Top 10 Best Voice Acting Performances in 90s Movies
#10: Jason Alexander as Hugo “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
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Jason Alexander made a name for himself on “Seinfeld” in the early 1990s, playing Jerry’s insecure best friend George Costanza. One of the things that made his character so recognizable was his distinctive voice, which you might have noticed pops up in a very famous ‘90s Disney movie. In “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Alexander voices Hugo, one of the magical stone gargoyles who Quasimodo befriends on top of Notre Dame. Though Alexander is typically sullen as George, his Hugo is quite a bright spot in the film, providing advice and comfort for Quasimodo in equal measure. With “Hunchback,” Alexander proves that he can be an affectionate friend, even if just with his voice.
#9: Minnie Driver as Jane Porter “Tarzan” (1999)
Now here’s one you might have forgotten about. 1999’s “Tarzan” was the final film released during Disney’s Renaissance Era. While it certainly wasn’t the most memorable from that crop of movies, it still has an excellent score and wonderful work from its voice cast, which includes Minnie Driver. Driver plays Jane, the adventurous English woman who falls in love with Tarzan during her travels. Not only did the Oscar-nominated actress give life to Jane with her voice, some of her mannerisms were also used in animating the character. At this point in Driver’s career, she already had tons of charisma and romantic leading lady experience, which she brings in abundance to the role of Jane.
#8: Meg Ryan as Anastasia Romanov “Anastasia” (1997)
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“Anastasia” features one of the most stacked casts of any animated film of the 1990s. From John Cusack, to Kelsey Grammar, to Hank Azaria, it’s really a who’s who! While we can’t deny the comedic evil power of Christopher Lloyd’s Rasputin, in this case we’ve got to go with the titular role. Meg Ryan’s performance of the Anastasia character feels like it could have been pulled straight from any of her live-action romantic comedies. Ryan’s Anastasia is feisty, funny, and strong. In short, she’s everything a young girl could want in a leading lady. Pair that speaking performance with Liz Callaway’s incredible singing stylings, and you’ve got yourself a princess for the ages.
#7: Ralph Fiennes as Rameses “The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
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1998’s “The Prince of Egypt” has a way more star-studded cast than you might remember. Beyond Val Kilmer as Moses himself, you’ve got Sandra Bullock and Jeff Goldblum as Moses’s siblings Miriam and Aaron, respectively. Not to mention Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart, Danny Glover, and Michelle Pfeiffer. We could go on! But among that incredible line-up, one actor stands out for his impeccable embodiment of the villain, and that is Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes voices Rameses, Moses’s adoptive brother and eventual adversary. The English actor is menacing in the role, but also brings a certain empathy to his performance that might be lost with a lesser-skilled actor. And to think he does all of that with just his voice!
#6: Susan Egan as Megara “Hercules” (1997)
“Hercules” is another one of those Disney movies where it seems like every name involved is a big one. James Woods brings just the right amount of a sleazy villain to Hades, and who doesn’t love Danny DeVito as grumpy old Phil? But for as many household names as were in the cast, there were actors like Susan Egan, who may have had lesser recognition, but even more skill. Egan was primarily a Broadway actress before landing the role of Meg, and that probably explains the professional level of theatrics in her performance. With more than enough sass to go with that Disney princess sweetness, Egan proves that she’s indeed the belle of the voice acting ball.
#5: Eddie Murphy as Mushu “Mulan” (1998)
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By the late ‘90s, Eddie Murphy was already one of the biggest stars in the world. From his run on “Saturday Night Live” to a slew of hilarious ‘80s comedies, he certainly was a gift to viewers around the world. But in 1998, a Disney movie introduced him to a whole new audience. In “Mulan,” Murphy voices the role of Mushu, a small dragon who attempts to prove his worth by guiding the titular character as she joins the army under a guise. Murphy provides some great comedic relief, but also showcases a softer side as Mulan’s helper. Mushu is, without a doubt, one of the best sidekicks in the Disney canon. Just remember - Dragon! Not lizard.
#4: Jeremy Irons as Scar “The Lion King” (1994)
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In 1994, a host of Hollywood and theater legends joined forces to bring us one of the greatest animated films of all time. “The Lion King” features a slew of amazing performances from the likes of Rowan Atkinson to Nathan Lane and James Earl Jones. But if there’s one thing this phenomenal cast proves, it’s that good guys really never win, because it’s the villain who completely steals the show. Even Darth Vader himself will be impressed with Jeremy Irons as the evil Scar. The character design of Scar is slinky and suspicious, and Irons perfectly matches his vocal tics to that blueprint. It’s voice acting at its finest and we couldn’t be more grateful to be spectators of it.
#3: Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts “Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
When you have such wonderful songs from the likes of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, you need the vocal talent to match. So it makes sense that so many of the cast members of “Beauty and the Beast” come from the world of Broadway. Theater legend Jerry Orbach certainly proves his worth during Lumière’s rendition of “Be Our Guest.” But the inherent warmth Angela Lansbury brings to Mrs. Potts cannot be overstated. Her jovial British accent and motherly demeanor bring just as much comfort to us as they do to Belle. And “Beauty and the Beast” would be nothing without her masterful delivery of the titular song.
#2: Tom Hanks as Woody “Toy Story” (1995)
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A buddy comedy but make it animated, “Toy Story” broke barriers when it premiered in 1995. However, we don’t think it would have been quite as successful if it wasn’t for the stars at its helm. Tim Allen is perfect as Buzz Lightyear, but Tom Hanks’ Woody took whatever expectations we had and just outright shattered them. Hanks is such an important piece of casting in the movie, partly because of his uncanny ability to make us root for characters we might otherwise dislike. Woody’s particular brand of orneriness somehow adds to his charm, and we all have Hanks to thank for it. You just can’t help but love that grouch, no matter how much he grinds your gears. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Princess Atta, “A Bug’s Life” (1998) This Comedy Queen Shows Her Vocal Prowess as the Miniature Princess Chris Sarandon as Jack Skellington, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) He’s the Mayor of Our Hearts... And Halloween Town, of Course Susan Sarandon as Miss Spider, “James and the Giant Peach” (1996) Sarandon Spins an Intricate Web of a Performance Using Just Her Voice Tim Curry as Hexxus, “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” (1992) Leave It to Tim Curry to Bring Life to an Evil Pollutant Vin Diesel as the Iron Giant, “The Iron Giant” (1999) Vin Diesel Has Always Had a Heart of Gold
#1: Robin Williams as the Genie “Aladdin” (1992)
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Throughout the 1990s, there were only so many projects that didn’t feature Robin Williams, from live-action to the world of animation. And while he might have lent his voice to other animated films, such as 1992’s “FernGully: The Last Rainforest,” nothing can top him as the Genie in “Aladdin.” Williams lays the blueprint for how vocal acting should be. And this is not just the nostalgia talking, everything about the performance is just downright amazing. The way he delivers comedic gem after comedic gem, combined with his genuine warmth make this an all-time great, especially for a family-friendly movie. We certainly will never forget how special Williams was, as he immortalized himself with performances like this.
