Show Notes
The end of term is here – and before we go on a brief summer break, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are here to deliver one final statement on the Renaissance Era. In our latest Study Group episode, we look back over what makes this seismic decade for the studio such a creatively fertile time, and explore how the era changed Disney for good. Expect discussions of the greatest songs, characters, and sequences from across the Renaissance, a ranking of every Renaissance film (with unexpected results), and the latest versions of Sam and Ben’s official Disniversity rankings so far. Plus, we finally decide the name of the next era live on air, tease some exciting live show plans, and we’re joined by the BFI’s Justin Johnson to talk their upcoming Making Magic: 100 Years Of Disney season. See you out in the wilds!
Next episode: Dinosaur (or, possible bonus episodes, tbd)
Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.
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Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Strange World. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.
More from Disniversity Podcast
Stop the press! Before the Comeback Era continues, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers present a bonus episode – discussing the big news, revelations, and early footage from D23, the Disney Expo in Anaheim, California. Not only was the 2026 show packed with looks ahead at Disney Animation (and Pixar, and the theme parks and more) but Ben was there IRL, and has returned with tales to tell of every exciting thing he saw. Get ready for discussions of Frozen III’s first footage, the return of Oswald The Lucky Rabbit, the next Disney animated feature Hexed, an unlikely Heinz collab, and much, much more.
See those lanterns in the sky? That means one thing: film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are back, and ready to let down their (metaphorical) hair with 2010’s Tangled. And they’re joined by a guest who may rank among the Four Favourites: Letterboxd’s Ella Kemp! Together, they discuss the film that set the template for Disney’s 3D princess movies, debating the film’s musical strengths, its top-tier animal sidekicks, its status as an adventure movie, and the mind-games of Mother Gothel. Plus: the Top Trumps deck speaks on the film’s MVP, Ella comes with major Letterboxd stats, Sam goes deep on the extended lore of the spin-off series, and Ben poses a big question: is this Disney’s Taylor Swift era? When will this pod begin? As soon as you press play.
Pucker up, people! The Comeback Era truly begins as film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers venture to the Bayou in 2009’s The Princess And The Frog. And they’re not alone, joined by special guest Kelechi Ehenulo to talk Disney’s brief return to 2D animation, its intentional evocation (and interrogation) of classic fairytale movie tropes, and the impact of the studio’s first Black princess. Plus, they dig into the absolutely stacked jazz-influenced soundtrack, the 1920s-influenced animation style of Almost There, the delicious legacy of Tiana’s beignets, the history of frog-kissing in folk stories, and why it’s a bit like Widows and Sinners.
Don’t call it a comeback! Or, do – because film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are back with a new batch of episodes, following Disney into The Comeback Era. And before things kick off properly with The Princess And The Frog, here’s a little warm-up episode teeing up where we left off, where this next batch of films takes us, and covering some very important business: we have a new live show coming up, so get your tickets now! Ben is going to D23 soon! And is Minions & Monsters better than Toy Story 5? See you very soon for our next proper episode…
Bonjour! In a very special (and very long-awaited) episode of Disniversity, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers take a closer look at one of the cornerstones of Disney’s businesses and creative experiments: the theme parks. And what better way to do that than go to Disneyland Paris? Back in August 2023, a field trip expedition took us into the heart of ‘EuroDisney’ (as it was once known). Follow us as we wander around the parks, chatting away about the iconic rides, how Disney translates its features into physical form, all the delicious snacks, our childhood Disneyland memories, and an increasing obsession with Lightning McQueen. Lightning! Lightning! Lightning! Enjoy, and we’ll see you soon for the Comeback Era.