There are many Disney animated films that could be classified as “essential”, both in the 2D era and among modern 3D films. But Beauty and the beast was in a class alone, and one of the few animated films to have ever won a nomination for the best film at the Oscars. Music by Alan Menken And the delay Howard Ashman is incredible, and the animation is still dazzling over three decades later.

None of this would matter without the strong performance of Paige O’Hara like beautiful and Robby Benson Like the beast. She must learn to see man under his monstrous appearance, when he must become worthy of his love, otherwise he will remain trapped in the body of a beast forever. Their love is also complicated by one of the most memorable bad guys in Disney, Gaston (Richard White), who manages to be both comical and threatening. This is a masterpiece from start to finish, and few films have always been about to fill it.

Beauty and the beast is streaming on Disney +