Atlantis: The Lost Empire
A 2001 animated adventure to the lost city of Atlantis.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a 2001 American animated science fiction adventure film directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, produced by Don Hahn, and written by Tab Murphy. Produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, the film follows young linguist Milo Thatch as he gains possession of a sacred book and leads a crew of mercenaries to the lost city of Atlantis. The film is notable for its distinctive visual style inspired by comic book artist Mike Mignola and its greater use of computer-generated imagery than any previous Disney traditionally animated feature.
- directors
- Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
- producer
- Don Hahn
- writer
- Tab Murphy
- release_date
- June 15, 2001
- budget
- $90–120 million
- box_office
- Over $186 million worldwide
- animation_style
- Traditional animation with extensive CGI
Lore & Background
Development of Atlantis: The Lost Empire began after production finished on The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996). Instead of another musical, the directors, producer, and screenwriter decided to create an adventure film inspired by the works of Jules Verne. The film adopted the distinctive visual style of comic book artist Mike Mignola, one of its production designers, and made greater use of computer-generated imagery than any of Disney's previous traditionally animated features. It remains one of the few Disney animated films shot in anamorphic format. Linguist Marc Okrand constructed an Atlantean language specifically for the film, and James Newton Howard provided the musical score.
Reader's Guide
Atlantis: The Lost Empire premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on June 3, 2001, and went into general release on June 15. It received mixed reviews from critics. Budgeted at around $90–120 million, the film grossed over $186 million worldwide, with $84 million earned in North America. Its lackluster box office response was attributed to competition with Shrek, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Fast and the Furious, and Dr. Dolittle 2. As a result, Disney cancelled a planned spin-off animated television series, Team Atlantis, an underwater Disneyland attraction, and a volcanic Magic Kingdom attraction. Despite its initial reception, the film gained a cult following and reappraisal from critics as a mistreated classic, due in part to Mignola's unique artistic influence. A direct-to-video sequel, Atlantis: Milo's Return, was released in 2003.
Did You Know?
- The film was one of the few Disney animated features shot in anamorphic format.
- Linguist Marc Okrand constructed an Atlantean language specifically for the film.
- Jim Varney, who voiced Cookie, died before production ended, and the film was dedicated to his memory.
- The film won Best Sound Editing at the 2002 Golden Reel Awards.
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