the brains of the operation, but Gus is too cute to ignore. They are able to get the better of Lucifer the cat in a pair of sequences that are among the best in Cinderella.

Baymax - Big Hero 6

In a movie full of superheroes, the real hero is the one who would rather heal than hurt. Baymax is just so innocent and kind that it's impossible not to love him. Eventually, it's the robot who shows the biggest heart.

Scat Cat - The Aristocats

The Aristocats is not one of Walt Disney Animation's best movies, but it does have its moments. Or at least its moment. "Everybody Wants To Be A Cat" is a classic Disney song, even if it's in a largely forgotten movie. Scatman Cruthers is the voice of his namesake kitty, and he rocks the song and steals the show.

Dodger - Oliver And Company

How do you not steal the scene when you're literally Billy Joel? Dodger in Oliver and Company is the cool dog that everybody else wants to be, and he's got the best song in the movie. If you've ever seen this movie you probably don't remember anything else.

The Lion King franchise is such a huge hit for Disney that it has struck gold for the studio twice. Now, the live-action version is even receiving a prequel, Mufasa. But one element the new movie wont have is music by Elton John, who once had a hot take on his Oscar-winning song from the film. And I think it ultimately paid off.

There’s a famous story regarding the time Elton John first heard how his song, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?”, was going to be used in The Lion King. Apparently, he took issue with it and complained that Disney was using it all wrong, leading to the studio going back and trying again. The master musician now says the anecdote isn’t quite right, because originally Disney wasn’t going to use the song at all.

Speaking with Variety, the 77-year-old musician explained that at one point during production, he was shown a version of The Lion King by then-Disney Studio head Jeffrey Katzenberg. He was surprised that one of his songs “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” wasn’t in the film and, while it didn’t particularly bother him, he suggested that they find a place for it, as all the best Disney animated movies have great love songs. John explained…

At this point, it’s difficult to imagine The Lion King without the love ballad. The producers of the film previously admitted that it was difficult finding the right place for the song, leading to it being handled in a comedic way, being sung entirely by Timon and Pumbaa. Pumbaa voice actor Ernie Abella previously told CinemaBlend it was Elton John who killed the idea.

In the end, Timon and Pumbaa would sing the intro and outro, but a more traditional long song took over in between. The tune would go on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song. While Sir Elton John is happy to have taken home the trophy, he says a different Lion King song should have won the Oscar, and it's a biggie:

If “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” had remained a comedy number, there’s a strong possibility “The Circle of Life” would have won the Oscar. Considering that three songs from The Lion King were nominated, the odds were the movie was winning one way or another. There’s no argument that Elton John knew what he was doing.

You can stream The Lion King and its sequel, spinoffs and remake using a Disney+ subscription. Also, be sure to check out Mufasa: The Lion King when it opens in theaters on December 20 amid the 2024 movie schedule.

Some movies you can just watch over and over, like the ones on this list. There are a lot of great movies out there, some films you can only watch once, like Schindler's List, but others, like the ones on this list, never get old. Here's our list of the most rewatchable movies we know. 

The Big Lebowski

One of the things that makes the Coen Brothers' masterpiece The Big Lebowski is how The Dude and other characters learn things along the way and use those new facts and lines later in the movie. It's something you might never notice if you didn't watch the movie over and over and that kind of thing will not stand. Not to mention it has some really classic lines that are endlessly quotable. 

Clueless

As if we'd ever get bored of watching Clueless. There are so many great characters, from Cher (Alicia Silverstone) to Tai (Brittany Murphy) to Mr. Hall (Wallace Shawn), that we could watch over and over just to watch one character each time. 

The Dark Knight

Of all the comic movies that have been released in the 21st Century, there is one performance that will always stand above all the others. Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight ranks among the best roles ever seen on film, superhero movies or otherwise. It's so good that it literally never gets old or stale. There is something to behold every time you watch the movie. 

Die Hard

Watching Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman face off in Die Hard is the main reason the movie will always be rewatchable. Both put in some of the best performances of their careers and even though there have been many Die Hard sequels, none of them quite have the charm and magic that the original has. 

Dirty Dancing

For decades now people have been having the time of their lives watching Dirty Dance on repeat. The music, the dancing, the love story... it brings audiences along for a realistic, yet fantastical story all in one. It's been beloved for years for a reason. 

Dazed And Confused

Dazed And Confused is among the best movies about high school ever made. It's also one of the best movies of the 1990s, though it's set in the '70s. Those aren't the qualities that make it so rewatchable. It's simply the amazing cast and the endless amounts of quotable lines those actors deliver. It's always pleasurable to watch actors like Paker Posey, Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser, and Matthew McConaughey so early in their careers. 

Back To The Future

There is a level of rewatchability to all three Back To The Future movies, but the first still stands way above the sequels. It's a movie so fun and so well-paced that you never get bored, even if it's the 150th time you've watched it. 

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Everything Everywhere All at Once has a lot going on. It's a movie worth watching again and again if for no other reason than it's easy to miss stuff the first, or even fifth time you watch it. The concept is so cool and so well executed, and the acting performances are so good, that it's impossible to get bored with the film. 

The Godfather

Though the entry just says The Godfather, this could really count for either Part I or Part II, as both are among the most rewatchable movies ever. There is a reason they both consistently rank among the best movies ever made. The acting performances are amazing, the dialog is incredible, and Francis Ford Coppola's directing is as good as it gets on film. 

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 1

Let's be honest, there are quite a few movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that you can watch over and over. There is one that stands above the rest though. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 1 has great music and great quotes, which are two things that really make movies forever rewatchable. It's just a really fun movie with some of the most fun characters in the whole universe. 

Legally Blonde

If you want to know how valuable Elle Woods can be, just try to stop watching Legally Blonde when you randomly come across it. It can't be done. It's filled with quotable lines and one of the most charming performances of Reese Witherspoon's stellar career. 

The Princess Bride

From Gen Xers to Zoomers, The Princess Bride has become part of millions of people's childhood. It's a movie that kids and adults can watch over and over, finding different wonderful things about it, depending on your maturity level. No matter how many times you watch, you can always find something new to observe and love about The Princess Bride. 

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Who doesn't love Indiana Jones? The character, played of course by the great Harrison Ford, has become one of the most enduring movie heroes of all time. Well into the 21st Century, Hollywood is coming up with new adventures for the old archeologist. In the end, it all goes back to the beginning though, with the O.G. movie, Raider of the Lost Ark. 

Clue

If you were to ask around the staff of Cinemablend what off-beat comedy is their favorite, there is a decent chance Clue would be the answer you get. If for no other reason, the movie can be - and should be - watched over and over just for Tim Curry's amazing, manic, hilarious performance as The Butler...who butles and creates absolute mayhem. 

The Shawshank Redemption

It's hard for people to believe that The Shawshank Redemption wasn't a big hit in theaters. For whatever reason, it failed to find an audience. That all changed when the movie hit cable TV and became one of the most-watched movies in movie history. It was on TV all the time because people watched it all the time, over and over. 

Jurassic Park

The moment in Jurassic Park when Dr. Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Sattler (Laura Dern) see the dinosaurs for the first time, with John Williams' amazing score swelling in the background is such a great movie moment, that you can watch it over and over and a tear will still come to your eye. Now throw in all the other great parts and you have a seriously rewatchable movie. 

The Lion King

Disney sure knows how to make movies that kids and adults alike can watch over and over. We could really pick almost any of their classic cartoons here, but The Lion King is so good it's been remade into a live-action hit and one of the most successful Broadway shows of all time. All three are eminently rewatchable. 

Mean Girls

You know if a movie gets a remake less than 20 years after it was originally made, especially when that remake is based on a Broadway musical adaptation, it must be a movie you can watch over and over. Fans of Means Girls just can't get enough of the comedy, both on stage and screen. 

The Wolf Of Wall Street

If you're a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, or bad language, The Wolf Of Wall Street is likely a movie you've watched numerous times, right? And why wouldn't you? It's an almost perfect movie. Much of the story is tragic, but the ride to get there is wild. 

9 To 5

Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda are three national treasures. Put them in a movie where they torture their horrible boss played by the late great Dabney Coleman and you've got the recipe for a movie that people will never get bored of, just like 9 to 5.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars fans can watch any of the many movies over and over. All movie fans can watch Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back over and over, however. You don't have to be obsessed with every bit of Star Wars lore to absolutely love Empire. It's the best of the movies and one of the best movies ever made. It's got some of the craziest action scenes, the coolest characters, and the best plot twist of all time, at least according to many. It's simply the best. 

10 Things I Hate About You

When a movie is a hit with teenagers, especially one as popular as 10 Things I Hate About You, you can bet it'll be a rewatchable movie. Throw in some breakout performances by Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Julia Stiles, a plot based on a Shakespeare play, and you've got all the ingredients you need for a massive hit that people will watch again and again. 

Fight Club

The first rule of Fight Club might be don't talk about Fight Club, but no one really follows that rule, and the second rule might as well be, "watch Fight Club over and over and quote it endlessly" because that's what Fight Club really is. Like many of director David Fincher's movies, Fight Club is so well done that you see something new in it every time you watch, just like many of the great movies on this list. 

Titanic

To paraphrase the late, great Jerry Garcia, Titanic is like black licorice. Not everyone likes it, but the people that do like it, really like it. The James Cameron mega-hit isn't for everyone, in fact, it might have as many haters as it does lovers, but those who do love it never get bored with watching the wonderful sets and spectacular effects that the movie is best known for. 

The Matrix

While it's true that the Matrix trilogy had diminishing returns, there is no denying how amazing and groundbreaking the first one was. It still has a hold on popular culture, decades after its initial release. While some fans may not go back to the three sequels, the original is still a favorite for everyone that was red-pilled from the beginning. 

Pretty Woman

As rom-coms go, you can't get more perfect than Pretty Woman. Sure, the plot is a little dated and in some ways problematic, but the performances from the leads, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, and the side characters, like Jason Alexander and Hector Elizondo are so good, it allows us to overlook the aging flaws of the movie and watch it again and again with nothing but joy. 

Gladiator

It really doesn't matter how many times you seen Gladiator, you are still going to jump up out of your seat when Maximus (Russell Crowe) reveals himself to Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). it's a moment in cinema history that will stand the test of time and still be a classic centuries from now. 

Jaws

It's no accident that Jaws is on this list. It's considered the first "summer blockbuster" but it's so much more. The characters are so well-developed that you can't help but root for all of them, except the mayor, of course. Sure the shark looks a little dated, but director Steven Spielberg did such an amazing job building the suspense by not seeing the shark, that it's easy to look past the 1970s movie magic.

The Great Escape

On Christmas in the United States, we watch things like A Christmas Story and It's a Wonderful Life every year. In the UK, they watch The Great Escape. We'll admit, that's a pretty amazing tradition because despite its nearly three-hour runtime, there is never a dull moment and it proves that longer is often better. The all-star cast and sharp direction keep the movie humming along from the time they are all locked up until they all get locked up again after the escape. 

The Incredibles

The Incredibles was an incredible hit for Pixar in 2004. Just like many Pixar and Disney movies before and after it, it became an indelible part of millions of kids' childhoods and even as they've aged, they still love the Parr family. While it took 16 years, when a sequel was finally made in 2018, it took in a cool $1.2 billion, attesting to just how loved (and watched) the original was and is. 

A League of Their Own

We all know that there is no crying in baseball because we've all seen Tom Hanks say it a million times as we've watched A League of Their Own over and over. All the characters are so unique and memorable that it's like watching an old friend every time it's on. 

Caddyshack

Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Ted Knight are four of the most quotable actors of all time. When you put them all in the same movie, and give them some of the best lines ever written, it's no surprise that Caddyshack is the kind of movie that people watch so often they end up memorizing it. Dangerfield, a king of the one-liner, is especially great in this one. 

1994’s The Lion King is considered one of the best family movies of the ‘90s for a lot of reasons. Its epic animation brought the African savanna to life as well as being a successful Shakespeare play adaptation of Hamlet’s themes of responsibility and redemption. Even though The Lion King has lived rent-free in my mind for the past three decades, I was today years old when I found out the roars from the movie was a voice actor literally growling into a trash can!

It still amazes me how realism was put into the 2D drawings of The Lion King. If you look back at stunning Disney+ nature documentaries that feature lions, the animation in the Disney animated movie was on point. It makes sense considering a BTS fact from the Walt Disney Feature was that real lions were brought into the studio so animators could draw them.

You would think that with all of the accuracy captured for the appearance of the classic Lion King characters that they recorded the real lions’ roars, right? Think again! I, for one, learned today that the infamous roars you hear from the high-grossing movie was actually voice actor Frank Welker. Watch this X video below of him literally roaring into a trash can:

My mind is officially blown that all it took was the impressive vocal stylings of roars in a trash can to hear what we all heard in The Lion King. You may not recognize Frank Welker by face, but his voice talent is so prolific that he’s considered the fourth highest-grossing actor.

Frank Welker is best known for voicing Fred and later Scooby in the animated Scooby-Doo franchise. Welker reprised the role in 2020 as the only returning cast member for Scoob! He’s also lent his voice to a number of iconic animated characters like Curious George, Garfield, various Transformers characters, and more. You know Welker’s got true talent if he can roar in a trashcan and sound exactly like a lion this way.

Roaring in The Lion King was a very important element that shows Simba’s coming-of-age transition. At the beginning of the movie, Simba tries to use his roar to thwart hyenas only for it to come off as cute. Then, his father Mufasa’s deafening roar was able to successfully clear the hyenas away because of the force he developed throughout his years. By the end of the movie, Simba lets out a booming roar his father would be proud of that the rest of the pride is able to respect.

Just when we thought the roars heard in The Lion King came from real lions, a video revealed it was actually the talents of voice actor Frank Welker roaring into a trash can. Even though we have all of the technology in the world to be able to create realistic sound effects now, this behind-the-scenes detail from the 1994 movie proves that even a simple practical effect tool can achieve movie magic. You can hear all of the roars from your favorite animated lions in The Lion King on your Disney+ subscription.

The Walt Disney Company is coming off recently celebrating one hundred years as a studio, and boy, do they have a massive legacy to boast about. One especially great element to come out of the animation house and entertainment conglomerate is all the incredible music that has been composed for their iconic movies over the years. And now, for maybe the first time ever, the company is making something for the punk Disney fans!

Disney is Releasing A Pop-Punk Album, And I’m Already Obsessed

Disney announced that a brand new cover album packed full of Disney songs is coming soon. It’s called A Whole New Sound and it will feature many of the studio’s greatest hits re-recorded by “iconic” alternative, rock, and pop punk bands.

Upon the announcement, Disney dropped the first song of the batch. Simple Plan was brought on the album to do their own rendition of “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and this version is fire. Give it a listen on YouTube:

This is so good! Simple Plan is a beloved band on the pop punk scene most memorably with the hit “I’m Just A Kid” back in 2002 along with tons of great songs from the genre over the years. Disney has yet to announce what other punk bands or songs will be featured on the album, but Simple Plan is an incredible introduction to the whole thing. I could see bands like Taking Back Sunday, Pierce The Veil, Jimmy Eat World, or even Paramore… though they are currently busy going viral on the Eras Tour also recording their own tracks as well!

Disney also announced that Simple Plan will be playing “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” at D23 on August 9 in conjunction with the studio celebrating The Lion King’s 30th Anniversary. The studio is already celebrating the big birthday by having Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa movie be the next among live-action Disney movies.

‘A Whole New Sound’ Brings Together Two Nostalgic Passions Of Mine

How awesome is it that punk bands are being recognized by Disney? I can recall growing up as a Disney kid with the Disneymania series of albums that had popular singers and bands covering classic Disney tunes. Smash Mouth covered “I Wanna Be Like You” from Jungle Book, the Jonas Brothers did “Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me),” Selena Gomez covered “Cruella De Vil,” and Jessica Simpson did “Part Of Your World,” among so many others.

As a kid who grew up in that Disney Channel golden age, I loved listening to those covers. I love that the album will have the younger generation discovering pop punk bands, and perhaps parents my age and older will get a kick out of the upcoming album.

I’m eager to hear how these bands have fans rediscovering Disney’s massive library, whether it's one of the most uplifting Disney songs or more sad tracks that fit more in with the pop punk scene.

There are movies out there that will surprise you to learn they earned over that magic number of $1 billion. No one is shocked to see Avatar: Way of the Water or Titanic on the list, those movies are well known for their monster success, but then there are dozens of movies who have hit that number, mostly in the 21st Century, and some of them are really surprising. So here is our list of those, with the numbers reported by Box Office Mojo.

Zootopia

Disney's Zootopia didn't feel like it was going to be a billion-dollar franchise. Sure, the trailer was great and the movie was fantastic, but if you were placing bets on which Disney movies released in 2016 would earn more, Zootopia or Moana, most people would have guessed the latter. But it's the former that far outearned Moana, bringing in just over a billion dollars.

Aladdin

Disney has taken a lot of grief from some of the movie-going public for their live-action remakes, but the House of Mouse has consistently proven their critics wrong, at least in terms of box office revenue. Will Smith's Aladdin is one such example, as it brought in just north of a cool billion upon release in 2019. 

Finding Dory

Say what you want about Disney, but they are good at building many of their franchises. Finding Nemo was a huge hit, but its sequel, Finding Dory, smashed Nemo's box office numbers, bringing in more than a billion, beating its big brother by more than $500 million. 

Joker

Oppenheimer took the world by storm in the summer of 2023 and quickly became the second-highest-grossing rated R movie at the time. As well as it did at the box office, it couldn't top Todd Phillips' Joker. Joker became the first adult-only movie to top $1 billion in 2019.

Toy Story 3

It's probably not all that surprising that a Toy Story movie made a billion bucks. What is a little surprising is that it took until the 3rd installment of the franchise to become the first to do it. After nearly a decade since Toy Story 2 Pixar hit it big, both critically and financially, with 2010's Toy Story 3. Good things come to those who wait. 

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon

There are probably still people out there that are surprised by the monster success of the Michael Bay Transformers movies. Critics loathe them, but fans can't get enough, and that shows when they earn over a billion despite terrible reviews, like Transformers: Dark Of The Moon.

The Lion King

A year after releasing the hugely successful Aladdin live-action remake, Disney followed up with another live-action remake of one of their beloved '90s cartoons, The Lion King and it too went wild at the box office, earning more than $1.6 billion. 

Jurassic Park

This is arguably the most surprising on the list. No, not that a Jurassic Park movie raked in over a billion, each of the three released between 2015 and 2022 did that. No, what makes this entry so surprising is that it came out in 1993! It's by far the oldest movie on this list and it's astounding that it's earned over a billion. It was all earned in the '90s, of course, it's been re-released multiple times, but it just keeps crushing it whenever it is. 

Skyfall

Amazingly, it took 23 movies before the James Bond franchise had its first billion-dollar+ release. 2012's Skyfall, which CinemaBlend ranks in the middle of the pack of the Daniel Craig era was the first movie about the super spy to bring in over a billion. 

The Fate Of The Furious

Sometimes franchises just prove the critics wrong over and over. The Fast franchise is the poster child of this. While film reviewers and movie snobs often scoff at the franchise, the fans keep flocking, and The Fate Of The Furious is one huge example, as it earned more than $1.2 billion at the box office. 

Aquaman

Never underestimate the power of Jason Momoa. While it's never surprising to see superhero movies earn tons of money, the DCEU never quite kept up with its rival, Marvel. Despite mixed reviews and some bad press, 2018's Aquaman still crushed at the box office, raking in more than $1.1 billion. 

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

No one is surprised by the success of the Harry Potter movies. Most of the series earned just under a billion, but only just. It's also not surprising to learn that the highest-grossing movie of the franchise was the final one, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, released in 2010. What is very surprising is that number two on the list is the oldest, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, released way back in 2001. It has benefitted from re-releases, but it's still pretty shocking. 

Minions

One could argue that Minions is really a spinoff more than a prequel to the original Despicable Me and as such, you wouldn't expect it to be one of the most successful releases in the very popular series. the 2015 release earned over $1.1 billion, far out earning the main installments in the franchise. 

Alice In Wonderland

This may be the most surprising movie on the list. Tim Burton's 2010 release, Alice in Wonderland earned just over a billion dollars at the box office, which is more than all but two of Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean movies. It's just remarkable. How did this oddball movie earn so much? Well, Johnny Depp was one of the biggest stars in the world at the time, but that still doesn't fully explain it. We may never know. 

Inside Out 2

In 2024 Pixar proved it's still a force to be reckoned with when Inside Out 2 earned over $1.2 billion at the box office. Released nine years after the first movie, Inside Out 2 crushed at the box office and proved the Disney animation studio has more up its sleeve than we ever realized. 

Beauty And The Beast

Beauty And The Beast was the first '90s Disney animated movie to get the live-action remake treatment. Released in 2017, it was an instant success, packing theaters and printing money to the tune of over $1.2 billion. It paved the way for later success like Aladdin and The Lion King. 

Incredibles 2

it's never really a huge surprise when a Disney-animated movie makes a ton of dough. What makes Incredibles 2 so surprising is just how much that was. The 2018 sequel made more than $1.2 billion, ranking only below Frozen as Disney's most successful animated movie at the time. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie got crushed by many critics. Audiences completely ignored them, however, and generally loved it. That paid off at the box office in a big way, to the tune of more than $1.3 billion. Huge numbers. 

Despicable Me 3

After the huge success of Minions, Despicable Me 3 was released in 2016 and followed the success of its spinoff, earning just over a billion at the box office. It was followed up 8 years later with Despicable Me 4 in 2024 which wasn't a hit with critics, but still made a ton of money. 

Top Gun: Maverick

1986's Top Gun is a cultural touchstone to anyone who grew up in the '80s. It was wildly popular, and while people were skeptical of a sequel getting released almost 40 years later, the movie makers proved it was the correct decision. Top Gun: Maverick "saved" cinema, according to some, as it was the first monster release after the pandemic, bringing in almost $1.5 billion. Just incredible. 

Captain Marvel

It might not be surprising that an MCU movie would earn over a billion, lots of them have. Captain Marvel, however, was a bit of a surprise. Not only did some overzealous fans scoff at a female lead in a superhero movie, it came sandwiched between the two monster Avengers movies. Brie Larson and Marvel proved their critics wrong when the movie brought in $1.1 billion and change. 

Frozen II

Anyone who has had a kid in the last 20 years knows how huge Frozen was. Its sequel, however, was less well-received by fans and critics alike. That didn't stop fans from flocking to theaters to see it, however. It made an amazing $1.4 billion. 

Rogue One

A few Star Wars movies have made over a billion, but Rogue One is the only one outside of the main trilogy of trilogies to earn that distinction. It's also one of the best Star Wars movies since the original three. 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy was a monster success. His follow-up, the Hobbit trilogy wasn't as successful, but the first one, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, still managed to crack the billion-dollar mark. The only one of the three to do so. 

The Dark Knight

Okay, we'll be honest, this one isn't all that surprising. Not only is The Dark Knight arguably the best superhero movie ever made, it marked Heath Ledger's most electrifying performance before we lost him far too soon. Still, for a movie as dark as it is, it's surprising it was as successful in theaters as it was. 

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

By the time Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean series was released, it seemed like the franchise was running on borrowed time. The box office receipts proved that wrong in a big way when it earned more than a billion and became the second most successful movie in the Johnny Depp-led series at the time. 

The Dark Knight Rises

Another dark entry in the superhero genre is the third film in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy. It did not have auspicious opening weekend when a gunman killed 12 people at a midnight screening of the movie. It was a tragic moment, but the box office rebounded and The Dark Knight Rises still earned over a billion.  

Barbie

While it wasn't a surprise that the Margot Robbie-led Barbie became a hit, but the absolutely huge impact of the movie took almost everyone by surprise. When it was all said and done, Barbie was the highest-grossing movie of 2023, earning more than $1.4 billion. 

Toy Story 4

It's always risky to release a sequel a decade after the previous installment of a franchise, much less decades after the original, but Toy Story 4 proved that the world truly loves the franchise as much as any other Disney has ever created. It just topped its predecessor with over a billion dollars earned in 2019. 

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Everyone knows that The Lord of the Rings trilogy was a massive success, but still, the fact that a movie released in 2003 earned north of a billion is very surprising. That's exactly what The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King did when it was released, right before it cleaned up at the Oscars. 

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Critics continue to slam the Transformers franchise, but fans don't care. The 2014 release, Transformers: Age of Extinction, proves just how much the fans don't care as they flocked to the theater, handing over a collective $1.1 billion. 

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Only three movies released in the 1990s have ever earned over a billion dollars. Titanic, of course, is the top earner. Jurassic Park is the second. The third, is maybe not as surprising, as it's a Star Wars movie and it was the first one in almost two decades. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace may not be a fan favorite today, but in 1999 fans couldn't wait. It destroyed box offices all over the work, raking in an impressive one billion dollars. It far outpaced its sequels and that mark was not reached by the franchise again until 2015's Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens.

When it comes to Disney movies, there are plenty of instances where I’m sure we all look at the TV screen, look at our partner next, and sigh, wondering how our lives could never be as romantic as the couples in Disney movies. Alright, well, maybe that was a bit dramatic, but you get what I mean – and today, we’ll be going over some of the best romantic scenes in Disney movies that give me hope in true love. 

Ariel And Eric During “Kiss The Girl” (The Little Mermaid)

One of my favorite Disney scenes comes from The Little Mermaid. Not only does the “Kiss the Girl” scene provide one of the best Disney songs ever, but it’s also a significant turning point in Eric and Ariel’s relationship.

Hercules Literally Risking His Life To Save Meg (Hercules)

Hercules is such an underrated Disney classic, and while it has gotten plenty of praise in the last few years, including talk of a live-action remake, I will never forgive it for not being nearly as big as it should have been. Hercules and Meg were the definition of the ‘it’ couple, and I’m pretty sure not every man would dive into a river of death, risk losing their lives, and so much more to save their significant other—the definition of love. 

Lady And Tramp Sharing A Dinner (Lady And The Tramp)

It’s funny when I watch The Lady and the Tramp now as an adult because I can’t help but think that these dogs are getting celebrity treatment, getting fresh spaghetti and meatballs from a chef. But of course, I have to put down the two main characters swapping meatballs and spaghetti. 

Carl And Ellie’s Montage (Up)

I’m not crying; you are. 

Rewatching Up as an adult is always a hard-hitter, but you want to know what still hits just as hard? Watching Carl and Ellie’s montage of their love story. Heck, I recall seeing this film in the theater with my dad and remembering it as the first time I ever saw him cry. It’s profound love, people. 

Simba And Nala Reuniting (The Lion King)

There is literally nothing better than a friends-to-lovers romance, and I stand by that because now, we have a cemented foundation on which to start a new relationship. And nothing tells a better story than Nala and Simba when they reunite after years apart in The Lion King. Look at these two – they are so in love, and it’s so adorable. 

Eugene And Rapunzel In The Boat (Tangled)

Tangled is a better movie than Frozen, and one of the reasons is that the central relationship between Eugene and Rapunzel legit gives me butterflies even now. I could point out so many scenes between them, but for the sake of space, I’ll say the lantern scene. Eugene is renting out a boat for them on a lake to watch the lanterns in the sky – peak romance moves right there, my man. 

Kiara And Kovu’s Little Love Boat Ride (The Lion King 2)

A lot of people don’t really know that much about The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride, considering that it was never released in theaters, but I have a soft spot for it. In the central love story, Kiara (Simba’s daughter) and Kovu (the son of a leader of outcast lions) are great enemies to lovers. One of their best moments is when they are on a love-boat ride, thanks to Rafiki, during the song “Upendi.” I still dance to it now. 

Eve Trying Her Best To Save Wall-E (WALL-E)

WALL-E is undoubtedly one of the best Pixar movies by far, and while it paints a dystopian view of the world (that almost feels like it’s slowly coming true), at its core is a love story between two robots. The final scene, where Wall-E has basically been destroyed and Eve is trying her absolute hardest to save him – brings tears to my eyes every time. 

Kristoff Getting Anna Home When The Coldness Spreads (Frozen)

Frozen is a great movie about sisterly love, but in terms of romance, Kristoff and Anna are pretty great, too. A great scene to point out is when Kristoff rides Sven home back to Arendelle for even a chance that Anna could live after the coldness in her spreads. He started off not even wanting to travel with her to save her. Adorable. 

Pongo And Perdita Literally Bringing Their Owners Together (101 Dalmatians)

I always say that there is no purer love than a dog’s love, and I think Pongo and Perdita perfectly exemplify that. But you want to know what’s better than them? The fact that these two were so enamored with each other that they literally brought their owners together, too. Talk about fate. 

Aladdin’s Carpet Ride (Aladdin)

I’m, like, 99% sure that “A Whole New World” has become one of the most iconic romance songs of all time, so of course, I have to include the scene from Aladdin that features him taking Jasmine out on a magic carpet ride. Haven’t we all wished for a prince to sweep us off our feet literally? 

Prince Charming Literally Going From Town To Town To Find His Love (Cinderella)

While Cinderella to me isn’t one of the best Disney films ever, there’s no denying its impact and the fact that the Prince did make a very romantic gesture. He’s so enamored with Cinderella, not knowing her name, that he uses a shoe going from town to town in order to find her. 

The Beast Gifting Belle A Library (Beauty And The Beast)

As someone who is counting down every upcoming book-to-screen adaptation that is coming out, do you know the things I would do to be gifted a library like Belle? The Beast in Beauty and the Beast just casually had this whole library in his castle and decided to give it to Belle when feelings began to arrive. I wish. That’s so sweet. 

Prince Phillip Fighting A LITERAL Dragon For Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

I mean, you really can’t get a better protector than Prince Phillip, who literally went to defeat a dragon for Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. It’s not like he had a giant crossbow or anything like that – he went in with just a sword, and my god, I can’t help but admire that and also love that kind of energy for Aurora. 

Elizabeth And Nicholas Marry Again (The Parent Trap)

I always love second-chance romances in any of the best rom-com out there, and The Parent Trap is an excellent example of that. While we do see Elizabeth and Nicholas kiss at the very end of the film, it’s the pictures we see of their second wedding that make me swoon and awe and practically cry.

Eric Giving Ariel The Reigns (The Little Mermaid)

You know, upon watching The Little Mermaid as an adult, I’ve slowly come to realize that Eric and Ariel were actually a decent couple, considering it felt like everyone fell in love so quickly with older Disney movies. Eric, who barely even knows Ariel, takes her out on a journey into town for fun and lets her control the carriage of a horse because she showed interest. Was it necessarily wise? No, but it was still fun. 

Giselle And Robert Finally Kiss (Enchanted)

Rewatching Enchanted is always fun when you’re older, especially when you realize that the songs are incredible and I could jam to them every time. But after seeing Giselle and Robert dance around each other for an entire movie, their kiss at the very end is so fulfilling, and I always feel myself take a deep sigh of relief whenever it happens. 

Eugene Telling Rapunzel That She Was His New Dream (Tangled)

God, that's the gut punch that this scene always gives me. In Tangled, when Mother Goethel stabs Flynn, Eugene cuts off Rapunzel’s hair in order for Goethal to die, rendering her unable to heal him. As he dies, he says to Rapunzel that she has become his new dream, referencing a song earlier in the movie. Thankfully, she’s able to bring him back, but this moment is so beautifully sad. 

When Belle Danced With The Beast For The First Time (Beauty And The Beast)

I’m pretty sure Beauty and the Beast has some of the most iconic romantic scenes ever, and one of them is undoubtedly Belle and the Beast dancing for the first time. It’s slow at first; both are not used to the feelings that are there, but they eventually relax and have fun, and – ugh, I’m swooning thinking about it. 

Troy Decides To Do Both Theater And Basketball To Be Closer To Gabriella (High School Musical 3: Senior Year)

Okay, let’s not address the fact that Troy’s most significant issue in life was whether he wanted to play basketball or theater and that his friends were criticizing him for it – because my man did not deserve that pain. But what we can talk about is how Troy decides to follow his heart and go to a school closer to home so he can be closer to Gabriella at Stanford. I love it. 

Tiana Teaches Naveen How To Mince (The Princess And The Frog)

Tiana is an underrated Disney princess and a great role model. One of my favorite parts about her is that she can cook like no one is watching. When she and Prince Naveen are frogs and need food, she decides to teach Prince Naveen himself how to mince mushrooms. I don’t know what it is about this scene, but it makes me smile every time I see the look in his eyes when he’s impressed with her knife skills. 

Pocahontas Saving John Smith (Pocahontas)

Forget the historical inaccuracies of this film. Instead, let’s talk about how Pocahontas and John Smith were a decently good couple (in the movie) and that she threw herself against her people to save him. Only the fictional versions of these characters make me believe in love again – not the actual figures they are based on. But it’s still a good scene. 

Wade And Ember Finally Embrace (Elemental)

I don’t think you can really get better than fire and water finding a way to co-exist. It is a significant plot point in Elemental that both Wade and Ember wouldn’t be able to touch each other if romance ever entered the picture, but at the very end of the film, they embrace it. It’s a moving scene, and it is one I still love to watch. 

Kristoff Dressing Up For Anna (Frozen 2)

Kristoff is a very manly man – meaning his dressing up in a fancy suit with slicked-back hair isn’t really his style. However, he does do this for Anna’s coronation in Frozen 2, and it’s a charming gesture – although she does say she prefers him in leather after. 

Will And Elizabeth Marry In The Middle Of A Battle (Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest)

Literally, how can you get more romantic than getting married in the middle of a battle? The Pirates of the Caribbean movies drop off with Will and Elizabeth’s romance in later films, but man, these first few were top-tier – and then tying the knot while fighting for their lives with that Hans Zimmer score in the background? Chills, every time. 

The Beast Lets Belle Go (Beauty And The Beast)

To lose something is to have loved something, and that phrase is thoroughly used in Beauty and the Beast. Despite falling for Belle, the Beast lets her go after their dance because she sees that her father is in trouble. He cares about her happiness more than anything else, and…that is true love right there. 

Jane Decides To Stay In The Jungle With Tarzan (Tarzan)

You know, I always wonder how Jane adapted to Tarzan because the fact that she stays behind to be with him is the most significant act of love on this list. Think about it – she left behind her entire world to stay with this man. I’d love to know how their interactions went once the movie was done. 

When Aladdin Stares At Jasmine For The First Time (Aladdin)

Everyone dreams of having someone stare at them the way that Aladdin does the first time he spots Jasmine in Aladdin. That look of utter infatuation and love at first sight – it gets me every time. He’s so down bad it’s not even funny. 

Opposites Truly Attract Between Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun And Felix (Wreck-It-Ralph)

Wreck-It Ralph is a great 2010s Disney movie with many great themes and relationships. One I never expected was between Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun and Felix, two people from two very different games who somehow find their way to each other through this crazy journey. Opposites truly do attract. 

Ariel Singing To Eric (The Little Mermaid)

I think everyone would love to wake up to a mermaid singing to them, but the way that Ariel does it is so ethereal – and it makes total sense why Eric would fall in love with that voice. I mean, come on – saving someone and then singing to them? Pure love, right there. 

Hercules Being The Absolute Cutest With Meg In The Garden (Hercules)

Hercules and Meg are one of my absolute favorite couples in all of Disney, and I can’t get over their date and walking in the garden afterward. I don’t know what it is – maybe it’s the fact that this super strong man who is so nerdy and silly in front of Meg, this headstrong girl, melts her defenses, and it makes me swoon. Either way, it’s adorable. 

Ben Getting A Sign From His Wife (Haunted Mansion)

2023’s Haunted Mansion had no right to be as emotional as it was, and it was made even more emotional when Ben, at the very end, received a sign from his wife from the beyond. His wife, who loved tater tots – and now Ben himself found a cat named Tater Tot. Shut up. Shut up. I am getting tears in my eyes just writing about it. 

This is making me excited for all the upcoming Disney movies and any romantic scenes that will make me swoon. I’m here for the tears, the laughs, and so much more. 

North West, the oldest child of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, has been making waves on TikTok for a little while now, but she recently appeared on stage for a major performance. The 10-year-old took part in a two-day performance of The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl, where she played the role of Simba. Since West’s turn as the iconic Disney character, people have taken to social media to share their takes on her performance. Many have taken issue with the fact that the pre-teen was tapped for the part. Now, Jason Weaver – who lent his vocals to the fictional young lion in the original film – is weighing in. 

While Jonathan Taylor Thomas provided the speaking voice for young Simba in the 1994 classic (which can be streamed with the Disney+ subscription), Jason Weaver provided his singing voice. The former child actor notably performed "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" and “Hakuna Matata." Weaver was one of several original cast members from the movie who took part in the production at the Hollywood Bowl. Sometime after the first show, he took to his Instagram to share a photo featuring him alongside North West. And, with his caption, he praised the young lady for her work as the lead character: 

It sounds like the Chi cast member was truly impressed by the Kardashians alum’s chops. That’s some serious praise coming from a cast member of one of the greatest animated movies released before Best Animated Feature was introduced by the Oscars. You can check out the former’s full post below, which includes the aforementioned photo of the two sporting big smiles:

Disney’s The Lion King 30th Anniversary: A Live-to-Film Concert Event took place on May 24 and 25 and featured performances from several of the franchise’s cast members. Other OGs who joined Jason Weaver were Jeremy Irons (Scar), Nathan Lane (Timon) and Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa). As for North West, she notably performed "I Just Can't Wait to Be King,” while wearing her own attire – a yellow and furry hooded ensemble. Responses to her work have been a mixed bag, with @_RichieDinero and others viewing the rendition and lackluster and arguing how nepotism played into West’s hiring. Meanwhile, @xodaniegirlxo along with additional fans have come to West’s defense.

The budding social media influencer has seen her profile rising in recent years due to her TikTok videos, some of which show her trolling mom Kim Kardashian. She’s also had her share of musical moments, as she’s performed with her rapper father on occasion and was even once pulled on stage by Katy Perry. 

As alluded to in Jason Weaver’s post North West turn as Simba will be viewable once the show begins streaming. It’s yet to be confirmed just when the musical production will be available to access on the platform. While not a definite possibility, there is a chance that others might chime in on West’s work once they’re able to see it in the comfort of their homes. No matter what’s said about it, though, the general public can’t take Weaver’s glowing endorsement away from her.

While you wait for The Lion King 30th Anniversary: A Live-to-Film Concert Event to become available, stream the best movies on Disney+, which are composed of a few musicals and concert films. You can also watch North West’s exploits by streaming The Kardashians with a Hulu subscription.

While Broadway and Hollywood are often thought of as their own entities on the opposite side of the United States, they share a lot more in common than one might think. Particularly, a ton of popular and very good musicals over the years have been created thanks to the movies they are based on. Check out all these instances of Broadway musicals being inspired by Hollywood movies! 

The Lion King 

Following Disney’s The Lion King becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of all time upon its release in 1994, it was developed into a rare stage musical that has gone on to become one of Broadway’s mainstays. The Lion King musical reimagines the 2D animated epic into an impressive visual experience complete with elaborate animal costumes and giant hollow puppets. The stage show also includes six indigenous African languages which are spoken throughout the show. 

Little Shop Of Horrors

In 1960, director Roger Corman made The Little Shop Of Horrors, which is about a florist’s assistant who grows a plant that turns into a flesh-eating monster. Twenty years later, legendary composer-lyricist duo Alan Menken and Howard Ashman developed a musical version of the storyline which premiered off-off Broadway in 1982 to a successful five-year run. It has since been on Broadway numerous times. Plus, the musical was adapted into a movie in 1986 starring Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, John Candy, James Belushi, and Bill Murray. 

Waitress

In 2007, Adrienne Shelly’s Waitress became an indie darling when it premiered at Sundance at the front of the year. The movie stars Keri Russell as a small-town waitress who unexpectedly gets pregnant amidst an abusive marriage. In 2015, with the help of Sara Bareilles, who wrote the music and lyrics, Waitress became a smash hit on Broadway from 2016 to 2020. The musical is so beloved, the production was filmed and brought to theaters in 2023. 

Hairspray 

Back in 1988, John Waters made a cult classic in Hairspray. The movie follows an overweight teen Tracy Turnblad living in Baltimore, Maryland in the year 1962, who dreams of appearing on the popular local TV program The Corny Collins Show. In 2002, it was turned into a Broadway musical that would go on to win eight Tony awards, including Best Musical. Its musical version was adapted into a movie in 2007. 

School Of Rock

One of the best music movies of all time has to be School of Rock starring Jack Black. The Richard Linklater movie is about Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck musician who impersonates his roommate and becomes a substitute teacher for a prep school where he forms an underground band on campus made up of his students. The 2015 Broadway musical, composed by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, ran in New York until 2019. 

Some Like It Hot

One of Marilyn Monroe’s most famous movies is 1959’s Some Like It Hot, which also stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. It's about two men who make their escape from Chicago after witnessing a Mafia murder by dressing as women and joining an all-female jazz band, led by Monroe’s sultry singer character. In 2022, the movie was turned into a musical by Hairspray’s composer, Marc Shaiman. The show is set to embark on its first North American tour in the fall of 2024. 

The Color Purple 

In 2023, The Color Purple stage musical was turned into a movie. The release came nearly 20 years after the Broadway version of the story first opened with the likes of Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey as producers. Before The Color Purple ran from 2005 to 2008 and had a successful revival back in 2015, it was first a novel by Alice Walker before Steven Speilberg adapted it in 1985. The beloved story revolves around an African-American teen named Celie as she is raised in rural Georgia in the early 1990s. 

Beauty and the Beast 

Disney’s “tale as old as time” became a Broadway musical just two years after the animated hit became a huge success for the House of Mouse in 1991. Just like the movie, the stage production is about the book-loving Belle who stumbles upon an enchanted castle while looking for her father where a Beast lives. While she’s initially held there against her will, she starts to fall in love with her captor, who is a lot more than meets the eyes. 

The Producers 

Back in 1967, Mel Brooks wrote and directed The Producers starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. It’s about two con artists who decide to oversell a stage musical in order to get rich. While it was controversial when it came out, it later became a cult favorite and in 2001 a Broadway version of the storyline was created starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. The show won a record-breaking 12 Tony awards (out of the 15 it was nominated for) including Best Musical. 

Back To The Future 

When it comes to the best ‘80s movies, Back To The Future instantly comes to mind! The blockbuster is unforgettable for its quotable dialogue, great banter between Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd’s Doc Brown, and its iconic DeLorean, of course. In 2020, a musical version of the movie, with a book by one of the movie’s writers, Bob Gale, emerged in England and quickly became a hit. Back To The Future: The Musical made its Broadway debut in the summer of 2023 and is going strong in New York City, with a tour on the way. 

Kinky Boots 

2005’s Kinky Boots had Joel Edgerton playing a shoe factory owner who ends up teaming up with a drag queen, Chiwetel Ejifor’s Lola to save his dying business by making footwear for other drag queens. Shortly after, Kinky Boots was developed for the stage with none other than Cyndi Lauper working on its music and lyrics. Like many shows on this list, Kinky Boots is one of those Broadway shows that have been so popular that they’ve run for a crazy amount of time.

Billy Elliot 

Set during England’s miners’ strike in the ‘80s, 2000’s Billy Eilliot is about a young working-class boy who falls in love with ballet. After Jamie Bell played the leading role at the age of 13, Elton John helped develop it into a stage musical for the West End. (Fun fact: Tom Holland famously once starred as one of the West End Billy Elliots before he was Spider-Man, which Zendaya can do an A+ impression of.) It later moved to Broadway, of course! 

Moulin Rouge! 

Baz Luhrmann wrote and directed a stunning jukebox musical movie starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor back in 2001 with Moulin Rouge! The romantic drama takes place in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris where a writer (Ewan McGregor) stumbles upon a troupe of performers and helps them write a show. In the midst of this, he falls in love with Kidman’s Satine. While its musical started in Boston, it quickly moved to Broadway a year after its premiere. 

The Little Mermaid 

Disney’s big “Under The Sea” masterpiece, 1989’s The Little Mermaid, was a no-brainer for a Broadway show after its smash commercial success. The musical went to Broadway in 2008 and has since gone across the globe.  

Beetlejuice 

Tim Burton’s beloved horror comedy, Beetlejuice, saw Michael Keaton playing a hilarious and rather creepy poltergeist that is hired by a recently deceased couple to drive away the new inhabitants of their home. A Broadway musical version of the movie debuted in 2019. The show unfortunately had a short first run due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but since returned, toured, and may even be better than the original movie. 

Once

John Carney’s Once is a sweet romantic musical from Ireland about a busker who forms a connection with a Czech immigrant woman over their love for music. A few years after the 2007 movie won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly”, it was transformed into an equally sweet Broadway musical in 2011. 

Sunset Boulevard 

Back in 1950, Sunset Boulevard, which continues to be thought of as one of the greatest movies of all time, hit theaters. It’s about an aging movie star, who once ruled the silent film era, who hires a screenwriter to help her make a comeback. Forty years later, the black-and-white classic was brought to the stage with music from Andrew Lloyd Webber. There’s an interesting story behind it because the star of the original actually worked on a musical version back in the ‘50s, but it never came to fruition. Luckily, the musical implemented some of Gloria Swanson’s work. 

Bring It On 

About a decade after Bring It On became a cult classic of an early ‘00s flick about the world of cheerleading, Bring It On: The Musical took its school spirit to Broadway. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tom Kitt wrote the music and allowed its cast to bring some impressive gymnastics from the popular sport to a massive NYC stage.  

Shrek

Dreamworks’ hit spin on fairy tales, Shrek, turned into a Broadway in 2008. Brian d’Arcy James and Sutton Foster originated the roles of Shrek and Fiona in the original Broadway production about a love story between a green ogre and a princess. Unlike many movies-to-musicals on this list, Shrek The Musical borrows from multiple Shrek movies that were made over the years.  

Mean Girls 

“Fetch” may never happen, but Mean Girls has certainly become not only a favorite high school flick, but one of the best movies of the 2000s. After Tina Fey wrote the original script about a new student who shakes up the dynamics of her school’s hottest clique, the SNL alum wrote the musical’s book. Recently, a Mean Girls remake was released based on the stage production as well. 

Newsies 

Back in 1992, two Disney legends came together to make a new musical called Newsies. Director Kenny Ortega, who would later do the High School Musical movies, and Alan Menken, who composed the music. The movie about newspaper boys during the newsboys’ strike in 1899 stars Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, and Robert Duvall. Twenty years later, a stage version hit Broadway with tons of new numbers not seen in the movie. 

An American In Paris

Gene Kelly dazzled with his mega-star power in the 1951 musical comedy (and Best Picture winner), An American In Paris. He even choreographed many of the dance numbers himself! It follows his character Jerry Mulligan, a World War II veteran who tries to make it as an artist in Paris. In 2014, a stage version premiered in Paris before coming to Broadway the following year. 

The Band’s Visit 

2007’s The Band’s Visit is an Israeli movie that starts when a group of eight men that comprise Egypt's Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra arrive in Israel to play at an Arab cultural center. However, through a miscommunication, they accidentally end up in a small town in the Negev Desert where they are taken in by a small restaurant owner. In 2017, the Broadway version became a Tony-winning Best Musical that initially starred Monk’s Tony Shalhoub.

Aladdin

“10,000 years will give you such a crick in the neck!” So why keep the Genie in the bottle? It only took about twenty years for Disney to take its Arabian Nights animated movie into a Broadway production that continues to be a popular ticket for those to grab while they are in New York City. 

Sister Act

Whoopi Goldberg will always be remembered for her hilarious leading role in 1992’s Sister Act. So, it’s no wonder that the comedy about a lounge singer who is placed in a convent as a nun after witnessing a murder would be a great place to start for a stage production. Alan Menken composed the music, and Goldberg produced the production that first debuted in Pasadena, California back in 2006 and continues to tour more cities. 

Finding Neverland

Funny enough, 2004’s Finding Neverland, was based on a play called The Man Who Was Peter Pan from a few years prior. The movie, starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, told the story of J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. Since its release, it has been adapted for Broadway, where it had a 17-month run in New York City. 

Mary Poppins

Walt Disney and the Sherman Brothers made an all-time great movie musical in 1964 starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. It was only a matter of time before it found a place on Broadway, wasn’t it? Audiences have been having a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time with the British nanny since it debuted at the West End in 2004. 

Anastasia 

In 1997, audiences learned the tune of hit songs like “Once Upon A December” and “Journey To The Past” with the animated film, Anastasia. The movie loosely based off the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia starred Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Christopher Lloyd, Hank Azaria and Angela Lansbury. Two decades after the children’s movie came out, it landed on Broadway with a mix of its fan-favorite songs and new ones. 

Footloose 

After Kevin Bacon’s Footloose overturned the ban on dancing in a small town with the hit 80s movie, Ren McCormack was revived for the stage with the 1998 Broadway musical, yes, with Kenny Loggins among the creatives in the mix. 

American Psycho

Yes, even movies about serial killers can be fodder for Broadway! Back in 2013, Doctor Who’s Matt Smith actually debuted the role of Patrick Bateman on the stage in London before the musical went to Broadway three years later. American Psycho was a 2000 movie starring Christian Bale, and based on a 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis.

Frozen 

Do you want to build a snowman? After Disney’s Frozen became a certified phenomenon with its earworms that had stars like Kristen Bell hilariously apologizing to parents, the production became an on-stage extravaganza to see on Broadway in 2018. The story is about Elsa, a royal who embraces her longtime secret powers by freezing her kingdom and her sister’s journey to find her. 

Tootsie 

After Tootsie, led by Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange, became one of the biggest movies of the ‘80s, it was transformed into a Broadway musical in 2019. The production follows an actor who decided to present as a woman in order to land a job following a disintegrating reputation. While the movie is about a daytime soap opera, the musical version is about Michael trying out for a Broadway musical. 

And this trend is not expected to stop! A lot of musicals based on movies are also rumored to hit the stage in the years to come. 

When the Disney remake of The Lion King made $1 billion it wasn’t that surprising. The original movie had been a massive hit in its own right, the highest-grossing animated movie ever at the time. When it was announced that the 2019 movie would get a theatrical follow-up, something the animated original never received, it was even less surprising considering the box office potential. However, what did surprise people was the fact that Barry Jenkins, the Oscar winner and director of movies like Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, was going to helm Mufasa: The Lion King. 

It’s still a bit surprising that a director known for heavy, awards-caliber dramas is helming a CGI-heavy Disney tentpole on the 2024 movie schedule. Some fans have even suggested Jenkins is “too good” to work on such a project. However, he disagrees. In response to a fan on Twitter who suggested the director was working for “Iger’s soulless machine,” Jenkins said that The Lion King is anything but soulless. He explained…

The man has a point. While The Lion King, both versions of it, certainly became massive blockbuster films, that doesn’t mean that was their only purpose in existence. The original film resonated with global audiences in a big way, that’s why it became so popular, enough to lead to the CGI remake years later. Jenkins clearly believes The Lion King is a movie with a soul, and he thinks the prequel has one as well.

To be fair, Barry Jenkins himself had to wrestle with the idea that movies like Mufasa: The Lion King were not necessarily his kind of film. It seems that the director loved the script so much he really wanted to be involved in it, and the fact that the filmmaking process was something he had never done also appealed to him.

The first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King is here, and while it certainly doesn’t reveal much about the story of the prequel, it looks technically impressive. If the story is able to match that, then the movie is going to be anything but soulless.

If there was a major criticism of The Lion King remake, it was that the movie didn’t do anything new with the material. Beyond the technology, we’d seen it all before. Mufasa: The Lion King will start with the benefit that The Lion King prequel is something entirely new. 

We’ll see what a filmmaker like Barry Jenkins can do with the material when the Mufasa: The Lion King arrives in theaters on December 20. 

For over a century now, Walt Disney Animation Studios has given audiences some of the most beloved, groundbreaking, and majestic cinematic experiences. During that time, those timeless films have introduced us to unforgettable movie villains, sidekicks, and heroes that have withstood the test of time and found a permanent place in the hearts of billions of fans. But sometimes, those iconic princesses and knights in shining armor aren’t the real heroes of their respective stories.

That being said, here are the REAL heroes and unsung champions, from some of the best Disney animated movies…

Anna (Frozen)

There are countless reasons why Princess Anna is the true hero of Frozen, and a lot of those have to do with the younger sister of Queen Elsa actually being a great inspiration for younger viewers. She opens up about her feelings, accepts the call to adventure, and is willing to do anything and everything to help out those she cares about, even if it means sacrificing herself.

Abu (Aladdin)

In addition to being one of the best Disney sidekicks of all time, Abu is actually a pretty righteous hero in Aladdin, one who always stays true to himself and his friends. Sure, his greed nearly kills him and Aladdin, but he comes through moments later when he tricks Jafar and steals the magic lamp, which leads to Genie coming out of his lamp.

Baloo (The Jungle Book)

Baloo is not only one of the best Disney characters of all time, but he’s also a great hero throughout The Jungle Book. The iconic sloth bear goes above and beyond to help Mowgli on his journey to find the “Man-Village,” teaches him some great lessons and a legendary song along the way, and comes through for everyone time and time again.

Widow Tweed (The Fox And The Hound)

There’s a lot to love about the classic Disney animated film, The Fox and the Hound, but the character who continues to rise to the occasion is Widow Tweed. From finding and caring for a young Tod to saving multiple characters from certain death to being the voice of reason in some tense situations, this lovable elderly character is simply the best.

Nani Pelekai (Lilo & Stitch)

Go back and watch Lilo & Stitch as an adult and see if your opinions on Nani, Lilo’s older sister and guardian, have changed. Throughout this 2002 animated film, Nani does everything she can to make life better for her younger sister, even if that means pushing herself to the limit (and then some) or trying to pull off the impossible. She’s a hero, that’s for sure.

Rafiki (The Lion King)

Who never gives up hope for Simba in The Lion King? Rafiki, that’s who. The shaman and advisor for the late Mufasa is one of Simba’s biggest supporters and was there for him as a young cub and as an adult when he returned from his self-imposed exile away from the Pride Lands. And he puts a whooping on some hyenas, which never gets old.

Scuttle (The Little Mermaid)

Sure Scuttle doesn’t know what he’s talking about half the time in The Little Mermaid, but the seagull and friend of Ariel helps the young princess learn more about the human world before helping in a big way when he discovers that Vanessa is actually Ursula in disguise. 

Pacha (The Emperor's New Groove)

Pacha in The Emperor’s New Groove is an underappreciated hero if we’ve ever seen one, so it’s about time he receives some praise. Putting up with Kuzco is enough to earn Pacha a place in the halls of great Disney heroes, but he does so much more than that throughout the movie. Constantly putting himself before others, taking care of himself in a fight, and being a supportive friend are also admirable qualities.

Thumper (Bambi)

Besides the titular deer in Bambi, no character is more impactful or important than Thumper. More than 80 years after the film’s release, fans still celebrate the iconic rabbit for his go-getter personality, leadership skills, and seemingly limitless energy. If it weren’t for him, who knows what would have happened to Bambi.

Charlotte 'Lottie' La Bouff (The Princess And The Frog)

When it comes to best friends in Disney movies, few come close to Charlotte “Lottie” La Bouff in The Princess and the Frog. Instead of using her family’s wealth, power, and influence in menacing or vindictive ways, this southern belle uses her blessings to offer support and love for Tiana and her dreams. We could all use a friend like that.

The Mice (Cinderella)

When it comes to mico-heroes, no names carry as much weight as Jaq and Gus from Disney’s Cinderella. Throughout this 1950 animated classic, these two trusty mice help lead the show when it comes to fixing up Cinderella’s dress, supporting her, and helping make her dreams of attending the ball come true. And who helps save Cinderella from her stepmother’s captivity? Yep, these fearless mice.

Colonel, Sergeant Tibbs, And Other Animals (One Hundred And One Dalmatians)

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes in One Hundred and One Dalmatians, and some of the best examples of this can be found in Colonel, Sergeant Tibbs, and the other animals who help save the pups and defeat Curella Cruella de Vil by thwarting her masterplan. The way these four-legged (and sometimes winged) characters get everyone involved is nothing short of magical. 

Nana (Peter Pan)

One of the movie dogs we want to adopt, Nana in Peter Pan is a character that’s always down to offer some support. Though she doesn’t journey off to Never Land with Pan and the Darling children, she holds the fort down in their absence. Speaking of Wendy, John, and Michael Darling, who is it that takes care of the children every night and gives them much-needed medicine? Yep, it’s Nana, the trusty nursemaid St. Bernard.

The Dwarfs (Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs)

Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey are some of the earliest examples of Disney heroes, and nearly 90 years later, they’re still some of the best. Sure, the Prince gets a lot of credit in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but it’s these classic characters who take care of the young princess the rest of the time.

Pascal (Tangled)

Rapunzel is empowering and Flynn Rider is dashing, but let’s not forget the real hero of Tangled… Pascal. Despite his small size and stature (he is a chameleon, for crying out loud), this feisty and fearless lizard will do anything and everything to serve and protect the princess. Whether it means putting on a pink dress or tripping Gothel and sending her falling out of Rapunzel’s tower, he’s going to get it done.

The Fairies (Sleeping Beauty)

The Three Good Fairies (Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather) are crucial to Princess Aurora’s survival in Sleeping Beauty, and they don’t always receive enough credit. From altering Maleficent’s curse upon Aurora at her birth to planning her birthday dress later on, these three fairies get a lot done… once they stop fighting one another.

Archdeacon (The Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

If it wasn’t for Archdeacon in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, who knows what that loathsome and depraved Claude Frollo would have planned for everyone around him. The voice of reason with a heart and soul of pure gold, this clergyman saves multiple lives and thwarts diabolical plans like it’s nothing. 

Archimedes (The Sword In The Stone)

When it comes to heroes in The Sword in the Stone, the first names to come up are probably Arthur or Merlin. And while both of those characters are great, let’s not forget Archimedes, the talking and trustworthy owl who helps both legendary figures along the way. Seriously, this wise owl is constantly coming through for his king.

Fix-It Felix (Ralph Breaks The Internet)

Though he’s not in the movie all that much, Fix-It Felix is still heroic as can be in Ralph Breaks the Internet. But when he and Calhoun are on screen, they’re stealing the show and offering both hilarious and tender moments. Come on, who else would adopt all those orphaned Sugar Rush racers when they have no place to go?

Little Noi (Raya And The Last Dragon)

You could argue that every character in Raya and the Last Dragon is a hero in their own right, but Lille Noi, the toddler con artist who joins Raya on her journey, has to be at the top of the list. Though other characters do go through changes along the way, the adorable Noi has one of the most transformative and emotional arcs of them all.

The Enchantress (Beauty And The Beast)

The Enchantress could be seen as a villain in Beauty and the Beast, but the young and vain prince wouldn’t have learned his lesson if not for her lesson about true beauty in the opening chapter of the movie. A lot of people got turned into clocks, cups, and candelabras in the process, but sometimes tough love is all that’s needed.

Li Shang (Mulan)

Nothing against the titular heroine of Mulan, but let’s not act like Li Shang is some chump put in charge of a regiment of outcasts and misfits. He never gives up, he kicks a lot of butts, and gave us one of the best Disney songs of the late 20th century with “I’ll Make a Man out of You.” 

Kala (Tarzan)

If we could give this honor to Phil Collins for his Tarzan soundtrack, he’d be at the top of this list. But since he’s not in the movie, we can’t go without celebrating Kala, Tarzan’s adoptive gorilla mom. When everyone sees the young human as a freak or threat, this grieving mother rises to the occasion and takes him in as one of her own.

Olaf (Frozen 2)

There’s a case to be made for Olaf being the biggest hero of both Frozen movies as he’s constantly accepting the call of adventure, protecting his friends, and putting himself on the line to make sure the job is done. Sure, he’s mostly around for comedic relief during tense moments, but this snowman is the man!

Toby (The Great Mouse Detective)

The Great Mouse Detective is a Disney movie that doesn’t come up all that often these days, which is a shame because it features one of the best pooches of all time: Toby, Sherlock Holmes’ Basset Hound. This incredibly smart and crafty dog is key to Basil, Dawson and Olivia’s quest and provides for some impactful discoveries. But would you expect any less from the world’s greatest detective’s best friend?

Piglet (The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh)

Piglet is pretty much the underdog of the Hundred Acre Wood in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and is often caught in the middle of some issue or misadventure. However, this doesn’t mean he’s any less heroic. In fact, there’s an argument to be made for him being an unsung hero of the group as he is often an inspiration for them all, as well as for us watching at home.

Princess Kida (Atlantis: The Lost Empire)

Atlantis: The Lost Empire isn’t one of the top Disney movies, but it is one that features a rather underappreciated hero, or heroine, as is the case with Kida. The princess of the lost city deep under the ocean, Kida proves time and time again she’s not a damsel in distress, but instead a fearless warrior with a heart of gold and nerves of steel.

Philoctetes (Hercules)

We’d all love to see Danny DeVito return for a live-action Hercules movie because we just can’t get enough of his satyr character, Philoctetes. Though he doesn’t have the strength or height of the movie’s titular hero, “Phil,” as he likes to be called, is a great teacher and trainer who helps the demigod prepare for his hero’s journey. And what good is a hero who doesn’t know how to make the most of his abilities?

Baymax (Big Hero 6)

One of the most fun and exciting Disney animated movies in recent memory, Big Hero 6 is a treat from top to bottom. A lot of that is because of Baymax, the childlike inflatable healthcare robot who helps Hiro Hamada find his place in the world and then go and save it. He doesn’t have great communication skills but this robot has a lot of tricks up his sleeve.

Flit (Pocahontas)

Flit, Pocahontas’ pet hummingbird, isn’t the biggest, strongest, or most intimidating hero in the Disney universe, but he’s definitely one of the most protective and courageous. Throughout Pocahontas, the colorful bird doesn’t let his size, or lack thereof, stop him from serving his best friend. Is he a little too overprotective? Yeah, but he’s got heart.

Jiminy Cricket (Pinocchio)

What would have happened to Pinocchio if Jiminy Cricket wasn’t around to keep him in line? Well, you could say that the classic character from Disney’s Pinocchio doesn’t always get the job done, but he tries, and that’s what really counts. And, he’s not big on lying.

Prince Philip (Sleeping Beauty)

From following his heart to saving Princess Aurora from an eternal rest to fighting Maleficent and her goons in Sleeping Beauty, there’s a lot to love about Prince Phillip. This courageous character helped set the standard for Disney heroes back in the 1950s.

These characters are heroes in their own way. While some are more courageous, stronger, or more eager than others, they all have a lot of heart and the best of intentions.

One year after Sylvester Stallone and genetically modified dinosaurs ruled the Earth (and the box office), 1994 gave us some of not only the best movies of the ‘90s, but also some of the greatest films of all time. And, as hard as it is to believe, it has been 30 years since these amazing action movies, beloved Stephen King adaptations, and all-time great romantic comedies hit the big screen and found a permanent place in the hearts of generations of moviegoers.

If you want to go back and revisit 1994, one of the best movie years ever, you don’t need a time machine. Instead, you can go back in time by watching these iconic movies. Better yet, we’ve provided multiple ways you can enjoy these Best Picture winners, Disney classics, and game-changing indie flicks that launched the careers of some of today’s most well-known actors and filmmakers… 

The Shawshank Redemption

Despite initially being a box office bomb, Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption has since earned a reputation for being one of the best movies of all time. This cherished adaptation of Stephen King’s Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption tells the unforgettable story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) as he endures years of mental and physical abuse in a Maine penitentiary while patiently planning his escape. 

A staple of midday HBO programming throughout the mid-to-late ‘90s (and various other channels ever since), this sprawling and incredibly moving story about the resilience of the human spirit is the stuff of wonders.

Rent/Buy The Shawshank Redemption on Amazon.

Pulp Fiction

Several years after making a name for himself as a filmmaker you had to watch with Reservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino established himself as one of the best directors of the ‘90s with his 1994 megahit, Pulp Fiction. With its non-linear narrative structure that jumps between multiple intertwined storylines, this dark comedy starring Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, and a revitalized John Travolta became an instant classic upon its release.

Though it has a certain timeless quality, Pulp Fiction is one of those movies most associated with 1994, maybe because it captured the attention and hearts of millions of moviegoers that year and ever since.

Stream Pulp Fiction on Max.
Rent/Buy Pulp Fiction on Amazon.

Forrest Gump

Though there’s an argument to be made about Pulp Fiction or Shawshank Redemption being more deserving of the Best Picture trophy at the 67th Academy Awards, there’s no denying Forrest Gump’s place in cinematic history. This epic story of one man’s (Tom Hanks) journey that takes him from rural Alabama to Vietnam and back (and everywhere in between) is a powerful and inspirational film like no other.

It was impossible to escape Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 summer blockbuster, during its theatrical run, in the lead up to the Oscars, and pretty much ever since. It may be set between the 1950s and 1980s, but this is a 1994 film if we’ve ever seen one.

Stream Forrest Gump on Paramount+.
Stream Forrest Gump on Prime Video.
Rent/Buy Forrest Gump on Amazon.

Speed

Undoubtedly one of the best ‘90s action movies, Jan de Bont’s Speed further established Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock as two of the brightest stars in Hollywood and became an instant classic upon its release. With its two leads (who had electric chemistry), intense premise of a bus that can’t go below a certain speed or it will explode, and one of the most iconic shots of the ‘90s, there’s so much to love.

Watching Speed 30 years later is just as fun of an experience as it was in 1994, but now we get loads of nostalgia along with it.

Stream Speed on Starz.
Rent/Buy Speed on Amazon.

Clerks

Kevin Smith’s small-budget, black-and-white comedy, Clerks, introduced the world to one of the funniest, sharpest, and most unique voices of a generation back in 1994. Following Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) over a single day, Smith’s indie hit captured the essence of 20-somethings just trying to get through their day-to-day lives, and the wide range of conversations they have to pass the time.

It’s funny looking back on what’s become of Smith and his View Askewiverse in the 30 years since Clerks was released, and we’re all a little better off having both in our lives.

Stream Clerks on Paramount+.
Stream Clerks on Prime Video.
Rent/Buy Clerks on Amazon. 

The Lion King

The Lion King doesn’t have an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, not because it wasn’t good (it’s great), but because the award didn’t exist when the Disney megahit was released in the summer of 1994. From the opening credits sequence to the closing shot of Simba looking over the Pride Lands, this movie is outstanding. The songs, the animation, the characters, everything about this animated film just works, and it works well.

Stream The Lion King on Disney+.
Buy The Lion King on Amazon.

The Crow

Though a lot of the conversations surrounding The Crow have to do with the tragic on-set accident that claimed the life of star Brandon Lee, Alex Proyas’ 1994 dark and gritty adaptation of The Crow is also remembered for being a slick, unique, and unforgettable action-drama about a rockstar coming back from the dead to avenge his fiancee.

From its visuals to its costuming to its remarkable soundtrack (The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, and more), The Crow perfectly captures the spirit and essence of the mid-90s in every way imaginable.

Stream The Crow on Prime Video.
Rent/Buy The Crow on Amazon. 

Hoop Dreams

Steve James’ Hoop Dreams wasn’t even nominated for Best Documentary at the Oscars, but looking back, it was the best documentary film released in 1994. This nearly three-hour feature documents the lives of two Chicago teenagers – William Gates and Arthur Agee – as they attempt to make their basketball dreams come true despite being forced to overcome all kinds of obstacles.

Powerful, inspiring, and culturally significant, Hoop Dreams has since earned a reputation as being one of the best basketball movies of all time, and one of the better explorations of the triumph and tragedy of student athletes.

Stream Hoop Dreams on Max.
Rent/Buy Hoop Dreams on Amazon. 

Reality Bites

Ben Stiller made his feature film directorial debut with the 1994 cult classic, Reality Bites. Centering on a group of college graduates living together in Houston, Texas, the movie perfectly captures the angst, fears, and desires of a generation branching out on their own for the first time and coming to terms with the fact that life is complicated, messy, and kind of bites.

Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Jeneane Garofalo, and Stiller are all incredible in their respective roles, and each actor can find a way to center on the likable and not-so-likable traits of their characters.

Stream Reality Bites on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Reality Bites on Amazon. 

Interview With The Vampire

Neil Jordan’s 1994 adaptation of Anne Rice’s gothic horror novel, Interview with the Vampire, features what could be described as some of the best and moodiest performances of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt’s career. Centering on the years-long journey of Lestat de Lioncout (Tom Cruise) and Louis de Pointe du Lac (Pitt) as they go from city to city and century to century, the film is full of one iconic scene after another.

Rent/Buy Interview with the Vampire on Amazon.

Dumb And Dumber

Few actors have ever had a better year than Jim Carrey did in 1994. Following the box office and pop culture hits that were Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask, Carrey concluded his remarkable 12-month run with Dumb and Dumber, an outrageously hilarious movie about two dim-witted friends who travel across the country to return a briefcase. Causing all kinds of problems along the way, Lloyd Christmas (Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) find themselves in a series of absurd situations.

The first feature film directed by the Farrelly brothers, this all-time great comedy road trip movie is just as popular decades later and is never not funny.

Stream Dumb and Dumber on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Dumb and Dumber on Amazon. 

Four Weddings And A Funeral

Written by Richard Curtis and directed by Mike Newell, Four Weddings and a Funeral is one of those movies that never gets old no matter how many times you watch it. With the perfect blend of comedy and drama, good times and bad, this charming romantic comedy about a young British bachelor (Hugh Grant) becoming awestruck with an American woman (Andie MacDowell) who’s set to get married, as well as his group of friends, is delightful in every way imaginable.

Rent/Buy Four Weddings and a Funeral on Amazon.

True Lies

James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger teamed up for a third time with the 1994 action-comedy, True Lies, a film that both poked fun at the genre while also introducing some of its best characters and explosive moments. The idea of Schwarzenegger living a double life and lying about his occupation to his wife (Jamie Lee Curtis) shouldn’t have worked as well as it does, but somehow they were able to pull it off.

Watching True Lies 30 years later is just as fun as it was back in the day thanks to those expertly crafted action sequences, quick-witted humor, and all-time great performances from the lead actors.

Buy True Lies on Amazon.

Little Women

There have been several adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women over the years, but one that captures the heart and soul of the 19th-century novel better than most is the movie made by Gillian Armstrong in 1994. Starring Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst, and Trini Alvarado as the four March sisters, this adaptation is a loving tribute to the work and legacy Alcott left behind more than a century earlier.

Stream Little Women on Pluto TV.
Rent/Buy Little Women on Amazon. 

Natural Born Killers

Featuring one of the darkest romance stories of all time, Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers, which was based on a script written by Quentin Tarantino, follows lovers-turned-killers Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis) as they sweep each other off their feet and embark upon a blood-soaked crime spree around the United States. 

An attack on American pop culture and the country’s obsession with materialism and the “if it bleeds, it leads” media mentality, Stone’s inventive and violent movie has earned quite a reputation over the years.

Rent/Buy Natural Born Killers on Amazon.

As hard as it is to believe, each of these movies turns 30 in 2024. However, after revisiting them, it’s easy to see why they remain so popular and impactful all these years later.

From the shores of the Mediterranean in the north to the Cape of Good Hope in the south, Africa has millions of stories to tell. Some are triumphant and some are tragic, but they are all interesting and enlightening in their own way. Movies set in Africa are one of the best ways to tell those stories of family, history, ecology, and war. Here are 32 of our favorite movies set in the amazing continent of Africa. 

The Power Of One

Based on a book by the same name, The Power Of One is an underrated movie set in South Africa in the middle of the 20th Century, covering the time around World War II and the beginning of Apartheid. It boasts a stellar cast, including Morgan Freeman, Stephen Dorff, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Sir John Gielgud, and Daniel Craig in his big-screen debut as the Sadistic Sgt. Botha. 

Hotel Rwanda

It is not easy to watch Hotel Rwanda, starring Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina, a real-life hotel manager who saved hundreds of lives during the Rwandan Genocide in  1994. The acts of brutality are horrifying, but there is a message of hope, as Rusesabagina's actions saved lives, and he himself was able to survive along with his family, and his tormentors were later convicted of war crimes. 

Gorillas In The Mist

Dian Fossey's story, which is told in Gorillas In The Mist, has many of the elements that make Africa Africa. Incredible wildlife, deep government corruption, violence, and hope. The movie was nominated for five Oscars, including one for Sigourney Weaver, who played Fossey in the 1988 film. 

When We Were Kings

Simply put, the documentary When We Were Kings, about the "Rumble In The Jungle" boxing match between Muhammed Ali and George Foreman, is one of the best documentaries ever made. Featuring music performances for the likes of James Brown and others, and amazing footage of Ali and Foreman, this film is a must-see. 

Casablanca

There is not much that can be written about Casablanca that hasn't already been said. Set in Morocco during the Second World War, the movie is often considered one of the best, if not the best movie of all time. Even today, over 80 years since it's release in 1942, the timeless story never disappoints. 

Beasts Of No Nation

Beasts Of No Nation was an instant classic when it was released in 2015. It's a powerful and terrifying film set in an unnamed, fictional country in Africa, but rooted in a story that is all too familiar across the continent. It tells the story of children soldiers under the spell of a warlord, played by Idris Elba. It's a brilliant, but hard-to-watch film. 

Last King Of Scotland

Idi Amin, who ruled Uganda with an iron fist in the 1970s, was one of the most brutal dictators in history. Forest Whitaker plays Amin in 2006's Last King Of Scotland, earning an Oscar for Best Actor for the performance. It is a tale that was all too common in post-colonial Africa, a tale some countries are still struggling with today. 

Invictus

There are a lot of meaningful movies about the brutality of apartheid in South Africa. Invictus is about the beginning of the reconciliation between whites and Blacks after Nelson Mandela became president and apartheid was finally done away with. Starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela, and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the Afrikaner captain of the South African rugby team that won the 1995 World Cup, united the country in a way that hadn't happened in decades. 

The Gods Must Be Crazy

In 1984, a little South African film took the United States by storm. The Gods Must Be Crazy was a surprise hit on the strength of its humor and charm. It was among the first African productions to hit the big time in the U.S. and while it was fairly criticized for its connection to the apartheid government, the movie is really funny, and such a great time capsule of its time. 

Queen of Katwe

Chess has proven to be a rich subject to mine in Hollywood and one of the finest examples is 2016's Queen of Katwe, starring Madina Nalwanga as Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess player who rose from the slums of Kampala to one of the best chess players to ever come from the continent. It's based on a true story, and filmed in Kampala, adding to the authenticity of the true story. 

Zulu

One of the most consequential battles in South African history is the Battle of Isandlwana, between British colonialists and the Zulu nation. The Zulus, led by King Cetshwayo, defeated the Brits, and in the film, the king is even played by his son, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Cry Freedom

Denzel Washington earned his first Oscar nomination for 1987's Cry Freedom, for portraying apartheid activist Stephen Biko in the 1970s, at the height of the brutal system in South Africa. It doesn't get more powerful than this. 

Blood Diamond

Civil war is all too common in Africa and one of the most violent took place in Sierra Leone for a decade in the 1990s. 2006's Blood Diamond tells the story about how diamonds and other precious stones are mined in war-torn areas and then sold to finance the violence. Matt Damon and Djimon Hounsou star in this powerful movie that raised awareness for the practice. 

The Battle of Algiers

1966's The Battle of Algiers combines true history, about Algeria throwing off the shackles of their French colonial masters with the excitement of a war movie. The Italian production doesn't get as much attention in the United States as it should. 

Black Hawk Down

The civil war in Somalia was already 10 years old when Ridley Scott made Black Hawk Down in 2001. More than 2 decades later, it's still not resolved. The movie, about the true story of an American Black Hawk helicopter being shot down and the ensuing Battle of Mogadishu, is chock full of big stars and harrowing war scenes. 

Searching for Sugar Man

2015's Searching for Sugar Man is an amazing documentary about the mysterious success of American folk singer Sixto Rodriguez in South Africa while that country was under apartheid. Though it also takes place in Rodriguez's hometown of Detroit, most of the movie focuses on his popularity in South Africa, which was unknown to him until decades later. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2016. 

Cry, The Beloved Country

Many films have been made about the horrors of apartheid in South Africa, Cry, The Beloved Country is set before the brutal system was put in place by the white government. Starring James Earl Jones as a South African priest whose son is accused of murder and Richard Harris as the victim's father who come to an understanding with each other. It shows that everyone can find common ground, somewhere. 

Sahara

Dirk Pitt could be the American version of James Bond. Based on a character by author Clive Cussler, Pitt is the ultimate adventurer. Sadly for fans of the books, the late Cussler and his family have had a couple of bad experiences with Hollywood translating one of his books to film. One of those, Sahara, starring Matthew McConaughey as Pitt, is a way better movie than it is given credit for. It's just a good old-fashion popcorn chomper and it's too bad we didn't get more Pitt movies.  

Gaia

While it's not about Africa, per se, Gaia is an African movie, set in South Africa. The fil industry on the continent is not as developed as other places, but they can still produce a scary story, as is the case with this horror film, which any fan of the genre will love. 

Black Panther

Now, we know that Wakanda isn't real, but that doesn't make Black Panther any less of a representation of Africa and what so many on the continent aspire to. So let's just sit back and enjoy one of the best MCU films out there. 

Out of Africa

1986's Best Picture Winner, Out of Africa, is as much a love story as it is a transporting film that takes you colonial Kenya in the early 20th Century. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star in this fantastic movie about Danish author Karen Blixen and her lover Denys Finch Hatton.

The Lion King

Even animated movies can dive deep into the rich culture and history of Africa and its incredible diversity of wildlife. The Lion King is a true Disney classic that has be beloved by kids and their parents for decades now. 

District 9

2009's District 9 explores the difficult history of apartheid wrapped in a science fiction facade. Though on the surface it's a wild sci-fi ride, underneath it tells a much deeper story of life in Johannsaberg in the 1980s. 

The African Queen

1951's The African Queen is, in a lot of ways, the prototype for the modern rom-com, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. It follows a well-worn story of two people with different backgrounds and different views on life coming together and finding love. All set on an old boat traveling down a river in East Africa as World War breaks out in Europe. 

The First Grader

The First Grader is an incredibly inspiring movie based on the true story of Kenyan Kimani Maruge who enrolled in school for the first time at age 84. It's a wonderfully shot movie and will inspire anyone to chase their dreams, no matter their age. 

Tsotsi

Tsotsi won the 2006 Oscar for Best Foreign Film and for good reason. A movie that begins in despair and gang violence ends with a level of unexpected redemption and hope and should be on any list of movies set in Africa. 

The Bang Bang Club

While it's not the best movie on this list, The Bang Bang Club does a decent job of telling the incredible true story about the life of combat photographers on the continent. The Bang Bang Club was a group of comrades who chased the violence and the adrenaline rush, featuring Taylor Kitsch as Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Carter.

The English Patient

The English Patient doesn't all happen in Libya, but the most stunning shots all happen in the deserts of North Africa. There is something amazing about the Sahara. The vast emptiness also provides unbelievable beauty and this movie shows both sides of it, along with the horrors of desert warfare during World War Two. 

Death On The Nile

Sadly, due to Covid, Death on the Nile was shot in England, mostly on soundstages, rather than Morraco, as Kenneth Branagh intended. Still, it's a story that very much takes place in Egypt, on the Nile. Some of the greatest stories ever told have come from the fertile banks of the Nile, and this is only the latest. It's a fun, whacky movie with another great performance by Branagh as Hercule Poirot (and his amazing mustache). 

The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener suffers for only one thing, the title. The title doesn't let on how intriguing the story is, about a man searching for his wife's killer in Nairobi, Kenya. It's a murder mystery wrapped in a love story and, as it was shot on location, it has an amazingly rich tapestry of scenery in Kenya.  

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Indiana Jones' adventures have taken all over the world. including, of course, Africa, in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Not only is the ark found in Egypt, but the Germans chasing after Indy and his team open the box in the desert, releasing the power of God on them. Like so many other movies set in the desert, the vistas are amazing. 

Bobi Wine: The People's President

Sadly, corruption and political violence are still all too common in Africa, including in Uganda, where one man, Bobi Wine is trying to change things once and for all. The documentary Bobi Wine: The People's President, which was nominated for an Oscar in 2024, follows the life and political career of The People's President as he faces imprisonment and torture at the hands of the regime running the country he wants free. It's an incredible and fearless documentary about an incredible and fearless man. 

Africa, with its incredible diverse scenery, cultures, and history will continue to provide us with amazing content, of that, there's no doubt. 

In the more than 100 years that Walt Disney Company has been making films and television. They have created some of the most iconic heroes. in the history of cinema and every good hero needs a good sidekick. Unfortunately, not every great hero gets a great sidekick.

Some Disney sidekicks are incredible. They add something much needed that the hero lacks, making the team even better in the process. Sometimes, however, sidekicks are just annoying hangers-on that we could all do without. Here are some of the most annoying Disney sidekicks. 

Phil - Hercules

Following the success of Robin Williams as the Genie, hiring comedians to play wise-cracking sidekicks became the norm at Disney for a bit. Phil is a perfect character to be played by Danny DeVito, but he's not a great character for any Disney movie. He's rude and inappropriate and it seems like every time he has something to say it's not something you're going to want to hear.

Koda - Brother Bear

Koda is a young bear in Brother Bear who is accidentally adopted by the movie's protagonist. Koda is actually a tragic character and the entire movie is about setting up the little guy for heartbreak. Unfortunately, it doesn't land, in part because Koda never stops making a nuisance of himself. 

Sergeant Demetrio Lopez Garcia - Zorro

The overweight bumbling cop has become a trope that we've seen countless times, and it's never not annoying. Sergeant Garcia in Disney's old Zorro TV and films was just a guy doing what the powers that be told him, as he tried, and repeatedly failed, to capture Zorro. It's honestly a shock his superiors kept him around so long.

Tito - Oliver and Company

Cheech Marin is a great comedian but his performance as Tito in Oliver & Company is not one of his career highlights. Tito's continual attempts to flirt with Georgette the poodle, voiced by Bette Midler, just get frustrating and it's just not as funny as it might have looked on paper.

Gurgi - The Black Cauldron

The Black Cauldron was a massive Disney failure that is now a largely forgotten Disney movie. And that's a good thing because Gurgi, the small fuzzy creature with the world's most annoying voice, deserves to be forgotten. His voice and grammar are just two annoying things on top of each other. Even a heroic sacrifice doesn't save Gurgi, it would have been better if he'd stayed dead. 

The Gargoyles - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Gargoyles of The Hunchback of Notre Dame are mostly annoying because if the three comic relief characters were simply removed from the film, it would be a much better movie. Their humor is in direct contrast to the serious tone of the rest of the story that should have been embraced rather than trying to make it more "kid-friendly" with wise-cracking sidekicks.

HeiHei - Moana

HeiHei the rooster is barely a character. He nearly gets eaten by Dwayne Johnson's Maui, and that might have been a better fate. He's a largely unnecessary character and it's not clear why it was decided that the chicken got to go on the adventure while Pua the pig, who probably would have helped out more, had to stay home. 

Tinkerbell - Peter Pan

Tinkerbell is an iconic Disney character, so including her on a list of annoying sidekicks might seem strange, but she's actually sorta terrible. Tink is perpetually jealous of Wendy, and as a result, she's actually the cause of most of the terrible circumstances the rest of the characters have to endure. 

B.O.B. - The Black Hole

The Black Hole was Disney's answer to Star Wars and it has, fittingly, been relegated to a largely forgotten corner of history. B.O.B. was the movie's attempt to give us a C-3PO or R2-D2-like character, and while B.O.B. was well designed, the decision to have him voiced by Slim Pickens gives us a robot with a Southern twang which just never sounds right.

Abu - Aladdin

Abu isn't the worst sidekick in the world, but the little monkey can't even follow basic instructions. He was told not to touch any other treasure in the Cave of Wonders, but he didn't listen, and as a result, he almost killed himself and Aladdin. Bad movie monkey.

Launchpad Mc Quack - Ducktales And Darkwing Duck

Launchpad McQuack found himself a sidekick to both Scrooge McDuck on Ducktales and Darkwing Duck. How he got both gigs considering the one talent he purports to have, as a pilot, always results in a crash, is beyond me. He's just annoying for getting two shows when it would have been nice to do something different in one of them.

Major David Q. Dawson - The Great Mouse Detective

Dawson is basically the Watson to Basil of Baker Street's Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, Dawson comes from the Nigel Bruce school of "Watson is a big dumb idiot" which is the most annoying version of Watson there has ever been. Why would somebody as smart as Basil hang out with this guy?

Terk - Tarzan

To a certain extent, Terk in Disney's Tarzan is supposed to be annoying. She's like Tarzan's sister, and sisters can certainly be annoying. Unfortunately, maybe Rosie O'Donnell does her job too well because, in the end, she is so annoying you just want her to stop. 

Timon and Pumbaa - The Lion King

Before you break out the pitchforks and torches. This is not about Timon and Pumbaa from the original animated The Lion King, but specifically live-action remake, which is far from the best of Disney's live-action remakes. While the movie is technically impressive for the way it digitally recreates the animals, the characters largely add nothing new to the story, so they're annoying because you want to see something new happen here, and it never does. 

Le Fou - Beauty And The Beast

Beauty and the Beast is one of the best Disney animated movies, but that doesn't save it from having annoying sidekicks. Clearly, Le Fou hangs around Gaston because Gaston likes to have somebody this dumb around so he looks smarter. You want the little guy to wise up and realize that he's being mistreated, but he never does, which makes him all the more annoying. 

Archimedes - The Sword In The Stone

Archimedes is Merlin's pet owl in The Sword in the Stone. It's basically his job to spend the whole movie telling everybody else why they suck. He's a real stick in the mud, which is fine, but that's really all his character does for the entire film, and it gets old fast. 

Ben -Treasure Planet

Ben's saving grace in Treasure Planet, one of IDsney's biggest failures, is that he only appears near the end of the movie. If a character this loud and annoying, unlike any other character in the film, had been in more of the movie, Treasure Planet would have been worse for it.

Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather - Sleeping Beauty

The three fairies of Sleeping Beauty spend more of the film's runtime bickering with each other than they do taking care of Aurora, which is supposed to be their job. It really makes one wonder if their plan to take Briar Rose away and hide her was even a good idea. Maybe they should have given the job to somebody else. 

Pintel and Ragetti - Pirates Of The Carribbean Franchise

You probably don't even remember the names of Pintel and Regetti, the pirate duo who work for Barbosa in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. They're fun and interesting in the first film, but their success brought them back again and again, and with each succeeding film it becomes clear nobody knows what to do with them. 

Anastasia And Drusella - Cinderella

Cinderella's Wicked Stepmother is a truly evil woman who does terrible things to the heroine of the film. Her daughters, however, seemingly learned nothing from her, as they are just spoiled brats. How even a mother could love their annoying behavior is a real question.

Zini - Dinosaur

Zini is the comic relief sidekick of Disney's Dinosaur. Why does a movie about dinosaurs trying to outrun their extinction have a comic relief character? The world will never know. The fact that the lemur best friend of protagonist Aladar is mostly concerned with getting a date, just makes the whole thing even more bizarre. 

Mushu - Mulan

Eddie Murphy does a fine job as the voice of Mushu. He's pretty funny a lot of the time, but he's also the cause of most of Mulan's problems, something that he eventually apologizes for, but never really learns from, making the fact that he ultimately gets what he wants really annoying. 

The Mad Hatter - Alice In Wonderland

Casting Johnny Depp in a live-action Alice in Wonderland is fine, deciding that, because you cast Johnny Depp, you must make the Mad Hatter a much bigger part of a movie where there's no reason for it, is less fine. Depp is so important to this movie and its sequel that he barely qualifies as a sidekick, which makes him an even more annoying sidekick. 

Mater - Cars Franchise

Honestly, Mater isn't that annoying in Cars. He grows on you and you find him lovable by the end, even if you don't at the beginning. What makes him ultimately annoying in Cars 2 is that he worked so well as a sidekick in the first movie, he got promoted to main character in the sequel, and that's where the wheels come off this tow truck. He should have remained a sidekick.

Gusgus - Cinderella

The mice in Cinderella are sort of all annoying because a great deal of the film's runtime is focused on them and not the title character. But Gusgus is the most annoying in the lot because his particular comedic focus is "being fat" which is far more annoying than funny.

Meeko And Flit - Pocahontas

Pocahontas has more than a few problems, but its animal sidekicks are certainly among them. Maybe if these were talking animals they'd be more interesting, but they largely exist to inject silly in what was supposed to be a much more serious movie.

Thumper - Bambi

Bambi was a revolutionary Disney movie when the studio produced it back in 1942. It's beautifully animated, with the scenes of nature as breathtaking as the real thing while the animation of animal characters was done with a level of perfection not previously seen by Disney or anybody else. And then Thumper has to get in there and be so loud all the time and just ruin the beauty of it. 

Cogsworth - Beauty and the Beast

Cogsworth is certainly supposed to be a bit annoying, as he plays against the easy-going Lumiere. He's basically your micromanaging boss if your boss was a bipedal clock. He does ultimately redeem himself by the end of the movie, but it takes a long time for him to get there as he's really annoying up until that point.

Tonto - The Lone Ranger

Disney's The Lone Ranger movie actually cast Johnny Depp as Tonto in a movie that came out in 2013. That's a thing that happened. Just because Johnny Depp wearing a funny hat in a Disney movie worked once, did not mean this was something we needed twice. It's an annoying performance that just never ends.

Bagheera - The Jungle Book

Bagheera means well. He's just trying to do right by Mowgli, but his "my way or the highway" style of parenting is going to be really annoying to anybody who has seen that not work, and it very much doesn't work in the movie either. 

Woola - John Carter

John Carter is one of the most expensive movies Disney has ever made. It's also one of its biggest live-action flops. None of that is Woola's fault. The movie has several problems that resulted in its failure, but the overly eager puppy dog that is actually a massive Martian monster certainly doesn't help matters.

Flounder - The Little Mermaid

Flounder seems like a really nice guy. He's friendly, and Ariel clearly likes him. The problem is that he doesn't do anything that's particularly useful for the entirety of The Little Mermaid, which makes him really annoying as his screen time could have been given to anything else and been better used.

Some of the sidekicks are useless, others are actually detriments to the hero and everything they're trying to accomplish, and still others are just people we don't want to listen to anymore. For every amazing Disney sidekick, there's an annoying one. And honestly, the heroes can do better.

Did you know that the Academy Awards’ category for Best Animated Feature has only existed since 2002 and the first recipient was one of the best kids movies, Shrek? It makes us wonder what other classics of the medium would have received the honor had the category been introduced prior to their release. Let’s explore the idea by recalling some of the most acclaimed animated movies of all time that deserved the Oscar (including some that were either recognized or won in another category or received a special statuette).

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)

As the first feature-length animated film ever made, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs likely would have earned the award for that grand achievement alone. In fact, the film did earn Walt Disney an honorary Oscar that was specially designed with seven miniature statuettes surrounding it, in reference to the Seven Dwarfs.

Toy Story (1995)

Toy Story was a game-changer in the mid-1990s as the first fully computer-generated feature length film — a feat that did earn Pixar a Special Achievement Oscar, in addition to nods for its screenplay and Randy Newman’s score and iconic original song, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” It probably would have won Best Animated Feature on that fact alone, if not for the ingenious plot and heartwarming themes of friendship, as explored through the complicated relationship between string-activated cowboy doll, Woody (Academy Award winner Tom Hanks), and “high-tech” spaceman, Buzz (Tim Allen).

The Lion King (1994)

It makes sense when you learn that The Lion King is an adaptation of King Lear because the story is on par with even the most powerful works of William Shakespeare. Throw in gorgeous animation of the Pride Lands of Africa and Oscar-winning music by Elton John and Hans Zimmer and you have yourself a masterpiece.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The only thing more unique than the story of The Nightmare Before Christmas — the disillusioned Halloween King tries to bring Christmas to his spooky town — is its stop-motion animation style. The fascinatingly freaky aesthetic of producer Tim Burton and director Henry Sellick's cult favorite did earn it an Oscar nomination for Visual Effects, but we imagine it would have received a Best Animated Feature Oscar win had the category existed.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

As one of the all-time most beloved anime film classics, Akira very likely could have received the Best Animated Feature honor in 1989. Yet, Studio Ghibli's My Neighbor Totoro — which follows the adventures of two young girls and the spirits of the forest — is the more irresistibly whimsical anime fantasy, making it more of a shoe-in.

The Iron Giant (1999)

The BAFTAs have a category for Best Feature Film in a division reserved for children’s entertainment that, in 2000, was received by Brad Bird's feature-length directorial debut, The Iron Giant. This might be a good indication that the highly original, intelligently crafted, and heartwarming B-movie throwback had a great chance of winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar, too, despite what would have been fierce competition with Toy Story 2, Disney's Tarzan, Fantasia 2000, and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

The year 1997 was another iconic one for animated cinema, with Disney's Hercules, Anastasia, Cats Don't Dance, and Perfect Blue among its most acclaimed examples. However, an epic, visually stunning fantasy adventure by Studio Ghibli like Princess Mononoke seems like the best bet.

Aladdin (1992)

This beloved animated adaptation of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights was nominated for five Oscars and won two for Alan Menken's score and the original song, "A Whole New World." In an alternate world, Aladdin — one of the all-time best Disney animated films for its sweeping, romantic, adventurous tone and, especially, the late Robin Williams’ extraordinary performance as the voice of Genie — just might have won a third statuette.

Chicken Run (2000)

The last year before the Best Animated Feature Oscar was created saw the release of the hilarious The Emperor's New Groove, the thrilling Titan A.E., and Dinosaur, which boasted some unusually realistic animation. However, the most acclaimed animated film from that year was the funny claymation-style escape thriller, Chicken Run, which could have ended up being the most acclaimed pick from that year by the Academy.  

The Little Mermaid (1989)

This beautiful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s aquatic fairytale might have faced some competition in the Best Animated Feature category with Hayao Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and, perhaps even, Peter Jackson’s Meet the Feebles. However, considering The Little Mermaid did earn Alan Menken two Oscars for Best Original Song (for “Under the Sea” against “Kiss the Girl”) and Original Score, it very likely would have swam its way to the top, as well.

Mulan (1998)

The most noteworthy theatrically released animated films of 1998 included Quest for Camelot, The Rugrats Movie, The Prince of Egypt, Antz, and its Pixar twin A Bug’s Life. However, the one with the best chance of taking home the gold would have probably been Disney’s funny, action-packed, period epic, Mulan, which did earn a Best Original Score nod at that year’s Oscars.

Beauty And The Beast (1991)

Disney’s retelling of the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast, was the first animated film to receive a nomination for the Best Picture Oscar — in addition to five other nominations, including Original Song and Score, which it won. Later, 2009’s Up and 2010’s Toy Story 3 also earned nods in the grand prize category and wound up taking home the Best Animated Feature Oscar in their respective years. Thus, if the category existed in 1992, this timeless story of the prevailing power of true love would have had no competition.

The Jungle Book (1967)

Disney’s first adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s seminal novel about a young boy (voiced by Bruce Reitherman) living among wild animals was recognized by the Academy with a nomination for Terry Gilkyson’s original song, “The Bare Necessities.” When taking a look at the other animated films from 1967 — including Rankin/Bass’ The Wacky World of Mother Goose and Cyborg 009: Monster Wars —  it seems like the The Jungle Book would have had this in the bag.

Peter Pan (1953)

Disney’s animated adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s seminal fairytale about a wondrous world with pirates and an ageless boy with the ability to fly did not get much awards attention, save a Grand Prize nomination at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival. That kind of praise for Peter Pan probably would have given the Academy something to think about, at least, had they created the Best Animated Feature adaptation then.

Castle In The Sky (1986)

Even with acclaimed animated features like An American Tail (which was nominated for Best Original Song), The Great Mouse Detective, and Transformers: The Movie released in the same year, we still have the most confidence in Castle in the Sky. This gravity-defying adventure was the first feature-length film by Studio Ghibli and is still remembered as one of the studio’s finest efforts.

Bambi (1942)

Based on a novel by Felix Salten, the iconic, devastating Bambi received Academy Award nominations for Best Sound, Song, and Score, which alone makes a good case for its Best Animated Feature eligibility. Not to mention, its only competition in that race would have been another, much-forgotten, Disney film called Saludos Amigos and a lost Chilean feature called 15 mil dibujos.

Fantasia (1940)

The year's animated feature to compete at the Academy Awards was Pinocchio, which did take home statuettes for Original Score and Original Song (“When You Wish Upon a Star”). The only other feature-length animated flick released that year was an anthology called Fantasia, which received two honorary awards for its then unique combination of music and visuals and “contribution to the use of sound in motion pictures." Fantasia’s groundbreaking technical achievements, wondrous aesthetic, and sense of variety probably would have given it the edge for Best Animated Feature over Pinocchio, which would have meant a win for Disney either way.

Watership Down (1978)

Inspired by Richard Adam’s novel, Watership Down is the harrowing tale of a group of rabbits desperate to find refuge from humans intent on destroying their home, which received a Hugo Award nomination for “Best Dramatic Presentation.” To us, this suggests that it might have been favored by the Academy as well, considering its biggest competition would have been Ralph Bashki’s divisive The Lord of the Rings and a few Disney cartoon compilations.

Lady And The Tramp (1955)

While the Academy Awards did not have a Best Animated Feature category in 1956, the BAFTAs did and one of their nominees that year was Lady and the Tramp. While a Canadian short film called Blinkity Blank ended up winning, we imagine the heartwarming tale about a pampered Cocker Spaniel (voiced by Barbara Luddy) who falls for a stray mongrel (voiced by Larry Roberts) would have been treated better by the Academy.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

George Burns’ original score for this adaptation of Charles Perrault’s seminal fairytale, Sleeping Beauty, did get a nod from the Academy, but probably would have taken home Best Animated Feature. Fun fact: the Disney film’s most notable competition might have been an adaptation of the “Aladdin” segment from One Thousand and One Arabian Nights by Columbia Pictures.

Dumbo (1941)

Perhaps one of the reasons why the Academy had not created a Best Animated Feature category by 1942 is because victories were pretty much inevitable at the time. In other words, Dumbo — which did win Best Score that year — probably would have beaten out The Reluctant Dragon (an anthology also from Disney) and Princess Iron Fan, which was China’s first animated feature, but its colorless animation might have hurt its chances.

Cinderella (1950)

Three Academy Award nominations — namely Best Original Song ("Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo"), Score, and Sound — went to, arguably, the most definitive Disney animated movie. Without even taking the other animated features released in 1950 into account, it is hard to imagine anything else but the timeless love story in Cinderella winning over the Academy’s hearts in the Best Animated Feature category for that year.

Charlotte’s Web (1973)

Disney certainly would have had a good chance at winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 1974 with Robin Hood, which did earn a nod for George Burns’ original song, “Love.” However, we can’t help but feel that Paramount’s original, uplifting adaptation of E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web would have been the radiant victor.

One Hundred And One Dalmatians (1961)

In 1962, the BAFTA for Best Animated Film was given to Disney’s One Hundred and One Dalmatians. If this category existed in the Oscars at that time, we imagine it would have also gone to this iconic adaptation of Dodie Smith’s novel about a family of puppies kidnapped by ruthless fashionista, Cruella de Vil.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996)

While there is a case to be made that the largely stop-motion animated James and the Giant Peach could have been eligible and that Beavis and Butt-Head Do America deserved a chance, it might be safest to say the Best Animated Feature Oscar would have gone to The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1997. Disney’s adaptation of Victor Hugo’s esteemed French novel did received an Academy Award nomination for Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s score, however.

The Secret Of NIMH (1982)

The 1983 Best Animated Feature Oscar race might have had a pretty stellar line-up with two acclaimed Rankin-Bass fantasies (The Flight of the Dragon and The Last Unicorn), the U.K. adaptation of Richard Adam’s The Plague Dogs, and (if they counted it) the visually groundbreaking Tron. However, our money would have been on The Secret of NIMH, which is one of the legendary Don Bluth’s most wild and wondrous adventures.

The Aristocats (1970)

To modern audiences, The Aristocats is a seen as an animated Disney movie that has not aged very well, due to some racial insensitivities. However, in 1971, that would have had no effect on the Academy, who probably would have given it the Best Animated Feature Oscar for its incredible musical moments.

Alice In Wonderland (1951)

Disney’s original adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s surreal novel was one of only three feature-length animated films released in 1951, the others being a Czechoslovakian stop-motion film called Prince Bayaya and a Soviet adaptation of The Night Before Christmas. Not only would this have helped its chances in the Best Animated Feature Oscar race, but its score also received a nod from the Academy.

Animal Farm (1954)

Because Disney did not release an animated film in 1954, that very likely would have left Animal Farm as a shoe-in for the Best Animated Feature Oscar at that time. While not particularly appropriate for family viewing, the adaptation of George Orwell’s clever, anti-fascist satire is a work of great importance.

The Fox And The Hound (1981)

Despite its heart-wrenching story of two creatures whose friendship is threatened when they discover they are meant to be natural enemies, Disney’s The Fox and the Hound was easily one of the most family-friendly animated films from 1981, which probably could have helped its chances in the Best Animated Feature Oscar race. Its greatest competition most likely would have been Ralph Bashki’s American Pop and producer Ivan Reitman’s Heavy Metal — both of which are musicals that, certainly, were not made for younger audiences.

The Rescuers (1977)

The Rescuers was nominated by the Academy for its original song, “Someone’s Waiting For You,” but we are inclined to believe a Best Animated Feature win would have also been in order. In fact, this thrilling adventure’s 1990 sequel, The Rescuers Down Under, more than likely would have won for its year, too.

Yellow Submarine (1968)

If the music in Yellow Submarine (courtesy of The Beatles, whose 1966 song inspired the film) would not win over the Academy, at least the intense visuals likely would have. The film follows John, Paul, George, and Ringo, who are enlisted by Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to help save Pepperland from the anti-musical Blue Meanies.

The animation medium has come a long way, but its greatest admirers would agree that these classics deserved more recognition in their prime. Hopefully, mentioning them in this list served as a worthy consolation to being made before they could have the chance at a Best Animated Feature Oscar.

I love it, you love it, we all love it – let's talk about the best and worst things about every film from the Disney Renaissance. 

That's right – those ten sacred films from the long-lasting Disney catalog that never seemed to do any harm to anyone. While I love those movies with all my heart, I can even say that there are some flaws with these otherwise fantastic films.

Let's start with the first – and probably one of the most known. 

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Best Thing: It's Vibrant Colors And Music – There are so many positive things about The Little Mermaid, it's almost hard to choose just one. But if I had to, I would say the music and the vibrant colors the original animation brought to the big screen. 

From "Under the Sea" to "Kiss the Girl," the songs are some of the best out there, and the beautifully crafted scenes to go with them make it even better.

Worst Thing: King Triton Being An Actual Jerk – Look, Ariel isn't my favorite princess. She ranks relatively low for me, considering she's a pretty naive teenager who doesn't know the world that well. 

But did Triton have to destroy all her stuff? At least this version of Triton is a lot more caring and protective than the one in the live-action version of this film, but he's almost too protective, even scary. He's a jerk, to say the least – and I think he could have done better. 

The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

Best Thing: It's Classic Animation – The Rescuers Down Under is the only sequel here, and if I had to pick its best thing, I would say the animation overall. It reminds me of many classic Disney films from the early 1950s and 1960s, which is good.

Worst Thing: It's Forgettable Plotline – Even after rewatching this film, I barely remember what happened. The plot is so forgettable that I doubt this movie is anyone's favorite from the time period. It's a fun film, but it's not the best overall. 

Beauty And The Beast (1991)

Best Thing: The Love Story Between Belle And The Beast – How could you get a better love story than Belle and the Beast in Beauty and the Beast? This was the first animated feature to score a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars, before some of those fantastic Pixar films that have done so. It's just a perfect story. 

Worst Thing: "Human Again" – Okay, so let's talk about "Human Again." I know that the song wasn't in the original release of the movie, so some people might not even know the song - and consider yourselves lucky. 

Unfortunately, I grew up in the early 2000s, when the song was added back into the film, and in every watch I have seen, it has always been in there. I could have gone my whole life without hearing that dang "Human Again" song. It doesn't fit with the vibes of the movie, and those voices make my head want to implode. It never should have been added back in. This is a Disney song I could have lived without. 

Aladdin (1992)

Best Thing: The Genie – Arguably, the Genie was one of Robin Williams' best roles in his career. I think out of every sidekick in any Disney film, the Genie's genuine heart, sarcasm, and hilarity stand above the rest – and I will forever love him the most from Aladdin. 

Worst Thing: How Gullible Jasmine's Father Is – This man is a Sultan. That is a ruler, a sovereign – furthermore, he looks decently older, so how was he so gullible and able to rule for so long until Jafar somehow took over? Every scene he's in makes me roll my eyes. 

The Lion King (1994)

Best Thing: Hans Zimmer's Incredible Score – Hans Zimmer's scores literally never miss. You can't sit there and tell me that when those opening chords of The Lion King hit, you don't feel chills. Every time I watch it, I am instantly immersed. 

Worst Thing: It Takes WAY Too Long For Simba To Grow Up – It's hard to pick something from The Lion King that's bad, considering it is a masterpiece. But if I had to, Simba's lack of responsibility is up there. I think this is almost a coming-of-age movie, and we watch Simba grow into his role of ruler, but it feels like it comes on way too slowly – and the people accept him back way too quickly after running away for years. 

Pocahontas (1995)

Best Thing: "Colors Of The Wind" – I'd also like to give a little shoutout to "Just Around the Riverbend," but "Colors of the Wind" is the real winner of Pocahontas. The lyrics are moving and teach us to cherish the Earth rather than destroy it, and its meaning holds even today, more than twenty years later. 

Worst Thing: It's Historical Inaccuracy And Overall Forgettable Love Story – Do I even need to get into this that much? Pocahontas has been criticized for years for its historical inaccuracy. And even so, the love story between Pocahontas and John Smith was so forgettable compared to many others here – and was further ruined by the unnecessary DVD sequel. 

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996)

Best Thing: "Hellfire" – This song defined Disney villain songs. Not a single other Disney villain song has ever surpassed "Hellfire" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The scenery, the lyrics, the meaning – ugh, it makes me shiver every time I watch it. 

Worst Thing: The Fact That Quasimodo Still Ends Up Alone At The End – My poor man not only took out the man ready to take over Paris in the name of God but saved the girl of his dreams, only for her to end up with the conventionally attractive person. I feel for him so much. My heart hurts. 

Hercules (1997)

Best Thing: The Songs Are Nonstop Hits – Hercules is an underrated hit, and the songs never miss, not for a single second. You will get up and dance to "Zero to Hero." You'll root for Hercules in "Go the Distance." You'll want to lament your love in "I Won't Say I'm In Love" – every song is fantastic. 

Worst Thing: I Needed To See More Hades – While I love "Hellfire" as my favorite Villain song, Hades from Hercules is one of my favorite villains, and it's a crime that he only got fifteen minutes of screentime. Yes, I know that's a decent amount for an hour-and-a-half-long movie, but I needed more of my sassy ruler of the underworld!

Mulan (1998)

Best Thing: Mulan's Strong Spirit In General – Mulan was the princess I grew up wishing to be. She's strong, witty, kind, sweet, and a bit clumsy. As the movie goes on, her personality, growth, and evolving fighting prowess make her all the more interesting to watch. 

Worst Thing: Those Three Soldiers That We Are Forced To Follow And Like – Yeah, I won't even lie, I despise these three soldiers with a passion, the ones called Yao, Ling, and Chien Po. I guess they're okay, but they were given too much screen time, and in the grand scheme of things, I would have much rather seen the movie open up more about Shang's character than those three fools we're forced to like. 

Tarzan (1999)

Best Thing: Phil Collins' Absolutely Devouring This Soundtrack – I don't how Phil Collins did it when he wrote absolute fire for the Tarzan soundtrack, but these songs always rock my world any time I hear them. I love them so much. 

Worst Thing: It's Forgettable Villain – But Impactful Death – Yeah, there are iconic villains in Disney movies, and then there are villains like Clayton, a hunter who's just that – he hunts animals in the jungle for devious intent. 

I mean, sure, it's a villain, but in comparison to many other Disney villains, he's so forgettable. I will say his death – where we see his shadow as he hangs from vines while falling in the jungle – is impactful, but other than that, I barely remember him. 

Now, this makes me want to rewatch all these films all over again and enjoy every single one of them. It's time for a Disney rewatch, don't you think?

What do most, if not all, of the best ‘90s movies have in common? Well, besides being the best representation of the final decade of the 20th century? They typically featured menacing, dastardly, sinister, and over-the-top villains that we sometimes remember more than the heroes who tried to stop them. But who are the meanest, the baddest, the most unforgiving villains of the 1990s? Funny you should ask…

Max Cady (Cape Fear)

Martin Scorsese’s 1991 remake of Cape Fear is a tense and terrifying psychological thriller with a frightening story about a convict seeking vengeance against his former defense attorney. There is just something so unsettling, so menacing, and straight-up mean about Robert De Niro’s portrayal of Max Cady that makes him an all-time villain. Maybe it’s the way he says “counselor” in that sinister tone.

Sheriff 'Little Bill' Daggett (Unforgiven)

Sheriff Daggett (Gene Hackman) is one mean son-of-a-gun in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Best Picture winner, Unforgiven. He beats people, embarrasses them, and kicks them out of town, and that’s before his true callous nature is revealed later in the movie. Hackman, who could play a villain better than just about anyone else, manages to be incredibly evil while not being over-the-top.

Buddy Love (The Nutty Professor)

The 1996 remake of The Nutty Professor is one of the funniest Eddie Murphy movies as well as one where he plays more than one character. While his take on Sherman Klump is wholesome and tremendous, his portrayal of the kind-hearted professor’s evil alter ego, Buddy Love, is the stuff of legend. It’s as if an egotistical and crass AI watched Eddie Murphy: Delirious to come up with a mean, mean, mean character.

Eva Ernst (The Witches)

Even before Eva Ernst (Anjelica Huston) reveals herself to be The Grand High Witch in The Witches, the villain in this 1990 adaptation of a Roald Dahl classic is nothing but trouble. And unlike a lot of the characters on this list, Ernst wants to eat children, not just harm or toy with them. It doesn’t get much meaner than that.

Henry Evans (The Good Son)

If you were to put on The Good Son because you liked Macaulay Culkin’s work in the Home Alone movies, you’d probably be shocked to see his take on Henry Evans in The Good Son. Take every terrifying kid from horror movies and an extra level of mean, and you have this violent and psychotic ‘90s movie villain. The way he responds with “What if I did,” when asked if he killed his younger brother is wild. Just wild!

Shooter McGavin (Happy Gilmore)

Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) is in the top tier of Adam Sandler movie villains as well as one of those ‘90s characters you just love to hate. There are no redeemable qualities, no chance of redemption, and no way anyone could like this guy. But still, the egotistical pro golfer who wants to make Sandler’s hockey-player-turned-golfer life as miserable as possible in Happy Gilmore is the stuff of legend.

John Doe (Seven)

Definitely one of the sickest movie villains from the ‘90s, John Doe (Kevin Spacy) in Seven is as mean as he is demented, which is a lot. The ritualistic killings inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins is one thing, and the massive collection of angry journal entries is another, but the way he says, “Oh, he didn’t know?” after the big plot twist is just so menacing.

Nino Brown (New Jack City)

Wesley Snipes played some great villains in the ‘90s, but his meanest has to be Nino Brown in New Jack City. While Simon Phoenix in Demolition Man is great, his character in the 1993 sci-fi flick is just so over-the-top and cartoonishly evil. Brown, on the other hand, is cold, methodical, and just a bad dude. 

Kathryn Merteuil (Cruel Intentions)

The ‘90s were a great time for iconic movie villains, and of course, Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) from Cruel Intentions is on that list. The games, the seduction, the toying with peoples' lives to the point where they are damaged beyond repair, and pretty much everything else she does in this 1999 staple is evil and mean-spirited.

Agatha Trunchbull (Matilda)

Roald Dahl had a way of creating legendary villains in his various stories, which is the case for Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) in Danny DeVito’s 1996 adaptation of Matilda. The olympian-turned-principal at Crunchem Hall makes life a walking nightmare for all the students, who she throws around, stuffs in tiny closets, and tries to embarrass in front of the entire school.

Debo (Friday)

There are few ‘90s movies villains that are as recognizable as Debo from Friday. Played by the late Tiny Lister, who also portrayed a big bad in the 1989 wrestling movie, No Holds Barred, this towering mountain of an antagonist was an absolute unit who preyed upon the smaller and weaker residents of his neighborhood. Well, until he got knocked out.

Captain Hook (Hook)

Steven Spielberg’s Hook is a movie that the internet seems to hate, but there are a lot of great things going for this 1991 retelling of Peter Pan. Robin Williams is great as the beloved Peter Pan character and Dustin Hoffman is a force of cartoonish evil in his portrayal of Captain Hook. The hooked hand, the wig, the turning Peter’s son against him, and that mustache put him at the top of the list. 

Sheriff Of Nottingham (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves)

Alan Rickman is mostly remembered for Hans Gruber in Die Hard, at least when it comes to movie villains. However, a few years later, the late Harry Potter star chewed up all the scenery with his portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Kevin Costner is the star of this epic, but it’s Rickman, with his “I’ll cut your heart out with a spoon” line that steals the show.

Annie Wilkes (Misery)

Kathy Bates won an Oscar for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes in Misery, and rightfully so. The 1990 Stephen King adaptation helmed by Rob Reiner is one of the best horror movies of all time and features several of the most disturbing scenes imaginable. It’s Annie, despite her smile and infectious laugh, who is perpetrating all the madness. The hobbling scene alone makes her the meanest of the mean.

Percy Wetmore (The Green Mile)

Percy Wetmore (Dough Hutchison) in The Green Mile has to be one of the meanest, most sadistic characters from Stephen King’s catalog and one of the most hatable villains from the ‘90s. From intentionally botching an execution by the electric chair, trying to kill a mouse, and being a detestable human being in general, he did it all.

Max Shreck (Batman Returns)

Though Danny DeVito’s Oswald Cobblepot is supposed to be the villain in Batman Returns, it’s Christopher Walken’s Max Shreck who is the biggest jerk of Tim Burton’s 1992 comic book movie. He kills his secretary, is corrupt beyond belief, plans the kidnapping of the mayor’s child, and that’s just in the first act.

Peter And Paul (Funny Games)

Michael Haneke’s psychological horror film, Funny Games, features two of the most ruthless yet unassuming villains of the ‘90s with Paul (Arno Frisch) and Peter (Frank Giering), two young men who hold a family hostage and subject them to all kinds of torture. I mean, the “cat in the bag” game is one of the most disturbing scenes of all time.

Norman Stansfield (Leon: The Professional)

It’s impossible to talk about Gary Oldman’s best work without mentioning Norman Stansfield from Leon: The Professional and it’s just as impossible to discuss the meanest ‘90s movie villains without including his unhinged DEA agent. He’s psychotic, he’s ruthless, and most of all, he’s mean as a rattlesnake.

Judge Claude Frollo (The Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Is there a Disney villain who is more unsavory, more unlikeable, or more disgusting than Judge Claude Frollo (Tony Jay) in 1996’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame? He’s sinister, slimy, and undeniably gross, but most of all, he’s unnecessarily mean to anyone and everyone around him.

Cyrus The Virus (Con Air)

Cyrus the Virus (John Malkovich) from Con Air is one of those movie villains that is just too awesome. Sure, he’s a terrible human being with little to no redeeming qualities, but that’s part of the charm of this convicted criminal and mastermind behind the movie’s big hijacking. 

Warden Norton (The Shawshank Redemption)

Warden Norton (Bob Gunton) from The Shawshank Redemption has to be one of the most vile and meanest officials from any prison movie or TV show ever released (that includes Tommy Lee Jones’ warden in Natural Born Killers). For two-plus hours, this evil man makes life miserable for all the inmates with his self-serving ways. But yeah, he gets his comeuppance in the end.

Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (The Fifth Element)

Gary Oldman was on fire throughout the 1990s when it came to playing wild villains, and Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg from The Fifth Element is high up on that list. He’s a violent arms dealer who’s working for the Ultimate Evil to get as much power and control as possible. Also, that haircut and fashion sense add a nice touch to his evil character.

Helen Sharp (Death Becomes Her)

Everyone is pretty much a villain in Death Becomes Her, but the character that stands out the most is Goldie Hawn’s Helen Sharp, who is as vindictive as she is charming and beautiful. Though her revenge against Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis) is somewhat justified, she takes things to the next level and then some.

Scar (The Lion King)

The Lion King has a lot of noble and friendly characters like Simba, Mufasa, Timon, and Pumbaa, but Scar (Jeremy Irons) doesn’t fall into either category. The jealous, vindictive, and cruel brother of the king goes to great lengths to take the throne, even killing his own sibling and blaming the death on his young nephew. Talk about a terrible uncle.

 Castor Troy (Face/Off) 

There are over-the-top Nicolas Cage characters and then there is Castor Troy from Face/Off. This dude starts wilding out and he doesn’t stop throughout the whole movie, and it’s better off for it. Dressing up like a priest, assaulting a girl, and later wearing the face of an FBI agent and living his life is just something wild.

The Wet Bandits (Home Alone)

Harry Lime (Joe Pesci) and Marv Murchins (Daniel Stern), known collectively as the Wet Bandits, are the big bads in Home Alone (though Uncle Frank isn’t far behind). But what makes them so mean is the fact that instead of just robbing people over Christmas, they flood their houses before leaving. So now they get robbed twice: by the Wet Bandits and the insurance company.

Aaron Stampler (Primal Fear) 

The plot twist at the end of Primal Fear is a work of art and what makes it so great is Edward Norton’s performance. His transition from the meek and reserved Aaron Stampler to Roy is absolutely terrifying. But it’s not just the evil nature of the character or the vicious murder he committed, it’s the pleasure and joy he got out of the killing and court proceedings that makes it so devilishly fun to watch.

Phillip Stuckey (Pretty Woman)

In the realm of rom-com scumbags, Philip Stuckey (Jason Alexander) from Pretty Woman is in a league of his own. The greedy, power-hungry, and sleazy attorney to Richard Gere’s Edward Lewis. The way he puts down his client, the company he’s trying to buy, and worst of all, Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) is mean and disgusting, to say the least.

Eric Gordon (Billy Madison)

Bradley Whitford plays a jerk better than just about anyone in Hollywood, and for many, the first time we saw him in action was in the 1995 Adam Sandler comedy, Billy Madison. In the movie, Whitford plays Eric Gordon, the executive vice president of Madison Hotels who tries and tries again to thwart Billy’s plan of finishing school and taking over the family business. Come on, manipulating a school principal and putting your secretary in a coma is next-level.

Ordell Robbie (Jackie Brown)

Three years after playing one of the most unforgettable characters of the ‘90s in Pulp Fiction, Samuel L. Jackson played one of the meanest villains with his take on Ordell Robbie in Jackie Brown. The arms dealer who gets Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) to smuggle money from Mexico to the United States has no limits throughout Quentin Tarntino’s crime epic. Both vile and violent, Ordell doesn’t mess around.

Caledon 'Cal' Hockley (Titanic)

A colossal movie like Titanic needs an even bigger villain, and Billy Zane did just that with his portrayal of Caledon “Cal” Hockley, Rose’s (Kate Winslet) uber-rich fiance. The way he carries himself, the tone in his voice, and that “looks too good to be a good guy” haircut makes him an all-time movie heel. 

Tracy Flick (Election)

Reese Witherspoon has played some of the most beloved movie characters over the years, but she’s also played some downright awful villains. A perfect example is Tracy Flick from Election, Alexander Payne’s 1999 comedy about a student government presidential race. She’s successful and chipper, but she does some down-and-dirty and unethical stuff to get her way. 

These movie villains are great in their own way, but they all have one thing in common: they’re mean beyond belief. Some are worse than others, but they all made the moviegoing experience in the ‘90s so much fun.

As far as the subgenre known as the “kid’s movie” goes, there’s a wide variety of tones and messages you could spot in any given corner. Just looking at the 2024 movies aimed at younger audiences, as there are titles like Inside Out 2 and Netflix’s Orion and the Dark that continue to prove that you can go pretty deep when it comes to a younger audience.

So it only seemed fair to ask actors Jacob Tremblay and Paul Walter Hauser, the people playing Orion and Dark, respectively, about the first time a kid’s movie did just that. I was able to pose that question to director Sean Charmatz and producer Peter McCown as well, seeing as we were all on hand to celebrate Orion and the Dark’s recent addition to what could be considered among the best movies on Netflix.

Paul Walter Hauser And Jacob Tremblay’s Favorite Deep Kid's Movies

For the record, Hauser and Tremblay’s answers were hysterical; not because they were particularly offbeat, but rather because they both had the same answers in mind. This only came after Paul prefaced his answer with the fact that he thought they never would have picked the same movies.

Sure enough, CinemaBlend was on hand to observe that beautiful bit of symmetry you can witness in the video above. Both Toy Story and The Lion King were the movies that saw Paul Walter Hauser and Jacob Tremblay bonding in this interview experience, which makes even more sense considering the movie they recently starred in. 

As far as how Toy Story kicked things off, Paul Walter Hauser shared some deep questions it made him ask about life with CinemaBlend. In asking those questions, Jacob Tremblay added some insightful feedback of his own: 

"Paul Walter Hauser: ‘Are my toys sentient? Is this a thing? Do they have feelings? Should I not be throwing them across the room unthinkingly?’

Jacob Tremblay: That just made playing with toys so much better, I think. Just thinking that they could be real."

Dreamworks Animation and breaking out of the usual animated box of storytelling is as natural a fit as Jacob Tremblay and Paul Walter Hauser. In Orion and the Dark, poor Orion (Tremblay) is afraid of pretty much everything, which leaves him with a lack of friends. But Dark (Hauser) wants to change that through helping our young hero face his fears of darkness and many other perils of life.

Seriously, this kid’s afraid of everything from murder clowns and mosquitos to death itself. Some shared nighttime adventures start to take place, as the lead of this Netflix project is shown the secret world of night. Which, naturally, sounds like the hidden life aspects of Toy Story definitely pair well with this new animated film.

Also, when you're talking about one of the best Pixar movies ever to have done it, that cross-generational appeal kind of makes sense. That same sort of energy applies to the second movie that both Paul Walter Hauser and Jacob Tremblay shared in this regard. 

Heralded as one of the best Disney movies from the company's 100 years in operation, 1994's The Lion King happened to be the other title that Paul threw out for Jacob to preemptively catch. When it came to that story, the Richard Jewell actor had a fantastic tie-in to the film we were discussing at that very moment: 

Without going into too much detail, Orion and the Dark plays with its own circle of life. Only instead of birth and death being present, the exercise of storytelling is what's handed down as a legacy. Which is absolutely fitting as this brainy kid's movie was adapted from author Emma Yarlett's book by none other than Charlie Kaufman. 

Nothing says "deep kid's movie" like a film penned by the man who gave us Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. That only opened the door to further mind blowing experiences of kid's movies "going deep," as at this point it's time do dig into producer Peter McCown and director Sean Charmatz's answers to that same question.

How Stephen King, Don Bluth, And Steven Spielberg Went Deep For Young Sean Charmatz And Peter McCown

Not to be outdone, Orion and the Dark’s producer and director team had their own touchstones of children’s cinema that hammered home some emotional spikes. And as any ‘80s/’90s kid will tell you, the filmmakers behind these movies are masters at crafting such formative films.

Starting with Peter McCown, here are the deep kid’s movies that inspired both he and Sean Charmatz; and how they still affect them to this day: 

You can definitely see the DNA of both former Disney animator Don Bluth and Steven Spielberg in Orion and the Dark. As both of those creative titans ruled the roost of more mature kid's movies with an iron fist in the ‘80s and ‘90s, their influences are still felt to this day.

However, while director Sean Charmatz would throw out the joint Bluth/Spielberg venture An American Tail as an influential kid's film, a pretty fitting Stephen King adaptation fell into the mix as well. Here's what Charmatz had to say:

To be frank, I kind of always thought of Stand By Me as one of those kid's movies that was never overtly made for children, but played perfectly for an audience of the right age. Rob Reiner's adaptation of Stephen King "The Body" kind of engrained itself as such in the pop culture consciousness, as the film is widely regarded one of the best films of the 1980s. 

Wrapping it all up with a bow, however, is one Steven Spielberg movie that Peter McCown and Sean Charmatz mentiond as a beloved favorite. If you've already seen Orion and the Dark, you might have already guessed this one. But just in case, here's the common thread these men shared in our interview room: 

"Peter McCown: Oh, another one is E.T. It’s not dissimilar from this story, in the fact that Elliot is very smart, very wise beyond his years. And he’s scared of this alien, for obvious reasons, at first. But then, over the course of this film, he gets to know him. And then that you can love something so deeply, that you previously were terrified of, was really special.

Sean Charmatz: E.T. was a big one for me as well. … I cried at the John Williams [concert]. John Williams played E.T. and Indiana Jones, and when they played the music for E.T. I was crying."

Looking back on the deep kid's movies stories I got out of Orion and the Dark’s cast and creatives, the care and depth this new Dreamworks movie exhibits is even less of a surprise. After having seen the picture myself, I kind of want to pair it with at least a handful of the titles mentioned above and have a bit of an "inner child" movie marathon. 

Teaching life lessons in overcoming fear and sticking up for yourself, as well as others, Orion and the Dark is something that Netflix subscription holders should seek out. You’ll be able to do just that, as DreamWorks Animation's latest is currently streaming for all who seek it, whether you watch your movies with the lights on or off.

Before the best movies from the 2000s were allowed to run, the cinematic classics from the 1990s had to walk. (Well, except for Forrest Gump.) The 20th century closed out with a decade of cinematic spectacles as Hollywood embraced bigger budgets, the early days of CGI, and a new breed of superstars like Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and Keanu Reeves.

From great ‘90s sci-fi movies like Jurassic Park to beloved ‘90s family films like Toy Story to chilling thrillers and hilarious comedies, just about any genre fan can feel represented by the era's best. Can the same be said for music, TV and literature? (I'll be too busy watching Speed again to research that.) So grab your long-dead Tamagotchis and scented markers and join us in celebrating the best of the best that the ‘90s had to offer.

• This list was compiled by the bulk of CinemaBlend's editors and writers, who gave 0-5 scores to an overall list of around 300 movies, with all of the final scores averaged out to determine the final ranking of 100.

How We Put This List Together

• Around 300 entries from a vast variety of 1990s films , which fit the bill of being culturally relevant and critically respected, were gathered using a combination of staff recommendations, movie guides and further research. The entries were tracked in a spreadsheet, where the majority of our staff then went through a multi-level voting process, with scores assigned based on personal opinions. A base number of viewers was also required for entries to make the cut, and lowest scores were then eliminated, in the style of scoring figure skating. The movies were then ordered from 1-100 based on the final average scores, with a variety of staff members writing the movie-celebrating entries. 

100. The Fifth Element (1997)

Luc Besson's The Fifth Element is a seriously wild movie. The sci-fi adventure has become a bona fide genre classic. Even though parts of the film were frustrating to make, those efforts clearly paid off, leaving us with one of the most fun space rides to date with an A-level cast including Milla Jovovich, Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Chris Tucker in arguably his spaciest performance. Anyone who may have forgotten how fun and bonkers it is should grab a multi-pass and return immediately. 

99. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Jim Carrey may have enjoyed the most successful year for any comedian in 1994, and Dumb and Dumber is a major part of that unprecedented run. After the wildly successful Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask, the Saturday Night Live reject gave an iconic performance as Lloyd Christmas in the Farrelly Brothers’ breakout comedy alongside Jeff Daniels’ Harry Dunne. Everything about the movie simply works in spite of itself. The chemistry between its stars, the balance of over-the-top humor and more subtle jokes, and the most annoying sound in the world work together to create an unparalleled and game-changing experience. 

98. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project may not have been the first to bring a cinéma vérité approach to the horror genre, but through extremely savvy marketing and lore-building, the no-budget flick became one of the most profitable films of all time, spawning a franchise of film sequels, comics, a video game, and beyond. And all without an actual “witch” to tease in the trailers. One of the ‘90s most polarizing efforts, BWP’s “something from nothing” approach makes it as influential as anything else from the decade.

97. Mulan (1998)

What can be said about Mulan that has yet to be talked about? Released at the tail end of the famed Disney Renaissance through the ‘90s, Mulan was the animated film that defined a generation of young women, inspiring many to always fight for their honor and never back down, even when everyone in the world says otherwise. The music is excellent as the voice-acting takes you to another world, and the animation easily pulls viewers in, but it’s the themes that stay with audiences forever.

96. The Wedding Singer (1998)

More than just a wonderful romantic comedy, The Wedding Singer is a standout title in Adam Sandler’s early career. In the 1990s, Sandler was known for his goofy characters on Saturday Night Live and in goofy movies like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and Airheads, but The Wedding Singer was an opportunity for him to show he could do work with a bit more gravity. There’s an argument to be made it paved the way for him excelling in films like Punch Drunk Love and Uncut Gems. And the power of Sandler + Drew Barrymore can never be denied.

95. Death Becomes Her (1992)

There’s a scene in Death Becomes Her that pretty much sums up the Robert Zemeckis film’s greatness – as Goldie Hawn’s Helen sits and leans back, the handle of a shovel slips perfectly through the hole in her torso. Meanwhile, Meryl Streep’s Madeline gracefully takes a seat while clutching her hair atop her head, in order to keep it from flopping forward against her broken neck. It’s dark, it’s twisted, it’s hilarious, and for 1992, the special effects are impressive. Bruce Willis’ Ernest being dragged along for the ride caps off the excellent trio of characters, in this eternally underrated comedy.

94. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Four years after already penning one of the all-time great romantic comedies (Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met Sally), the late Nora Ephron directed a landmark rom-com of her own with Sleepless in Seattle. The second of three movies co-starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, this genre staple features an incredible story about a woman who goes to great lengths to be with the man she loves, a man whom she’s never met and only knows from a call-in radio show. It’s charming, witty, earnest, and the best kind of enchanted realism. 

93. Jackie Brown (1997)

Quentin Tarantino’s third directorial effort, Jackie Brown kicks off with Pam Grier’s money-smuggling flight attendant trekking to work to the tune of Bobby Womack’s “Across 110th Street,” helping it stand apart from the testosterone-enhanced violence of his first two features. And while the star-studded flick does dip into the filmmaker’s favored crime genre tropes, Jackie Brown hinges more on character study than sheer plot machination, and provides career-high performances from Bridget Fonda, Robert Forster, and Grier herself. And in that way, it’s arguably the most empathy-worthy project from Tarantino’s career.

92. Happy Gilmore (1996)

Depending on who you talk to, Adam Sandler’s '90s comedies are either near the peak of the genre or near the pits of low-brow comedy. We know where Shooter McGavin's opinions would lie, but we lean toward raising our clubs and pucks to Sandler’s story about a failed hockey player taking the world of professional golf by storm, all for his grandma. I’ll always laugh at Happy Gilmore’s titular hero going toe-to-toe with the late game show host Bob Barker, and the wild story of how he got involved is as great as the on-screen fisticuffs.

91. Casino (1995)

It’s hard to pick a favorite when talking about the best mob characters that Robert De Niro has played, though I’d argue Sam "Ace" Rothstein is as good as it gets. Unlike many other gangster movies tethered to dark alleys, Casino zeroes in on the mafia’s stranglehold of the glitzy and glamorous Las Vegas in the 1970s. It’s further bolstered by excellent directing from master craftsman Martin Scorsese and a supporting cast with legends like Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci. A fantastic movie that doesn't shy away from deeply upsetting moments. 

90. Forrest Gump (1994)

Despite all the cringey and parody-fueling moments in Robert Zemeckis' Forrest Gump --- never forget the Weird Al classic "Gump" --- Tom Hanks' history-making and country-crossing simpleton remains one of the 1990s most enduring movie heroes. With a stacked cast of pros, from Sally Field to Gary Sinise, Forrest Gump's popularity was evident from both its boffo box office, its huge success at the Oscars and beyond, and just how many quotes from this movie have permanently nestled themselves into pop culture. 

89. A Few Good Men (1992)

Courtrooms are a natural fit for high drama, and A Few Good Men has some of the best courtroom scenes in cinema history. Aaron Sorkin’s first screenplay, based on his own stage play, is missing many of the elements that would later define his writing, but that’s not a bad thing here. The battle between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson has become iconic, but even outside of that near-perfect scene, A Few Good Men is full of incredible characters, smart dialogue, and memorable moments. It’s perhaps one of Cruise’s most criminally overlooked performances.

88. Pretty Woman (1990)

Pretty Woman is definitely one of Julia Roberts's best movies in a wildly impressive career, but it's also one of the best ‘90s rom-coms. The film's sleazy-on-paper tale, which follows a rich businessman hiring a Hollywood escort to be his date to several social events, is a charmer thanks to its stellar leads. The film vaulted Roberts into an even bigger star, while making romantics everywhere swoon at the idea of a wealthy millionaire like Richard Gere coming out of nowhere to sweep them off their feet – if only, amirite?

87. As Good As It Gets (1997)

I miss Jack Nicholson. I miss James L. Brooks. I miss emotional, character-driven comedies that excelled thanks to outstanding performances from A-list talent. Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear weave magic in this sweet story about strangers forming friendships over low-stakes but relatable dramas. Studios craving IP don’t back movies like this anymore. But when they did, and when actors could sink their teeth into the material, this one was as good as they got. 

86. The Sandlot (1993)

There are ‘90s sports movies that are kid-pleasers, and then there is The Sandlot, the 1993 coming-of-age story about a ragtag group of kids living what could be the best summer of their lives. There's so much to love about this small-stakes baseball tale, from its timelessness to its life lessons to incredible characters like Scotty Smalls, Benny Rodriguez, Ham Porter, and so many others, there’s just so much to love about this classic sports film. To quote the Great Bambino, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” In this case, we're calling our shot: The Sandlot is one of those legends. 

85. Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

Can’t Hardly Wait combines an "everybody's recognizable" ensemble cast with the classic house party setting and a killer soundtrack to give us one of the most epic teen movies of all time. The plot centers around Ethan Embry’s Preston, who needs to profess his love for Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) at the graduation party, now that she is finally single after being dumped by Mike (Peter Facinelli). But plots are for dorks, and the 1998 comedy epitomizes the teen angst of the late 20th century in an honest and hilarious way.

84. You've Got Mail (1998)

You’ve Got Mail arrived in 1998 when just about everybody would have recognized the title as the AOL greeting message. This was the third movie to pair Tom Hanks with Meg Ryan, with writer/director Nora Ephron bringing her magic romantic comedy touch to the story of two business rivals who unwittingly fall in love via online chat. Hanks and Ryan channel the same chemistry that was a hit years earlier with Sleepless in Seattle, and it doesn't require having lived through the AOL era to appreciate the level of classic rom-com energy that makes this a winner. 

83. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

In a decade filled with all-time great Robin Williams movies, there’s something particularly tender and very much unforgettable about Chris Columbus’ Ms. Doubtfire. Underpinned by the heartbreak of having less time than ever with his three kids as his divorce looms, voiceover actor Daniel Hillard hatches a plan to form a new character in an elderly housekeeper named Mrs. Doubtfire to get more time with them. Not only does his new secret identity make for some hilarious moments that very much play to Williams’ strengths as a comedy actor, Mrs. Doubtfire is also a touching film that takes a grounded approach to parent separation. 

82. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

The most Tim Burton movie ever to Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands is, on one bladed hand, a weirdly heartwarming horror movie, but on the other bladed hand, an endlessly frightening family film. The suburban Frankenstein homage is bolstered by stellar performances from Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder and Dianne Weist, with each bringing grounded authenticity to this wildly fantastical fable. (Yes, even the pity-provoking Depp.) The cherries on top of this macabre cake are Vincent Price, in his final major film role, and Burton-familiar composer Danny Elfman. And the eye-popping hedge art and ice sculptures don’t hurt.

81. American History X (1998)

Long before debates about The Snyder Cut, star Edward Norton, director Tony Kaye, and New Line Cinema engaged in a very loud and sometimes public squabble over American History X. The final cut we got, which Kaye publicly disavowed, is a brutal, almost two-hour look at modern white supremacy that’s shot partially in black and white. It netted Norton an Oscar nomination and has individual moments as strong as anything on this list, but it also occasionally loses pace and has always left fans wanting to see Kaye’s original 95-minute cut, which remains unreleased following the film’s disastrous production

80. Aladdin (1992)

It’s easy to look at Aladdin and celebrate the work of the great Robin Williams, and justifiably so. Only animation could truly uncork the man’s absolutely manic comedy style. But focusing only on Williams overlooks the work of amazing animators who created the Genie and everything else, since it's a testament to their skill that the animation is able to keep up with Williams and the high-flying scenes. Musical sequences like “A Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World” show another form of animated beauty and have become just as iconic on their own as the Genie himself.

79. That Thing You Do! (1996)

By the time he wrote, directed, and co-starred in 1996’s That Thing You Do, Tom Hanks was already an acting powerhouse. So it was a bit of a surprise to see the Academy Award-winning actor delivering a tale about the wild ride that so many one-hit wonders of the ‘60s endured. Initially, the story of The Wonders (Johnathon Schaech, Ethan Embry, Steve Zahn, and Tom Everett Scott) and their roller-coaster journey wasn’t a smash success, but decades later, That Thing You Do is a well-regarded mini-cult classic that can still leave audiences with songs in their hearts.

78. Trainspotting (1996)

While it wasn’t his directorial debut, Danny Boyle’s adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting was the flick that put the man on the map. Following the lives of a group of Scottish drug addicts and friends, a cast including Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly MacDonald landed their start as the stars of tomorrow. Through a narrative that’s both darkly comic and frightfully serious, Trainspotting ushers its heroin addicts through life's struggles in grounded and trippy ways. Establishing Boyle’s skills in telling a conventional story through unconventional means, it’s a powerful statement for its director and the message he’s trying to convey.

77. Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

The Die Hard formula survived the transition to the “buddy cop” genre (at least initially) with Bruce Willis’ iconic John McClane being forced to team up with a good samaritan (Samuel L. Jackson) and solve a bunch of riddles around Manhattan to prevent bombs from going off. Many consider With a Vengeance to be the best in the Die Hard series, though it’s blasphemy to put ANY of them ahead of John McTiernan’s original. Still, this one moves like a freight train, Willis and Jackson have remarkable chemistry, and Jeremy Irons is a sinister villain with a satisfying twist of a motivation to take McClane down. 

76. Titanic (1997)

Titanic was an event in itself when it arrived in theaters, with James Cameron’s film ambitiously bringing to screen the story of the ill-fated ship, depicting the journey across the Atlantic with incredible visuals that give us a sense of what it might have been like aboard the ship during that terrible night. At the center of it all is the love story of Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), who manage to find each other, despite their differing social classes, and never let go. Considering how many millions of dollars it earned from repeat audience viewings, its "classic" status is unsinkable.

75. Men in Black (1997)

One of the biggest sci-fi hits of the decade, Men In Black holds a special place in the hearts and minds of both space and comedy nerds. Even though it initially took some convincing to land Will Smith for the role of Agent J., Steven Spielberg (as producer) managed to re-catch lightning in a bottle with the actor coming off of Independence Day. And as unpredictable as it seemed at the time Smith and Tommy Lee Jones made for an extremely fun and combative pairing in the rest of the Men in Black film franchise.

74. The Fugitive (1993)

When it comes to movies based on old TV shows, it doesn’t get much better than The Fugitive. There’s no way around it, this 1993-defining film straight-up rocks and is still just as great more than 30 years after its release. Watching one of Harrison Ford’s most iconic characters go to great lengths to clear his name after being wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife never gets hold, and the same can be said about Tommy Lee Jones’ Academy Award-winning performance as the U.S. Marshal tasked with capturing the elusive fugitive.

73. Run Lola Run (1998)

Outside of sci-fi adventures, time loops aren’t often used as storytelling devices, and 1998’s thriller Run Lola Run absolutely proves why this is a shame. While the story isn’t explicitly a looping band of time, we do get three different versions of writer/director Tom Twyver’s story. Centered around lovers Lola (Franke Potente) and Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu), each variation has one thing in common: they have 20 minutes to score 100,000 Deutschmarks, or Manni is dead. New twists and pitfalls arrive, keeping that premise fresh each time, right up until the end. 

72. Swingers (1996)

Long before he directed major projects like Iron Man and The Mandalorian, Jon Favreau wrote and starred in the Doug Liman-directed Swingers. This comedy follows Favreau’s Mike Peters, a comedian who’s getting over a bad breakup and moves to Hollywood to find success in the midst of the ‘90s swing revival. The witty back-and-forth dialogue between Favreau and his co-stars, including Vince Vaughn and Heather Graham, and the simple, yet effective story of moving on to better horizons make Swingers one of the most underrated comedies of this decade. It's just so money, baby. 

71. Malcolm X (1992)

For his 1992 “Spike Lee Joint,” the legendary Do The Right Thing filmmaker made his dream come true to make a biopic about one American Civil Rights Movement figure, Malcolm X. It not only remains among the best works of Lee’s incredible filmography, but it’s flat-out one of the best biography movies ever made. That’s all without mentioning a particularly powerful performance by Denzel Washington, who disappears into the figure and brings great intrigue and nuisance to Malcolm X across decades of his life. Spike Lee’s biopic stands tall as an enduring portrait of an important man in a pivotal moment in U.S. history.

70. Friday (1995)

Franchise lead and rap legend Ice Cube teamed up with Chris Tucker to create one of the best "sit back and kick it" movies in movie history. Spawning a line of sequels, the O.G. Friday boasts an awesome cast that also includes the late John Witherspoon, and understandably caught on with a certain kind of stoner comedy-loving crowd, but has become an all-encompassing cult classic. Even beyond its on-screen greatness, Friday also turned "Bye, Felicia" into everyday jargon. 

69. Miller's Crossing (1990)

Joel and Ethan Coen didn’t waste time demonstrating their eclecticism in their careers, breaking out with the phenomenal neo-noir Blood Simple in 1984 ahead of a 180-degree tonal pivot with 1987's gonzo comedy Raising Arizona. Then they kicked off the 1990s with one of the great modern gangster movies in Miller's Crossing. Gabriel Byrne’s Tom Reagan leading John Turturro’s Bernie Bernbaum into the woods to be murdered is the movie’s iconic moment, but it’s the brilliant chaos that spins out from Tom’s decision at the end of the sequence that cements this tense slice of art's place on this list.

68. Rushmore (1998)

Rushmore is often referenced for a lot of things. It was the first Wes Anderson movie to find more mainstream success. The critical acclaim Bill Murray received for his performance helped push him toward the more independent, critically acclaimed movies that defined his later career. It was the debut of Jason Schwartzman. All of those are reasons to celebrate the movie, but none are reasons why it’s on this list. It’s here because it’s an endlessly watchable slice of weirdness that holds up decades later. It’s some of the best career work of everyone referenced, and in its own offbeat way, it’s downright hysterical. 

67. South Park: Bigger, Longer, And Uncut (1999)

In 1999, with South Park at the height of its cultural powers, Matt Stone and Trey Parker took one of the biggest gambles anyone could have ever imagined. Producing the R-rated, animated musical that was South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, the pair doubled down on their uniquely dirty humor. Everything from parenting culture to Les Miserables got sent up, thanks to songs that were catchy but also not safe for work. Not every TV show survives a feature-length expansion, but South Park thrived in theaters, especially when it called the very parental uproar its release would inspire to a tee.

66. Misery (1990)

What does a creative owe to their fans? It’s a complex question that author Stephen King horrifyingly examined with his remarkable 1987 novel Misery, and three years later, director Rob Reiner adapted the work into a remarkable and unsettling film. The Oscars don’t typically support the horror genre, but Kathy Bates’ turn as Annie Wilkes was unignorable – as she remains one of the meanest villains of the ‘90s.. Though in Bates’ shadow, James Caan delivers an equally excellent turn as captive author Paul Sheldon, and the weaving of tension as he keeps his mind on options for escape is perfection.

65. Clerks (1994)

Kevin Smith famously maxed out credit cards and stretched a production budget of just $27,000 to make his first movie, 1994’s Clerks. Sure, the acting is hit or miss, and the editing isn’t perfect, but that only adds to the charm of the movie. It’s also really, really funny. It’s got some of the most quotable lines of any movie from the era, and they all shine through, despite the limitations of the budget. Clerks has become the stuff of legend in Hollywood, sparking dreams of would-be filmmakers everywhere and with good reason. 

64. Galaxy Quest (1999)

What if you found out that the fantastic adventures in your favorite sci-fi TV weren't so fake after all, such as in Galaxy Quest? Tim Allen plays a washed-up actor who, along with his former co-stars (played by Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and more), experience their cancelled, cult favorite series for real, thanks to an alien race that believes their televised adventures are "historical documents" and are desperate for their help. The concept makes for a clever, hilarious commentary on Trekkie culture, but also manages to be just as exciting as any Star Trek episode or movie spin-off could ever be.

63. Thelma and Louise (1991)

Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis have made dozens of memorable movies, but even if they had just made Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise, they’d have a space carved out for them in cinema history. It’s regarded as a keystone title in the history of feminism in film, and it makes you fall in love with the titular leads as they go on the run from the law. And it should go without saying that the final moments will forever be remembered as an indomitable moment of 1990s pop culture.

62. Primal Fear (1996)

Courtroom dramas were big in the ‘90s, and Primal Fear in 1996 is a prime example of why. Richard Gere plays the pompous attorney Martin Vail, who volunteers to represent a young Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton in his first screen role) after he is accused of brutally murdering a beloved archbishop. The movie takes an unexpected turn when Aaron is discovered to have a split personality named Roy, and the dark twist that comes to light after an explosive courtroom scene remains one of the wildest movie endings ever.

61. Home Alone (1990)

I'm pretty sure Home Alone has hit classic Christmas movie territory because you always know it's the holiday season when this movie is causing a clatter on your TV screen. Following a child accidentally left home alone during Christmas and who has to defend his home from burglars, Home Alone captures the happiness of the season while adding a bit of chaos – especially with all those serious injuries that probably would have killed Marv and Harry in the real world. It'd be a fun time even without Catherine O'Hara and John Candy's SCTV reunion, but is all the better for it.

60. Leon (The Professional) (1994)

Luc Besson seems to be motivated by big sci-fi ideas in films such as The Fifth Element, Lucy, and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. On the flip side of Besson’s coin, though, are these stripped-down crime thrillers (Nikita, The Family), and none were more effective than Leon. The film heralded the arrival of young Natalie Portman, who proved she could appear convincingly as basically anything on screen. But also, Gary Oldman walks away with the picture, playing an unhinged and drug-addicted DEA agent looking to kill Portman’s character, much to the chagrin of professional hitman Jean Reno.  

59. Office Space (1999)

There’s a scene in Office Space where all the workers are assembled for an all-hands meeting. Above the boss’ head, there’s a banner printed that says Is This Good for the COMPANY? The question is underlined and COMPANY is in weird light blue font for unclear reasons. It’s somehow both utterly ridiculous and one of the most relatable things I’ve ever seen. In a way, it’s a perfect explanation for why some people, myself included, love Office Space so much. It’s one long series of hysterical if-you-know-you-know-moments, and watching other people live through and comment on that same misery feels so cathartic. 

58. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

There are few filmmakers in cinematic history who made as an audacious splash with their first feature as Quentin Tarantino, who was immediately recognized as a tremendous upstart talent following the premiere of Reservoir Dogs at the 1992 Sundance Film Festival. With its spellbinding non-linear storytelling, sharp-as-knives dialogue, and violent shocks, it is recognized as a perfect archetype of Tarantino’s strengths as a writer/director, and it is remembered for inspiring a whole generation of filmmakers and its lasting impact on genre cinema.

57. Apollo 13 (1995)

Apollo 13 may be best remembered in pop culture for the iconic line “Houston, we have a problem," but the 1995 film accumulated nine Academy Award nominations for a reason. Boasting a stacked cast that includes Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, and Kathleen Quinlan, the movie dramatizes the true story of the failed 1970 lunar mission, and the ending sequence is no less suspenseful nearly thirty years later than it was in the ‘90s. The effects mostly stand up to this day; but even where they don’t, the performances sell the story entirely.

56. The American President (1995) 

Before Aaron Sorkin created The West Wing, he wrote The American President, which saw one of the most respected movie presidents, Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), fall for feisty environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening). Could a widowed president ever court a girlfriend in an election year? Sorkin’s snappy dialogue shows why it wouldn’t be easy, as the two become tabloid fodder, and even bigger trouble awaits when their political agendas don’t align. Both lead actors give absolutely charming performances in this 1995 political rom-com directed by Rob Reiner.

55. True Romance (1993) 

The first screenplay Quentin Tarantino ever sold in Hollywood was 1993’s True Romance, and it became an offbeat cult classic when combined with Tony Scott’s slick direction. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette are perfect as the flawed lovers and the rest of the cast, which includes Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Michael Rappaport, Val Kilmer, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Sizemore, James Gandolfini, just to name a few, are all brilliant. It’s one scene, however, between Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken, that steals the whole show and deserves its own placement in cinema history.

54. Unforgiven (1992)

This might be the quintessential Clint Eastwood Western – which says a lot when you realize that the man helped to define the genre, dating all the way back to his days on television (in Gunsmoke). With Unforgiven, an older Eastwood figured out how to comment on the evolution of the Western, and reflect on the moral quandaries several cowboys faced over the course of their lawless lives. This marked the beginning of a contemplative stage of Eastwood’s career, and redefined the boundaries of the Western for storytellers that followed. 

53. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Not only is The Nightmare Before Christmas one of the best stop-motion movies of all time, but it was also a game-changer within the animation industry. The movie -- following the story of Jack Skellington turning Halloween Town into Christmas Town and trying to take over the role of Santa Claus -- has become a cultural icon. Not only is the movie celebrated during the Halloween season, but it's also become one of the best animated Christmas movies and has a wildly popular fan base – go to Disney World during Halloween and Christmas and see how popular this movie is. 

52. Natural Born Killers (1994)

Few movies in the last decade of the 20th century caused a stir quite like the big screen adventure of Mickey and Mallory Knox in Oliver Stone’s demented crime saga Natural Born Killers. Fans of the TV show Cheers got to witness a whole new side to Woody Harrelson, and he makes for one-half of an absolutely ferocious on-screen pair partnered with Juliette Lewis. Though it was only released in 1994, it is a title to point to when aiming to epitomize a certain spirit in 1990s pop culture.

51. The Rock (1994)

It is still totally bonkers to think that the mid-’90s gave us a Michael Bay action movie in which Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage got to mesh their wildly different talents. A movie that helped pencil in the blueprint for what we know as modern Bayhem, The Rock is a solid cocktail of action, comedy, and drama tied together with a surprisingly poignant message. None of that gets lost in the shuffle, either, even as the shuffle keeps viewers glued to their seats until the very last scene. You can bet this quotable, adrenaline-charged classic is still friendly with the prom queen.

50. Boyz n the Hood (1991)

Relatively few directors made great movies on their first try, and the late John Singleton did just that with 1991’s Boyz n the Hood. Set in South Central Los Angeles, the film centers on three young men, whose paths begin to diverge as they steadily approach adulthood. Singleton, who also wrote the Oscar-nominated drama, provided a nuanced look at life in a low-income neighborhood. 

In doing so, he shed light on gang violence, systemic racism, and other elements that still negatively impact many communities today. For better or worse, this well-acted and directed film is as timeless and relevant as they come.

49. The Sixth Sense (1999)

While the ending twist may have helped put the film and its director, M. Night Shyamalan, on the map near the close of the decade, The Sixth Sense is so much more than those final, incredible moments where all of the pieces fall into place (in a scene that comes after we think the story has been mostly resolved). 

What elevates The Sixth Sense to ‘90s movie greatness is the combined efforts of the stellar performances of Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, and Olivia Williams; of the music combined with the fantastic shots; of the use of the Philadelphia backdrop. Every scene taps into something dark, scary, heartbreaking or humorous, and the best go for a little bit of all of those things at once. 

48. Get Shorty (1995)

What is the best Elmore Leonard adaptation? There are many candidates that qualify for consideration, including Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown, Steven Soderbergh’s Out Of Sight and the TV series Justified, but Barry Sonnenfeld’s Get Shorty is my uncontested contender for the title. 

It’s a dark, cynical, and hilarious take on the film industry where a shylock finds himself right at home in Los Angeles, and it brims with exceptional characters – from John Travolta’s Chili Palmer to Gene Hackman's skeezy producer Harry Zimm, to James Gandolfini's stuntman-turned-heavy Bear. The sequel that came out a decade later, 2005’s Be Cool, is dreadful, but that has thankfully not tainted its predecessor’s stellar legacy as one of the great “Hollywood on Hollywood” movies. 

47. The Rocketeer (1991) 

Believe it or not, The Rocketeer is a comic book movie. In the wake of the blockbuster success that was Batman, studios scrambled to get their own piece of that four-paneled pie; leading a pre-Marvel Disney to adapt Dave Stevens’ pulpy ‘30s throwback. Hoping this movie would be the studio’s answer to Bat-mania, director Joe Johnston’s picture suffered in the obscenely crowded summer of 1991. 

Over time, fate has been kinder to the Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connolly adventure, as it developed into a cult classic much like the original Tron. Even if audiences didn’t flock to it at first, the message was never lost, because the quality was always there. Best experienced with a heart full of nostalgia and courage, The Rocketeer's mere existence is worth celebrating. 

46. Audition (1999)

Few movies start off as unassuming as the psycho-horror Audition, whose first half sits among the legendarily prolific Takashi Miike’s most restrained directorial efforts. The story begins with Ryo Ishibashi’s widower Shigeharu Aoyama re-entering the dating world in the least natural way possible: via auditions with women who believe they’re vying for an acting role. 

Things progress in an almost mundane manner as Shigeharu becomes more attracted to the quiet and seemingly reserved Asami (Eihi Shiina), but with enough peeks into her home life to send red flags waving. What makes Audition a unique ‘90s treasure is when the wheels fall off for its dread-flooded final act, in which Asami teaches Shigeharu a torturous lesson in stringing women along. Don't try this at home.

45. Point Break (1991)

Comically manly, but in the best ways possible, Point Break is the 1990s encapsulated. Clean-cut FBI agent Johnny Utah (tremendous character name) loses himself undercover when he tries to infiltrate a gang of surfers (tremendous plot twist) who may be posing as former presidents of the United States and robbing banks. What an awesome plot. And what an awesome movie. 

Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze are the Yin and the Yang of Southern California cool, tapping directly into the “Brah” of it all while also delivering unforgettable action set pieces – notably, a skydiving chase without parachutes. Credit most of this to director Kathyrn Bigelow, who eventually won her Best Director Oscar for 2010’s The Hurt Locker. 

44. Clueless (1995)

We’ve seen movies put a new spin on old classics before, but rarely has the result been as entertaining as Clueless, Amy Heckerling’s take on Jane Austen’s Emma. Alicia Silverstone stars as Cher, a beautiful and rich Beverly Hills high school fashionista who decides she wants to use her popularity for the betterment of humanity. 

The 1995 coming-of-age comedy — which also stars Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd and more — still stands up today with its iconic looks and quotable dialogue (not to mention Cher’s inspiring speech comparing refugees to guests at her father’s garden party). And has there ever been a movie takedown more savage than Tai calling Cher “a virgin who can’t drive”? As if! 

43. L.A. Confidential (1997)

Once upon a time, the noir detective story was a staple of film, but fewer and fewer examples have emerged with each decade that passes. So when a movie like Curtis Hanson's L.A. Confidential comes around, you really begin to wonder why we don’t see more of these. 

It’s an absolutely incredible film that likely would probably be better remembered if it hadn’t come out the same year as Titanic. On top of everything else, the film introduced Russell Crowe and Guy Pierce to U.S. film audiences, and for that alone, it should be recognized, but it also won Kim Basinger an Oscar for a reason.

42. The Hunt for Red October (1990)

While The Hunt for Red October was a huge success when it hit theaters in 1990, it took years for people to see it as a classic. It’s not a flawless movie. Sean Connery, as amazing as he is, plays what appears to be a Scottish Russian, not changing his accent at all. The underwater scenes of the special effects submarines, while praised at the time, have not aged well, either. Accents aside, the actors are all superb here. 

Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan, Tim Curry, Sam Neill, Scott Glenn, James Earl Jones, Stellan Skarsgård, Fred Thompson, Courtney B. Vance, and everyone else are all amazing, and John McTiernan’s direction is snappy and perfectly paced. This is THE submarine movie. 

41. The Green Mile (1999)

Considered one of the best Stephen King adaptations of all time, The Green Mile is a fantasy drama directed by Frank Darabont, telling the story of a wrongly convicted man and his time at a prison in the 1930s and the strange supernatural events that follow his arrival. 

I feel like The Green Mile is just one movie everyone should watch at least once. It's a classic for a reason, featuring all-time career performances from Tom Hanks, Sam Rockwell, and Michael Clarke Duncan. The Green Mile will capture your heart and crush it into a million pieces by the end – and might just make one admire the horror-driven Stephen King all the more for writing such an emotional story. If you're not ugly sobbing by the end of this, you may not be watching it right. 

40. The Truman Show (1998)

Easily considered one of Jim Carrey’s best movies, The Truman Show – which is about a man who realizes his reality isn’t real – uses its star’s signature over-the-top sense of humor and physicality to make you laugh. Then his dramatic skills come to the forefront as you take this journey with Truman, and you feel all the emotions as it becomes clear that this comedy is more of a searing satire.

Overall, this film is about Truman coming to terms with the fact that the world’s been watching him live in a simulated reality, and it gives us all an example of how exploitative social media can be. That’s why The Truman Show is not only one of the best movies of the ‘90s, but it’s also one of the more relevant films when it comes to the present. 

39. Waiting for Guffman (1996)

Waiting for Guffman is mockumentary gold. Christopher Guest and his group of comedic geniuses — Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, etc. — bring the sleepy berg of Blane, Missouri to life, with the audience watching as a motley crew of community theater actors put on a musical about their town. 

The stakes get higher when Guest's Corky St. Clair tells everyone a Broadway production house is coming, and "we may be going to Broadway." The songs are insane, the cast is unhinged, and this movie is heaven; even more so for those who are personally familiar with the madcap process of staging plays.