Childhood movies get blurrier as you get older. Sometimes all that’s left is a snippet of a long-forgotten catchy track or a specific animated scene that lives deep in your brain. You will often ask yourself, “Where does it come from?” just to realize that The Mouse Family on a Train was an obscure movie you saw in your youth.
Many remember the golden years of disney animation in the 90s, with world famous classics like The Lion King and Aladdin. They are an integral part of pop culture thanks to Disneyland and disney streaming services that bring these movies to every new generation of kids. However, many don’t remember the hazy collection of ’90s animated children’s films that house some of the most imaginative premises that helped shape a generation.
‘Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland’ (1989)
Little Nemo gets lost in his dreams at night, transported to worlds of which he has already seen parts in his real life. One night, he dreams of a man he saw in a circus, Professor Genius, and is assigned to be the playmate of the princess from another kingdom. He accepts and is taken to Slumberland, a land of beauty and chaos, where he soon encounters the evil Nightmare King.
Based on the comic Little Nemo in Slumberland, this fantasy musical animated film is marvelous in every way. Much like how children sometimes can’t tell the difference between their dreams and reality, it weaves dreams and nightmares together, creating a vivid, whimsical world of frolicking and madness. The Oscar Winner Sherman Brothers also wrote the soundtrack.
‘Rock-A-Doodle’ (1991)
In one of the most ambitious crossovers in 90s animation, Rock-A-Doodle based on a rooster character Elvis Presley and created a one-of-a-kind rockabilly phantasmagoria. While many reviewers slammed the film, kids and families enjoyed the bright animation and humorous dialogue.
The film tells the story of a rooster named Chanticleer, who crows every morning to help the sun rise on his farm. He has bigger dreams and sets off to become a rock star after being tricked by the Great Owl Owl. Without Chanticleer singing every morning, the land becomes plagued with incessant rains and floods. It’s up to Chanticleer and a young human boy to bring back the sun.
“The Pebble and the Penguin” (1995)
The pebble and the penguin is a touching story about the love of penguins. It is based on the actual mating rituals of penguins, in which they search for the most beautiful pebbles to bring to their partners as gifts and in recognition of their relationship. It’s a fun and fantastically animated film that brings forth beautiful themes of selflessness and friendship.
The film focuses on the shy and stuttering Hubie, a penguin who wants to impress the beautiful Marina. He embarks on the adventure of his life when he decides to offer him a pebble fallen from the sky. He and his friends must keep her away from the evil Drake, who wants Marina for himself.
‘Thumbite’ (1994)
Like many other animated films adapted from books, Thumbelina was based on the classic fairy tale story of Hans Christian Andersen. Thumbelina tells the story of a girl born inside a flower and only two inches tall. She fears she will be condemned to a life of loneliness and will never find someone her size to love. She manages to attract the attention of Prince Cornelius of the fairies, but before they can fall in love, she is kidnapped by Mrs. Toad.
The film was a favorite among young kids of the 90s, with its beautiful animation and touching story about all things whimsical – fairies, princes and talking animals. Thumbelina reminded many young girls Barbieand many toys accompanied its release.
‘The Swan Princess’ (1994)
The Swan Princess is based on classical ballet Swan Lake. Unfortunately, the film ran into a re-release of The Lion King in theaters and bombed at the box office. Despite this, The Swan Princess achieved success through home video releases and spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs.
The beautiful princess, Odette, falls in love with the handsome Prince Derek in the film. An exiled dark magician conjures up a spell to turn her into a swan and keep her all to himself. The prince and princess are aided by charming creatures on their journey to free Odette from the binding spell.
‘Antz’ (1998)
Antz was the first film of dream animationand only the third computer-animated feature film in history, after toy story and Cassiopeia. The film shares many similarities with one of Pixar better, The life of an insectwhich resulted in a public feud between Dream works co-founder Jeffrey Katzenbergand Pixar John Lasseter.
Despite the production chaos, the film was released to a triumphant box office reception. Many reviewers praised its humor and animation style – where many of the bug characters resemble their voice actors. The film follows Z, a worker ant who dreams outside of her common ant colony. While striving to gain his individuality, he falls in love with the ant princess, Bala, and must save his colony from collapse.
“The Princess and the Goblin” (1991)
The Princess and the Goblin contains every fantasy trope a child could dream of: a beautiful and brave princess, a brave peasant boy turned hero, and evil goblins. In the film, a peaceful kingdom is devoured by menacing goblins. A princess and a fearless boy must save the noble king from them, using only their gift of singing and a magical, sparkling thread.
The film is based on a novel of the same name and is one of the most charming animated films of the 90s. The film is also home to one of the most memorable bits you will ever get out of your head. While walking through the eerie forest at night, Curdie sings the song “Spark Inside Us,” which probably still haunts you to this day if you heard it as a kid.
“A Troll in Central Park” (1994)
Whereas A troll in Central Park is vaguely remembered by many, the film was a huge box office failure and is considered Don Bluthis the worst movie. Bluth was the director of various childhood favorites like The land before time, The NIMH Secretand Anastasiait is therefore not his talents that have not been manifested.
Although the movie was filmed, it still has a level of charm that maybe only kids can relate to. The troll, Stanley, has a magical talent for growing greenery. He finds himself in Central Park when he is banished from his kingdom and befriends two children who help him adapt to his new surroundings.
‘An American Tail: Fievel Goes West’ (1991)
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is a sequel to 1986 An American tailmade by Steven Spielbergthe ephemeral workshop of, Ambition. It was the only one Ambition film which used cel animation and was the last of its kind to be released theatrically.
It found huge success in home video releases and became a phenomenon among children. It made numerous best-of lists and is an essential film about Jewish immigrants. In the film, the Mousekewitz family still has trouble with the cats chasing them. They decide to move to a new place in the west, where they are promised a life of peace.
“Once Upon a Time in the Forest” (1993)
In this Hanna Barbera production, a toxic spill from a construction site threatens the life of a badger. Three woodland creatures set out to rescue their friend and brave a harrowing journey to find a cure. The three animals race against time as humans close in and pose greater danger to their friends and family.
The film was a hit due to its lively animation style, adorable anthropomorphic animals, and important message about the environment and human destruction of the earth. Animals go by “Furlings” to appeal to kids, and the movie is an underrated classic for many people growing up in the ’90s.