Opened: November 22, 1991

Directed by: Gary Trousdale & Kirk Wise

Starring: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, Angela Lansbury, Bradley Pierce, Rex Everhart, Jesse Corti, Jo Anne Worley, Hal Smith, Mary Kay Bergman, Kath Soucie, Brian Cummings, Alvin Epstein, Tony Jay, Alec Murphy, Kimmy Robertson & Frank Welker

Following The Little Mermaid, Disney’s second Renaissance film, Beauty and the Beast, cemented the company’s return to achievement.

Belle (Paige O’Hara) takes the place of her father Maurice (Rex Everhart) as prisoner in the Beast’s (Robby Benson) enchanted castle. Over time, she finds the soul within the Beast, but the townspeople led by Gaston (Richard White) determine the Beast must be killed.

This film became an instant classic with stunning animation sequences. The ballroom scene is arguably the best animated sequence of all-time. Combine that with stunning music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken and you have the perfect film.

Though maybe not in the most traditional way, this film also explores understanding others and taking time to not just judge a book by its cover but see what’s underneath.

Final say: Animated perfection. ★★★★★