Unveiling Disney's Next Animation Renaissance: A Glimpse into the Future

Walt Disney Animation Studios' previous downturn was overcome by the release of The Little Mermaid in 1989. However, the 2023 remake of The Little Mermaid has not had the same positive impact for Disney. It is another mediocre addition to Disney's once impressive lineup, reminiscent of the "Dark Age" of Disney animation that persisted from the 1970s to the 1980s.

With a string of underwhelming straight-to-Disney-Plus releases, Pixar failing to impress audiences, and the unoriginal "live-action" remakes of classic Disney animated films, the company is struggling to win over both critics and viewers. Surprisingly, the most successful and highly praised animated films in recent years have not been Disney's intellectual property. In the aftermath of another Disney animation Dark Age, it begs the question: can the renowned studio regain its momentum, or is it time for another company to redefine the standard for animated movies?

Why Have Disney Animated Films Struggled Lately?

Disney's recent box office success may be misleading, as the company has struggled to capture the same magic in its recent endeavors. Despite the overwhelming financial success of the photorealistic remake of The Lion King, which earned over $1.6 billion worldwide, it also held the title of one of the most expensive films ever produced. Although it tops Disney's list of successful animated features, this achievement came at a cost not only in terms of finances but also in terms of audience trust.

While Disney has managed to create a few hits, such as Encanto in 2021, their overall output has been inconsistent. The COVID-19 pandemic compelled the company to release certain films on streaming platforms, like Raya and the Last Dragon in 2021. Although the film showcased inventiveness and enjoyment, it lacked the publicity that a theatrical release would have provided. In addition to these films, the recent years have seen the release of the underwhelming Frozen II in 2019, as well as the critically panned Lion King and Spies in Disguise, also in 2019. Furthermore, in 2022, Disney barely promoted its Thanksgiving-time animated release, Strange World. This move bears a striking resemblance to how the company treated the now-cult hit Treasure Planet in 2002, but the treatment of Strange World feels even more significant considering its lead character is biracial and queer.

Despite the films themselves being well-made, there is an absence of the patented magic. It is possible that this series of pattern-forming misfires is more noticeable because Disney animation has recently enjoyed an unprecedented level of success. In 2013, Frozen (and particularly Elsa's "Let It Go") took the world by storm, winning Disney its first non-Pixar Best Animated Feature Academy Award. The following year, Big Hero Six also received an Oscar. In 2016, Disney's highly popular animated hits, Moana and Zootopia, even competed against each other for the same award.

There just hasn’t been a Disney animated hit of that magnitude as of yet. While Encanto and Raya showed promise in 2021, there is a notable contrast between Disney's previous and current output. In fact, in 2022, Walt Disney Animation Studios completely vanished from the Oscar race. This year hasn't been much better. Despite Halle Bailey’s star power, the predominantly animated Little Mermaid remake didn't quite find its footing. Perhaps the upcoming debut of Wish, led by Ariana DeBose and combining computer animation with Disney's iconic watercolor animation, will alter the course of the studios when it releases later this year. However, the issue (and pattern) go beyond just the films of Walt Disney Animation Studios.

What Was Pixar’s First Flop (And Did It Start A Trend)?

Following Disney's acquisition of Pixar in 2006, the renowned studio experienced a successful period with notable films such as Ratatouille, WALL-E, Up, and Toy Story 3. While there were occasional missteps like Cars 2, Pixar reached a pinnacle with the highly-acclaimed film Inside Out, released in 2015. Serving as an emotional and artistic triumph, Inside Out marked the conclusion of Pixar's nearly flawless streak. With the exception of Coco and Incredibles 2, everything released since The Good Dinosaur (November 2015) has failed to evoke the same resonance as the studio's beloved classics.

Pixar films can be categorized into different types. There are the "unnecessary sequels" like Toy Story 4 and Cars 3, which some may argue aren't as strong. Then there are the successful Pixar movies that resonate in some way, but still incorporate frustrating tropes. For example, Soul transformed its Black lead character into a sprite/cat for most of the film, while Luca heavily hinted at queer representation without fully delivering. There are also forgettable entries like Onward and Finding Dory. And lastly, there are movies like Lightyear that probably shouldn't have been made.

However, there is hope for Pixar to turn things around. Setting Lightyear aside, films like Turning Red and Elemental show great promise. They introduce characters and experiences that have been historically excluded from Pixar's mostly white (or white-coded) catalog. Moreover, these films offer original and captivating storytelling that immerses audiences in fresh and exciting worlds. With solid narratives, memorable moments, and stunning animation, these films may not make it to everyone's top five Pixar list, but they still manage to satisfy viewers and indicate a potential rebound.

What Was Disney's Last Dark Age And How Did It End?

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Disney's dominance in the 1990s, thanks to hits like The Lion King (1994) and Beauty and the Beast (1991), makes it difficult to conceive of a time when their animation studios were in decline. The legacy of Walt Disney, who oversaw the creation of Hollywood's first full-length animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) as well as numerous successes and classics, was no longer guiding the studio after his passing in the mid-60s. Surprisingly, it was his son-in-law, Ron Miller, who took the helm.

From 1970 to 1988, the studio's animated releases were forgettable, lacking the same impact. Miller's experimental approach and deviation from the standard formula led to the loss of the Disney "magic." This period, known as the "Dark Age," not only saw a decline in quality but also a shift towards darker subjects, themes, visuals, and tones. Although unintentional, this darkening contributed to the drop-off in quality associated with the term "Dark Age."

What Is The Best Animated Movie Maker In 2023?

Looking back, the quality of Disney Dark Age animated movies still varies greatly. Whereas some titles from this period, such as The Black Cauldron, Robin Hood, The Fox and the Hound, and The Rescuers, have managed to endure, they are not typically associated with the iconic Disney franchises or films that immediately come to mind. After a series of costly failures, however, Disney returned to their successful formula: fairy tales. In 1989, they released The Little Mermaid, a fairy-tale adaptation complete with captivating musical numbers. This marked a welcomed return to form for both viewers and critics alike, and set the stage for one of Disney's most prosperous and unforgettable decades.

Those who ponder this question would likely base their answer on personal preferences. However, it is currently difficult to envision placing Disney or Pixar at the forefront. Presently, Illumination emerges as an unstoppable force with its lucrative Despicable Me (2010–) franchise and the immensely successful Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Makoto Shinkai's films, such as Your Name (2016), Weathering with You (2019), and Suzume (2022), marry artistic excellence with box-office triumph under the production of CoMix Wave Films. Additionally, Aardman Animations (Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep) and Laika (Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings) studios excel in the intricate and captivating realm of stop-motion animation.

Sony Pictures Animation has undeniably achieved great success. Despite starting small with Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 in 2013, placed between franchises with less recognition and value, the studio truly showcased its strengths in 2018 with the Oscar-winning film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, excelling in character development, animation, art direction, and storytelling. Since then, Sony has consistently produced hits such as The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021), which deserved an Oscar, and the remarkable sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023). Unlike other studios, Sony prioritizes inclusive and nuanced storytelling without making it feel forced, allowing their movies to effortlessly prioritize their characters.

Additionally, Sony's animation is mesmerizing. In The Mitchells vs. the Machines, the protagonist Katie, a college-age filmmaker, is unforgettable due to the visual flair, humor, and meticulous attention to detail that the Sony team incorporates, reflecting her unique and artistic perspective. Across the Spider-Verse further pushes the boundaries of animation by seamlessly blending Gwen Stacy's vibrant paint-splattered world with Miles Morales' comic book-inspired style and Hobie Brown's paper-cut-out-meets-zine aesthetic. Ultimately, Sony's ability to innovate and showcase a distinct artistic vision sets them apart, while Disney animation seems content with resting on its past achievements.