Which Disney film is often cited as the revival of American feature animation during the late 1980s?

• A. The Little Mermaid
• B. Aladdin
• C. Beauty and the Beast
• D. The Lion King

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that a turning point in Disney’s feature animation was sparked by a film that revitalized audience excitement and industry confidence after a slump. The Little Mermaid, released in 1989, did just that. It brought back vibrant hand-drawn animation, memorable songs, and emotionally engaging storytelling that resonated with both kids and adults, giving the studio a new sense of momentum. The success of this film created the template and momentum for a string of subsequent hits—Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King—that defined the Disney Renaissance in the following years. So, The Little Mermaid is often cited as the catalyst for the revival, even though the later films built on and expanded that renewed period.