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%

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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

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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

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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

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Tauhid E

how is a villain like frollo, lead the movie having a rating like G!!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/13/25

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Juju S

Je ne suis personnellement pas fan de ce film. Je crois que j'ai été traumatisé par le personnage de Frollo et que l'histoire est un peu trop sombre à mon goût.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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Anthony L

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of the best animated films I have ever seen. It's dark tone, amazing musical numbers, and vibrant animation makes it a PHENOMINAL watch. Frollo is the most evil villian in any Disney moive, and he is one of the movie's STRONGEST characters. Definately Disney's darkest movie. I would even give it a PG rating. I totally reccomend it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

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Oaklee D

One of the Last hoorahs of Disney hand drawn animation, it's also perhaps one of the darkest Disney films I've ever seen.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/02/25

Full Review

Elodie P

This is possibly one of the best movies Disney has put out: from its realistic villain to beautiful 2D animation everything is delicately crafted for a reason, making this tale so special. I especially enjoyed watching the relationship between Esmeralda and Quasimodo as his feelings aren’t reciprocated. It’s done so carefully which makes this story just feel even more individual from other Disney movies, along with its more mature themes. Overall, brilliant movie for those with kids who are a bit on the more mature side (probably 7+ or so) and even older audiences on a night in.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

Full Review

Blu B

All Time Classic. Flawless execution across the board. An excellent villian, amazing voice casting especially for Quasi, and just stunning absolutely stunning visuals. It reminds me of a Golden Era film with how it's done at times. The attention to detail, colors, epicness of shots is just amazing. The songs as well, while not necessarily catchy, are so well sung, used, and visually are just unforgettable are amazing and fit into the story perfectly. It moves at a perfect pacing weaving effortlessly between Esmeralda and Quasi when needed. While the 1939 live action is probably the best adaptation still this is something everyone should give a try once and is probably the most accesible version. It reminds me of The Prince of Egypt & The Ten Commandmants in that both can claim to be the best of their respective medium of live action and animation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

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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