Overview
An orphan raised by apes discovers his true identity and must choose between two worlds.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- uplifting
- exuberant
- tender
- family movie night
- children's animation marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's spirited animation, brisk pacing, thrilling action sequences, music, and voice performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tarzan discovers that he is human after being raised by Kala and the gorillas, forcing him to consider where he belongs.
Tarzan's movement through the jungle is presented through dynamic, high-angle animation and gliding environmental shots.
Tarzan grows from an orphaned child into an adult shaped by the social rules and physical environment of the ape family.
The film uses prominent songs and montage sequences to compress Tarzan's growth and articulate his changing identity.
Films like Tarzan, and why
The Lion King
shared family animation, animal-centered adventure, coming-of-age themes, and uplifting emotional tone
The Jungle Book
shared Disney animated adventure, wilderness setting, musical storytelling, and human-animal family bonds
Pocahontas
shared animated family adventure, identity formation, adoption themes, and cross-cultural romance
Mulan
shared Disney Renaissance-era animation, musical structure, brisk action, and outsider protagonist
Movie Details
- Directors
- Chris Buck, Kevin Lima
- Release Date
- 1999-06-17
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (7514)
Cast
- Tony Goldwyn
- Minnie Driver
- Glenn Close
- Alex D. Linz
- Rosie O'Donnell
- Brian Blessed
- Nigel Hawthorne
- Lance Henriksen
- Wayne Knight
- Taylor Dempsey
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Tarzan about?
- A dynamic Disney jungle adventure follows an orphaned human raised by gorillas as he confronts the meaning of family, identity, and belonging.
- What is Tarzan like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tarzan as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Tarzan violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Tarzan as mild.
- What did critics think of Tarzan?
- Critics broadly praised the film's spirited animation, brisk pacing, thrilling action sequences, music, and voice performances.
- Which films are like Tarzan?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lion King, The Jungle Book, Pocahontas, and Mulan.
- How long is Tarzan?
- Tarzan runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Tarzan?
- In United States, Tarzan streams on Disney Plus.
