The Hunchback of Notre Dame

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame

G

Released Jun 21, 1996

1h 26m

Kids & Family

Drama

Animation

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Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

112 Reviews

71%

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100,000+ Ratings

An animated Disney adventure follows disfigured Quasimodo (Tom Hulce), the bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, who bides his time locked away in a tower. With only gargoyles to keep him company, Quasimodo longs to be with other people, leading to his chance encounter with the enchanting Gypsy Esmeralda (Demi Moore). When the beautiful young woman catches the attention of Quasimodo's guardian, sinister Frollo (Tony Jay), Quasimodo must help to keep her out of his clutches.

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Critics Consensus

Disney's take on the Victor Hugo classic is dramatically uneven, but its strong visuals, dark themes, and message of tolerance make for a more-sophisticated-than-average children's film.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

If the Disney team had set out to craft a cartoon response to the ongoing attacks against the company by socially conservative critics, it could not have come up with a more devastating one than its new animated feature.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 18, 2024

Full Review

Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Hunchback of Notre Dame offers a pleasant surprise for people who were wondering how the studio could make a story about suffering and bigotry into a fun family film.

Rated: 4.5/5

Dec 18, 2024

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

It's not what Victor Hugo had in mind, yet it works magnificently.

Rated: 4/4

Dec 18, 2024

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

In its teeming, riotous crowd scenes, its awe-inspiring views of the streets and spires of medieval Paris, its astonishing animation in fights and dances and its spellbinding storytelling, The Hunchback of Notre Dame adds up to a miracle of animation.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 18, 2024

Full Review

Steve Persall

Tampa Bay Times

This is often a stunning, even groundbreaking, piece of work that can only be compared to Beauty and the Beast with its breathtaking detail and atmospheric shadows and light.

Rated: A

Dec 18, 2024

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Jeffrey Westhoff

Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Disney's most powerful animated film since Bambi. Add a dose of the dash and sass that made Aladdin soar and you have a film that 20 years from now should be considered an authentic masterpiece.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 18, 2024

Full Review

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Nyjah R

Disney's 90s classic Hunchback Of Notre Dame is nothing short of a rollercoaster of a masterpiece. Compared to Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame novel decades before this movie, it makes sense the movie was dumbed down to nothing more than a kids movie. Acting is top notch, and Tom Hulce embodies the character of underdog Quasimodo perfectly with his songs like Out There, and Heavens Light, and Frollo's perspective of him being slightly blinded about thinking he's a man of righteousness brings a lot more evil and that's perfect, not exactly Lord Shen or Tai Lung perfect, but still. I highly recommend this overall

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

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matthias s

**Review: *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (★★★★☆)** Man, I forgot how dark *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* is. Disney really went for it with this one—murder, lust, religious hypocrisy—it’s all here, wrapped up in some of the most breathtaking animation they’ve ever done. Seriously, every frame looks like a painting. And those songs? Absolute fire. "Hellfire" might be the most chilling villain song in Disney history. Speaking of villains, Frollo is just straight-up terrifying, a real monster in a world where the "monster" is actually the hero. But it's not all doom and gloom—the film balances its heavy themes with charm, humor, and heart. It’s not flawless (those gargoyles… yeah), but it’s a bold, beautiful, and deeply underrated classic. Easily one of Disney’s most visually stunning and emotionally rich films. If you haven’t watched it in a while, trust me, it’s worth revisiting.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/25/25

Full Review

Luca F

A Great movie. The tonal whiplash, however, does bring down what could have been a Masterpiece.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

Full Review

Trafalgar L

Disney's adaptation of "Notre Dame de Paris" by Victor Hugo is a masterpiece. The story is about a deformed man named Quasimodo who was raised by Judge Claude Frollo. One day he meets a Romani woman named Esmeralda and after she saves him she becomes a wanted fugitive. Now he must protect her and the other Romani people as Frollo plans to commit genocide and exterminate them. So this is a bit darker than your typical Disney film, but it is loaded with songs, breathtaking animation and humor for all ages. Highly Recommend!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

Full Review

Garrett B

It’s animation and musical score helps the film overcome its dark tone

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

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yasmim l

best movie disney ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

Full Review

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Gary Trousdale

Director

Kirk Wise

Director

Tom Hulce

Quasimodo

Demi Moore

Esmeralda

Tony Jay

Judge Claude Frollo

Kevin Kline

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

An animated Disney adventure follows disfigured Quasimodo (Tom Hulce), the bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, who bides his time locked away in a tower. With only gargoyles to keep him company, Quasimodo longs to be with other people, leading to his chance encounter with the enchanting Gypsy Esmeralda (Demi Moore). When the beautiful young woman catches the attention of Quasimodo's guardian, sinister Frollo (Tony Jay), Quasimodo must help to keep her out of his clutches.

Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Producer: Ray Conli, Don Hahn
Screenwriter: Irene Mecchi, Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker, Jonathan Roberts, Noni White
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.1M
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Surround

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