Mulan (1998)

86% of critics liked it
(72 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(535,394 ratings)

Disney's cross-cultural retelling of a popular Chinese folk tale about a peasant girl who disguises herself as a man and takes her ailing father's place in the emperor's army turns the traditional fairy tale ending on its head. This time, the princess rescues the prince.

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Rating, Runtime: G, 50 min.
Directed By: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook
Written By: Rita Hsiao, Chris Sanders (III), Philip LaZebnik, Raymond Singer, Dean DeBlois
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jun 19, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Nov 9, 1999
Studio: Buena Vista

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
What's terrific about Mulan is its reaching for emotions that other movies run from: family love and duty, personal honor and group commitment, obedience and ingenuity.
Todd McCarthy, Variety
Goes about halfway toward setting new boundaries for Disney's, and the industry's, animated features, but doesn't go far enough.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
A disappointment for anyone hoping the studio would raise the standard of the animated feature to a new level.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
The film shines at capturing the watercolor delicacy of China's past.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Memo to the gang at Walt Disney animation: Your formula is showing.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Everyone will be entertained the fast-moving plot and rich animation.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
What is chiefly impressive is that the appropriation of Chinese iconography in a film that was plainly made by Western animators feels ultimately so natural and successful.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Overall, this is a lovely film, ranking with the best of Disney's animated features while taking on rather serious issues of war, honor, gender roles and family pride.
, Film4
From the first scene onwards, you know you're in good hands.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Using richly hued, angular animation, this vibrant, action-filled Disney offering is immensely entertaining.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Female heroes permeate most of Disney's animated movies, but this is the first time they've given her real strength.
Ron Wells, Film Threat
This is the best Disney animated feature, ever (involving extensive use of cross-dressing).
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Continues Disney's dominance of the animation field with its solid, assured story-telling, good main and supporting characters and superior craftsmanship.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
In the end, Mulan isn't bad - it's just mediocre, which is particularly disappointing given its Disney pedigree.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Overall, I liked the more serious aspects far better than I did the comic relief.
Jesse Hassenger, Filmcritic.com
remains squarely in the realm of family entertainment, but it's lush and effective as such (if a little more violent than usual)
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
Neither fish nor fowl, though it certainly leans towards foul
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
A fascinating and artistically animated movie that's worth seeing more than once.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
To its credit, Mulan does strive to present its characters as something more than potential Happy Meal toys.
James Plath, Reel.com
Mulan manages a nice balance throughout, weaving drama, action, comedy, and music together

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Manu G

This time, the princess saves the prince. Good Disney Movie! Great story and typical great Disney ending. Enjoy! Mulan is a girl, the only child of her honored family. When the Huns invade China, one man from every family is called to arms. Mulan's father, who has an old wound… More
This time, the princess saves the prince. Good Disney Movie! Great story and typical great Disney ending. Enjoy! Mulan is a girl, the only child of her honored family. When the Huns invade China, one man from every family is called to arms. Mulan's father, who has an old wound and cannot walk properly, decides to fight for his country and the honor of his family though it is clear that he will not survive an enemy encounter. Mulan, who just got rejected by the matchmaker because she had set her on fire, decides to prove that she is worth something and steals away to fit her father's place in the Chinese army. She prays to her family's ancestors for protection and luck before leaving as a man in her father's armor with her family's horse. The ancestors awake and decide to send Mushu, a little dishonored dragon to aid Mulan in her quest. Weeks later, Mulan and the other troopers have survived the training camp and are on the way north to stop the huns. After being spotted and pursued by the enemies, an impass situation in the mountains forces Mulan to come up with an idea. But then, her real gender will no longer be a secret. She decides to risk everything in order to save China.
Film C

I love mulan, you can never really forget the original timeless classics that even todays kids willl very much enjoy, and the dragon voiced by Eddie Murphy is brilliant! very amusing!
AJ V

A good Disney movie, slightly different from the usual Princess tales they have done in the past. The characters are good, the story is fun and intriguing. It's definitely worth seeing.
Unknown H

In my top three Disney movies of all time, Mulan breaks the mould of the average Disney heroine and follows in the footsteps of the hero rather than the damsel in distress. A touching story that makes me cry at the end more often than not, rooted in a rich and interesting period of… More
In my top three Disney movies of all time, Mulan breaks the mould of the average Disney heroine and follows in the footsteps of the hero rather than the damsel in distress. A touching story that makes me cry at the end more often than not, rooted in a rich and interesting period of history, Mulan is funny, filled with fantastic songs and has possibly the best moral of any Disney movie to date. Stunning.
Jameson W

One of Disney's Best!
Alexander D

OK+
Bethany M

A childhood favourite and a classic!
Conner R

Mulan does have some severely corny moments, but it isn't a complete waste of time. The core story is really interesting as well as the implementation of Huns as bloodthirsty villains. However, Eddie Murphy's dragon character is ridiculously bad and frankly tears the entire… More
Mulan does have some severely corny moments, but it isn't a complete waste of time. The core story is really interesting as well as the implementation of Huns as bloodthirsty villains. However, Eddie Murphy's dragon character is ridiculously bad and frankly tears the entire movie down to a level of cheese that it didn't deserve. It could've been a true classic, but as it stands, it's just a mixed bag.
Brad W

A true masterpiece to the list of great animated Disney films, kids can learn a lot about the chinese culture with this film.
Jay H

While this film is hardly more than a reconceptualization of the cliche Disney story we all know and love, it's a quality reconceptualization of the cliche Disney story we all known and love. Its poor attempt to mix the Eastern ideals of the film's context with the Western… More
While this film is hardly more than a reconceptualization of the cliche Disney story we all know and love, it's a quality reconceptualization of the cliche Disney story we all known and love. Its poor attempt to mix the Eastern ideals of the film's context with the Western ideals of Disney leaves a bad taste, but aside from that, the film is another fun Disney classic with good music and a couple of really well-animated scenes to please the eye.
Nadira I

Mulan is indeed an inspirational character that going to be remembered by many people who watched this movie. Mushu is my favorite since he's very cute and funny. The songs are catchy. I believe Mulan brings out some ideas for feminism and the life in China. This is a movie worth… More
Mulan is indeed an inspirational character that going to be remembered by many people who watched this movie. Mushu is my favorite since he's very cute and funny. The songs are catchy. I believe Mulan brings out some ideas for feminism and the life in China. This is a movie worth watching for many girls and women out there. It contains history and morality. Disney is really successful in making this animated movie.
Jens S

While many feared that Disney would enter Anime territory with this story of a Chinese girl dressing up as a soldier to defend her country, it's still classic Disney storytelling all around: funny animal sidekicks, catchy songs, humor, action, a message, it's all there. The… More
While many feared that Disney would enter Anime territory with this story of a Chinese girl dressing up as a soldier to defend her country, it's still classic Disney storytelling all around: funny animal sidekicks, catchy songs, humor, action, a message, it's all there. The result is enthralling, touching and sometimes incredibly funny, combining all the features people love about Disney films, making this one of the greatest ones of all times.
Michael E

It is said that this movie was the longest disney film in the works with a time of being worked on for 7 years and the end result is fantastic. Great acting in this animated film, breathtaking animation and visuals, songs that are instant classics, and great comedy, by far my favorite… More
It is said that this movie was the longest disney film in the works with a time of being worked on for 7 years and the end result is fantastic. Great acting in this animated film, breathtaking animation and visuals, songs that are instant classics, and great comedy, by far my favorite scene is the scene with the huns all at the top of the hill, at the time i had never seen so many characters in one scene and the music just adds to the epicness of the scene.
Bently L

One of my favorite traditionally animated Disney films of all-time. It features a fierce, butt-kicking, princess, a hilarious dragon named Mushu, and a lucky cricket that dosen't really bring you luck. The action scenes are so well animated and intense. And not to mention,… More
One of my favorite traditionally animated Disney films of all-time. It features a fierce, butt-kicking, princess, a hilarious dragon named Mushu, and a lucky cricket that dosen't really bring you luck. The action scenes are so well animated and intense. And not to mention, EPIC!!! Mulan is one you can't miss! ♫Now I really wish that I knew how to swim!♫
Richard C

C
erika b

wow really good plot.
KJ P

Really good storytelling and strong lead voice actors, bring this movie to life. Eddie Murphy is hilarious and serious at the same time. I love this film, but nothing will ever top pinnochio from the disney franchise of films!
Dead A

Great movie.
Jennifer D

Wow. A really non-racist Disney film. Good job, Disney.
Jason O

"Mulan" is a good movie. An order is called that states that one man from every family has to participate in a war after China has been invaded. Mulan is a young Chinese woman, and she doesn't think it's safe for her father to go to the war. She pretends to be a… More
"Mulan" is a good movie. An order is called that states that one man from every family has to participate in a war after China has been invaded. Mulan is a young Chinese woman, and she doesn't think it's safe for her father to go to the war. She pretends to be a man to make it to the war. While there, a small red dragon keeps a watch over her and gives her pointers while she trains and then finally goes to war. All will not be easy for Mulan, she has to keep everybody from finding out that she's not really a man while participating in battle. "Mulan" is one of the best Disney movies that have came out in the last few years. Parts of it are funny, but it's best for being a great adventure and action cartoon. I didn't get bored the whole movie. It also has some of the best effects for any of the Disney movies, not counting the 3D ones. When you see the avalanche occur and the end of the movie when people in the background are holding up small lights, you'll know what I mean with the effects. I recommend anybody who likes Disney movies to get "Mulan." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Not one of the best Disney films, but still pretty good. Went to the theater to see it w/my mom & siblings