Beauty and the Beast

A tale of love and redemption unfolds within the enchanted walls of a castle.

Critics broadly praised the film as an elegant, emotionally resonant animated fairy tale distinguished by sophisticated animation, memorable characters, a strong script, and enchanting musical numbers.

• The Beast's curse can only be broken through learning to love and receiving love, making moral and emotional change the central dramatic engine.
• Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and other enchanted castle staff drive humor, exposition, and emotional warmth.
• The ballroom dance sequence uses lavish animation, sweeping camera movement, and orchestral scale to externalize Belle and the Beast's growing intimacy.
• Belle's reading, unconventional interests, and refusal of Gaston's advances distinguish her from the village's prescribed social ideal.

• The Little Mermaidshared animated fairy tale romance, musical storytelling, enchanted setting, and themes of transformation and compassion
• Aladdinshared Disney animation, romantic fantasy, musical numbers, heroine-centered coming-of-age, and conflict with a domineering villain
• Cinderellashared cinematic fairy tale structure, animated romance, magical transformation, and themes of inner goodness overcoming social judgment
• Tangledshared family-friendly fantasy animation, magical household characters, romantic wish fulfillment, and comic villainy

Directors

Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Release Date

1991-10-22

Runtime

84 min

Rating

7.7 / 10 (10992)

What is Beauty and the Beast about?

A bookish young woman discovers compassion and romance inside a cursed castle while resisting a boastful village hunter.

What is Beauty and the Beast like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Beauty and the Beast as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Beauty and the Beast violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Beauty and the Beast.

What did critics think of Beauty and the Beast?

Critics broadly praised the film as an elegant, emotionally resonant animated fairy tale distinguished by sophisticated animation, memorable characters, a strong script, and enchanting musical numbers.

Which films are like Beauty and the Beast?

Films with a similar feel include The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Cinderella, and Tangled.

How long is Beauty and the Beast?

Beauty and the Beast runs 84 minutes.

Where can I watch Beauty and the Beast?

In United States, Beauty and the Beast streams on Disney Plus, Bloodstream.