Waking Sleeping Beauty

PG

Released Mar 26, 2010

1 hr. 26 min.

Documentary

List

71%

52 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Through extensive use of archival clips, documentarian Don Hahn explores how Walt Disney Animation Studios broke out of their mid-1980s box-office slump. The film focuses on the group of young, ambitious animators and filmmakers, such as Tim Burton and "Toy Story" director John Lasseter, who struggled against outside competition and old-guard studio executives within the company to reclaim Disney's legacy as a producer of world-class animated entertainment.

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Critics Consensus

It doesn't probe as deep -- or tell as many hard truths -- as it could have, but Don Hahn's look at Disney's rebirth offers a fascinating and surprisingly candorous glimpse into the studio's past.

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Brianna B

Very good documentary about how The Little Mermaid started the Disney Renaissance and saved the animation department at Disney.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

Glen A

This is an excellent documentary that tells a great story. A must watch for fans of old school animation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/07/24

Full Review

Jacob B

While uneven and I'm not a fan of the decision to have the film consist entirely of archive footage with interviews bring voice-only, Waking Sleeping Beauty otherwise offers an interesting look at how Disney restored its reputation big-time in the late '80s and early '90s whilst not being afraid to discuss management woes back when Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg were still in charge without demonising them which one could understandably expect given the circumstances behind their departures. This documentary probably could've delved deeper into the Disney Renaissance instead of conveniently stopping after mentioning how big The Lion King ended up becoming whilst limiting mentions of Toy Story and Pocahontas to mere cameos as "some movie about toys being made with computers" and "the movie that Katzenberg was hoping would become their actual next magnum opus" but I think that what we got in Waking Sleeping Beauty provides enough of a satisfactory, educational experience that makes it essential viewing for Disney fans and animation enthusiasts alike.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I enjoyed this Documentary as I thought it was an insightful look inside the Disney Animation studio once Walt Disney died and the challenges they faced to create more Disney classic hits.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Superficially recounts a pivotal point in the history of Disney Animation (1984 to 1994). Just when you think it’s going to take a deep dive into its subject, it instead comes up for a gingerly drawn breath of air. #nitrosMovieChallenge

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/22

Full Review

spencer p

Insightful and captivating, events behind this pivotal period for this studio are brought forth by those who lived them with honesty and cleared eyes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Don Hahn

Director

Don Hahn

Narrator

Don Hahn

Producer

Peter Schneider

Producer

Patrick Pacheco

Screenwriter

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Mark Feeney

Boston Globe

Rated: 3/4

Nov 24, 2011

Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

More Belle, more Ariel, more Simba -- and less of Eisner and Co. -- would have made a more interesting movie.

Rated: 1/4

Oct 1, 2010

Full Review

Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

It's a not-so-great movie about some great movies.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 6, 2010

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Top draw for scholars of the ill-fated marriage of art/commerce at the alter of animation. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 19, 2022

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Wake up this weekend and be the guest of Don Hahn, Peter Schneider and Disney at WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY.

Nov 6, 2019

Full Review

Lindy West

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Waking Sleeping Beauty was clearly a cathartic project for its creators, but the level of anecdotal detail ("Then we went out for margaritas!") comes off as self-indulgent at first and eventually just dull.

Jan 11, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Through extensive use of archival clips, documentarian Don Hahn explores how Walt Disney Animation Studios broke out of their mid-1980s box-office slump. The film focuses on the group of young, ambitious animators and filmmakers, such as Tim Burton and "Toy Story" director John Lasseter, who struggled against outside competition and old-guard studio executives within the company to reclaim Disney's legacy as a producer of world-class animated entertainment.

Director: Don Hahn
Screenwriter: Patrick Pacheco
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Red Shoes, Stone Circle Pictures
Rating: PG (Some Thematic Elements|Brief Mild Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 26, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $80.2K

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