For nearly a century, Disney has dominated the realm of animated feature films. The studio’s history can be divided into a few distinct eras, such as the lauded Disney Renaissance of the 1990s or the transition to 3D animation in the 2010s. Yet one period of time that is frequently overlooked is that which some have dubbed the experimental era.
Between Tarzan in 1999 and The Princess and the Frog in 2009, Disney produced several animated films that broke the mold established in the early 90s. Most projects from this decade failed to achieve the box office success or cultural impact of those that came before and after, but some still deserve to be remembered among Disney’s best stories.
The Emperor’s New Groove Put a Humorous Twist on the Disney Formula
Disney’s first 2D animated film of the decade was The Emperor’s New Groove in 2000. On the surface, it told a simple story about the spoiled and narcissistic Emperor Kuzco learning humility after transforming into a llama.
If played straight, this probably would have felt like a generic children’s movie, but that basic narrative was merely the framework for a masterful comedy that blended slapstick with various farcical sketches. In many ways, The Emperor’s New Groove was ahead of its time.
Subversions of genre tropes, improvisational dialogue, and instances of breaking the fourth wall all grew in popularity throughout the 2010s and 2020s. Though The Emperor’s New Groove underperformed at the box office, it was a critical success, and many of the film’s scenes have taken on new life as internet memes, proving its status as an enduring classic.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire Expanded the Possibilities For Disney Films
One year later came Atlantis: The Lost Empire, which could not have been more different from The Emperor’s New Groove. It aimed to tell a darker, more action-oriented story that would appeal to an older audience. The film’s crew members famously wore T-shirts that read “Less songs, more explosions,” indicating their desire to break away from the norms of Disney animation.
Atlantis followed a young researcher named Milo Thatch who joined an expedition to discover the titular sunken city. The film explored complex themes such as imperialism and environmentalism, which remain as relevant today as they were in 2001.
Atlantis was another box office disappointment, and unlike The Emperor’s New Groove, it received mostly negative reviews upon release. However, over time, viewers have come to appreciate its more mature tone and its unique steampunk aesthetic, which dared to deviate from other cartoons of the era.
Lilo & Stitch Became an Instant Disney Classic
2002’s Lilo & Stitch was a more traditional Disney story in many ways. It was aimed at a younger audience than Atlantis, and though it included plenty of comedic moments, it was not as focused on humor as The Emperor’s New Groove.
Despite its outlandish premise of a young girl befriending a cute yet destructive alien, Lilo & Stitch told a surprisingly grounded story. The film was rooted in authentic Hawaiian culture and in the messy drama of family life, making it more than a wacky sci-fi adventure.
Lilo & Stitch was easily the most successful animated film of this era. It earned over $237 million at the box office, spawned a long list of sequels and spin-offs, and turned Stitch into a beloved mascot. Lilo & Stitch even received a controversial live-action remake in 2025, a treatment previously reserved for films from before the 2000s. It is heartening that at least one film from this decade earned the love it deserves.
Treasure Planet Pushed Disney’s 2D Animation to Its Limits
Treasure Planet, also released in 2002, returned to Disney’s roots of adapting classic literature. However, it did so in an unusual way, transplanting the story of Robert Louis Stevenson’s pirate adventure novel Treasure Island into a space setting. The theme of mixing the past with the future also applied to the film’s art style, as it featured CGI to complement the traditional 2D animation, a technique that Atlantis had employed to a lesser extent.
Tragically, Treasure Planet was an even bigger box office bomb than The Emperor’s New Groove or Atlantis. It earned under $110 million on a record-breaking budget of $140 million, which prompted Disney to shut down its studio in Orlando, Florida and pivot away from 2D animation.
Despite Treasure Planet‘s initial failure, it later became a cult classic, with many viewers praising its strong character building and emotionally compelling story. It and Atlantis are now heralded as two underappreciated sci-fi gems that Disney simply released at the wrong time.
Brother Bear Was a Heartfelt Piece of Disney’s Experimental Era
2003’s Brother Bear was one of Disney’s last 2D animated films of the decade, followed only by Home on the Range and The Princess and the Frog. It made a strong first impression, as its opening act was darker and more dramatic than viewers had come to expect from Disney.
The film followed a Native Alaskan man named Kenai who killed a bear as revenge for his brother’s death and was subsequently turned into a bear by the Great Spirits. From there, Brother Bear became a traditional children’s movie about talking animals, but Kenai’s guilt hung heavily over the rest of the story.
Financially, Brother Bear was actually more successful than Lilo & Stitch, earning over $250 million on about half of Lilo & Stitch‘s budget. However, it did not become nearly as iconic, receiving only a direct-to-video sequel. Still, it was a moving film and a testament to the power of 2D animation.
- Movie(s)
-
Pinocchio, Frozen, Peter Pan, 101 Dalmatians, Cinderella, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Moana
