20 Most Important Blockbusters That Changed Cinema Forever

12. Beauty And The Beast

You could make the argument The Little Mermaid should place her, with Ariel's journey to be part of that world signalling a return to form for Disney, who hadn't had a proper hit in decades. But it was Beauty And The Beast that showed Hollywood just what animation could be.

Viewed by many to be the height of the Disney Renaissance (although we'd argue The Lion King gives the good fight), Beauty And The Beast was the Disney princess formula done at its absolute best. Belle is a brilliant unassuming hero and the period French setting lends a realism that had been lacking in the fictional worlds of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. It was noteworthy for its use of CGI to enhance some of the scenes, particularly the ballroom dance, although what gets it on the list is what it inspired in people.

With critical praise, the film was a smash hit and even got an unprecedented nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars. It lost out to the unstoppable The Silence Of The Lambs, but to even be considered was monumental; it was a symbol animation had won round even the most traditionalist members of Hollywood.