Why the Late ’80s Was the Best Time for Animated Films

Adam Salandra
Movies
Movies

Everyone usually thinks that the movies that were released when they were growing up are the best kid’s movies ever made. While that nostalgia is important and unique to each of us, it’s time to call it once and for all — the late ’80s was the best time period for animated films.

For starters, while the Disney Renaissance (consisting of animated classics like The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast) mostly took place in the ’90s, it officially kicked off in 1989 with Ariel and Ursula in The Little Mermaid.

This groundbreaking movie marked Disney’s return to making musical animated films that were usually based on already well-known stories and fairytales. And could there be a better choice to kick off this magical time period?

The beloved tale of a mermaid longing for a better life, not to mention yearning to be with the man of her dreams, is universal and relatable, even for those of us who don’t have fins. Plus, the colorful cast of supporting characters, including Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle, helped make the story even more intriguing.

And when it comes to animated villains, has anyone been more mesmerizing to watch than Ursula? The sea witch was based on the drag queen Divine, and she had us hanging on her every evil move.

Ursula from 'The Little Mermaid'
Ursula from 'The Little Mermaid'

But the pièce de résistance of The Little Mermaid is the music. The soundtrack is full of so many classic songs that light up your soul when you hear them. The film’s music even won two Oscars in 1990, one for Original Music Score and another for Best Song for “Under the Sea.” The romantic “Kiss the Girl” was also nominated for an Academy Award that year, too.

But it’s not just The Little Mermaid, and certainly not just Disney, that made the late ’80s the greatest era for animated films. Check out a few other examples from this time period below and then head to Twitter to tell us your favorites.

The Land Before Time (1988)

A few years before he brought us live-action dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg executive produced The Land Before Time, a story about little dinos on a big adventure. The movie tackles the theme of prejudice between different species as it follows five young dinosaurs fleeing famine on a search for the Great Valley. Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike are guided by the spirit of Littlefoot’s mother as they dodge the Sharptooth to get to safety. Adventure, friendship, dinosaurs — what more could you ask for?

The Brave Little Toaster (1987)

Cartoons give filmmakers the opportunity to bring inanimate objects to life (see: Toy Story) or to give a voice to animals who can’t speak (see: almost every cartoon ever made), but Disney really broke into an untapped market when it created a film all about unwanted household appliances. A (brave little) toaster and his friends, consisting of a radio, a lamp, a blanket, and a vacuum cleaner, set out on an adventure to find their “master” after thinking they’ve been abandoned by him. If it sounds insane, well, that’s because it is. And it’s also a little dark at times. But those who saw it as children most definitely have a huge soft spot in their hearts for the toaster’s tale.

All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)

Dealing with the death of a pet is one of the most traumatic experiences a kid can go through, but producer Don Bluth found a way to turn it into a musical feature film with All Dogs Go to HeavenBurt Reynolds plays Charlie B. Barkin, a German Shepherd who is murdered by his former friend, Carface. (Yes, this is a kid’s movie.) Charlie gives up his spot in Heaven in order to return to Earth, where he teams up with a young orphan girl to learn about the importance of kindness and friendship. Fun songs and cute canines make it one of the most entertaining animated films of its time.

Who Framed Roger Rabit (1988)

Okay, so Who Framed Roger Rabbit is actually half-animated, half-live-action, but it is a whole lot of fun. Set in 1940s Hollywood, private detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) attempts to exonerate a “toon” named Roger Rabbit who has been accused of murdering a wealthy businessman. The film also features Roger’s sexy wife Jessica, who isn’t bad, she’s just drawn that way. Zany and colorful enough for kids, but with jokes most definitely meant for adults, it’s a wacky film that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Adam Salandra
Adam Salandra is an Entertainment Editor for FANDOM. When he's not covering the latest in pop culture, you can find him playing with his French Bulldog pup or hovering over the table of food at any social gathering.