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Waking Sleeping Beauty

Play trailer Poster for Waking Sleeping Beauty PG 2010 1h 26m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
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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Waking Sleeping Beauty

Waking Sleeping Beauty

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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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Critics Reviews

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Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post 10/01/2010
1/4
More Belle, more Ariel, more Simba -- and less of Eisner and Co. -- would have made a more interesting movie. Go to Full Review Moira MacDonald Seattle Times 08/06/2010
2/4
It's a not-so-great movie about some great movies. Go to Full Review Joe Neumaier New York Daily News 04/06/2010
3/5
A few too many industry asides, but filled with behind-the-scenes moments. Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 07/19/2022
Top draw for scholars of the ill-fated marriage of art/commerce at the alter of animation. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens 11/06/2019
Wake up this weekend and be the guest of Don Hahn, Peter Schneider and Disney at WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY. Go to Full Review Lindy West The Stranger (Seattle, WA) 01/11/2018
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brianna B @RT04373014 02/16/2024 Very good documentary about how The Little Mermaid started the Disney Renaissance and saved the animation department at Disney. See more Glen A @RT99770220 01/07/2024 This is an excellent documentary that tells a great story. A must watch for fans of old school animation. See more Jacob B @RT89309114 08/22/2023 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. See more 06/04/2022 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. See more 01/26/2022 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 See more spencer p @s_plewe 01/22/2020 Insightful and captivating, events behind this pivotal period for this studio are brought forth by those who lived them with honesty and cleared eyes. See more Read all reviews
Waking Sleeping Beauty

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Cast & Crew

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Don Hahn

Director

Don Hahn

Narrator

Don Hahn

Producer

Peter Schneider

Producer

Patrick Pacheco

Screenwriter

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Waking Sleeping Beauty

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Don Hahn, Peter Schneider
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
Runtime
1h 26m
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