Inarguably, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is my favorite Disney movie. Although it contains darker themes and more mature content than most films aimed at children, it has always held a special place in heart. Not only did I watch my VHS copy on repeat, I also read an abridged version of the novel as soon as I was old enough to read novels. As an adult, I’m re-watching the movie and rereading the book (this time unabridged) and I’m starting to fully understand the depth of this film. Here is my take on Disney’s Hunchback.

The movie was released in 1996, near the end of the Disney Renaissance. For those of you who don’t know, this was the time period between roughly 1989 and 1999, where Disney released many critically and commercially successful movies. While this movie didn’t do as well as expected, it’s come to be known as a masterpiece.

As I mentioned earlier, Hunchback deals with darker and more mature themes than practically any Disney movie. These include but are not limited to: faith, the fate of one’s eternal soul, lust, justice/injustice and love beyond romantic relationships. Although some of these themes may come across as shocking in a children’s movie, I truly think it was necessary for me to grow up with this movie alongside a horde of princesses and animated animals. I also believe that there are several important lessons to be learned from this movie.

Esmeralda is a champion of justice for her people, “her people” being Romani (formerly known as g*psies, which is now considered a slur). Judge Claude Frollo has spent his life trying to cleanse Paris of the Romani people, in other words, commit genocide.

In a particularly powerful scene, Esmeralda saves Quasimodo from public humiliation. Claude Frollo orders her to step down, but she refuses, saying, “You mistreat this poor boy the same way you mistreat my people. You speak of justice, yet you are cruel to those most in need of your help!”

Seeing this as a child planted a seed to recognize what is right and wrong, and to step up when you see something unjust. Esmeralda was one of the first strong female characters I was introduced to, and sadly she’s been underutilized in marketing, leaving her mostly forgotten to younger generations.

Quasimodo’s character himself is a shining example to not judge people based on appearance. Despite his physical deformities — or perhaps because of them — Quasimodo is kind and selfless, and is always willing to help others in need. Although he has been ostracized by society and even his own master, he continues to seek out the good in humanity. Although I am not a perfect person and occasionally will judge people, I try to avoid making snap judgments on looks alone. I credit this to a proper upbringing, including being shown this movie.

The final point I’m going to make might sound like a stretch, but hear me out: I believe that Claude Frollo’s character is an example to continuously be introspective, and not let your vices consume you. Frollo is self-righteous, and refuses to acknowledge he is capable of sin. He chooses to validate his terrible actions by saying it is the will of God, or that he is doing it for the betterment of everyone else.

I think that pride can consume us if we let it, which is why we should always look within ourselves to see where we are failing. No one is perfect, and no one should be able to validate their actions based on self-righteousness. If nothing else, Frollo’s character is a scary reminder to remain humble.

I think that while this movie was perhaps too mature for a child to understand, it helped shape my values and more importantly, made me think. In a franchise of princesses and talking animals (not that there’s anything wrong with those), Hunchback is a refreshing change of pace and a movie I think everyone should watch at least once.