Disney's Beauty and the Beast was first released in 1991.
The animated musical was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise. An unfinished version premiered at the New York Film Festival on September 29, 1991, giving audiences an early look before the completed film reached theaters.
Its wide U.S. release began on November 22, 1991. That date is sometimes confused with later home-video releases or the 2012 3D re-release, but both came long after the original theatrical debut. The film is also distinct from Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast, which arrived in 2017.
The 1991 film became a major milestone for Disney animation. It was the first animated feature nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and won Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Its success helped define the studio's early-1990s animation renaissance.