Disney’s animated film Mulan was released in theaters in 1998.
The film opened during Disney’s late-1990s animation renaissance, following releases such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules. It presented a fictionalized version of the Hua Mulan legend, combining traditional Chinese-inspired imagery with original songs, comic characters, and action-adventure storytelling.
Mulan was the 36th film released in the Walt Disney Animated Classics canon. Its story centers on Mulan’s decision to disguise herself as a man so she can serve in the army in place of her father, who has been called to war.
The 1998 animated film should not be confused with Disney’s live-action Mulan, which was released much later in 2020. The two productions share the legendary heroine and several broad story elements, but they have different casts, directors, tones, and supporting characters. The year 1998 identifies the animated feature specifically.