---
title: "Aladdin"
year: 1992
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/aladdin"
fi1m_id: "aladdin"
imdb_id: "tt0103639"
tmdb_id: 812
wikidata_id: "Q215518"
fi1m_score: 82
critics_score: 76
critics_reviews: 13
published: "2026-09-13"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:16.389477+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Aladdin (1992)

Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker · 1h 31m · MPA G · Animation, Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance

## Identity

Aladdin

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/aladdin
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** aladdin
- **IMDb ID:** tt0103639
- **TMDB ID:** 812
- **Wikidata ID:** Q215518
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103639/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/812, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q215518

**Fi1m score: 82** · Critics 76 from 13 reviews

*In a sentence:* A boy wants a princess, but we would rather spend the evening with his lamp

> Robin Williams’s Genie makes *Aladdin* a funny, fast-moving family musical. The romance is thin beside him, but the songs and elastic animation make that a forgivable weakness.

## Synopsis

Aladdin (Scott Weinger) is a street urchin who hopes to win the love of Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin). A magical oil lamp introduces him to the Genie (Robin Williams), who can grant wishes and offers a way to change his circumstances. But Aladdin’s ambitions put him in conflict with Jafar (Jonathan Freeman), and magic complicates his pursuit of Jasmine. Ron Clements and John Musker direct this animated musical adventure. Gilbert Gottfried voices Iago and Douglas Seale the Sultan, with Brad Caleb Kane and Lea Salonga supplying Aladdin and Jasmine’s singing voices.

## Review

Ron Clements and John Musker make *Aladdin* move with the confidence of a family musical that expects everyone to keep up. The story of a street urchin, a princess and a wish-granting genie is straightforward enough to survive the interruptions, which is fortunate because Robin Williams supplies a considerable number. We recommend it for the comedy, the songs and the pleasure of watching animation keep pace with that voice. The central romance needs more attention than it gets.

Williams’s Genie is funny partly because the performance never sounds as though it has settled on a final version. A voice changes, the character changes shape, and the next idea arrives before the previous joke has been tidied away. We laughed aloud at those changes of voice and body; the animation gives his rapid impersonations something visible to do. The pleasure is in how closely the drawings follow his comic thinking, rather than simply providing a face that can move its mouth.

That freedom also depends on disciplined work around him. H. Lee Peterson’s editing leaves enough space for a joke to register and keeps the action readable when the pace quickens. R.S. vander Wende’s production design is ornate, occasionally fussy, yet the decoration does not crowd the characters out of their own film. For all the visual activity, it is easy to keep track of what deserves our attention.

Alan Menken’s music is particularly valuable when the film needs to settle down and let the lovers be heard. The songs have clear, appealing melodies that can hold our attention without a joke arriving every few seconds. Brad Caleb Kane and Lea Salonga supply Aladdin and Jasmine’s singing voices, with an openness that gives the courtship some needed warmth. These passages allow the two characters time to hold our attention without having to compete with Williams for the next laugh.

Scott Weinger and Linda Larkin give the speaking roles a likeable directness, although the writing makes Aladdin and Jasmine work too hard at explaining themselves. The screenplay, credited to Clements, Musker, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, keeps stressing what the pair need to learn about themselves. We understand what they want without feeling much urgency about their getting it. The songs bring warmth, but the spoken exchanges need more ease and less self-examination.

The supporting voices make good use of simpler material. Jonathan Freeman gives Jafar a controlled nastiness that is welcome amid so much cheerful commotion, while Gilbert Gottfried’s Iago provides a harsher comic sound. They establish themselves quickly, which matters in a film with so much competing for attention. Williams has the biggest part in the comedy, but the supporting voices prevent it from becoming a solo performance.

The knowing humour will suit adults who enjoy a family musical that makes fun of its own conventions. Children need not recognise every reference to enjoy the Genie’s physical comedy. At 91 minutes, it also keeps the demands on a family evening reasonable. Choose it when laughter matters most, with modest expectations for the love story.

*Fi1m score 82, published 13 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics like it, and almost all of them say the same thing first: Robin Williams. The Genie’s improvised, impression-heavy vocal performance is singled out in nearly every review as the film’s engine, praised for its speed, its wit and, in a few cases, its warmth. The songs come next, then the animation, which several reviews find inventive and technically assured. Many note that it plays to adults as well as children, with a knowing humour that goes over younger heads.

The reservations cluster around comparison. Several critics, Roger Ebert and the New York Times among them, rank it below Beauty and the Beast for pacing and emotional depth. The Times finds it polished but shallow. The Independent thinks the self-aware, therapy-flavoured themes sit oddly in a children’s cartoon. The sharpest dissent comes from Slant Magazine, which objects to the ethnic stereotyping and finds the Genie wearing rather than funny. The spread is wide, but the top is crowded.

## Straight answers

**Is Aladdin worth watching?**

*Aladdin* is worth watching for anyone who wants a fast, funny family musical, and we scored it 82. Robin Williams's Genie and Alan Menken's songs carry it, with animation quick enough to keep up with the jokes. The romance between Aladdin and Jasmine is the thin part, so choose it for the laughter rather than the love story.

**How long is Aladdin, and what is it rated?**

*Aladdin* runs 1h 31m and is rated G by the MPA in the US. It is an animation and family film.

**Where can I watch Aladdin in the US?**

*Aladdin* is streaming on Disney+ in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Aladdin compare to The Princess Bride?**

*Aladdin* is the faster and funnier of the two, while [*The Princess Bride*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride) takes its characters more seriously and leaves more affection for its lovers. Both are fairy tales that make fun of their own conventions, and in both the couple is less interesting than the company around them. Pick *Aladdin* for the Genie and the songs; pick Rob Reiner's film for warmth and swordplay.

**What should I watch after Aladdin?**

After *Aladdin*, try [*The Princess Bride*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride) (1987, Fi1m 86): Another fairy tale whose jokes leave some affection for the lovers. Then [*Kiki's Delivery Service*](https://film.one/film/kikis-delivery-service) (1989, Fi1m 86): A quieter magical adventure, with more patience for its young heroine; and [*The Emperor's New Groove*](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove) (2000, Fi1m 80): For comic voices and drawings that refuse to behave themselves.

### Reviews we read (13)

- **Radio Times**, Tom Hutchinson (5/5): Robin Williams's vocal performance as the Genie steals the show in this beautifully constructed Disney animation, his ad-libbing a perfect match for the wonderful visuals. Kids will be enchanted by the captivating Arabian Nights tale, in which street urchin Aladdin uses a magical oil lamp and its wish-granting genie to win the love of Princess Jasmine and defeat the evil Jafar; there's plenty for adults to enjoy too, particularly the film's delightful songs and numerous sophisticated references. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-qzgzqp/aladdin/)
- **Empire**, Olly Richards (90/100, inferred): After a troubled production, the film succeeds as a hip, self-aware animated musical that appeals to adults and children alike, thanks to its energetic songs, action and especially Robin Williams' blistering, improvisational Genie performance. It paved the way for sophisticated modern animation while standing up well years later. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/aladdin-review/)
- **The AV Club**, Tom Breihan (A-): Aladdin succeeds thanks to its tight 90-minute runtime, catchy songs, and especially Robin Williams' meta, riff-heavy performance as the Genie. The film feels fresh and energetic as a showcase for Williams' improvisational style and the Disney animation renaissance. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/loaded-with-robin-williams-riffs-and-killer-songs-alad-1844578281)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Duane Byrge (90/100, inferred): The critic praises the film as a magnificent animation blending cutting-edge technology with classic storytelling, highlighting its visual delights, lively characters, and Robin Williams' transcendent performance as the Genie. The score, songs, and overall entertainment value are singled out for making it a splendid cinematic experience. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/aladdin-review-movie-1992-1257885/)
- **The New Yorker**, Michael Sragow (90/100, inferred): The review lauds the film as a spiffy, inventive, and hilarious retelling that blends adventure, musical comedy, and burlesque, driven by Robin Williams' wildly expansive Genie performance. It highlights the animation's protean energy and the way the film spoofs its own Disney formula while delivering spectacle and wit. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1992/11/30/free-spirits)
- **Variety**, Brian Lowry (90/100, inferred): The critic calls it a floridly beautiful and sophisticated animated musical that should be another blockbuster, thanks to strong visuals, Robin Williams' comic flair as the Genie, and impressive songs and action. It may not match Beauty and the Beast emotionally but excels in technical virtuosity and broad appeal. [Read](https://variety.com/1992/film/reviews/aladdin-2-1200431030/)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (70/100, inferred): The film is good fun but not on a par with Disney's recent animated hits like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Robin Williams' voice work as the Genie is singled out as the standout element that brings life and energy to the proceedings. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/aladdin-1992)
- **The New York Times**, Janet Maslin (70/100, inferred): The critic praises Disney's latest animated feature for its gorgeous animation, wonderful songs, and funny supporting characters, especially Robin Williams' Genie. It falls slightly short of predecessors like Beauty and the Beast in pacing and emotional depth but remains a strong, entertaining success. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/11/movies/review-film-disney-puts-its-magic-touch-on-aladdin.html)
- **The Independent**, Adam Mars-Jones (60/100, inferred): The film consolidates Disney's recent achievements with strong vocal performances and state-of-the-art effects but overlays its story with modern therapy-like self-awareness themes that feel mismatched for a children's cartoon. Robin Williams' Genie is the standout, delivering an unmatched improvisational performance that accelerates the film's visual energy. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-a-message-for-the-little-people-adam-marsjones-finds-the-disney-studio-s-latest-offering-aladdin-heavily-overlaid-with-the-therapy-experiences-of-its-makers-1505297.html)
- **The Times**, Geoff Brown (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the film polished and exuberant but lacking the finesse and emotional depth of Disney's true classics like Beauty and the Beast. He singles out the Genie, voiced by Robin Williams, for praise as a show-stealing, chameleon-like character. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/aladdin-plenty-of-polish-but-no-special-glow-ksthgq0z9)
- **Slant Magazine**, Ed Gonzalez (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film ridiculous and overpraised, criticizing its ethnic stereotypes and lack of genuine Middle Eastern flavor while dismissing Robin Williams' Genie performance as a narcissistic circus act. The DVD transfer and extras are noted positively but do not redeem the movie itself. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/aladdin-dvd/)
- **The Playlist**, Oliver Lyttelton (85/100, inferred): The critic ranks Aladdin among the very best Disney animated features, praising its tight script, catchy songs with Howard Ashman's contributions, stunning animation, and especially Robin Williams' voice performance as the Genie for its impressions, voices, and pathos. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/every-walt-disney-animated-classic-ranked-worst-best-essentials-20170314/6/)
- **Collider**, Lloyd Farley (B+): The critic calls Aladdin a worthy Disney classic with timeless lessons, inventive and imaginative animation, and exceptional characters. They single out Robin Williams' Genie performance for its comic genius and humanity while acknowledging some dated controversial elements. [Read](https://collider.com/aladdin-review-1992-robin-williams/)

## Details

- **Director:** Ron Clements, John Musker
- **Director:** Ron Clements, John Musker
- **Screenplay:** Ron Clements, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, John Musker
- **Story:** Burny Mattinson, Roger Allers, Daan Jippes, Kevin Harkey, Sue Nichols, Francis Glebas, Darrell Rooney, Larry Leker, James Fujii, Kirk Hanson, Kevin Lima, Rebecca Rees, David S. Smith, Chris Sanders, Brian Pimental, Patrick A. Ventura
- **Editor:** H. Lee Peterson
- **Music:** Alan Menken
- **Production design:** R.S. vander Wende
- **Producer:** Ron Clements, John Musker
- **Cast:** Scott Weinger as Aladdin (voice); Robin Williams as Genie / Peddler (voice); Linda Larkin as Jasmine (voice); Jonathan Freeman as Jafar (voice); Gilbert Gottfried as Iago (voice); Douglas Seale as Sultan (voice); Frank Welker as Abu / Cave of Wonders / Rajah (voice); Brad Caleb Kane as Aladdin (singing voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 31m
- **Certificate (MPA):** G
- **Release (the US):** 25 November 1992
- **Genres:** Animation, Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- **Also in:** [Golden Globe Best Musical or Comedy winners](https://film.one/collections/golden-globe-comedy.md) (Nominee, 1992)
- **Budget:** $28 million
- **Box office:** $504 million

## Where to watch in the US

- Disney+: streaming, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $9.99, sd
- Apple TV: buy $9.99, sd

*Checked 2026-09-13.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 1993: Best Sound (nominated); Best Sound Editing (nominated); Best Original Score (won)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 1993: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (won)

## If you liked this

- *The Thief of Bagdad* (1940): For more wish-driven adventure, with magic given room to astonish.
- *The Princess Bride* (1987), Fi1m 86: Another fairy tale whose jokes leave some affection for the lovers. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md)
- *Kiki's Delivery Service* (1989), Fi1m 86: A quieter magical adventure, with more patience for its young heroine. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/kikis-delivery-service.md)
- *The Emperor's New Groove* (2000), Fi1m 80: For comic voices and drawings that refuse to behave themselves. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove.md)
- *Song of the Sea* (2014), Fi1m 82: Folklore and family feeling, told through carefully shaped animated images. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/song-of-the-sea.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/aladdin