By Milan Polk ’16

Late 1980s to late 1990s: The Classics

Disney experienced a first “golden era” with its first burst of princess movies after “Snow White” (1937) and “Cinderella” (1950). A wave of princess movies in the 90s, including “The Little Mermaid” (1989) and “Mulan” (1998) revived a second “golden era”. The diverse nature of these new movies appealed to young audiences, with the theatrical songs and memorable lines becoming a staple in American culture.

Early 2000s: 3-D Movies, Partnering With Pixar

The turn of the century brought a new partnership between Disney and Pixar. 3-D movies sparked another wave of popularity in animation. “Finding Nemo” (2003) and “The Incredibles” (2004) drew audiences once again and amazed everyone with effects that jumped off of the screen. Films like “The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000) and “Lilo and Stitch” (2002) also proved successful.

Late 2000s to 2010s: Start of Marvel Movies

3-D movies like “WALL-E” (2008) and “Up” (2009) continued to shape the millennial generation. Movies like “Iron Man” (2008) started a new chapter of comic book-to-movie adaptations for Marvel Studios. Millennials paid equal attention to animated movies like “Toy Story 3” (2010) and “Tangled” (2010), but began to look for more mature movies in the transition to young adulthood.

2010 to Present: The Return of Princesses

“Brave” (2012), “Frozen” (2013) and a revamped “Cinderella” (2015) provide nostalgia for Millennials and makes way for female role-models for young children to admire. Eye-catching visuals, interesting characters and the continuation of Disney’s musical tradition grace the screens with a second “golden era” for Disney in the midst.