Release: 1991-10-22
Runtime: 1h 24m (84 minutes)
Follow the adventures of Belle, a bright young woman who finds herself in the castle of a prince who's been turned into a mysterious beast. With the help of the castle's enchanted staff, Belle soon learns the most important lesson of all -- that true beauty comes from within.
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Genres: Fantasy, Animation, Romance, Family
Cast: Frank Welker, Kimmy Robertson, Angela Lansbury, more
Frank Welker
as Footstool (voice)
Kimmy Robertson
as Featherduster (voice)
Angela Lansbury
as Mrs. Potts (voice)
Jerry Orbach
as Lumiere (voice)
Hal Smith
as Philippe (voice)
David Ogden Stiers
as Cogsworth (voice)
Robby Benson
as Beast (voice)
Kath Soucie
as Bimbette (voice)
Bradley Pierce
as Chip (voice)
Mickie McGowan
as Additional Voice (voice)
Jack Angel
as Additional Voices (voice)
Bill Farmer
as Additional Voices (voice)
Follow the adventures of Belle, a bright young woman who finds herself in the castle of a prince who's been turned into a mysterious beast. With the help of the castle's enchanted staff, Belle soon learns the most important lesson of all -- that true beauty comes from within.
The most beautiful love story ever told.
Beauty and the Beast is a beloved animated musical that premiered in 1991. Produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, this film takes inspiration from the classic French fairy tale. Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, it features a screenplay by Linda Woolverton. The movie unfolds in 18th-century France, where an enchantress curses a selfish prince, transforming him into a beast and his servants into household objects. The prince must earn the love of a young woman named Belle to break the curse before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose.
In this enchanting story, Belle, voiced by Paige O'Hara, offers to become the Beast's prisoner in exchange for her father's freedom. As she becomes acquainted with the castle's enchanted servants, she discovers the Beast's vulnerable side, leading to a bond that grows between them. The film's other notable characters include Robby Benson as the Beast, Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts, and Jerry Orbach as Lumière.
The film originally premiered at the New York Film Festival on 29 September 1991, followed by a wider release in the United States on 22 November 1991. It was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its storytelling, animation, and memorable musical numbers. With a budget of $25 million, it grossed over $450 million worldwide, solidifying its status as a classic.
Notably, Beauty and the Beast earned several prestigious awards. It won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and became the first animated film to receive a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 64th Academy Awards. It won Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for its iconic title track, showcasing the exceptional work of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman, who sadly passed away shortly before the film's release.
Due to its popularity, the film has been re-released several times, including a 3D version in 2012 and an IMAX version in 2002, featuring the previously cut song "Human Again." The film was also inducted into the National Film Registry in 2002 for being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
Furthermore, its legacy extends to Broadway, where it was adapted into a musical that premiered on 18 April 1994, leading to worldwide performances and productions. In 2017, Beauty and the Beast was reimagined as a live-action film, directed by Bill Condon, featuring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast.
This animated classic continues to resonate with audiences of all ages, capturing hearts through its compelling characters, enchanting music, and timeless themes of love and redemption.
